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

[blw777]

Not to get too far off topic, but your comment makes me curious. I can see editors and other photographers getting snotty about gear, even though they should know better. Lots of gear snobs out there. But I'm wondering about the clients. Are these companies or individuals that you've noticed won't work with you based on not using the latest gear? I wouldn't expect most individual consumers to understand the difference.

Fair enough - it is definitely not the case that ALL customers can tell the difference, but some do. And I'm pretty sure that some competitors seed those questions, if only to eliminate some of the competition. "Ask your other photographers if they do X or Y."

As one of the other respondents said, if I can provide a pin-sharp 20x24" print on fine art paper in your choice of matting and framing at a competitive price, why do you care if I used a 10-year-old full frame DSLR, a 6-year-old sub-full-frame DSLR (gasp! the horror!) or a top-flight 2022 mirrorless? For that matter, if I do it with a film camera, would you know the difference? Honestly, it's just as (ir)relevant to those consumers as "does your digital darkroom run on an Intel, AMD or Apple CPU?" But for me running a business, that D800 was paid for ten years ago. If I can accomplish my business goals with it, why should I be dropping $5500 on a Z9?

At the end of the day, this is just like "gee, your phone is an iPhone6... you ought to get with the 21st century."

 

[OSXphoto]

Fair enough - it is definitely not the case that ALL customers can tell the difference, but some do. And I'm pretty sure that some competitors seed those questions, if only to eliminate some of the competition. "Ask your other photographers if they do X or Y."

As one of the other respondents said, if I can provide a pin-sharp 20x24" print on fine art paper in your choice of matting and framing at a competitive price, why do you care if I used a 10-year-old full frame DSLR, a 6-year-old sub-full-frame DSLR (gasp! the horror!) or a top-flight 2022 mirrorless? For that matter, if I do it with a film camera, would you know the difference? Honestly, it's just as (ir)relevant to those consumers as "does your digital darkroom run on an Intel, AMD or Apple CPU?"

At the end of the day, this is just like "gee, your phone is an iPhone6... you ought to get with the 21st century."

As a photographer I agree 100%.

And by the way: so relieved I am typing this on an iPhone 6s, so I can still be in the 21st century 😉

 

[DanteHicks79]

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.

Oh man. If you haven't yet, play around with the 13 Pro's at an Apple Store to check out the cameras.

Night and day difference between the 8+ and the current models; especially with apps like Halide and others.

 

[nburwell]

I don't feel pressure, I usually upgrade because I want to and have the means. That said, the past two iPhone's I have "downgraded" to the regular 12 and 13. I had the 11 Pro but I really didn't use the camera all that much, so the cameras on the 12 and 13 iPhone's are more than enough -- especially when I have a mirrorless camera + lenses that I use when I want to take photos.

 

[RinkDinkus]

Sure—I get FOMO a lot but then I end up freaking myself out about the cost of buying a new phone and it’s already enough to have payments for rent, car, utilities, and other monthlies so I just don’t. Screen isn’t broken and the camera on my XS still delivers some pretty good results. Probably just needs another battery in another 6mo.

Tbh I’ve always wanted to ride an iPhone out until EoS just to see what the experience is of using a phone from its first OS version to its last OS version. I’m currently doing that with the S3 Watch and I really don’t have a reason to get another Apple Watch. It tells time, tracks movement/workout and controls music just fine.

It’s all about perceived obsolescence

 

[arkitect]

Fair enough - it is definitely not the case that ALL customers can tell the difference, but some do. And I'm pretty sure that some competitors seed those questions, if only to eliminate some of the competition. "Ask your other photographers if they do X or Y."

As one of the other respondents said, if I can provide a pin-sharp 20x24" print on fine art paper in your choice of matting and framing at a competitive price, why do you care if I used a 10-year-old full frame DSLR, a 6-year-old sub-full-frame DSLR (gasp! the horror!) or a top-flight 2022 mirrorless? For that matter, if I do it with a film camera, would you know the difference? Honestly, it's just as (ir)relevant to those consumers as "does your digital darkroom run on an Intel, AMD or Apple CPU?" But for me running a business, that D800 was paid for ten years ago. If I can accomplish my business goals with it, why should I be dropping $5500 on a Z9?

