Is It Worth Repairing Your Phone or Buying a New One? Denver Experts Explain
For years, replacing a phone every twelve months was practically routine. As recently as 2024, more than a fifth of iPhone users were upgrading annually, according to Consumer Affairs data — a cycle that's now losing steam fast. However, that cycle appeared to slow last year, and 2026 may grind it to a halt. As of 2025, nearly 60 percent of Americans delayed getting a new phone due to rising prices and the economy, according to WalletHub. Electronics sales might not be booming, but repair outlets are. Wall Street Vs. Main Street Amid economic instability and rising living expenses, Americans are increasingly choosing repair over replacement for their electronic devices. While NPR reports that the U.S. economy grew by 2.2% in 2025, the overall inflation rate came in at 2.7% — leaving consumers in a squeeze where their purchasing power effectively shrank. By year's end, unemployment had climbed to 4.6%, and GDP growth had fallen to 1.4%. In June 2025, big announcements about AI ...