Other 2019: The Year of the Skipped Upgrade?

[5105973]

Well I can’t imagine anything that would make me use an Android phone - just too invested in my Apple ecosystem, and, overall, I love it that way. I can’t stand my husband’s android.

I’ll admit though, I’m a bit set in my ways when it comes to stuff like this. I fought going to Macs for years, and when I finally did, I was all in! Now I’d never go back. Of course I’m at a point now where I rarely use a Mac (I gave mine up and went all in on iPP a couple years ago), but I use a Windows computer at work, and I would like to throw it through a window every time I’m there.

Coming from an 8+, I’ve had zero issues with the weight of my XR. I absolutely love the phone.

I run two lines so can have one for iOS and one for Android. I might give both over to Android for a while just to get a true sense of the environment. I can’t say that I get that sense when I’m on iOS half the time. I tend to overlook the quirks of either when I can just pick up the opposite phone to smooth a rough situation over.

I have an 8 Plus currently on loan to my daughter. I never had an issue with the weight of phones until the last few months. I use my right pinky to brace the phone when I type and lately I’m feeling the strain of that on the Xr. I might have to get a pop socket or something similar.

 

[ssledoux]

I run two lines so can have one for iOS and one for Android. I might give both over to Android for a while just to get a true sense of the environment. I can’t say that I get that sense when I’m on iOS half the time. I tend to overlook the quirks of either when I can just pick up the opposite phone to smooth a rough situation over.

I have an 8 Plus currently on loan to my daughter. I never had an issue with the weight of phones until the last few months. I use my right pinky to brace the phone when I type and lately I’m feeling the strain of that on the Xr. I might have to get a pop socket or something similar.

I use a Loopy case and I love it!! I still prop my phone with my right pinky finger also, but my middle finger goes through the loop and helps to distribute the weight more evenly. I’ve used a Loopy with my last 3 phones - idk if I could go back to a regular case.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

I'm going to upgrade this year, because while I like my iPhone 8, it's time for me to try OLED and FaceID. Those are two things that are obviously going to be on all iPhones for a while, so I'd like to get on board.

 

[ssledoux]

I'm going to upgrade this year, because while I like my iPhone 8, it's time for me to try OLED and FaceID. Those are two things that are obviously going to be on all iPhones for a while, so I'd like to get on board.

I did not want to get on board with Face ID, but I absolutely love it now!

 

[5105973]

I did not want to get on board with Face ID, but I absolutely love it now!

Face ID works very well. I definitely don't need an upgrade from it. I still miss Touch ID in some circumstances so if Apple ever decides to offer both that would be worth an upgrade for me. I just saw the latest rumor state there's going to be a lightning connector again so it sounds like the most compelling upgrade would probably be in the camera again. That's also finally fabulous so I am probably going to hang onto my XR even though it has a few quirks (that can possibly be fixed with a new battery.).

 

[kargurin]

I like both IOS and Android I have the Pixel 3 XL and will get the S10 Plus. But my daily driver is my Xs Max

I'll be taking a look at the upcoming Pixel XL....never owned one but have always been interested. And the new Note and Galaxy flagships. I too flip back and forth and doubt the new Maxs' will have anything compelling enough to shell out its asking price. But the big bugaboo with Android is battery life. Hate charging the phone when I'm not asleep. All those published battery tests are a joke....with the big flagships iOS destroys Android in battery life and it's not even close. I have wireless chargers lying all over the place that I might as well throw in drawers since I don't use them with my Max. I'm reluctant to switch back to Android until they do something it.

 

[gsmornot]

New camera is a plus for quality but I still look at my photos from the 90's when I got my first digital camera and it serves the purpose just as well. I do upgrade each year but not for the camera quality, that is icing. I upgrade each year because I am simply the type that likes to carry the newest phone. Experience is pretty much the same year to year, some things are better of course but very rarely over the years have I been waiting for the update to address an issue. I do see more and more people holding off and I should as well but don't. If the camera moves I will have cases that again will have to be replaced. That is probably my biggest complaint with each upgrade. I sometimes wonder if I should have have gone for the XR and stuck with it a few years. Saving money on phones is a very good idea that I should take my own advice on. Ha.