At the end of the day, this is just like "gee, your phone is an iPhone6... you ought to get with the 21st century."

Exactly!
They really should judge you on the results you deliver… and not the means.

Hell, my clients commission me to do stuff because of what I deliver, how I do it is none of their business and not one of them has ever made any comments about it.
Some people are weird.

 

[Tdude96]

Fair enough - it is definitely not the case that ALL customers can tell the difference, but some do. And I'm pretty sure that some competitors seed those questions, if only to eliminate some of the competition. "Ask your other photographers if they do X or Y."

As one of the other respondents said, if I can provide a pin-sharp 20x24" print on fine art paper in your choice of matting and framing at a competitive price, why do you care if I used a 10-year-old full frame DSLR, a 6-year-old sub-full-frame DSLR (gasp! the horror!) or a top-flight 2022 mirrorless? For that matter, if I do it with a film camera, would you know the difference? Honestly, it's just as (ir)relevant to those consumers as "does your digital darkroom run on an Intel, AMD or Apple CPU?" But for me running a business, that D800 was paid for ten years ago. If I can accomplish my business goals with it, why should I be dropping $5500 on a Z9?

At the end of the day, this is just like "gee, your phone is an iPhone6... you ought to get with the 21st century."

That makes sense, thanks! I've not worked professionally as a photographer for many years, so I wasn't sure if consumers were more equipment literate than they used to be.

 

[ShadowJade]

I’m 40 years old so I’m a bit old for pressure over trivial things like having the latest phone to be honest.

I’d say nearly every single person I know is not into phones and either has no idea what is current or doesn’t really care. I upgrade when I fancy it and never buy the Pro models (when new) on principle because I’m not dropping a grand on a mobile phone. I might get the 13 Pro once the 14 is released and take advantage of a price reduction on contract. The 13 Pro will be sooo last year and i’ll care as much as you can imagine lol.

I always find it interesting when people say or intonate that an iphone is too expensive...it replaced my camera, mp3 player, gps, cell phone (flip), TV remote, smart home dashboard, portable TV player (streaming live TV/sports), SiriusXM radio, and I basically use it as my primary e-mail server and web browser. I think $1.23 per day is a relatively small price to pay for all that ($450 upgrade cost after trade-in/365 days).

 

[Lotuskid]

I always find it interesting when people say or intonate that an iphone is too expensive...it replaced my camera, mp3 player, gps, cell phone (flip), TV remote, smart home dashboard, portable TV player (streaming live TV/sports), SiriusXM radio, and I basically use it as my primary e-mail server and web browser. I think $1.23 per day is a relatively small price to pay for all that ($450 upgrade cost after trade-in/365 days).

this summarizes my sentiment about having the 'best' iphone - it does so much for me.

i also wonder how many of us in this thread that is above feeling 'pressured' to have the best iphone are also beyond similar pressure/desire to have a nice car vs a good enough car, a nice watch vs a good enough watch, nice anything really. society does dictate implicitly or explicitly so many of our choices beyond just the base utility of the thing

 

[Mark Stone]

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?

. . . . . [clipped] . . . . .

No. Look at it this way: How does your opinion of your friends and/or co-workers change based on what model Eye Phone they have? If you’re like me, not at all. I don’t think anyone else judges you. Of course, your desire to have the latest or Pro model may be for a different purpose other than impressing - nevertheless, if you do get the Pro or the 14 you may still long for something better . . . . .

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I always find it interesting when people say or intonate that an iphone is too expensive...it replaced my camera, mp3 player, gps, cell phone (flip), TV remote, smart home dashboard, portable TV player (streaming live TV/sports), SiriusXM radio, and I basically use it as my primary e-mail server and web browser. I think $1.23 per day is a relatively small price to pay for all that ($450 upgrade cost after trade-in/365 days).

