Other 2019: The Year of the Skipped Upgrade?

[Adelphos33]

The vast majority of users on this forum seem to be on

1) An X, Xs, XS Max
2) XR
3) Bought an 8 recently due to the familiar form factor
4) Holding on to 6s/7 due to cost

The rumors seem to suggest that the XS, XS Max and XR will all get somewhat minor upgrades. The XR may go to a dual camera system, the XS Max may get a triple lens camera, but otherwise no major upgrades have been rumored.

If this is the case, will the majority of people on this forum skip upgrading this year? I don't see any other outcome.

 

[Martyimac]

I can only speak for myself and I will not be upgrading for at least 2 years. More if my XS is still working well.

 

[revmacian]

I'm currently on the iPhone 8. It works and has no damage, so I will likely not buy a new phone in 2019. This is actually perfect timing for me.. I have not fully learned how to function on an iPhone that lacks a Home button.

 

[radiologyman]

Looks like an S year, certainly skipped for me. None of my family 6 iPhones will be upgraded.

 

[puma1552]

The vast majority of users on this forum seem to be on

1) An X, Xs, XS Max
2) XR
3) Bought an 8 recently due to the familiar form factor
4) Holding on to 6s/7 due to cost

The rumors seem to suggest that the XS, XS Max and XR will all get somewhat minor upgrades. The XR may go to a dual camera system, the XS Max may get a triple lens camera, but otherwise no major upgrades have been rumored.

If this is the case, will the majority of people on this forum skip upgrading this year? I don't see any other outcome.

I mean, other than launch day 8 owners who does your scenario realistically leave out?

You could paint the scenario just the same every year, when you're basically accounting for all the people who have a phone from the last four years.

That said, since you did leave out launch day 8 owners, I'll probably upgrade.

 

[44267547]

The rumors seem to suggest that the XS, XS Max and XR will all get somewhat minor upgrades. The XR may go to a dual camera system, the XS Max may get a triple lens camera, but otherwise no major upgrades have been rumored

Look at Apple’s hardware upgrades annually, are they ever really that drastic in change? Aside from the X and iPhone 6, it’s been incremental. That’s how Apple has always been with being conservative and they are notorious for rationing their features.

That said, the ‘Triple lens’ could enhancements perhaps with low light and VR rendering, either way, it will be a fairly substantial upgrade to the camera system.

 

[puma1552]

The biggest upgrade will be FaceID 2, which will be a real upgrade.

 

[naturalguy]

The days of major upgrades are over for a while. That being said I like to have the latest, greatest. I usually upgrade every year

 

[nouveau_redneck]

8+ owner here. Like always, I need to see what the latest models will look like and provide. I prefer the 6/7/8 form factor and touch ID, so in order to get me to upgrade the new phone needs to be pretty amazing. Amazing to me would be something much different than the current X line.

 

[puma1552]

I'd like to see them abandon the rounded edges from 2014. Give it up already, let's see some square edges that we can grip again.

 

[Shanghaichica]

It all depends on what the next version of the max has. All I’ve heard about so far are triple cameras which I probably would upgrade for. However hopefully Ming chi wasn’t wrong when he said Apple Pencil support was coming in 2019.

 

[yegon]

The biggest upgrade will be FaceID 2, which will be a real upgrade.

I use to think that, but whether because of iOS12 or better hw in the XS Max, Face ID works brilliantly for me now. Even works when I wake up, which it always struggled with when I had a X (pre iOS12 though, may be better now).

Horizontal and vertical Face ID will be a nice addition, but not even close to being a reason to upgrade for me.

Tbh, I would have stuck with the X, but I’ve been a large phone user since the 6 Plus and couldn’t resist the larger screen. The camera is a nice improvement of course, but short of an absolute revolution in camera technology, it’s more than good enough for my limited usage and ability to take photos.

 

[Ralfi]

Year to year upgrades don’t interest me.

Every 2 years...maybe.

My curiosity peaks every 3rd year, as that’s when I’m in the market.

I’m hoping all XS & XS Max owners don’t upgrade...it’s obvious Apple felt that pain of people not doing so last year.

We should keep hammering that message home - these prices aren’t right.

 

[44267547]

I’m hoping all XS & XS Max owners don’t upgrade...it’s obvious Apple felt that pain of people not doing so last year.

