To Buy Or Not To Buy: Why Malaysians Can’t Stop Upgrading Their Phones

Are you guys itching to get your hands on the latest Apple iPhone 17? Or maybe you’ve had your eyes on the Samsung Galaxy S25 series instead? There’s always a lot of hype in the air whenever a new flagship smartphone comes around. After all, they offer customers the most powerful chips, pristine displays, and premium features to fiddle with. Of course you would want to replace your 1-year old iPhone 16 with this shiny new toy, right?

But here’s the thing — your current phone probably works perfectly fine. Many Malaysians have developed an almost unstoppable habit of upgrading their phones year after year, often without realising the hidden financial toll it’s taking on their wallets. What seems like harmless monthly payments and “just one generation newer” purchases are quietly draining savings accounts across the country. 

So why can’t we seem to stop? And more importantly, what can we do to stop it?

The “Just One Generation” Trap That’s Costing Malaysians Thousands

Here’s a scenario that probably sounds familiar: You’re scrolling through your social media feed when you see the latest smartphone announcement. Your current phone? It’s only around 18 months old and works perfectly fine. But this new model has a slightly better camera, faster processor, and that sleek new color everyone’s talking about.

If you think about the trade-in value, you might think to yourself that getting this new phone is totally worth it. 

Let’s break down what this “harmless” upgrade cycle actually costs. Here is a quick example:

2022: Bought iPhone 14 Pro for RM5,199
2023: Upgraded to iPhone 15 Pro for RM5,499 (traded in old phone for RM2,000)
2024: Upgraded to iPhone 16 Pro for RM5,799 (traded in for RM2,200)
2025: Planning to get iPhone 17 Pro for RM5,999 (expecting RM2,400 trade-in)

Your expenses:
Year 1: RM5,199
Year 2: RM3,499 (after trade-in)
Year 3: RM3,599 (after trade-in)
Year 4: RM3,599 (projected)

Total spent over 4 years: RM15,896.

But here’s the real kicker that you might not have realised: If you had kept your original iPhone 14 Pro, it would still handle 99% of her daily tasks perfectly. Those “incremental improvements” you paid RM10,697 extra for? Barely noticeable in real-world use.

So, Why Can’t We Stop Upgrading Our Phones?

If it costs so much to keep upgrading your phone, then why do people keep doing it? Well, there are a few factors to consider, both physical and psychological. Here are a few reasons that are most popular:

Trends And Peer Pressure

The first and probably foremost reason for this phenomenon is the pressure to keep up with the trend. While each generation of smartphone today may only have some minor upgrades, the perception of obsolescence remains. As such, many people want the latest and greatest toys to fit in with friends and peers, especially if they are prone to upgrading as well. The fear of missing out (FOMO) is a real psychological factor that many companies are aware of and happily take advantage of.

Perceived And Real Performance Issues

Whether you feel that your phone is slowing down, or if it actually is slowing down, some people want the latest tech to ensure that it is always working at peak performance. In some ways, this is a justifiable reason — since smartphone performance and battery life do degrade over time. Not to mention the fact that some companies do plan for obsolescence; deliberately slowing down older models with their updates. However, the placebo effect is very real, and some might choose to upgrade over what they might think is a huge degradation in performance, even if their machines are working fine.

The Significance Of Cost

With the rise of trade-in offers and easy payment plans/Buy Now Pay Later, the perceived cost of getting a new phone is much lower. When you break down a massive price tag into smaller, monthly instalments, then that premium product doesn’t seem as expensive as you might think. As a result, more people are more likely to buy such items on impulse, rather than plan out their budget efficiently. However, this is a very slippery slope.

The Buy Now, Pay Later Pitfall

Sure, it does cost quite a lot of money for a relatively minor upgrade. However, everything should be fine as long as your finances aren’t being strained, right? Why not make use of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options to spread out the payments for a new phone? Unfortunately, this is another pitfall that some people tend to fall for.

BNPL instalments separate your bill into smaller monthly payments, which can feel harmless at first glance. However, these payments can add up over time when taking interest into consideration. Not to mention the potential for missed payments and the opportunity cost of the purchase itself.

Let’s say you want that RM3,599 iPhone 16 Pro but don’t want to pay upfront. Here’s how a BNPL instalment plan might look for you:

Credit card installment (36 months)
Interest rate: 15% annually
Monthly payment: RM124.76
Total cost: RM4,491.36 (RM892.36 extra)

That harmless RM124.76 monthly payment just cost you an extra RM892.36. With that kind of money, you could likely spend a weekend getaway in Langkawi without much issue!

And that is not all. BNPL makes commitments feel easier by allowing customers to pay smaller monthly installments. However, this also makes it easier for customers to commit to multiple BNPL plans. Let’s say for instance, that you buy the following via BNPL in addition to the phone upgrade:

AirPods Pro: RM45/month
MacBook upgrade: RM289/month
Smartwatch: RM38/month

This would mean that you would be locked into paying RM497 per month. Depending on the installment terms, you could be saddled with these extra costs for years to come. One missed promotion or unexpected expense, and you’re in for some trouble. Not to mention the fact that nothing is guaranteed. What if you lose your job or have a medical emergency? Even if you have an emergency fund set aside, having the additional monthly commitments is sure to make anyone sweat.

Why Does BNPL Feel So Safe?

BNPL works because it subtly reshapes how we perceive spending. A RM3,599 phone causes hesitation, but split into RM125 a month, it suddenly feels as harmless as a subscription. This “buy first, think later” effect lowers the psychological pain of paying by shrinking the number and delaying the discomfort. Add instant gratification to the mix, and overspending becomes easier to justify. Once you’re locked into monthly instalments, the sunk cost fallacy takes over, and you stop thinking about the total price and start rationalising upgrades because “it’s only a little more per month.”

Still, BNPL isn’t just a solely bad idea. When planned into your budget, kept short-term, and paired with low or zero interest, it can help manage cash flow and even support your credit history. The real risk comes from stacking multiple plans without a clear overview of what you owe. Before committing, it’s worth understanding how different providers work, their fees, and repayment terms, especially when comparing BNPL options available in Malaysia. Used with intention, BNPL can be a tool; used carelessly, it can quietly turn into a financial trap.