We've all got that one mate whose phone looks like it's been through a lawnmower but insists it's "still got a few good years left in it". Turns out, they're in good company.
New research commissioned by One New Zealand has found that nearly half (49%) of Kiwi surveyed are using a phone with at least one problem. Apparently, our national "she'll be right" attitude extends to the devices we rely on every day.
They found that batteries are the biggest offender, with 22% admitting their phone can't reliably make it through a full day. That's a lot of Kiwi whose daily routine includes scouting for the nearest power point. Another 12% are living with cracked or damaged screens, 12% regularly run out of storage, and 12% say their phone is noticeably slow. Meanwhile, 7% have an unreliable charging port- the kind that requires a bit of patience, a gentle wiggle and possibly a small prayer.
And in a plot twist, it's the younger Kiwi whose phones are having the hardest time. Despite being the generation that's grown up with a smartphone practically attached to their hand, 60% of 18–34-year-olds report at least one phone problem, compared with 43% of those aged 35–70.
One New Zealand's Head of Retail, Sam Bruce, says Kiwi have a knack for making things last- even when those things are giving them every reason to call it a day.
"Kiwi are pretty resourceful, and when it comes to our phones, we've clearly mastered the art of making do. A cracked screen? She'll be right. A battery that dies before dinner? Nothing a charger in every room can't fix.
"There's nothing wrong with getting the most out of your phone. But if your daily routine involves finding a power point, deleting photos to free up space or holding your charger at a very specific angle, it might be time to admit your phone's had a good innings."
And while some of us can't resist the latest shiny device, others are clearly playing the long game. Around three in ten respondents have been using their current phone for three years or longer.
With Black Friday just around the corner, it could be the perfect opportunity to give that long-suffering phone a well-earned retirement.
After all, there's a difference between a phone that still works and one you're just very good at working around.
-ENDS-
Source: Survey of New Zealanders aged 18–70, Overall sample n=933, November 2, 2026.
Full data available on request.