Think about it for a minute, the majority of those who upgraded to the XS/Max are not going to upgrade in 2019, why? Because that’s not the typical ‘norm’ for average consumers to upgrade annually, as compared to on here, which is a very small fraction of users, you have those who upgrade annually no matter what, because they are ‘Apple tech enthusiasts’. So I don’t necessarily think that is sending Apple a message over anything for those who choose not to upgrade in 2019 who already own the XS, because it wouldn’t be in there best intentions to upgrade, when that’s not a likely scenario for most.

If someone wants to send Apple a ‘message’, that would probably be from the older model iPhone users, who are not upgrading from an iPhone 6/6S/7 to Apple’s newest iPhones. _That_ is the demographic that will send a message to Apple.

 

[Zxxv]

Apple raised prices saying people aren’t upgrading as often. So apple themselves expect people to keep their iPhones 3 + years like they do their macs etc.

Apple is well aware of how mature the iPhone is.

Oh, to answer the question. The Xs max is the best iPhone I’ve owned as it’s really a damn fine computer for almost everything I do. I hope it continues to serve me for many years and the temptation to upgrade doesn’t hit me haha

TL;DR

No I don’t expect to upgrade in 2019 from my iPhone XS Max as it’s an amazing phone/computer.

 

[Matz]

The X was a major change from the 6 I owned for 3 years. It does the things I want it to do very well.

I’ll be skipping this year’s upgrade, and probably next year’s. There would have to be a significant change in technology and features to make upgrading sooner than that something I’d seriously consider.

 

[pika2000]

I will definitely upgrade to whatever be the 2019 version of the XR. I'm skipping 2018 models because my 6S got rejuvenated by iOS12. However, I doubt iOS13 would be so kind to the 6S at this point. Besides, looking at the cameras of the current XR, 2019 will be a huge improvement over my 6S. Oh and not to forget the battery life. My 6S got some life extension from the battery replacement program, but battery life is not its strong forte to begin with.

Really looking forward for the 2019 models. The XR is a nice indication of where things are heading (more colors, same internals as the upper flagship at less price). With the downturn Chinese market, I expect Apple to be a bit more aggressive this year.
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I can only speak for myself and I will not be upgrading for at least 2 years. More if my XS is still working well.

Just 2 years? If I had the XS, I don't think I would upgrade for at least 4 years.

 

[Steve121178]

I upgrade every year. I might go for my first 'Max/Plus' sized phone this year.

 

[Dino F]

...I jumped from the 8 Plus to the XS in September so I certainly won't be upgrading this year to any new iPhones they may release come September 2019.

Might downgrade to an XR though (to cut back on monthly payment for XS on IUP )......

 

[ImAnAgent]

I usually upgrade every year but this year, I've been thinking of skipping the iPhone as well as the Note 10/S10+.

I usually buy all three phones each year but I think it's time to take a break and just keep using my XS Max (X2), Note 9 and S9+ plus I still have a Note 8, 8+ and a 7+. Been trying to sell the 8+ and 7+ with no luck on Craigslist. My S9+ doesn't even have a sim card in it now and hasn't for a few months.

The only iPhones I've skipped were the 5, 6 and X. I bought all the phones in between including the 5S, 6+, 6S and the 6S+ plus all the iPhones since the beginning. Don't ask me why I buy so many phones, I'm just a phone junkie I guess. I love gadgets.

September will tell whether I skip this years phones or not.

 

[kingston73]

My wife and I will definitely be holding onto our Max's until 2020.

 

[barkomatic]

I normally upgrade every 2 years as at that point I can usually still get a decent price for my old iPhone to put toward a new one. However, if rumors are true and the 2019 models lack 3D touch and otherwise aren't major upgrades then I may wait another year. One of the main features I look for are major updates to the cameras.

I'll definitely wait if the next iPhone gets modeled after the institutionally dull finish and design of the iPad Pro.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Got a new battery for my 7 plus. Will be switching to Note 9 or 10 in the future.

 

[jjohnstonjr]

My mom loves her XS that I got her for her bday. I love my XS Max. I will have these phones paid off in month or so. I want my phone bill to be "normal" for once. Apple would have to do something earth shattering and ground breaking to make me want to upgrade at this point.

 

[boltjames]

Looks like an S year, certainly skipped for me. None of my family 6 iPhones will be upgraded.

This. It's an S year and all the Regular people and all the S people upgraded to the 8 or the X a little over a year ago.

Because the 7 and 7S were so dull compared to the 6 and 6S, a ton of people kept their 6's and went straight to the 8 or X as they had cool features like wireless charging, Face ID, etc. that the 7's didn't have.

2018 and 2019 are going to be off-year's for iPhone. Look for the glut of 8 and X owners to upgrade in 2020.