 

[ssledoux]

New camera is a plus for quality but I still look at my photos from the 90's when I got my first digital camera and it serves the purpose just as well. I do upgrade each year but not for the camera quality, that is icing. I upgrade each year because I am simply the type that likes to carry the newest phone. Experience is pretty much the same year to year, some things are better of course but very rarely over the years have I been waiting for the update to address an issue. I do see more and more people holding off and I should as well but don't. If the camera moves I will have cases that again will have to be replaced. That is probably my biggest complaint with each upgrade. I sometimes wonder if I should have have gone for the XR and stuck with it a few years. Saving money on phones is a very good idea that I should take my own advice on. Ha.

I’m right there with you. I’ve had every phone except the X and XS, although I did have to return my XS Max due to issues with OLED. I’ve pretty much made up my mind that if the XR doesn’t have some drastic changes (and I’m not sure what could be drastic at this point), I will keep it til at least until the 2020 phones are released.

 

[srosgen]

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

Definitely no upgrade for me. First, after shelling out for the XS Max on a two-year plan in 2018 another thousand dollar plus phone isn't in the budget. Second, I'm happy with the XSMax so a modest update doesn't pique my interest at all. The bigger question is whether Apple can do enough to get me to upgrade in 2020/21?

 

[jamezr]

I'll be taking a look at the upcoming Pixel XL....never owned one but have always been interested. And the new Note and Galaxy flagships. I too flip back and forth and doubt the new Maxs' will have anything compelling enough to shell out its asking price. But the big bugaboo with Android is battery life. Hate charging the phone when I'm not asleep. All those published battery tests are a joke....with the big flagships iOS destroys Android in battery life and it's not even close. I have wireless chargers lying all over the place that I might as well throw in drawers since I don't use them with my Max. I'm reluctant to switch back to Android until they do something it.

I have the Pixel 3 XL and have had numerous Android phones. then I have had every iPhone since the first one.
My iPhones have always been the battery king among the phones I have had......

Funny...I have wireless chargers around the house as well But I do charge my phones overnight though.

 

[nburwell]

I really should keep my Xs for another year since I really do not need to upgrade every single year. Every two years? Yes, but at this point I need to get off the yearly upgrade kick.

 

[MisterSavage]

I signed up for Apple's iPhone Upgrade program and I like upgrading every year. Don't see that stopping.

 

[cardfan]

You were paying more than $199 for the phone, you just didn't know it at the time.

Many were no doubt. But you needed a couple of 5 (or iPad at 10) dollar per month lines to use upgrades on as your main line needed to stay off contract. An iPhone was free each year if not a profit after selling.

Subsidy was a lot cheaper no matter how you slice it. Phone companies did you no favors ending subs. They raise prices every time they redo their plans. Combined with apples raised prices things are a bit insane right now.

 

[I7guy]

Many were no doubt. But you needed a couple of 5 (or iPad at 10) dollar per month lines to use upgrades on as your main line needed to stay off contract. An iPhone was free each year if not a profit after selling.

Subsidy was a lot cheaper no matter how you slice it. Phone companies did you no favors ending subs. They raise prices every time they redo their plans. Combined with apples raised prices things are a bit insane right now.

With the phone companies paying more for the plan does not mean the plan is better, although now that unlimited plans are back Verizons best unlimited plan is cheaper than the old grandfathered plan (the only thing you lose is 720 vs 1080). Apples higher prices are tied to the increased tech in the phones.

 

[wa2be]

iPhones are getting way too expensive to make any sense as a yearly upgrade. I'm still on a 7, and when the battery starts having problems it will get a new battery. Don't see any "must-have" features on any of the phones they made after the 7 to justify the crazy prices.

 

[nviz22]

I think Apple will have to work super hard to retain a yearly upgrade from me w/ an iPhone. I have owned the 5S, 6+, 6S+, 7+, X, 8+. I have the XS Max now, but I don't see anything that incentivizes me to be interested in the XI/XIR, or XI Max.

If anything, I am curious to see what the competition puts out there.

Samsung's response to the XR looks promising indeed: 6gb RAM, HDR FHD display, stereo speakers, dual rear cameras, FP sensor in the power button, facial detection, and the other gamut of Samsung features they normally offer on devices. Plus, it's a flat display too.

OnePlus is rumored to make a 5g device. I am curious to see what the next Oppo Find looks like to give an idea on what to expect out of the OP7. OnePlus has the best software support outside of Google right now on Android. Plus, they have the best performance in the Android world.

