Japanese actress Riho Yoshioka used the same iPhone for approximately eight years [1] before finally replacing the device this week.
The revelation highlights a stark generational divide in consumer electronics habits, contrasting the actress's frugality with the rapid upgrade cycles typical of younger users.
Yoshioka shared the detail during a PR presentation for Asahi Beer’s “NON 姉ちゃんの超スッキリ GINON 居酒屋” in Japan [2]. She said she had used the same iPhone for about eight years [1].
Her commitment to the aging hardware reportedly shocked her younger colleagues. According to the actress, teenage co-stars reacted to the device by asking, "Is that what you're using? Aren't you using something like a fossil?" [3].
Yoshioka said she kept the phone because it functioned sufficiently for her needs and she saw no reason to upgrade. This pattern continued until the hardware physically failed. The device eventually developed a blue line on the screen [4], a common indicator of display failure, which prompted her to purchase a new model.
Following the upgrade, Yoshioka said the situation had become "refreshed," noting that the new device provided a cleaner experience [5].
“"8年ぐらい同じiPhoneを使ってたんですよ。"”
Yoshioka's experience underscores a growing tension between the 'planned obsolescence' of modern tech and a subset of users who prioritize utility over novelty. While the 'fossil' comment reflects the fast-paced nature of Gen Z tech adoption, the eight-year lifespan of the device demonstrates the enduring durability of certain hardware generations when pushed to their absolute limit.
