Biting the Bullet - Or not?

[marty1980]

I had no intentions of updating to the iPhone 7 from my current 6 Plus. I am excited about the prospect of what Apple might do for the Anniversary iPhone in 2017 and I'm not so happy with some of the decisions made for the iPhone 7.

However, recent activities around the house are calling for another device capable of playing the latest iOS/Android games. We need 1 more iDevice/Android so everyone can participate together.

For our budget, the most affordable path right now seems to be to upgrade using AT&T Next to an iPhone 7 to free up my 6 Plus to be used (I own the 6 Plus). The plan is to use the Next plan to "lease" the 7 until the launch of the Anniversary iPhone next year.

Do you have any similarly low cost alternative suggestions?

If you were/are unhappy with the iPhone 7's features but need another device, would you bite the bullet or would you find other ways to solve the issue?

 

[Maggiep67]

In light of the iPhone 7 just having been released what I am about to share about my experience seems to be a highly unpopular move by most of the folks on this board. With that said, I'll share my thoughts and opinions; here goes...

I watched the keynote for the 7 and was fully aware of the advantages and the new features of the 7. However, I wasn't blown away. At that time, I had decided to keep my 6 plus until 2017 but then I started having some issues with it and decided I needed to replace the phone. I did consider the 7 but ultimately went with the 6S plus. It's a great phone, lightening quick, great battery, good pictures. I traded in my 6 plus and bought this 6S plus. YMMV but this worked for me. I'm excited to see what Apple has in store for 2017.

 

[MacTechnics]

I would just get the 7/7+ and do ATT Next Every Year. That's what I did. Looking forward to paying off the 12 months and upgrading again on launch day next year!

 

[marty1980]

I would just get the 7/7+ and do ATT Next Every Year. That's what I did. Looking forward to paying off the 12 months and upgrading again on launch day next year!

We use our old devices as iPods to pass onto to family, friends, or use for ourselves. So I always pay off my devices to own them. This would be the only time I would trade in a phone at the permitted point of the agreement (12 months is what I would choose).

I understand why people stick with Next year over year and trade. That just doesn't work as well for me.

 

[MacTechnics]

We use our old devices as iPods to pass onto to family, friends, or use for ourselves. So I always pay off my devices to own them. This would be the only time I would trade in a phone at the permitted point of the agreement (12 months is what I would choose).

I understand why people stick with Next year over year and trade. That just doesn't work as well for me.

I hear you. I think maybe buying the phone outright is the best option, in your situation, but I know it's costly.

 

[marty1980]

If buying the phone outright was an option, I'd probably just get an iPad Air 2. I'm very confident I will want the new iPhone next year. I'm not interested in keeping the 7. I don't really even want it. We just need (want) another capable device and upgrading my phone seems to be the most affordable option. Budget is the main reason for leasing through AT&T Next for 12 months.

 

[MacTechnics]

If buying the phone outright was an option, I'd probably just get an iPad Air 2. I'm very confident I will want the new iPhone next year. I'm not interested in keeping the 7. I don't really even want it. We just need (want) another capable device and upgrading my phone seems to be the most affordable option. Budget is the main reason for leasing through AT&T Next for 12 months.

I would bite the bullet then

 

[HippieMagic]

Honestly, you may be unhappy with the 7's features but it will straight up blow your phone out of the water. It's a very fast phone and when compared to the 6 you are gaining better water protection, better strength, 3D touch, more RAM, better radios, and only really losing the headphone jack which is easily remedied with the included adapter, the included headphones, or bluetooth. The camera is a fair bit better as well.

I started using the yearly upgrade a few years ago and haven't looked back. You have to pay for the phone monthly, but you get to upgrade with every new release for free and it's always under warranty. I haven't had a slow phone in years and that alone is worth it to me.

As for a cheaper option... iPad's are ~$20 a month through Verizon using Edge. I am sure AT&T probably does the same thing with Next. Have you looked into that? You'd not be able to make calls with it but you can still message, play games, surf the web, and all that fun stuff. It may be worth looking into.

 

[marty1980]

Honestly, you may be unhappy with the 7's features but it will straight up blow your phone out of the water. It's a very fast phone and when compared to the 6 you are gaining better water protection, better strength, 3D touch, more RAM, better radios, and only really losing the headphone jack which is easily remedied with the included adapter, the included headphones, or bluetooth. The camera is a fair bit better as well.

I started using the yearly upgrade a few years ago and haven't looked back. You have to pay for the phone monthly, but you get to upgrade with every new release for free and it's always under warranty. I haven't had a slow phone in years and that alone is worth it to me.

As for a cheaper option... iPad's are ~$20 a month through Verizon using Edge. I am sure AT&T probably does the same thing with Next. Have you looked into that? You'd not be able to make calls with it but you can still message, play games, surf the web, and all that fun stuff. It may be worth looking into.

I am considering the monthly iPad plans. AT&T has some, but I haven't looked yet to see what they offer. They sometimes have a phone+tablet deals.

The primary downside of the missing headphone jack, for me, is the lightning headphones. I haven't bought standard headphones in years because my iPhones come with ones I like well enough. I use my EarPods for everything where I listen to music or videos. I can't use the lightning headphones with my other devices. I would have preferred 3.55mm headphones with the same adapter they already include. I can sort of understand why Apple didn't do that, but that's my general feel on the subject.

The only other disappointment is that the 2nd photo lens on the Plus doesn't have OCR and its quality is less than expected. Still would be happy to have the feature and the primary camera is great.

 

[marty1980]

Well... it looks like I get to skip the iPhone 7 and stick with my 6 Plus. My mother cracked her 6S and decided to upgrade and got the iPad mini 2 bundle and is giving my family that iPad. Things just worked out so I don't have to spend any money. It's a lower spec than what I wanted, but it's perfect for what we need. Gotta love momma!

I'll be getting an SE for a family member soon and might even snag another one of these minis when i do!