Google could release a nice iteration of the Pixel 4. I think they need to overhaul the design and add 3D facial detection soon.


I am giving Apple an opportunity to keep me rolling with the XS Max beyond 1 year w/ WWDC and iOS 13. If iOS 13 is the home run I expect, I think I'll stick with my iPhone XS Max until it craps out. However, if iOS 13 is a disappointment, I'll ride this phone out until the fall to see what Google, OnePlus, and Samsung offer. I can't go back to Samsung until I see clean software and strong support. It shouldn't take till Feb 2019 to get Android Pie to the latest Galaxy 2018 flagships.

I think upgrading from every other generation is probably becoming more of a norm. OEMs aren't incentivizing us to pay top dollar each year to upgrade. That's not an indictment on one particular OEM. Rather it's an issue with the industry. There are so many options that can last for 2 years w/ reliability.

Google, iPhone, OnePlus, Samsung all have products right now that can last 2+ years. People aren't going to upgrade as easily. Samsung's S9 didn't sell that well. The XR struggled with major international markets. It is what it is. People should opt for what it is right for their financial situation.

 

[cardfan]

With the phone companies paying more for the plan does not mean the plan is better, although now that unlimited plans are back Verizons best unlimited plan is cheaper than the old grandfathered plan (the only thing you lose is 720 vs 1080). Apples higher prices are tied to the increased tech in the phones.

Given the cost I plan on having this XS Max for 4-5 years. Some are saying every other year. But screen isn’t getting significantly better. Camera is fine. Only battery life based on cycles and throttling would have any impact.

 

[44267547]

iPhones are getting way too expensive to make any sense as a yearly upgrade. I'm still on a 7, and when the battery starts having problems it will get a new battery. Don't see any "must-have" features on any of the phones they made after the 7 to justify the crazy prices.

Average consumers don’t upgrade yearly. And they never will, because they don’t see the need to, that’s been the trend for years. What Apple has been trying to do, is persuade those by utilizing carriers to market why somebody would want to trade in their device for a store credit, promotions, ‘buy one get one’, etc. Those are all tactics that are not strong enough to sway someone to purchase a $1000 iPhone, that’s why Apple has to continue to work on in-store services and be more dynamic with the trade-in program, which Fall 2019 will have changes coming, as noted by Cook.

 

[Martyimac]

Here is one for the discussion. Just found out today that a long time friend is still using an iPhone 4 , hasn't had to replace the battery and is still happy with it. WOW

 

[drumcat]

I'm planning on going from a 6S+ to an 8+. Why? Trade in value. While I can still get $250 for that 6s+, I'm taking it.

I'm going to hold on to touchid for the foreseeable future.

 

[StellarVixen]

I didn’t even mean to upgrade this year, but I sold my X and got XS Max, because that gold color is gorgeous, and I am afraid to lose 3D Touch (2019 iPhone might come without it, and I like 3D Touch functionality very much).


So, it will be late 2020, instead of 2019 which I previously intended.

 

[DJ_Smith]

iPhone XS Max marks the end of my early upgrade. I don’t see myself upgrading anytime soon.

 

[naturalguy]

FYI for those thinking if going to Android and Samsung specifically, I had many and every single one become laggy and buggy, I was anti apple and an Android person forever until I finally switched to the iPhone Xs. Android has some cool features that iPhone doesn't but it can't even do the basics right once it becomes buggy and it will.

 

[Geert76]

fast forward to September 2019, Keynote new 2019 iPhones...

a lot of previous posters in this thread; ''nahhh, changed my mind; gonna sell my X/Xs/XsMax and get one of the new 2019 iPhones''

rinse and repeat these kind of threads every single year

 

[puma1552]

fast forward to September 2019, Keynote new 2019 iPhones...

a lot of previous posters in this thread; ''nahhh, changed my mind; gonna sell my X/Xs/XsMax and get one of the new 2019 iPhones''

rinse and repeat these kind of threads every single year

No, it's going to be a billion self-justification threads about why they aren't upgrading and how this phone is the incremental one to skip and how their phone was the one to get, and how the next one they buy will be the one to get that won't be just another incremental upgrade, as if any phone from this point forward is anything but incremental.