Good for you. I do all those things with a £800 iPhone. I could buy the Pro but I don’t need to thank you. I also keep my iPhone for a couple of years so I don’t need to spend any more than I do.

 

[hiphopdan]

I had fomo creeping up into my brain when I decided to snag the iPhone 12 and not the pro...and in retrospect this decision has changed nothing in my life except for how much extra I would have owed at&t...

 

[VuvuzelaiPhone]

I always find it interesting when people say or intonate that an iphone is too expensive...it replaced my camera, mp3 player, gps, cell phone (flip), TV remote, smart home dashboard, portable TV player (streaming live TV/sports), SiriusXM radio, and I basically use it as my primary e-mail server and web browser. I think $1.23 per day is a relatively small price to pay for all that ($450 upgrade cost after trade-in/365 days).

I mean, you can't deny that taking the depreciation hit on a phone annually isn't a smart financial move nor one that is necessary. I can easily buy a new iPhone every year, two even if I include my partner. And yet, I have an iPhone X that is doing all the things you listed completely adequately, for less than $.60 a day (and decreasing every day).

And don't get me started on the environmental toll created by buying so many new devices to make the line go up.

That isn't to say you are making the wrong decision, but not everyone values things the same way you do, regardless of the cost.

 

[Joniz]

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

The difference between being an adult and a child.

 

[Bustermd]

Do what you can afford and what makes you happy. Don't do it for anyone else but yourself, and you will never feel regret. Most people could not care less what kind of phone you use, and if you have people in your life that will judge you based on the phone you use its probably better to not have those people in your life anyway. Its also less wasteful because getting what you want the first time can be the cure for FOMO and will prevent you from wanting to upgrade before you need to.

Obviously don't get in to debt for non-necessities, and don't be needlessly wasteful: pass off, hand down, trade in, or recycle your old device.

 

[VuvuzelaiPhone]

Do what you can afford and what makes you happy. Don't do it for anyone else but yourself, and you will never feel regret. Most people could not care less what kind of phone you use, and if you have people in your life that will judge you based on the phone you use its probably better to not have those people in your life anyway. Its also less wasteful because getting what you want the first time can be the cure for FOMO and will prevent you from wanting to upgrade before you need to.

Obviously don't get in to debt for non-necessities, and don't be needlessly wasteful: pass off, hand down, trade in, or recycle your old device.

Well said.

I recall being at a wedding and having a guy laugh at me for having an iPhone 4s or 5, this was maybe 2016/2017. I found it pretty funny that they viewed it as some sort of status symbol and thus an indication of my status. Meanwhile, I was maxing all of my retirement accounts and had zero debt.

 

[JoshNori]

I’ve had the iPhone 13 Pro Max since basically the day it came out. Not once in the year of heavy socialization has even a single, solitary person ever mentioned how large the phone is nor brought in the “status symbol” aspect of it. I felt “cool” (using your quotes) for the very first week, but I later realized that it was just because I’m a nerd and I loved the thing and was proud of what Apple did.

The truth is: no one’s looking at your phone because they all basically look the same unless you’re using an Android Obamaphone as you’re giving someone your number. If someone had an iPhone X in the case, you wouldn’t know if it wasn’t the 13 from a distance. If someone had a 6s Plus, you wouldn’t be able to distinguish it from the 2nd Gen SE. Maybe they just like Touch ID! I’ve certainly thought about getting it for that!

So yeah, no one cares. And the ones who do care about having an especially powerful smartphone realize that budget isn’t really always the consideration anyway. Plenty of financially well-off people just like to keep their phones, and plenty of brokeass kids are financing their phones with their first born as collateral.

Don’t be concerned with such things. It’s stupid, and it’s a lie you’re telling yourself that anyone but you cares which iPhone you use.

