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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?
I am the main admin on iphone tricks forum on Facebook...I often feel the need to have the latest and greatest, but often because of the questions that I must field in the forum. That said, ever since I started buying them outright from Apple, I almost can't afford not to. Apple gives $800 for trade-in of a Pro Max, but at the 2 year point, only $500. So, if I wait a year I lose $300 in value, so essentially $150 gets me the new model now ($1250-300-800). $0.41/day is a small price to pay for all the newest tech...to be honest, I wasn't going to buy the 13 PM until I saw this math.
 
I feel a bit pressured to get an Apple Silicon based MacBook since I have a 2017 one, but that’s more based on fear on them dropping support. I feel the same pressure with my XR but that’s more of wanting 5G as I imagine carriers aren’t in a rush to put up anymore 4G infrastructure and the 4G speeds in my area suck.

But looking at the prices Apple is charging on their devices and the games they play. Like they list the phone at 699 but it’s really 749 unless you connect it to your service. Or the fact they want to only give me $299 for laptop trade in. Like why spend my money if they want to play games and nickel and dime me.

On a broader note: It’s like I’ve noticed these last few years companies treat their customers like garbage. I’m just tired and sick of spending my hard earned money and get treated like crap by a business. You don’t need to be my friend, you don’t need to solve the worlds problems but treat your customers with respect before and after the sale. I’d rather just save my money then spend it.
 
I feel a bit pressured to get an Apple Silicon based MacBook since I have a 2017 one, but that’s more based on fear on them dropping support. I feel the same pressure with my XR but that’s more of wanting 5G as I imagine carriers aren’t in a rush to put up anymore 4G infrastructure and the 4G speeds in my area suck.

But looking at the prices Apple is charging on their devices and the games they play. Like they list the phone at 699 but it’s really 749 unless you connect it to your service. Or the fact they want to only give me $299 for laptop trade in. Like why spend my money if they want to play games and nickel and dime me.

On a broader note: It’s like I’ve noticed these last few years companies treat their customers like garbage. I’m just tired and sick of spending my hard earned money and get treated like crap by a business. You don’t need to be my friend, you don’t need to solve the worlds problems but treat your customers with respect before and after the sale. I’d rather just save my money then spend it.

That’s fair regarding the phones.
When it comes to the Mac though, Intel machines are practically worthless at this point, unless you really need BootCamp or specific apps which won’t run in Rosetta (but if that’s the case you’re undoubtably on a Mac Pro / higher end Mac). Apple gave me $1600 for my 2018 15” MBP, and I felt that was pretty generous.

A trade in of $299 seems pretty low for a ’17 MacBook though. Should be about $200 higher...
 
I see what you are saying. My iPhone 7 started failing around December and I decided it was time to get something new. Even though I liked the size of my phone I went ahead and got the 13 Pro instead of the 13 mini. My logic was "well the 13 mini is $700 and the 13 Pro is $999... better camera, screen, battery for only $300, im in!" At the end of the day though I returned it because it was so insanely heavy and huge. I guess that's how Apple gets you to upgrade now though, pretty minimal price increases to the "better" models.

It may not be the "best" phone out there but the 13 mini is the best phone available to me right now.
 
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Nope, a year until USBC for iPhones? This is the one year I absolutely don’t feel any pressure.

If the camera is significantly updated? Then I might. But that has to do more of opting in because I’m having a kid, not because I feel the pressure to
 
My motto…

Buy what you want. Use what you want. Love what you want.

If you feel you’re missing out on something bigger, upgrade. Great thing about Apple, their return policy is great. Even if you were to trade in your current device, you’d have time to try the new one for a week or so before even making a decision (return or send in trade in). JMO 👍
 
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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?
No, not at all. I’m still using my X from 2017 which runs fine except for the battery. I’ll probably update it next year.
 
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I learned several generations ago that if you have an iPhone made within the last 4-5 years you are not missing out. On anything.

I know it sounds strange, but there have been times when I will wake up in the middle of the night unable to go back to bed because I have an insatiable urge to buy an Apple product. Don’t for a second think that all these radio waves flying through your house don’t go through your mind as well.
 
