Other How happy are you with Apple's iPhone direction?

[Technerd108]

I have been going through T-mobile unlock hell for my iPhone 13 Pro Max. I really wanted to keep it but I want to use a different carrier and T-mobile has been extremely difficult to get them to unlock my phone even though I meet all their requirements and have completely paid the phone off.

So I was considering trading in my 13 Pro Max for a regular 14. But the 14 is almost the same as the 13? It still has a notch and a15 processor. Like what is even the difference between the models? I know the difference but just asking rhetorically.

In the past one of the things I liked about Apple phones is no matter the model you would get the latest processor. You would get the same ram. Basically the cameras on the Pro models would be better but basically all the important features were the same and now it seems apple is changing that.

Now there are big differences between the models including Pro Motion, processor, cameras, dynamic island, etc.

I feel like now my choices are Pro or Pro Max only because otherwise I may as well just get a 13?

It is pretty disappointing to me and I know this is a trend Apple plans to only increase in the disparity between regular and Pro line.

Personally I wish Apple would just drop the Pro line completely as the naming is just ridiculous. One of the things that Jobs was brilliant at was delivering a class leading product and not having a bunch of segments. Sure we had Pro Macs but basically you bought an iPhone and could get one with more or less storage but the basic phone was the same. iPad was the same and now everything is Pro, Pro Max, etc. It seems like arbitrary segments just to get as much money out of people.

If Apple just sold a Pro model and larger Pro model and dropped the regular models then it would be harder for them to compete because it would limit the amount of people willing to pay such high prices. But lets say we had a Pro min, Pro and Pro Max and those were now just iPhone mini, iPhone and iPhone Max and you could configure storage it would make things much more simple and people would be happier with a better product.

I understand not everyone needs certain features but I can guarantee you most people want them or would like them. And what does a "Pro" phone even mean? It seems so stupid. Most people are work so we all need a "Pro" phone and even if you use the phone for Professional settings that is a very limited set of people vs the amount of people who buy the Pro model.

I just wish Apple would stop playing games specially with putting an old chip in a new phone. I don't mind not having Pro-Motion although it is nice, I don't mind not having all the cameras but one of the big selling points to me was you would always get the best chip no matter the model iPhone you got and they would all have the same design. Now you have a notch on half the line and dynamic island on the other half. Half with a15 and half with a16.

I don't know maybe I am crazy but I wish Apple would not change in this way.

 

[eyoungren]

I buy what I want. I'll just start there.

Whatever Apple does, I'll determine what I want and that is what I will buy. But I buy new phones every 2.5 to 5.5 years. I don't get new phones every year.

Last phone purchase was February 2021 and I went with the 11 Pro Max (512GB), despite the T-Mobile salesman trying to sell me a 12PM (with the 13 on the way at the time). I get the largest model Apple makes, which for the 11 series meant the 11PM. And I always buy the max capacity - because I want to. No, I don't need it. Nor do I need a Pro model.

It's just want I want. See my first paragraph.

My one concession in the last couple of years, in light of what Apple is now charging for these things, has been buying a model or two older than the current model. I still get what I want and it's cheaper.

I will also note, I do not use my phones as replacements for computers, media devices or game consoles. So my phones are used just as phones. I also don't need the camera tech that Apple puts into their top line iPhones. I take pictures of stuff on grocery shelves so my wife can tell me what to bring home. No real need for big/bad cams for that.

Finally, I don't resell my phones. I have an iPhone 6s+ (128GB) sitting on my desk right in front of me. It took seven years for it to see the last iOS update. I use it as a secondary phone and it's on an active line.

Looking forward to the iPhone 15 when the iPhone 17 releases.

 

[now i see it]

If you want to be thrilled (or at least satisfied) with your next iPhone, skip at least 3 generations. Year over year doesn’t see much improvement

 

[JM]

13 to 14 is useless. 13 pro to 14 regular would be dumb.

The 13 pro max is pretty awesome, and it you eventually get a good deal going with another carrier, spring for a 14 pro because why not? They’re paying you to switch and you’ll likely be getting a free pro max.

 

[Abstract]

You seem troubled by the fact that Apple gives consumers more product options, at more price-points. 😂

It’s really not that overwhelming. There are 5 current iPhone products, plus a few older models for iPhone users who are price-sensitive, or cost-conscious (e.g. my wife).

Many buyers want the option of buying products that are cheaper because they don’t care about the camera, how much RAM they get, and would never benefit from having the fastest CPU/GPU. But there are people who WOULD benefit from option of a headphone jack on an iPad (my mom, students, etc), or the Home button on the SE (again, my mom).

