There is no universal rule that says to replace your phone, laptop, or smart-home devices first. Start with any device that has stopped receiving security updates—especially if it stays connected, handles sensitive information, or controls an important home function. If all three are still supported, prioritize the one that no longer reliably does something essential. Check whether a repair can solve the problem before replacing the device.
How to decide what needs attention first
Use a support-first check, then weigh the real-world consequences of a failure or security problem. A device’s age alone does not tell you whether it is safe or useful: manufacturers set model-specific support periods, so check the exact product and whether it still receives operating-system, firmware, and security updates. Australia’s Signals Directorate notes that end-of-support dates vary by product and directs users to manufacturers for details: end-of-support guidance.
- Check support. Look up the exact model’s end-of-support date and confirm whether updates are still available. A device can continue to work after support ends, but vulnerabilities may no longer be fixed.
- Assess exposure. Give more urgency to unsupported devices that connect to the internet, contain sensitive data, allow remote access, or control an important home function.
- Identify essential failures. If every device is supported, focus on the one that can no longer reliably handle necessary work, communication, access, or home tasks.
- Compare repair and replacement. Check whether the fault is a replaceable component, whether parts are available, and whether repair is practical compared with replacement.
- Check the next device’s support commitment. A replacement that will soon lose updates may not be a sound long-term choice. Compare its support information as well as its price.
This is a way to set priorities, not a fixed ranking of product categories. A failing supported laptop may matter more to you than an unsupported device you can disconnect; an unsupported smart-home device with remote access may warrant faster attention than a phone with a worn battery.
When a phone should come first
If its security support has ended
Check the exact phone model’s security and operating-system support rather than relying on its age. If it no longer receives security updates and you use it for sensitive accounts, payments, or everyday internet access, plan to replace it when practical. Until then, reduce exposure where you can and avoid treating continued operation as proof that the phone remains protected.
#1 Best Overall
- Universal unlocked. Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other prepaid carriers.
- Super-bright, super-smooth 6.7" display. See your screen clearly even outdoors in sunlight, and enjoy seamless views with a fast-refreshing 120Hz display.*
- AI-powered camera system. Take stunning photos in any light with the 50MP camera**, look your best with a 32MP selfie cam*****, and capture extreme close-ups.
- Superfast 5G performance. Unleash your entertainment at 5G speed*** with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM with RAM Boost****.
- Long-lasting battery + TurboPower charging. Power through day after day with a 5200mAh battery, then get hours of power in just minutes.****
If the battery or another component is the problem
A degraded battery does not automatically mean you need a new phone. Check whether the exact model can be repaired, whether a compatible replacement battery is available, and what a professional repair would cost. Do not assume batteries are user-replaceable or that a replacement battery is suitable for every model.
For covered smartphones placed on the EU market from 20 June 2025, European Commission rules include repairability and battery information on the energy label, including a repairability class. Those provisions apply to covered products and that market; they are not a global label requirement. See the Commission’s smartphones and tablets information.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
When a laptop should come first
Check operating-system and device support
Confirm that both the operating system and the laptop manufacturer still provide security updates. The UK National Cyber Security Centre advises replacing unsupported software and devices as soon as you are able: NCSC device guidance. An unsupported laptop used for work, personal files, or online accounts deserves attention even if it still starts and runs familiar applications.
Separate a repairable fault from an obsolete device
If the laptop is supported but has a failing component or no longer meets your needs, check whether it can be repaired, upgraded, or repurposed before buying another one. The UK Department for Education’s standards for schools and colleges specify at least five years of support and security patches for laptops and desktops and advise institutions to consider upgrades or reuse before purchasing new equipment. That is an institutional benchmark, not a consumer rule that laptops should be replaced after five years: UK school and college standards.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #3
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
When smart-home devices should come first
Check each product separately. A home may contain devices from different manufacturers and release dates, so a single age or household-wide support date cannot tell you whether everything is covered. Check manufacturer support information and each device’s current firmware status.
The UK NCSC advises turning on automatic updates when available and installing manual updates promptly. It also says buyers do not need the latest or most expensive smart device to be secure, but should avoid products that are already unsupported or will soon lose support. Read its smart-device guidance.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Pay particular attention to a device’s access and purpose: internet connectivity, remote control, sensitive information, and the home function it manages all affect the consequences of a problem. UK consumer IoT guidance says devices that cannot be updated should be isolatable and replaceable. If a device has no updates available, check whether you can safely isolate it from the network or whether replacing it is the practical option: UK consumer IoT security code.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Repair first when it addresses the real problem
Repair is worth investigating when the device remains supported and the fault is limited to a component that can be replaced. For a phone, that may mean checking battery replacement; for a laptop, ask whether its failing part can be repaired or upgraded. Compare the repair quote and likely continued usefulness with the cost and support period of a replacement. Feasibility and cost depend on the exact model, parts, and local repair options.
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Repair cannot solve an ended security-support period by itself. If a device is unsupported, weigh its exposure and importance alongside the repair decision rather than spending on a component that leaves the underlying support concern unchanged.
What the wider device figures do—and do not—show
The European Commission Joint Research Centre reported Eurostat figures showing that 7.6 million tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment were placed on the EU market in 2012 and 14.4 million tonnes in 2022; around 4 million tonnes were recycled or prepared for reuse. These figures cover electrical and electronic equipment overall, not phones, laptops, or smart-home devices individually, so they do not establish which category you should upgrade first: JRC explainer, 2026.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
