My iPhone 5s has finally given up the ghost. In the past, I've had good luck and saved some money by buying a used iPhone when I have the need to upgrade. Right now, I'm looking at a few choices: iPhone SE/iPhone 6s (used in good condition ranges $150-$200) or an iPhone 7 ($250-$300). The iPhone 8 seems to be too expensive for me even used at this point. I'm wondering what people feel is the sweet spot. I'd like the phone to get OS support for at least two more years. Is there anything in particular technical reason to go with the iPhone 7 over the SE/6s from that standpoiint? I'm still satisfied with the performance of the 5s and so I'm not particularly concerned with speed improvements. Thank you!
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Other Could use some help deciding on a new used iPhone
- Thread starter shiphawk
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I think any of the phones will be fine if all you need is 2 years of OS support.
It's no longer available.
https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/clearance
But it is available for cheap from other carriers.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/simple...VC9VkCh2I5A-REAkYASABEgK1d_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
I've used all three mentioned.
Unless the headphone jack is a must and you don't want to use an adapter, I recommend getting the 7. It's a big enough improvement over the 6S in all areas and is water resistant. The two crucial points are the 7 will be supported longer and have better battery life.
The only way I can recommend getting the 6S now is if you know for sure the battery health is near perfect.
Unless the headphone jack is a must and you don't want to use an adapter, I recommend getting the 7. It's a big enough improvement over the 6S in all areas and is water resistant. The two crucial points are the 7 will be supported longer and have better battery life.
The only way I can recommend getting the 6S now is if you know for sure the battery health is near perfect.
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7... dual speakers. Little better camera. Bigger screen.
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Agreed. I think they’re dropping support for 5s and 6 for iOS 13. But I bet 6s and se will continue to receive updates for a few more years
Disagree. There’s people like my parents or my friends who don’t care about getting the lastest and greatest. They keep the phone for years until It stops working or starts breaking down.
Right, so they spend $300-$400 on a used phone that's already halfway through its useable lifespan, and then recoup $0 and are forced to upgrade at some point when it breaks or becomes unsupported rather than upgrading when they choose or when it's convenient for them. Versus someone who buys a new phone for $700, sells it for $300-$400 2-3 years in, spends roughly the same but has newer tech and flexibility to sell it when they choose. Not to mention when you buy a 2-3 year old used phone, it has way worse battery life than a new one.
I mean, sure, you'll save a little money, but not as much as people always like to think. The delta between buying a phone halfway through it's lifecycle for half price, using it for a few years until it breaks or is unsupported and recouping $0 or buying a new one and selling it for half price at the halfway point isn't different enough for me personally to not just buy and enjoy new.
To each their own, but it is a simple fact - the money saved on the front end buying an older phone is lost on the backend in terms of lower resale or no resale. The total picture is way more than just the dollars outlaid to purchase the phone.
Dude not everyone resells there phone. There’s people who buy a phone and hold on to it.
I appreciate the advice and your perspective. Anecdotally however, I purchased this iPhone 5s two years ago for $100. And it served me well.
Forget about resale value. Buy the phone that best unfits your current budget and needs. From what you described, the iPhone 7 may suit you just fine.
I heard the iPhone X is refurbished rn on the apple store for like 769.
I have the X and it's good
I have the X and it's good
Those are sold out, as they were on the clearance section. I wouldn have made the same recommendation, just because the OP was already familiarized with the 5S form factor and the price. It’s Still fairly adequate for what it offers in terms with the SE’s performance and features.
https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/clearance
Basically your right that the difference isn’t that huge as it first looks like. But your numbers are a bit off.
I bought about a dozen used iphones in the last 10years. All of them were valued about 50% after one year when the new model hit the shelves.
Assume they last 4years then you spend $200/year when u buy a $800 new.
A one year old u buy for $400 accounts for $133/year or 30% saving.