The “Pro” models aren’t there for Apple to make more money. They really don’t cost much more than the “regular” lineup, so if paying less money, and getting less in return, seems appealing to some people, then why not offer such a product??

 

[JPack]

Who cares about names? Just buy what you want.

If iPhone 14 doesn’t have the features you want, get Pro Max.

 

[Deedeekay]

Depends on whether or not they abolish Face ID and replace it with the far superior Touch ID.

 

[Pakaku]

I haven't been in the market since they dropped the headphone jack, and I'm even less likely to return while the Mini is missing.

 

[fanboy-ish]

Not happy at all.

I've an iPhone 11 and Apple is not giving me many reasons to buy a newer model, this is also a testament to how good their products are of course, and I realize it's hard to keep innovating, but I could just replace the battery for 75€ and I'll have a great phone for at least another 2 to 3 years, a phone that is not that inferior to newer models.

The biggest problem is how much Apple is charging for their phones nowadays, the 14 starts at 1029€, 1179€ for the 14 Plus, 1339€ for the 14 Pro, 1489€ for the 14 Pro Max, 939€ for the 13, 839€ for the 13 Mini and the 64GB 12, 889€ for the 128GB 12.

You can get pretty good computers for those prices, even a Mac! The M1 Mac mini starts at 819€, 1049€ for the 512GB version, the M1 iMac starts at 1499€, the M1 MacBook Air starts at €1229, the M2 at 1529€, and these are the prices for new machines directly from Apple, if you shop around or get a refurbished machine from Apple or Amazon they'll be even lower. And let's not even talk about Windows machines.

This is absurd. Even with trade-ins or selling the phone yourself, Apple is pushing many of their customers into debt, not many people can afford to pay those prices in a single payment, like I did in January 2020 for the iPhone 11 at 799€, while selling the 8 for 250€.

 

[Andeddu]

The software on offer is so far behind the hardware on these phones that chipsets don’t really matter anymore. I don’t see anyone caring about the A16 and its marginal improvement over the A15. RAM appears to be more important these days.

The only things that are really different between the regular and Pro models are Pro Motion and an improved camera module. This year they’ve added the pill however next year’s regular models are likely going to have it too.

I couldn’t care less about the Pro’s features so I will be sticking with regular models only as they are still flagships.

The 12 Mini, which I purchased on release, doesn’t need to be updated for at least another 4 years. I think Apple are aware about this and are trying to convince people with the consumer mindset to needlessly upgrade each year for no apparent reason.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Ok, this is what I did! I finally replaced my OG SE just a few weeks with a 13 Mini..wow, what a difference.
I did want to keep the outer dimensions to something not much larger and feared that something similar won't probably be released until the SE4.

Yet toward the end of the return window I did experience Fomo and flirted a side-by-side with a 14 Pro, knowing a one month wait was to be expected. For me though the extra size, hefty weight and perhaps differentiating additions to the rumoured 15Pro (I save and try to buy outright) confirmed that the 13 Mini was spot on for my use.

So although I've bought a 1yr old phone tech wise, there's a 5 yr generational gap of what I was replacing and I'm quite the happy camper.

 

[eyoungren]

Depends on whether or not they abolish Face ID and replace it with the far superior Touch ID.

I know you TouchID adherents out there are still on about this, but it's getting to be like waiting for the return of 8-track tapes or Betamax.

Apple killed TouchID in the flagship products. It's never coming back.

 

[eyoungren]

I haven't been in the market since they dropped the headphone jack, and I'm even less likely to return while the Mini is missing.

They are more likely to reintroduce a new mini model at some point then to ever bring the headphone jack back.

Since the 6+ I've been waiting for Apple to remove the camera bump. That was 2014, over eight years ago.

Still waiting.

 

[eyoungren]

This is absurd. Even with trade-ins or selling the phone yourself, Apple is pushing many of their customers into debt, not many people can afford to pay those prices in a single payment, like I did in January 2020 for the iPhone 11 at 799€, while selling the 8 for 250€.

I'd argue that we are not the kind of customers Apple is hoping to attract then. They want people who can buy each year from the change they find in their couch (and who think nothing of it).

Nevertheless, I've taken to buying still new but older models. They are cheaper and I get what I want. I see no need to always be buying the current model at those prices.

 

[eyoungren]

So although I've bought a 1yr old phone tech wise, there's a 5 yr generational gap of what I was replacing and I'm quite the happy camper.

This is another reason I've taken to buying older (but still new) models instead of the current lineup.

