iPhone 8/Plus Couldn't justify buying the iPhone 11

[007 Junior]

When I upgraded from my iPhone 6S to my iPhone 8 (not plus), it didn't feel much like an upgrade. It had the same form factor, display and overall look and feel. For me it didn't matter, because I was hyped to upgrade to a new device after being with the 6S for two years.

Just a week after upgrading, the excitement was gone and I didn't feel like I was having a brand new iPhone at all. It just felt like having an 6S with upgraded camera's and a slight speed bump.

I don't want to make that mistake again. That is why I couldn't justify buying the iPhone 11. The price is really good for what you get, but I'm not getting more out of it than what I have now. Spending an extra 300 euros on the iPhone 11 Pro with an extra camera lens and a better display is not worth it either, in my opinion.

This isn't about whether I have the money to buy a new phone or not. But after weighting all the pro's and con's, I'm not motivated enough to spend my hard earned money on a new device this year.

How do other iPhone 8 (not plus) users experience this?

 

[SquidRuby]

That’s absolutely fair enough! Everyone is entitled to their own feelings and priorities! Good on you for maximising the usage out of your current phone, and I hope the rest of us thoroughly enjoy our new phones I’m going from an X to an 11 Pro.

 

[BluefinTuna]

That’s absolutely fair enough! Everyone is entitled to their own feelings and priorities! Good on you for maximising the usage out of your current phone, and I hope the rest of us thoroughly enjoy our new phones I’m going from an X to an 11 Pro.

I currently have an iPhone X and I’m staying with it another year. Really like the camera improvements on the new iPhones but that’s not going to be enough for me. Looking forward to September 2020.

 

[Bethanie21]

I’m the complete opposite. I’m currently using an iPhone 8, and have reserved an iPhone 11 Pro for pickup on launch day. Can’t wait to get my new phone, I’ve never used FaceID or had an OLED screen, so it’s new tech for me. Also gone for the gold, as all my previous iPhones have been space grey. Time for a change!

 

[Shirasaki]

I will just say that: if my iPhone 6s Plus never dropped into water, I would hold on upgrading for another year or two, given the still capable and powerful A9 processor, a headphone jack (!), and a form factor that does not need to deal with problematic and cancerous home bar when using the phone in landscape mode. Apple built 6s as their last best device that ticks everything a phone user want (maybe minus battery life) without all the extra.

After using iPhone XS Max for a few months alongside iPad Pro 2018, I find myself enjoy using iPad Pro a lot more than iPhone XS Max, which feels different but not vastly different from iPhone 6s Plus. One thing I want to point out is A12X is a beast, running almost everything I have at hand perfectly fine, where A12 still feels like lacking the power, especially when playing games. Plus, iPhone turns hot when playing games while iPad never turns hot.

In summary, I share the same sentiment as yours and cannot find a compelling reason to upgrade.

 

[balaplus]

When I upgraded from my iPhone 6S to my iPhone 8 (not plus), it didn't feel much like an upgrade. It had the same form factor, display and overall look and feel. For me it didn't matter, because I was hyped to upgrade to a new device after being with the 6S for two years.

Just a week after upgrading, the excitement was gone and I didn't feel like I was having a brand new iPhone at all. It just felt like having an 6S with upgraded camera's and a slight speed bump.

I don't want to make that mistake again. That is why I couldn't justify buying the iPhone 11. The price is really good for what you get, but I'm not getting more out of it than what I have now. Spending an extra 300 euros on the iPhone 11 Pro with an extra camera lens and a better display is not worth it either, in my opinion.

This isn't about whether I have the money to buy a new phone or not. But after weighting all the pro's and con's, I'm not motivated enough to spend my hard earned money on a new device this year.

How do other iPhone 8 (not plus) users experience this?

You are too calm and rational to be on this forum

 

[007 Junior]

I’m the complete opposite. I’m currently using an iPhone 8, and have reserved an iPhone 11 Pro for pickup on launch day. Can’t wait to get my new phone, I’ve never used FaceID or had an OLED screen, so it’s new tech for me. Also gone for the gold, as all my previous iPhones have been space grey. Time for a change!

I fully understand and respect your motivation to upgrade. I wish I felt the same excitement as you do, in which case I would have upgraded too myself. Enjoy your purchase!

 

[austyn23]

How do other iPhone 8 (not plus) users experience this?

In Europe is more expensive, 809 € are today 894 USD, so the 11 is expensive here.

I have the iphone 8, after bought and sold the XR twice last year (yes, twice...).

But the 11 is tempting for 2 reasons the XR doesn't have: portrait mode for everything (not just humans) and night mode.

I have a kid and I enjoy taking pictures a lot. I don´t play with the pone, I don´t watch movies, etc etc... just take pictures. Why don´t I use a camera? because is faster and easier with the phone, take and share with family (they are far away).