Not since ipx when had previously upgraded every year. Have ip12 now. Maybe this year, maybe not. Personally think every 2-3 years about right for upgrades unless a person like something for themselves.
 
Nope. My money, my rules. That being said I am still running an iPhone X, so I am do, but I might get last year's phone. good, but cheaper
 
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Sort of, there's always a bit of an allure to any new device. However, ever since the iPhone X days, I've noticed that the novelty wears off quite quickly for me. Even though the jump to a big screen in that generation was the most significant step forward for the iPhone product line in many years, after only a couple of weeks at best, it mostly felt like the same iPhone I'd used before.

I mean sure, the screen is nicer, the battery has a lot of stamina and the camera is usually improved too. But what you do on a daily basis with the phone hasn't really changed much in the last five to ten years. Reminding myself of that usually puts me off new purchases in recent years.
 
I'm definitely conscious of that pressure. I fall into the camp that understands my requirements clearly and buys for those and for no other reason. I went from an iPhone4 to an iPhone7 to a 12 pro, and the 7 happened only because of a pregnant battery in the 4. Toward the end of the 7's tenure, I often got comments about "that isn't really an old 7 is it?" as if it weren't competent, or that somehow the owner didn't even know what was up. In fact the 7 was falling short, particularly in storage space, but I knew that the 12 would be a big delta in capability so I waited out the several months difference. Some of those comments were, frankly, verging on the insulting—not really insulting, but definitely getting into that quadrant. And some people do evaluate you based on appearances, appropriate or not.

That said, I feel very firmly grounded in what my requirements are, and I stick to them, which surely helps explain how I've had only three iPhones since some time in 2011.

Related to this, I have a policy: I generally don't buy solutions to problems until I've actually had the problem. For example, I won't buy a 512GB phone until my 256GB one gets "dangerously" close to full. (Dangerously depends on how long it might be before I might be inclined to fix the situation: if it's six months until the next cycle, I'll be a bit more cautious, but right now with less than a month to go to the new announcements, I'd have to just about actually fill it up.)
 
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Status? Hell no, I don't care what people think about my phone.

I buy the best iPhone every year because I want the best camera. Simple as that.
 
Not anymore no, because for me the only feature that I’m going to invest in is the camera. And if I didn’t want the telephoto lens, I’d happily have something like an 11.

It’s such a pity that Apple is using the telephoto lens as a ‘pro’ feature upgrade when, it reality, a 50-70mm lens has been standard kit with any SLR camera for decades. I’ve grown up watching my family and elders through the 80s-90s understand the concept of focal length - now, we have a generation that pinch to zoom. “It’s the same thing, why pay more?”. No. No it isn’t.

I kid you not, this is the most idiotic thing I see on a regular basis. I’ve even watched people do it to try and create a portrait at Disneyland, possibly the most expensive trip of their lives.

Anyway, rant over…
 
For what it’s worth, I have an 11 Pro, and I feel envious of you guys who have Minis. I feel like I got stuck in no-man’s land, because I was the ideal candidate to get a Mini, but wasn’t really due for a new phone. I’m planning on replacing it this fall, but of course now Apple is discontinuing the Mini size.

Honestly it’s crossed my mind, depending on what they offer in the 14 Pro, to possibly just get a 13 Mini once the price drops after the new phones are released. That green one is awesome.
 
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When I was younger and had more disposable income I did feel like I needed the most recent phone back in the early days of iPhone the choices were more simple I used to upgrade to every s model 3GS/4s/5s/6s I skipped the 7 since there wasn’t anything appealing to me I eventually upgraded to the 8 I kept hold of the 8 till the 2nd gen SE came out and now finally using a 12 I did look into the pro but for the cost of a pro I could have more storage on the 12 which means more to me than a slightly better camera I don’t plan to upgrade anytime soon

Ultimately I tend to stick to 3 rules

1. I’ll upgrade is Apple drop iOS support

2. If there is a worth while feature that I can honestly see myself using

3. Is it a want or a need

My 12 will serve me for awhile yet if anything I’ll replace the battery before I upgrade again unless the 12 stops getting iOS support
 
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Really really really can't relate. I don't mean that in a snarky way....more just I really really really can't relate.