When I upgraded to the 11PM in 2021 the 13 was coming. I upgraded at the time from a 2020 Pixel 3a XL (which I still have and is a good phone). But if we exclude that, then I was upgrading from an iPhone 6s+. So from a 2015 model to a 2019 model then. That's a fair jump I think.

 

[KurtWilde]

Yes. In general Apple’s direction is as good as anyones.

 

[ian87w]

I have been going through T-mobile unlock hell for my iPhone 13 Pro Max. I really wanted to keep it but I want to use a different carrier and T-mobile has been extremely difficult to get them to unlock my phone even though I meet all their requirements and have completely paid the phone off.

So I was considering trading in my 13 Pro Max for a regular 14. But the 14 is almost the same as the 13? It still has a notch and a15 processor. Like what is even the difference between the models? I know the difference but just asking rhetorically.

In the past one of the things I liked about Apple phones is no matter the model you would get the latest processor. You would get the same ram. Basically the cameras on the Pro models would be better but basically all the important features were the same and now it seems apple is changing that.

Now there are big differences between the models including Pro Motion, processor, cameras, dynamic island, etc.

I feel like now my choices are Pro or Pro Max only because otherwise I may as well just get a 13?

It is pretty disappointing to me and I know this is a trend Apple plans to only increase in the disparity between regular and Pro line.

Personally I wish Apple would just drop the Pro line completely as the naming is just ridiculous. One of the things that Jobs was brilliant at was delivering a class leading product and not having a bunch of segments. Sure we had Pro Macs but basically you bought an iPhone and could get one with more or less storage but the basic phone was the same. iPad was the same and now everything is Pro, Pro Max, etc. It seems like arbitrary segments just to get as much money out of people.

If Apple just sold a Pro model and larger Pro model and dropped the regular models then it would be harder for them to compete because it would limit the amount of people willing to pay such high prices. But lets say we had a Pro min, Pro and Pro Max and those were now just iPhone mini, iPhone and iPhone Max and you could configure storage it would make things much more simple and people would be happier with a better product.

I understand not everyone needs certain features but I can guarantee you most people want them or would like them. And what does a "Pro" phone even mean? It seems so stupid. Most people are work so we all need a "Pro" phone and even if you use the phone for Professional settings that is a very limited set of people vs the amount of people who buy the Pro model.

I just wish Apple would stop playing games specially with putting an old chip in a new phone. I don't mind not having Pro-Motion although it is nice, I don't mind not having all the cameras but one of the big selling points to me was you would always get the best chip no matter the model iPhone you got and they would all have the same design. Now you have a notch on half the line and dynamic island on the other half. Half with a15 and half with a16.

I don't know maybe I am crazy but I wish Apple would not change in this way.

First of all, I kinda agree with the notion of what you are saying. The iPhone lineup used to be simple and great. Want the latest flagship but don't want to spend the money? Simply wait next year and you'll get that exact flagship for less. But with the Pro line, Apple put a gate on their flagship. You simply have to spend $999 for the real flagship regardless of when you want to buy it and many of their features are not trickled down (pro motion, telephoto lens). This is highly annoying in markets like my country where iPhone prices are way marked up.

Having said that, in you exact situation, the issue is basically US carriers and their unlocking policy. Now I have no experience since I'm not in the US, but I thought T-Mobile is one of the least troublesome carrier in terms of unlocking. So I think it's better for you to try getting your phone unlocked. If it's paid off, it should already be unlocked automatically, at least from what I read.

 

[ian87w]

I haven't been in the market since they dropped the headphone jack, and I'm even less likely to return while the Mini is missing.

Good luck when you're buying new phones as you can probably only buy low end Android phones. Even mid-rangers Samsung have dropped the headphone jack.

 

[eyoungren]

Having said that, in you exact situation, the issue is basically US carriers and their unlocking policy. Now I have no experience since I'm not in the US, but I thought T-Mobile is one of the least troublesome carrier in terms of unlocking. So I think it's better for you to try getting your phone unlocked. If it's paid off, it should already be unlocked automatically, at least from what I read.

OP bought the phone from T-Mobile on prepaid, then switched to postpaid. It was also purchased at a third party retailer (and not the carrier) so these are additional factors that don't help.

 

[ian87w]

OP bought the phone from T-Mobile on prepaid, then switched to postpaid. It was also purchased at a third party retailer (and not the carrier) so these are additional factors that don't help.

Wow. US carriers are really complicated huh... 😂 I never understand carrier locking, but that's another topic.

To OP, maybe the best way is to just sell your locked phone independently (eg swappa, I see that users can sell locked phones there), and then simply buy a new iPhone straight from Apple.

