Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Other Does anyone else feel pressure to buy either the latest iPhone, or at least a 'Pro' model?

N

NewBench

Cancelled
Original poster
Jun 24, 2010
620
696
Probably the most materialistic post I've ever made. It's going to sound a little silly but it's been on my mind for a little while and thought I'd see if anyone else feels similarly. Hear me out.

Does anyone else feel the pressure to have either the latest device, or at the very least a 'Pro' phone?

I have a 13 mini and it ticks so many boxes - small, practical, can be used one handed, light, good battery etc. It really works for me in a lot of ways.

But I always feel I'm 'missing out' on not having a Pro phone, even though I wouldn't use any of the additional features. Sure, 120hz, a better battery and a bigger screen are all nice things, but I definitely don't need them.

It's more the status of having a 'Pro' phone.

Even though it would be so awkward for me - the weight, the bulk with a case, the need for two hands, and the price premium - for some reason I still feel I 'need' one.

Is it an image thing? Do I sub-consciously think that people will think less of me because I have a 13 mini instead of a Pro? Am I thinking they're wondering whether I can't afford a more expensive phone rather than it being a choice? To be blunt, are non-Pro phones viewed as less "cool"? (ugh I feel so old putting the word cool in quotations).

I know come September, even though the 13 mini is fine, I'll still be thinking I need to buy the 14 Pro because it's the latest phone.

I know none of this should matter, it's materialistic, and most people couldn't care less, but why do I still think that way?
 
  • Like
  • Haha
  • Wow
Reactions: MacDividend, Macative, swisscanadian and 10 others
Still using an Xs, so not really.
I do love the zoom lens though, so as much as I’d prefer the 13 Mini, when it comes time to upgrade (possibly this upcoming cycle) I’ll probably go for a 14 Pro, for the camera & stainless steel (more durable without a case).

But if you don’t care about the zoom lens, the 13 Mini is a wonderful phone!
 
  • Like
Reactions: lkalliance, AlixSPQR, smythey and 1 other person
Andeddu said:
Zero pressure. Using an SE’16 right now and not exactly feeling self conscious about it.

Keep your 13 Mini because, other than size, you’ll experience no tangible or meaningful difference if you switched to the 14 Pro.
Click to expand...
Oh absolutely, it's definitely not a rational thought process for me, it's purely down to 'status' and putting far too much weight on the opinions of others. I shouldn't care at all what other people think or having the latest phone just for the sake of having the latest phone.

A 13 Pro or 14 Pro offers no advantage to meaningful advantage to me. I was just curious to see if anyone else felt the same.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MacDividend, JRSmith42 and hortod1
The regular series is more than enough for the majority of people. And anyone who judges you based on your phone should have no place in your life anyway.

I do get what you mean, though. Obviously, Apple does, too - they divide their products and features into a class hierarchy for a reason.

I myself have been using my beloved 7 this whole time and it has served me well, even on the latest beta (until 16), and have felt no pressure to upgrade. That being said, I will finally be upgrading to the 14 Pro this year because I want to treat myself.

So if you want to go for the Pro, do it for yourself, and not for anyone else. 🙂
 
  • Like
Reactions: swisscanadian, GenesisST, Ethanmenzel and 1 other person
I have an 8+ and plan to upgrade to the Pro, but only because it has more/better cameras and I am a photographer.

Clearly having used the same phone for the past 4 years I'm not so worried about what I look like with my phone....it's also possible that I'll just get a new battery for my current phone and wait another year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: splifingate and BigMcGuire
NewBench said:
Probably the most materialistic post I've ever made. It's going to sound a little silly but it's been on my mind for a little while and thought I'd see if anyone else feels similarly. Hear me out.

Does anyone else feel the pressure to have either the latest device, or at the very least a 'Pro' phone?

I have a 13 mini and it ticks so many boxes - small, practical, can be used one handed, light, good battery etc. It really works for me in a lot of ways.

But I always feel I'm 'missing out' on not having a Pro phone, even though I wouldn't use any of the additional features. Sure, 120hz, a better battery and a bigger screen are all nice things, but I definitely don't need them.

It's more the status of having a 'Pro' phone.

Even though it would be so awkward for me - the weight, the bulk with a case, the need for two hands, and the price premium - for some reason I still feel I 'need' one.

Is it an image thing? Do I sub-consciously think that people will think less of me because I have a 13 mini instead of a Pro? Am I thinking they're wondering whether I can't afford a more expensive phone rather than it being a choice? To be blunt, are non-Pro phones viewed as less "cool"? (ugh I feel so old putting the word cool in quotations).

I know come September, even though the 13 mini is fine, I'll still be thinking I need to buy the 14 Pro because it's the latest phone.

I know none of this should matter, it's materialistic, and most people couldn't care less, but why do I still think that way?
Click to expand...


Nope, no pressure. I'm glad people DO go and make those purchasing decisions but not for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: arkitect
Not at all, I know a lot of people who would ditch tech for newer tech on a yearly basis. Happens with TVs a lot, people spend 3 grand on a TV then a new superior and larger screen comes out the year after and they replace it whereas I keep my TV for about 8 years.i don’t know how they can afford it honestly. Same with phones or other things, I buy what I can afford and what benefits me at the time . You find people buy the latest models just as status symbols almost like a “look at me I have the best phone”
I recently got an M1 Macbook Pro but with the new M2 coming out soon it’s no issue to me. I love my M1 and will probably use it for 8 years or until it becomes obsolete
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: uller6, -DMN-, imanidiot and 2 others
Not at all.