I buy the iPhone I want and need, and that happens to be the latest and greatest. You can’t give me enough power on my smartphone, and 120 Hz was so compelling to me that I upgraded from the 12 Pro Max to the 13 Pro Max. It sounds like you’re evaluating the Pro models under the wrong light for you, and others on this forum are giving the right advice: don’t do it. No FOMO!

 

[imnotthewalrus]

Nope. My 11 works fine and I will run it until it's no longer supported.

 

[Populus]

Now that you ask, OP, I’m gonna share my experience.

Both my iPhone 8 and my 2014 are on their last year of OS support. My iPhone 8 is eligible for iOS 16 but I’m not sure I will update, and my 2014 Mac mini is going to stay on Monterey because Apple doesn’t want to allow my Mac to update to macOS 13.

So, yeah, I somehow feel certain pressure to update to the latest A15/M2 powered machine, respectively. However, ideally, I would wait until the 3nm SoCs are available, probably the A17 and the M3. Will I be able to wait? Probably, we’ll see.

My iPad, on the other hand, is an iPad Pro with an A12x, pretty powerful, but just with 4GB of RAM. I don’t miss stage manager, because it’s a feature that I am not very interested into. But I fear the lack of future new features, and some apps refresh instead of remaining in memory.

So I will probably jump to the M2 iPad Pro if I manage to sell my current 2018 iPad Pro, because that ensures me to keep receiving software updates from Apple. Otherwise I wouldn’t care.

Maybe I’m lying to myself, but I want to think that my future M2 iPad Pro, M2 Mac mini, and A15 iPhone, will last me many years and I won’t have to worry about buying new devices in 7 or 8 years. But I know that’s wishful thinking.

If I keep feeling the need to upgrade devices every 2-3 years, I will find a way out of the ecosystem. I pay the “Apple Tax” in order to have long lasting devices.

EDIT:

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"?

Absolutely not. When I had my first gen iPhone SE, I couldn’t care less about what people could think about my iPhone. Even more, I felt pretty proud of using such a small, compact and stylish smartphone (at that time). Despite being the most affordable from the lineup.

If I buy a smartphone it’s because of their features, not because of what people will think about me. Which I personally hate, but the way, the stereotypes society has.

 

[Populus]

I’ve had the iPhone 13 Pro Max

I buy the iPhone I want and need, and that happens to be the latest and greatest. You can’t give me enough power on my smartphone, and 120 Hz was so compelling to me that I upgraded from the 12.

Regarding the iPhone 13 Pro lineup. As I said, I’ve had an iPad Pro for several years, with Pro-Motion. On an iPhone, at first, it wasn’t something I could care, iPhones are pretty smooth right?

Well, since I’ve tried the 13 Pro models, just on the store, I’ve realized that I would love an iPhone with such 120Hz screen technology. It seems like smoother and fresher than my iPad Pro with Promotion (maybe I should check if I have it enabled).

However, the weight of the 13 Pro is a turn off for me. I don’t find it comfortable, not only for the size but for the weight. But hey, to each their own!

 

[Zaft]

No pressure.. The only reason I go for the pro mode is because I only use max sized screens. If there was an iPhone 12 Max, I would have gotten that over my current 12PM.

 

[orionquest]

Oh gawd... are we still in highschool, maybe you are, I dunno, but who is pressuring you? Doesn't matter...

 

[msackey]

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?

[...]

Interesting way of framing the question. Where is the pressure coming from and what is it about? Is this a fear of missing out? So the pressure from....what.

For me, I tend to go for the Pro models because I like the better cameras. If the Pro Max were not so big, I'd go for that because it has the best camera of the models, but at that size, the un-desirable nature of the size outweighs the desirable nature of the better camera.

 

[msackey]

Oh gawd... are we still in highschool, maybe you are, I dunno, but who is pressuring you? Doesn't matter...

Yeah, I wondered similarly. Who is pressuring? And for what? (lol)

 

[Student of Life]

No pressure at all. This years Pro model actually finally has my interests. The notch is gone. That says it all.