Specifically, I can't imagine anyone judging me for the phone I carry around. I also can't imagine having any desire for a 14 Pro if I thought it would be more "awkward for me" than a 13 Mini.

I have been trying to compare this to other goods, since maybe I just don't care about phones as much as some people. So thinking of say, a new album released by my favorite musician that comes in a standard release and an ultimate deluxe release. Well if the ultimate deluxe release comes with more music, than that is the one I want. I want to hear all the music. But even in that case, I feel like it differs from your example, in the sense that I really prefer the deluxe release (to truly be a parallel, I would have to prefer the standard release, buy the standard release, but then keep thinking about the deluxe release).

Do you find yourself with similar experiences in any other aspect of your life? Or is this quirk fully limited to the iPhone?
 
My motto…

Buy what you want. Use what you want. Love what you want.

If you feel you’re missing out on something bigger, upgrade. Great thing about Apple, their return policy is great. Even if you were to trade in your current device, you’d have time to try the new one for a week or so before even making a decision (return or send in trade in). JMO 👍

That is the thing though. The OP prefers the 13 Mini, which is what they brought.
 
Here’s my list:
iPhone 8GB
iPhone 3G 16GB white
iPhone 3G 32GB white
iPhone 4 32GB black(I broke the screen.)
iPhone 4 16GB white
iPhone 4 16GB white
iPhone 5 16GB silver/white
iPhone 5S 16GB space grey(it got lost.)
iPhone 5S 16GB silver/white
iPhone 6 16GB silver
iPhone 6S 16GB rose gold
iPhone 7 32GB jet black
iPhone X 256GB silver
iPhone X 256GB gold
iPhone 11 Pro 256GB Midnight Green
iPhone 12 mini 256GB blue
iPhone 13 mini 128GB blue.
I’m not rich or anything. I just love it when people ask “Is that the new iPhone?” And saying “why yes. Yes it is. Do you like it?” parings a smile to my face.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt “pressured,” but I do prefer to save my pennies throughout the year to upgrade. I have absolutely loved the minis. Going from 7 to X was a big jump. When 11 came, I thought it was too big(much like the Plus versions of 6-7. I liked how the 11 Pro was still 5.8”. When 12 came, I thought 6.1 was still too big, so I went mini. and again with the 13. But with no mini on the horizon, I’m going back to Pro, jumping to the 6.1”. Just because I work hard, it’s one of my only luxuries, and I feel like I deserve it. But not because of pressure.
 
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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?
Here’s my list:
iPhone 8GB
iPhone 3G 16GB white
iPhone 3G 32GB white
iPhone 4 32GB black(I broke the screen.)
iPhone 4 16GB white
iPhone 4 16GB white
iPhone 5 16GB silver/white
iPhone 5S 16GB space grey(it got lost.)
iPhone 5S 16GB silver/white
iPhone 6 16GB silver
iPhone 6S 16GB rose gold
iPhone 7 32GB jet black
iPhone X 256GB silver
iPhone X 256GB gold
iPhone 11 Pro 256GB Midnight Green
iPhone 12 mini 256GB blue
iPhone 13 mini 128GB blue.
I’m not rich or anything. I just love it when people ask “Is that the new iPhone?” And saying “why yes. Yes it is. Do you like it?” parings a smile to my face.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt “pressured,” but I do prefer to save my pennies throughout the year to upgrade. I have absolutely loved the minis. Going from 7 to X was a big jump. When 11 came, I thought it was too big(much like the Plus versions of 6-7. I liked how the 11 Pro was still 5.8”. When 12 came, I thought 6.1 was still too big, so I went mini. and again with the 13. But with no mini on the horizon, I’m going back to Pro, jumping to the 6.1”. Just because I work hard, it’s one of my only luxuries, and I feel like I deserve it. But not because of pressure.
 
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