 

[fanboy-ish]

I'd argue that we are not the kind of customers Apple is hoping to attract then. They want people who can buy each year from the change they find in their couch (and who think nothing of it).

Nevertheless, I've taken to buying still new but older models. They are cheaper and I get what I want. I see no need to always be buying the current model at those prices.

Of course Apple would love to see every user upgrading their devices every year, just like any other company, but there's also another point of view, though.

If you look at your tech as an investment, if you plan on keeping your devices for a long time, let's say 4 to 5 years for a phone and 5 to 7 years for a computer, then it starts to make sense.

If you divide the cost of an iPhone by 4 to 5 years, then you have the equivalent of a cheap Android phone each year, except that those cheap phones will be slow and laggy from day one and barely usable in a year, the same goes for computers, you can get cheap laptops, 300 or 400 Euros machines, that can barely load Windows and will be usable only with a lightweight Linux distro.

Naturally the upfront cost of the Apple ecosystem is pretty high, but I'd argue that the iPhone SE is affordable and gives a better experience than most Android phones or, just like you said, you can get an older model and still have a phone that will run circles around many Android phones, and many computers too.

I can understand the pricing schemes Apple is using, that doesn't mean I have to like them or applaud them, I still think the asking price for the latest models is preposterous.

 

[ian87w]

Naturally the upfront cost of the Apple ecosystem is pretty high, but I'd argue that the iPhone SE is affordable and gives a better experience than most Android phones or, just like you said, you can get an older model and still have a phone that will run circles around many Android phones, and many computers too.

I can understand the pricing schemes Apple is using, that doesn't mean I have to like them or applaud them, I still think the asking price for the latest models is preposterous.

The upfront cost and pricing scheme of Apple in the US imo is not high at all, and it's only a slight premium compared to the overall market. The fact that the latest 14 Pro still starts at $999 even with inflation is actually a deal, at least in the US. Plus, in the US, there are schemes like the iUP that makes owning an iPhone really easy and affordable.

This is in contrast to other markets, like my country, where Apple prices are ridiculously marked up. The base 128GB 14 Pro is $1300 over here. For that price, I can get the 256GB S22 Ultra, and still have $300 in my pocket.

 

[djcerla]

It’s by far the best, most balanced phone on the planet.

So, the “direction” is good afaik.

 

[fwmireault]

Now there are big differences between the models including Pro Motion, processor, cameras, dynamic island, etc.

I feel like now my choices are Pro or Pro Max only because otherwise I may as well just get a 13?

It is pretty disappointing to me and I know this is a trend Apple plans to only increase in the disparity between regular and Pro line.

I mean, is it inherently a bad thing? Smartphones are expensive now, and putting more of these features in the base iPhone would necessarily increase the starting price.

Apple has an edge for its chips, and I don't think anyone with an A15 is complaining about the speed of the iPhone. For casual photographers, having the cameras the iPhone 14 currently has is probably enough. Dynamic Island will probably come next year, and it's normal that new features go first to the pro line up. On Promotion, I agree that Apple should put that across all the lineup as many entry level Android had this feature for years. But again, not sure that the average Joe cares or even notices the refresh rate.

I'm not saying that the iPhone 14 is perfect as it is, I was very disappointed to see how similar it is to the 13. But I guess that outside of the MR bubble, no one really cares about that, they care probably more about the starting price. And this iPhone is already expensive as it is now.

 

[RinkDinkus]

I have no issue with the hardware—the software YoY is just getting to the point where we could just do them mid cycle (like the pixel drops), but here we are hyping up features that are mostly marginal or not even shipping on day 1.

I recently just went from a 256GB XS to a 128GB iPhone 14 Plus. My thought being that I need to minimize my footprint—I had my XS and my iPad, but turns out I was using my iPad less and less. So I got the Plus because it gives me bigger real estate. But why not the Pro Max? I hate the island (stupid gimmick), not interested in 120hz, the camera bumps are massive for someone who doesn’t use the camera a whole lot, and as soon as I started seeing the camera focusing issues at launch… yeah I’m staying away lol (I know it’s fixed via updates). I’m okay with paying $900 instead of getting something for $1100 that I know I’m going to turn off the features that make it that $1100. Also the difference between A15 and A16 is probably not that noticeable. I’m going from an A12 to A15(X practically with the extra GPU core), and there’s not that much of a difference tbh. The only reason I upgraded was for bigger display and bigger battery.

There’s more choice than ever, which is great. It can get a little confusing because they draw you in with the FOMO tactic (if you don’t get X model, you won’t get these features), but honestly they’re trying to cater to everyone. I would actually go as far as wonder why the Pro models even exist lol