Rising costs, practical concerns and a collective shrug toward new features are reshaping how people buy, use and dispose of their phones, according to the Allstate Protection Plans 2025 Mobile Survey. Nearly one in four Americans now keeps a smartphone for three to four years, while 21% wait until their device stops working altogether before replacing it. Another 3% reported switching phones every six months or less, a group believed to consist largely of people who enjoy setting up phones more than using them. When it comes time to buy, consumers say battery life, durability and overall performance matter far more than trendy add-ons like artificial intelligence tools. New features ranked near the bottom of buying considerations, well behind sentiments such as “Will this thing last” and “Can I afford it?”The survey also found Americans are conflicted recyclers.