What we all love about technology is the very same thing that we hate; it moves so damn fast. And unless you urinate liquid gold, you probably won’t be able to constantly buy all of the latest and greatest gadgetry upon its release. Most of us have to be selective with tech purchases, and likewise with mobile phones due to the often quite lengthy contracts.

The 24 month deal means there’s plenty of time for newer, sexier handsets to sneak up on us while we’re still admiring our new phones. Many were understandably dubious about signing a contract for the iPhone 4S due to concern that Apple might turn around a few months later and say “Hey you guys, iPhone 5 is finally here – and you’re not going to believe it – it’s the best iPhone yet”. Just imagine how sick you’d feel as you contemplate the year and a half that you have left before you can upgrade. Then you find out the iPhone 5 can project holographic images that hover mid-air like Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, and that Siri now likes to crack jokes.

Fortunately, there is metaphoric milk to cool that internal fury as there are several ways of dealing with said issue if a similar situation arises. The first way is to consider selling your current phone through a recycling scheme. There are many websites that will pay quite handsomely for your current handset (and the site you’re reading this from will tell you which ones). For example, some companies – at time of writing – will offer £332.00 for an iPhone 4s (if it’s in full working order of course). And if it’s not working, there’s still a few who would hand you £178.00. With this new-found dosh you could purchase a SIM-free mobile phone that your heart truly desires. Don’t forget to remove your SIM card from your old mobile though; otherwise you’ll be SIM-less. And that’s no fun.

If you have the benefit of hindsight and are in a position where you’re about to start a new contract or initiate an upgrade, there’s another option available. It’s called Just Upgrade My Phone (JUMP) by us at Phones 4u and allows users to change their handset as often as every 6 months. There are some additional charges to pay each month for the privilege, but a pilot scheme across retail stores from May 2011 has generally garnered positive feedback. Probably the same customers that don’t put patience and virtue in the same sentence.

As you’ve probably noticed, the rise of 24 month contracts has seen 12 month plans gradually slip from the billboards. This is mainly because the costs of contracts need to be ramped up in accordance with the price of more advanced and intelligent handsets. They don’t call them smartphones for nothing you know. However, if you’d rather pay more cash over less time to keep the more recent mobile tech in your pocket, there are still a few industry fish swimming the other way and offering 12 month contracts.

If only a person’s relationship with their mobile carried the same values as a relationship between two people – then we wouldn’t need to provide these kinds of solutions. Long term commitment and loyalty just don’t have any value when it comes to handsets. It’s a good job that these smartphones aren’t so smart that they can feel emotion; they’d be broken hearted at all this rejection and fleeting affection.

This post was provided by guest writer Dean Wilson of Phones 4u who loves writing about mobiles, especially Apple phones.