A few weeks ago, I mentioned how deep cleaning was akin to archaeological excavations into the past – or as close to that as I’m ever going to see in my lifetime.
However, I didn’t have a chance to give you a rundown of some of the technology fossils I came across.
I’m talking about one of them being so old that it was released in 2008.
And, really the only reason I’ve ever kept any of those bricks is that I needed a backup just in case something happened to my latest and greatest cellphone.
I preferred to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and between moving for college, jobs, and taking care of my elderly grandmother I’ve managed to amass three outdated cellphones.
Said phones are in sore need of recycling through the proper channels and have become so outmoded that they are not even useful outside of being glorified paperweights.
Consider my surprise when I came across a deal with my wireless provider – AT&T to trade in any old Samsung phone to get the newly released Samsung Galaxy S24 in one of three formats - FREE.
Or, at least free with stipulations – as I found out once I began my upgrade journey online.
Traditionally, I have made it a point to only upgrade my phone in person as long as we had a corporate-sanctioned AT&T store locally.
Come to find out that our Bay City one isn’t even listed in the “Customer Service” database when I asked a representative via phone last week.
But, I digress!
Now, I’m currently rocking a Galaxy S9+ and am aware of how limited it is in comparison to the modern models’ specifications since it was released in 2018.
However, it’s served me well and has only recently started having charging port problems, dropping calls, and frequent app crashes – among the more tame issues.
Still, my mom always instilled in me the importance of getting one’s money’s worth from a product or service.
So, I think I’m doing pretty good with my cellphone choices so far and I do have to admit, I spend the extra money to get tempered glass screen protectors and an Otterbox Defender case to keep it safe from the frequent drops I make.
I also have the same stipulations for my parents’ phones and manage to keep them functioning in the best shape I can without having extensive knowledge of operating systems or cellphone parts.
However, I learned that when you’re going to trade in an old phone for a newer model they ask you if the junk phone can power on, is working, and is cosmetically sound.
While I can readily attest to the outside condition of the phones, I have no idea if they can be turned on since the batteries are dead and I don’t have the corresponding chargers to even attempt to resurrect them like pocket Frankenstein’s monsters.
That leaves me with having to say, at the time I stopped using the old phones, they did work and were functional – they just didn’t meet the needs or demands of my life at the time.
I’m hoping I get the same mileage out of my new phone when it finally arrives – but, we’ll wait and see.
After all, if I have any problems, you’re certainly going to hear about them!