Many times I’m out at dinner with clients and they’ll all have iPhone Pros and they ask me when I have an SE considering I know most about Apple.

I tell them my SE makes me more money than their Pro iPhones. One retorted that their phone takes better quality pictures.

I tell them i am a much better photographer than they are and have impeccable editing skills which is why my SE photos always come out looking better.

My iPhone SE pays the bills and then some. And still don’t want a bigger heavier device in my pocket just for perceived social status.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: temende, MajorFubar, BadMacRumours and 5 others
Nope. I usually buy a new iPhone when I need one.

I have an iPhone 12 at the moment, never felt any need to ditch that and get the 13. Don’t think the 14 is going to change that next month. Perhaps I’ll get a new one next year. Who knows?
 
  • Like
Reactions: arkitect
No pressure. But I have recently had the opportunity to play with the iPhone 13 Pro. Holy moly that 120hz screen is amazing. Whenever I scroll now on my iPhone 13 Mini, it feels like a 10 year old device. Everything is so blurry. I will definitely get the 13 Pro or the 14 Pro. Most likely the 13 Pro, since the 14 Pro will be disgustingly expensive in my country due to USD being so strong last year.
 
NewBench said:
Does anyone else feel the pressure to have either the latest device, or at the very least a 'Pro' phone?
Click to expand...
No. I sense the trade offs in having the 13 Mini, but don’t feel any kind of “pressure”. I had to choose between better cameras and smaller form factor and chose form factor because that was more important to me.

The size of the Mini is a feature, and one that I’d be missing if I went with the Pro.

I’m pragmatic enough to know that there’s always a trade off and old enough to think that someone else judging my decisions is hilarious.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: arkitect
NewBench said:
Probably the most materialistic post I've ever made. It's going to sound a little silly but it's been on my mind for a little while and thought I'd see if anyone else feels similarly. Hear me out.

Does anyone else feel the pressure to have either the latest device, or at the very least a 'Pro' phone?

I have a 13 mini and it ticks so many boxes - small, practical, can be used one handed, light, good battery etc. It really works for me in a lot of ways.

But I always feel I'm 'missing out' on not having a Pro phone, even though I wouldn't use any of the additional features. Sure, 120hz, a better battery and a bigger screen are all nice things, but I definitely don't need them.

It's more the status of having a 'Pro' phone.

Even though it would be so awkward for me - the weight, the bulk with a case, the need for two hands, and the price premium - for some reason I still feel I 'need' one.

Is it an image thing? Do I sub-consciously think that people will think less of me because I have a 13 mini instead of a Pro? Am I thinking they're wondering whether I can't afford a more expensive phone rather than it being a choice? To be blunt, are non-Pro phones viewed as less "cool"? (ugh I feel so old putting the word cool in quotations).

I know come September, even though the 13 mini is fine, I'll still be thinking I need to buy the 14 Pro because it's the latest phone.

I know none of this should matter, it's materialistic, and most people couldn't care less, but why do I still think that way?
Click to expand...
I used to upgrade yearly, from OG iPhone through iPhone 7. Then I waited and got iPhone XS, then iPhone 12. I just don’t care anymore.

Aside from supply chain issues with Covid. Tech used to go DOWN in price over the years, instead the price has increased and increased. I paid $600 for the first iPhone now you can pay over double that amount. F that. Sure the Pro models look prettier but it’s going in a case anyway. LiDAR seems cool but I don’t work or hobby in an industry thah it would be anything more than a gimmick. My kids are all grown so taking pics and making home movies aren’t important to me anymore. I can call,text, browse and use any app without issue with my iPhone 12 non-pro model. I got the iPhone 12 for free by trading in my XS.

If these device prices equates to a dollar a day, I could justify $365-399 a year but $1200 a year?!? Get real.
 
  • Like
Reactions: saudor, arkitect and Brad7
jimmirehman said:
I used to upgrade yearly, from OG iPhone through iPhone 7. Then I waited and got iPhone XS, then iPhone 12. I just don’t care anymore.

Aside from supply chain issues with Covid. Tech used to go DOWN in price over the years, instead the price has increased and increased. I paid $600 for the first iPhone now you can pay over double that amount. F that. Sure the Pro models look prettier but it’s going in a case anyway. LiDAR seems cool but I don’t work or hobby in an industry thah it would be anything more than a gimmick. My kids are all grown so taking pics and making home movies aren’t important to me anymore. I can call,text, browse and use any app without issue with my iPhone 12 non-pro model. I got the iPhone 12 for free by trading in my XS.

If these device prices equates to a dollar a day, I could justify $365-399 a year but $1200 a year?!? Get real.
Click to expand...
Right. Depends on what you need. I tend to upgrade once I feel like my iPhone has started to slow down, or the new model is a big enough jump (hence me going from an 8 -> XS).

I’ve gone 3G -> 4 -> 5S -> 6S -> 8 -> XS.

iPhones last a long time. Even my XS on iOS 16 feels like it might be able to hold out another year. Not to mention the XS still takes great pictures, though it’s low light performance is lacking compared to a 13 Pro.

With me needing at least 256 GB (512GB would be preferable) the longer I can wait, the better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back