A survey of 15,755 gadget owners, covering 43,027 products, indicates that modern consumer devices typically function for around five years before experiencing their first significant fault. The analysis tracked device failures, when glitches began, and the associated inconvenience.
The survey, conducted in March 2026, highlighted battery failure as the most frequent hardware issue across phones, laptops, and tablets. Replacing a tired battery is suggested as a way to extend a device's life, with official manufacturer battery replacements costing approximately £79 for a Samsung Galaxy handset, between £99 and £199 for an iPad, and typically between £159 and £245 for a MacBook.
Beyond hardware, software support is increasingly important for device longevity. The survey found that some functional gadgets become practically useless when cut off from unexpected software updates. Motorola mobile phones were cited as an example, with some devices launching with short update guarantees, leading to owners being unable to run critical apps.
Similarly, older laptops, even from brands like Lenovo, can be locked out of vital security updates. In contrast, Philips TVs may receive software updates for only a couple of years, while Hisense offers up to eight years of support for some sets.