There is no universal rule that says your phone, laptop, or smart-home devices should always be upgraded first. Start with security support: find out which devices still receive updates, then prioritize any unsupported device that is connected, holds sensitive information, or controls an important home function. If everything is supported, focus on the device that no longer reliably handles an essential task. Check whether repair is practical before replacing hardware.
How to decide what needs attention first
Use the same checks for each device rather than ranking by category or age. Support dates vary by model, and a device can continue to work after its manufacturer stops providing security updates. The Australian Signals Directorate notes that products can have different end-of-support dates and recommends checking with the manufacturer: its end-of-support guidance.
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- Check support. Look up the exact model and confirm whether it still receives operating-system, firmware, and security updates.
- Assess exposure. Give more urgency to an unsupported device that connects to the internet, contains sensitive information, allows remote access, or controls an important home function.
- Check essential use. If the device is supported, ask whether it reliably handles the work, communication, access, or home function you need.
- Compare repair and replacement. For a specific fault, check parts availability, repair feasibility, and a repair quote before replacing the whole device.
- Consider the replacement’s support. If you do replace it, check the manufacturer’s security-support commitment rather than judging by age or price alone.
The National Cyber Security Centre advises replacing unsupported software and devices as soon as you are able: NCSC update guidance. That does not mean every unsupported device is equally urgent: how it is used and what it controls affect the potential consequences.
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When a phone should come first
Check the exact phone model’s operating-system and security support. If it is no longer updated, consider how much sensitive information it holds and how often it is used for accounts, communication, or payments. An unsupported phone that remains in everyday use may deserve attention before a supported device that still works properly.
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If the battery is the main problem
Battery degradation alone does not necessarily mean you need a new phone. Check whether the battery in your exact model can be replaced, whether compatible parts are available, and what professional repair costs. A replacement battery is a sensible path only when it fits the model and makes practical sense; not all phone batteries are user-replaceable.
For smartphones covered by the European Commission’s rules, energy labels include battery and repairability information, including a repairability class. These requirements apply to covered products placed on the EU market from 20 June 2025; they should not be assumed to apply to every phone or market. See the European Commission’s smartphone and tablet information.
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When a laptop should come first
Check both the laptop manufacturer’s support and the security-update status of its operating system. Then consider whether it can still reliably handle essential tasks. A supported laptop that has a replaceable fault may be repairable; a laptop that cannot receive security updates and is used for sensitive work deserves a prompt plan to replace or otherwise stop relying on it.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe UK Department for Education’s standards for schools and colleges specify at least five years of support and security patches for laptops and desktops, and advise institutions to consider upgrading or repurposing devices before buying new. This is an institutional benchmark, not a recommended replacement age for every consumer. See the UK school and college digital and technology standards.
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When smart-home devices should come first
Check support and firmware for each smart-home product separately. A home may include devices from different manufacturers and release dates, so one product’s support status does not establish the status of the rest. Pay particular attention to connected devices that allow remote access or control an important home function.
The UK NCSC says: “You don’t need to buy the latest (or most expensive) smart device in order to be secure but, if possible, avoid buying devices that are no longer supported by the manufacturer, or whose support period will end soon.” Turn on automatic updates when available, and install manual updates promptly. Read the NCSC guidance on smart devices in the home.
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
If a device cannot be updated, UK consumer IoT guidance says it should be possible to isolate and replace it. See the UK Code of Practice for Consumer IoT Security. Isolation can reduce exposure while you plan a replacement, but it does not restore security support.
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Compare your own devices using this order. It is a decision framework, not a fixed ranking of phone, laptop, and smart-home products.
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- First: unsupported and consequential. Deal first with a device that has lost security support and is exposed, holds sensitive data, or controls an important function.
- Next: essential but failing. If your devices are supported, prioritize the one that is preventing necessary work, communication, access, or home use.
- Then: repairable faults. Check whether replacing a component or obtaining a practical repair can restore useful service without replacing the whole device.
- Finally: plan ahead. For devices that still work and receive updates, note their support end dates and make a replacement plan before support lapses.
Why replacement is not just a security decision
Repair and longer use can also affect the amount of electronic equipment discarded, but broad figures do not rank which device category an individual should replace first. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre reports that, according to Eurostat, 7.6 million tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment were placed on the EU market in 2012 and 14.4 million tonnes in 2022; around 4 million tonnes were recycled or prepared for reuse. Those figures cover electrical and electronic equipment overall, not phones, laptops, and smart-home devices separately. See the JRC’s 2026 e-waste explainer.
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