Why I’m Still Using My iPhone 11 (And Why I Think That’s a Good Thing)

I’ve been using my iPhone 11 for years now, and honestly, I still make the most of it every single day. It works. It does what I need. And that’s enough.

I never intended to upgrade it until I really had to. And that mindset hasn’t changed. I’ve always found the yearly upgrade cycle a bit… odd. Why replace something that still works perfectly? Why buy into this idea that having the “latest” is somehow essential?

For me, this is not just about saving money (although that’s a nice side effect). It’s about making sensible choices with the technology I use—and stepping away from the pressure to keep up with trends just for the sake of it.

The Quiet Power of Enough

We live in a world where everything is constantly being updated, replaced, and hyped. But I’ve found a kind of freedom in resisting that pull. I use my phone until it breaks or until the software is no longer supported and the essential apps I rely on stop working. That’s my baseline. Until then, I don’t see the need to chase the next shiny thing.

This isn’t about being anti-technology. I love technology. I use it daily. But I believe in using it intentionally—not impulsively.

There’s a difference between upgrading because something is no longer serving you, and upgrading out of fear that you’re falling behind.

Sensibility in a Culture of Consumption

When you step back, skipping a phone upgrade might seem small. But over the years, it adds up. Financially, yes—these devices aren’t cheap—but also environmentally. Every new smartphone comes with a cost: rare earth mining, factory labor, energy use, shipping, and eventually, electronic waste.

Extending the life of your tech is one of the simplest and most direct ways to reduce your impact. And the bonus? You end up saving money and mental bandwidth too.

There’s peace in knowing you’re not being swayed by the constant noise.

Escaping the FOMO Loop

I get it. New models come out with slightly better cameras, or a brighter screen, or a little faster chip. The tech world thrives on this feeling that you’re missing out if you don’t upgrade. But when I pause and ask myself: Do I actually need this? The answer is almost always no.

What I’ve realized is this: using what you already have well is far more satisfying than constantly chasing what’s next.

We’re not falling behind. We’re just opting out of a race we never signed up for.

Redefining Progress

There’s this idea floating around that progress means constantly upgrading. But I’d argue that real progress is knowing what’s enough—and being okay with it.

My iPhone 11 has helped me create, communicate, navigate, document, connect. It’s traveled with me. It’s recorded my stories. It’s worked reliably day after day. That’s something worth valuing.

So no, I won’t upgrade just because a new model came out. I’ll upgrade when I need to. And I think that’s a pretty sensible way to live—not just when it comes to phones, but across the board.

A Different Kind of Trend

Imagine if we made it cool to not upgrade. Imagine if we celebrated how long we could use something. Imagine if we measured the value of our tech not by how new it is, but by how much we’ve created or accomplished with it.

That’s the kind of trend I want to be part of.

So here’s my gentle nudge: The next time you feel that itch to upgrade—whether it’s your phone, your gear, or even just the tools you use every day—pause. Ask yourself why. Ask if it’s truly necessary. And if it’s not, give yourself permission to say, I’m good with what I’ve got.

There’s something deeply empowering about choosing sufficiency over excess.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s the upgrade we really need.