SO. MUCH. THIS.
I got my phone for free, thankfully, from Visible. They were going to make me upgrade, but I never did and they just decided to send me a new phone instead.
First time I’ve gotten a new phone for free since I was a kid.
Somewhat related. My grandpa has had a Nokia flip phone since I was a kid. It’s around 20 years old. It’s survived so much abuse. He’s replaced the battery in it about a dozen times. He got a call last year from ATT saying due to the 3G shut off and other network changes his phone will no longer work. They upgraded his plan and sent him an S21 all for free. First new phone he’s ever had since the Nokia. I’m dreading the experience in 3-4 years when he calls me that the battery sucks and shit acting up.