I considered the 8+, is 529€ in the refurbished store, but is bigger (even more) than the 11 and I hope the night mode is really good in the 11.

I´ll wait to amazon drop the price, they usually offer a 50€ less of the official price (759 I think it will be); of course no this week, maybe in a month or so.

Maybe next year Apple will offer the 8 with the XR A12 chip and camera? maybe with A13 and the night mode? I really like the size and weight of the 8, a lot over the XR; and I can´t use the X / XS / Pro, because of PWM with the oled screen and the price... too much money.

 

[peterpayne]

Same here. To me the problem is the size. I have the iPhone 8 now but the XR/11 seems huge. I like the specs but...

 

[007 Junior]

Same here. To me the problem is the size. I have the iPhone 8 now but the XR/11 seems huge. I like the specs but...

Exactly. iPhone 11 was a perfect choice if it wasn't that big and heavy. Although I prefer OLED over LCD too.

 

[Ifti]

When I upgraded from my iPhone 6S to my iPhone 8 (not plus), it didn't feel much like an upgrade. It had the same form factor, display and overall look and feel. For me it didn't matter, because I was hyped to upgrade to a new device after being with the 6S for two years.

Just a week after upgrading, the excitement was gone and I didn't feel like I was having a brand new iPhone at all. It just felt like having an 6S with upgraded camera's and a slight speed bump.

Agree with this. Although I do still like to have the latest handset, but Ive now promised myself this is it. I will wait 2-3 years until 5G has truly settled and is proven to make a difference before I upgrade again!

 

[austyn23]

Exactly. iPhone 11 was a perfect choice if it wasn't that big and heavy. Although I prefer OLED over LCD too.

Well, this year the Pros are heavier and bigger than the XS... but on hands the XS feels better than the XR. I just can´t stand the Apple´s Oled screen, that´s why I tried the XR twice and send it back because of it´s size and weight.

But this year with the new camera upgrades... maybe I give it a try, again.

 

[Otflyer]

I’m not a heavy phone user or picture taker so none of the new features stir me. My XS does more than I need very well. I have upgraded every year since the iPhone 4. I just can’t get excited enough to upgrade this year.

 

[Nacho98]

I had an 8 (non plus), and upgraded to an Xs mid-cycle. I knew the 2020 phone is supposed to be great, so I didn't want to have an 8 for two years and upgrade now and then not again until 2021. So I decided to just keep the 8 for 1.5 years and do a mid-cycle upgrade to an Xs, and I'll keep that for 18 months and get a 2020 phone on launch day.

Face ID is a substantial upgrade. To log into apps and websites without doing anything is outstanding, and I'm glad I made the change, even though my 8 was an amazing phone.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

I’m not a heavy phone user or picture taker so none of the new features stir me. My XS does more than I need very well. I have upgraded every year since the iPhone 4. I just can’t get excited enough to upgrade this year.

You sound like me right before I changed my mind and ordered my new Pro.

I went from a space gray X to the silver XS last year and have regretted it since shortly after my return window was up. I take a good amount of pictures so I'm always happy about camera upgrades but getting back to space gray is my main motivation, as silly as it sounds.

 

[TravisPNW]

Exactly. iPhone 11 was a perfect choice if it wasn't that big and heavy. Although I prefer OLED over LCD too.

OLED is great for home theater... I have a 65" LG. It's also best viewed in a dark environment which is why my theater room is totally blacked out.

For a phone screen though it's not a deal maker for me. OLED on a 65" screen vs a 6" screen is like night and day. Seriously.

That being said I'm fine with LCD on the phone... but wouldn't be caught dead with LCD (Samsung QLED) in my home theater.

As for the upgrade... I'm gonna upgrade from the 8 Plus to the 11. Not because I need to but because the wife and kid have the XS Max and XR so I might as well join them with Face ID and animojis at a price I can't complain about. I'm using the $270 I got for the kid's 7 Plus in trade plus the $300 I'm getting for my 8 Plus (which I won't get next year) to get the 128GB 11 for like $170 and change.

It's the best value in this years phone lineup and at that price why not? I'll have better trade value next year as well to swap in the 11 for the new 5G whatever that comes out.

Isn't a necessary upgrade... I'm fine with the 8 Plus. But it makes sense to do it at this price.

 

[Mr. Heckles]

Who are you trying to convince, yourself or us?

 

[44267547]

Who are you trying to convince, yourself or us?

Can I convince you to re-read the Op’s opening post? Because it’s blatantly obvious you didn’t.

Fun fact:

If you reread the OP’s opening post, they use the word ‘I’ approximately five times, they’re just referring to themself why they couldn’t justify purchasing the newest iPhone. There’s no convincing to anyone here.

