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Which to buy for mom?

  • iPhone 14 new from Apple ($789 after gift card discount)

    Votes: 20 41.7%
  • iPhone 13 new from Apple ($704 after gift card discount)

    Votes: 19 39.6%
  • iPhone 13 renewed from Amazon ($740)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • iPhone 13 refurb from Apple in 4-5 months? (maybe $600 after gift card discount?)

    Votes: 9 18.8%

  • Total voters
    48
OMG… What is your deal

Yes, take for example, there's literally already been a person who started a thread on how the 14 Pro (non Pro Max) is too big and heavy for them, coming from an iPhone X. The 14 Pro is in a similar weight range as the 14 Plus.
Yet the 14 Pro is still smaller, so it's still more manageable than the 14 Plus (both in the hands and in general), but that iPhone is being pushed.

The 13 and 14 (standard) are both lighter than either of those iPhones and are what the OP is polling on.
 
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Consider the length of mom's device replacement cycle (5 years), current age of mom (70), and life expectancy of women (79). Chipping in $100 should be a no brainer for someone considering a $900 iPhone 14.

If mom is using 64GB now, a 128GB Plus would fit into the $929 budget.
I guess this school of thought isn’t that popular.
 
From your list, I'd get your mom the 14.

Something else to consider with the price tag is the family tech support if your mom is not technically inclined. Something I notice from the spec sheet comparisons is that the 14 has a much longer battery life, and to me, that would mean that it would take a bit longer before a battery replacement is needed.

And as someone else mentioned ahead, I wouldn't be surprised if the 13 is deemed outdated earlier than the 14 despite using the same SoC.
 
One option to consider is purchasing an iCloud + storage plan for her. I use that for all my devices to store photos. I can easily live with a 128 gig phone that way, storing pics of the grandkids. I have over 28,000 photos stored and pay $3 per month . it also backs up everything else.
 
I would recommend a 13 pro refurb from Apple.
Same warranty as a new Apple product, Apple to get Apple care and no question where you can get it serviced if need be
 
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If you carefully read the Opening Post, they even say "iPhone 14 (new): $929 + tax (ouch)."

"Ouch" = already topping budget for the standard model. Also another post, they respond that the 14 Plus is too expensive.

Ya I'm sort of right where I'm seriously questioning the budget, but it's mitigated using gift cards I got that issued 15% back to Target, so that 929 + tax for the 256gb really cost 900*.85 = 765+84 = $850. Still a ton. More than I've ever spent on a phone for myself :)
 
I would recommend a 13 pro refurb from Apple.
Same warranty as a new Apple product, Apple to get Apple care and no question where you can get it serviced if need be

No 13 refurbs are available yet in the outlet and prob won't be until feb or march.
 
From your list, I'd get your mom the 14.

Something else to consider with the price tag is the family tech support if your mom is not technically inclined. Something I notice from the spec sheet comparisons is that the 14 has a much longer battery life, and to me, that would mean that it would take a bit longer before a battery replacement is needed.

And as someone else mentioned ahead, I wouldn't be surprised if the 13 is deemed outdated earlier than the 14 despite using the same SoC.

It's not much longer - I think Apple includes the pro in that.

From a quick glance it does seem that they somehow eeked another hour out of the 14 somehow on the same SoC. Maybe just a larger battery?


- iPhone 13: 9:52
- iPhone 14: 10:50

I think that combined w/ the more repairable back screen justifies the 14 to me now.
 
Does she need new one? My 70yo+ dad is still using his XS Max just fine. Get a used XS max, change the battery if necessary. It should still work for her needs.
 
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No 13 refurbs are available yet in the outlet and prob won't be until feb or march.
Your a good kid for thinking about your mom.
Honestly, and not to cheap out but the do have 11pros in the refurbished store.
Then again it’s only about $100 less than the 13.
I don’t think you could go wrong either way.
Evaluate what she truly needs. We can tend to over buy for loved ones.
Then again, if you can bring your mom to an apple store, you can share the experience with her.
When I worked in a store it was always exciting watching people experience their new phone.
 
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Funny how times change, I got my dad iPhone 6s Plus I think, around 2016, anyway one of the Plus sizes which I could never lug around personally, and now in 2022, OP and many others perhaps find the “plus“ size too small. To each their own but, to OP’s question, I’d take her to a store to try them out, or if you want to make it a surprise like I did, at least ask her about preferred size. It sounds from your posts she’d want as big as possible. If so just go for it, among the options you listed a few $100 is not a big deal for something that will last her 5 years or so. And especially having some gift cards. Just my opinion of course. Good luck with your decision.

Also I agree with the last couple posts above, not to stereotype but folks over 70 probably couldn’t care less or even keep track of whether their phone is model 11, 12, 13, XS, etc. At least true both my own 70+ parents and to some degree younger people too.
 
Funny how times change, I got my dad iPhone 6s Plus I think, around 2016, anyway one of the Plus sizes which I could never lug around personally, and now in 2022, OP and many others perhaps find the “plus“ size too small. To each their own but, to OP’s question, I’d take her to a store to try them out, or if you want to make it a surprise like I did, at least ask her about preferred size. It sounds from your posts she’d want as big as possible. If so just go for it, among the options you listed a few $100 is not a big deal for something that will last her 5 years or so. And especially having some gift cards. Just my opinion of course. Good luck with your decision.

Also I agree with the last couple posts above, not to stereotype but folks over 70 probably couldn’t care less or even keep track of whether their phone is model 11, 12, 13, XS, etc. At least true both my own 70+ parents and to some degree younger people too.
^^^ this.
 
It all depends on the taste of the person. My wife is 77 and is 12 years older then me. As is the case we have been on this for several years in upgrading her phone. My wife finally after all this time decided on what she wanted. She did not want a iPhone SE and I showed her all the phones and the choice was the 13 mini as she is small and it was not comfortable to hold the 13, 14 and in particular was the weight.

Since her vision is still good she has no problem with seeing the smaller screen and charging the phone is a non issue for her as we are retired and always near a charger and several little things bothered her with the larger sizes. Since I was a veteran and used my veteran discount the 13 Mini was $539.00. Now to wait until Tuesday to set up the new phone and she is good to go.
 
It all depends on the taste of the person. My wife is 77 and is 12 years older then me. As is the case we have been on this for several years in upgrading her phone. My wife finally after all this time decided on what she wanted. She did not want a iPhone SE and I showed her all the phones and the choice was the 13 mini as she is small and it was not comfortable to hold the 13, 14 and in particular was the weight.

Since her vision is still good she has no problem with seeing the smaller screen and charging the phone is a non issue for her as we are retired and always near a charger and several little things bothered her with the larger sizes. Since I was a veteran and used my veteran discount the 13 Mini was $539.00. Now to wait until Tuesday to set up the new phone and she is good to go.
That’s great to hear! — my mom in law is also a smaller lady and super happy with her 13 Mini.

Now I just wish someone would buy me one! Haha, but until then I’ll make do with my SE 2020.
 
I would find out if she would prefer the larger screen on the Plus. If she isn’t going to upgrade for a while, why not go with the Pro/Pro Max?
 
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