Is a factory reset really the best fix for a slow phone, or just the laziest one?

[NeonPhantom]

Factory reset gets recommended constantly as the ultimate fix for a slow phone, and it genuinely does work reliably, clearing out accumulated app cruft, background processes and years of accumulated cache that build up over time. But it's also a genuinely drastic solution that wipes everything and requires a full setup from scratch afterward. Curious whether people think it's actually the best available fix or just the easiest advice to give without diagnosing the actual specific problem

More targeted fixes exist that don't require the full nuclear option, like actually clearing specific app caches individually, disabling unnecessary background app refresh, or simply uninstalling apps you genuinely don't use anymore. These take more diagnostic effort but preserve your actual setup and data. Feels like factory reset is often reached for prematurely before trying those more targeted options first

What's actually worked best for you when your phone starts genuinely slowing down. Curious what people reach for before considering the full reset option