There are plenty of reasons to keep your mobile device ticking for as long as possible. First, it saves money if you don't have to keep buying new ones. Moreover, every mobile is full of rare metals, meaning that you save global resources if you don't keep swapping out mobiles.
One way to extend a device's life is to put it in a protective cover, says the Information Centre for Mobile Communications, a German non-profit founded by mobile network operators to provide information about mobile communications.
Another tip is to make sure you get a device where the battery can be swapped out. That means that when the battery life starts to fade, you just need to get a new battery, not a whole new device. Also cut down on wear and tear by turning the phone off when it's not in use and regularly checking to close down apps not in use. That keeps them from running in the background and running down battery power.