I have a 6+ with a battery that's actually in pretty decent shape (according to Coconut Battery). I have an appointment later this week to have it replaced.
That was going to be my plan, until Apple doubled the trade-in value to $200. It still may be.
I've been mulling whether to replace the 6+, and whether to go with the XR or XS.
My aim is to get something smaller, and hopefully something more reliable in Face ID. For whatever reason, Touch ID has never worked that well for me, and each time it says "Try Again," it annoys me. Not being able to simply shove the phone in some pockets has also resulted in my carrying it externally, like when driving, and forgetfully leaving it behind in the car. Been lucky enough not to have it taken in a smash and grab.
Logic, and the lower price made the XR the favored candidate initially. But upon closer examination, it's not really that much smaller than the 6+, slightly shorter, but pretty much the same width.
Then the surprising thing -- with the smaller screen, I knew the XS has fewer points and displays less content than the XR, and requires more scrolling. But, the text on the XS is actually slightly larger, making it better for aging eyes. Not just on Safari and web content, but also UI elements in various apps. The much-harped about sharpness is minor in my view.
I can use the XS with one hand. The XR not so much, and definitely not if wearing a case.
If Apple had made an XR with a 5.8" screen, it would have been an easy decision. But, the decision will probably come down to keeping the 6+ or getting an XS.
I don't think there will be any major changes to the 2019 phones. The design is probably locked, or close to it by now, and Ming The Analyst has already chimed in saying that it's going to be status quo. Apple no longer feels the pressure, and can now play it safe, making the leaps and bounds less frequent. (That, and I also think Ive has run out of ideas...or motivation) The smartphone is also a mature product now, marked by incremental improvement.
The XS/M has only been available now for ~90 days, and if Apple sticks to the traditional schedule, the 2019s are ~270 days away. Not around the corner.
Despite what Qualcomm and the Telco Cartel would have people believe, 5G is not going to be a real factor in 2019, 2020, or maybe even 2021, which also gives them plenty of time to devise and implement a business model that will put users at a further disadvantage, because it's 5G(!). It's so fast, you can now burn through your data allotment faster, and get throttled faster, but we have a solution to that...for an additional fee.
I see no reason to wait, so it's a matter of whether I can be brave like Phil Schiller, and work up the "courage" spend $1000 on a phone. At least it should last a few years.