 

[Elitegate]

When I upgraded from my iPhone 6S to my iPhone 8 (not plus), it didn't feel much like an upgrade. It had the same form factor, display and overall look and feel. For me it didn't matter, because I was hyped to upgrade to a new device after being with the 6S for two years.

Just a week after upgrading, the excitement was gone and I didn't feel like I was having a brand new iPhone at all. It just felt like having an 6S with upgraded camera's and a slight speed bump.

I don't want to make that mistake again. That is why I couldn't justify buying the iPhone 11. The price is really good for what you get, but I'm not getting more out of it than what I have now. Spending an extra 300 euros on the iPhone 11 Pro with an extra camera lens and a better display is not worth it either, in my opinion.

This isn't about whether I have the money to buy a new phone or not. But after weighting all the pro's and con's, I'm not motivated enough to spend my hard earned money on a new device this year.

How do other iPhone 8 (not plus) users experience this?

I upgraded my 6s to a 8 Plus last year after having the 6s for 3 years and it was a big difference for me. I know, the Plus is bigger, but it wasn't just because of that. Even with the regular 8 it's a worthy upgrade IMO. CPU is way faster with the 8, Homebutton is new, you get Stereo Speakers, way better camera quality and also 4K 60 fps, brighter LED flash and also wireless charging and on and on... Display is brighter and you also have the wide-color gamut.

And while i will not upgrade my 8 Plus to the 11, i know it would be a way different experience. You know, bezel-less all-screen design with Face ID and no Homebutton.

 

[TravisPNW]

And while i will not upgrade my 8 Plus to the 11, i know it would be a way different experience. You know, bezel-less all-screen design with Face ID and no Homebutton.

Pretty much my reasons for upgrading. Getting the 128GB 11 for less than $200 after trading in a 7 Plus and 8 Plus. Trade value would be considerably less next year for both so why not pull the trigger now and upgrade next year again if the 5G models are available.

I'd get more trading in an 11 too.

 

[colonelbutt]

When I upgraded from my iPhone 6S to my iPhone 8 (not plus), it didn't feel much like an upgrade. It had the same form factor, display and overall look and feel. For me it didn't matter, because I was hyped to upgrade to a new device after being with the 6S for two years.

Just a week after upgrading, the excitement was gone and I didn't feel like I was having a brand new iPhone at all. It just felt like having an 6S with upgraded camera's and a slight speed bump.

I don't want to make that mistake again. That is why I couldn't justify buying the iPhone 11. The price is really good for what you get, but I'm not getting more out of it than what I have now. Spending an extra 300 euros on the iPhone 11 Pro with an extra camera lens and a better display is not worth it either, in my opinion.

This isn't about whether I have the money to buy a new phone or not. But after weighting all the pro's and con's, I'm not motivated enough to spend my hard earned money on a new device this year.

How do other iPhone 8 (not plus) users experience this?

me too
thats why I got the 11 pro

 

[Mr. Heckles]

Can I convince you to re-read the Op’s opening post? Because it’s blatantly obvious you didn’t.

Fun fact:

If you reread the OP’s opening post, they use the word ‘I’ approximately five times, they’re just referring to themself why they couldn’t justify purchasing the newest iPhone. There’s no convincing to anyone here.

right. But whenever these posts are made (and there are plenty), it's just people wanting others to agree with them. They can't get it for whatever reason and feel the need to post this so other agree. If I didn't want something, why do I need to tell others? Why do others need to justify not wanting something? Just odd IMO.

 

[alookoachar]

I hear you.

Here's my story. I've had my iPhone 7 for a little over two years now. The phone works well and does everything I need it to do. But I am in need of a camera and battery upgrade after seeing my wife's XR perform. I don't really care about the Pro features, except for the physical size of the phone.

T-Mobile is offering me $350 in trade-in value over 24 months for the iPhone 7. So that puts my iPhone 11 cost at around $699 + $46 = $745 fully loaded - $350 promo = $395 to upgrade.

For me, that math is good enough to spread the new $400 expense over the course of 2-3 years. I'm getting rid of old tech at a reasonable cost while paying a subsidized (and reasonable) cost for a new one. I'm happy.

 

[bruinsrme]

I went from the 8+ to the X.
It felt and acted like a completely different phone due to the swiping.
I wouldn’t consider going back to a non-facial recognition phone.
However, evaluating how one uses their phone is a key factor into upgrading.
My wife uses 8 but was rather impressed with the Xsmax. She hasn’t seen the just the Xs and if and when she does I know she will lean towards the Xs or 11 due to it being just about the same size as the 8

 

[AppleB]

Can I convince you to re-read the Op’s opening post? Because it’s blatantly obvious you didn’t.

Fun fact:

If you reread the OP’s opening post, they use the word ‘I’ approximately five times, they’re just referring to themself why they couldn’t justify purchasing the newest iPhone. There’s no convincing to anyone here.

If you post in a forum. People are going to comment. That’s how it works.