Since smartphones are more versatile than conventional mobile phones, many manufacturers now exclusively offer smartphones. This means that the range of smartphones available clearly exceeds that of conventional mobile telephones; in fact, very few "dumbphones" are still produced. The low supply means that many mobile phones are used from old stocks. Old components such as batteries are often replaced by replicas from third-party manufacturers, allowing continued use of these mobile phones decades after their production.

The operating systems installed on obsolete mobile phones are often outdated and no longer developed. It is no longer possible to eliminate their software vulnerabilities by means of updates. The respective mobile phone manufacturer often no longer exists or has shifted its business to other markets. Therefore, it is often not possible to purchase original accessories and spare parts. In many cases, third-party manufacturers also no longer offer corresponding products for very old mobile phones. Even when third-party manufacturers do offer spare parts, there is no guarantee that these components will be of the same quality as the original parts. Replica batteries are often less powerful than the originals, for instance. In addition, it is often difficult to repair these devices or find a suitable contact person when one requires assistance.