Other iPhone 14: Just say no

[mpavilion]

I've fit a XS Max in my front pocket for the last 4 years. No idea what you're on about but happy for you that you're getting the attention you seem to crave by putting up a post that tells other people how they should spend their money.

Yeah, isn’t a Max essentially the same size as an 8+(?)

EDIT: just checked; looks like it’s a little taller

 

[clevins]

Yeah, isn’t a Max essentially the same size as an 8+(?)

EDIT: just checked; looks like it’s a little taller

Little taller. The 14 pro will be slightly smaller but only slightly. The main issue with the 8 Plus, as with any TouchID phone, is that they give up a lot of screen real estate to accomodate the touchID:

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Little taller. The 14 pro will be slightly smaller but only slightly. The main issue with the 8 Plus, as with any TouchID phone, is that they give up a lot of screen real estate to accomodate the touchID:

View attachment 2056794

Wasn’t the XS Max smaller than the current Max iPhones too? I had a feeling it wasn’t 6.7” back then but could be wrong.

 

[clevins]

Wasn’t the XS Max smaller than the current Max iPhones too? I had a feeling it wasn’t 6.7” back then but could be wrong.

Yes, it's 6.5" IIRC (I'm too lazy to measure). THis is actually one reason I went for the regular Pro. I'm fine with the XS Max size but it's as big as I'd want to go and the slight size reduction won't bother me at all.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Yes, it's 6.5" IIRC (I'm too lazy to measure). THis is actually one reason I went for the regular Pro. I'm fine with the XS Max size but it's as big as I'd want to go and the slight size reduction won't bother me at all.

Glad I didn’t imagine that. My wife has just bought a 13 Pro Max as of this morning and it’ll be delivered tomorrow. She previously disliked big phones so think she will regret it. I prefer the standard Pro side too.

 

[FlyingTexan]

It's that time of year again, when Apple and its legions of followers will make you think you need to separate yourself from $1,500 of hard-earned money to get a new phone.

Here's a checklist I use when thinking about acquiring a new phone.

1. Will the phone do anything I need? No.
2. With the new phone, will I end up doing exactly the same things I'm doing with my present phone? Yes.
3. Will the phone make me happier? No.
4. Will the phone make me poorer? Yes, in several ways.

Food for thought...

So today I got a new battery for my 8 Plus. Totally happy, and probably good for another 2 years.

but new phones have always made me happier, taken better photos, had better battery, generally better reception, and have more capabilities. In this case I'm pretty impressed with the SOS function. I boat off shore and the thought of being able to make an emergency call via sat is pretty impressive. I once had a plane crash right in-front of me in the water. Killed the occupants. Was pretty hard getting info to anyone to get out there.

 

[Zaft]

It's that time of year again, when Apple and its legions of followers will make you think you need to separate yourself from $1,500 of hard-earned money to get a new phone.

Here's a checklist I use when thinking about acquiring a new phone.

1. Will the phone do anything I need? No.
2. With the new phone, will I end up doing exactly the same things I'm doing with my present phone? Yes.
3. Will the phone make me happier? No.
4. Will the phone make me poorer? Yes, in several ways.

Food for thought...

So today I got a new battery for my 8 Plus. Totally happy, and probably good for another 2 years.

Thats been true for several years now. It just depends on what's important. Camera maybe the biggest draw to upgrade over anything else.

 

[babyexercise]

I’m leaning toward ‘no’ again this year, and I’m on an iPhone X; the only niggle is the camera.

The two year replacement cycle is a myth. This phone is now 5 year old tech, but, like the macbook line, it lasts.

So let’s not chastise Apple for releasing another phone, which it is well within its right to do.

It’s completely up to you if you upgrade. Ultimately Apple make it as easy for us to not upgrade (due to longevity) as much as they make it easy to upgrade through new releases.

Do what is best for you.

Apple phone lifespan is easily over 4 years. Android phone acceptable lifespan is 1 year, if you can accept buggy and broken hardware then 2 years.

 

[mpavilion]

Apple phone lifespan is easily over 4 years. Android phone acceptable lifespan is 1 year, if you can accept buggy and broken hardware then 2 years.

That’s a heavy exaggeration… I’ve had my Pixel work phone awhile, and it’s fine (even though it would not be my personal phone of choice).

 

[mpavilion]

but new phones have always made me happier, taken better photos, had better battery, generally better reception, and have more capabilities. In this case I'm pretty impressed with the SOS function. I boat off shore and the thought of being able to make an emergency call via sat is pretty impressive. I once had a plane crash right in-front of me in the water. Killed the occupants. Was pretty hard getting info to anyone to get out there.

Yeah - the emergency SOS feature what is the coolest thing they announced, IMO

 

[janeauburn]

I realized a long time ago that the iOS experience on all iPhones are the same. The only difference year to year is the outer shell case is slightly changed, and even then most people cover it up with the same phone case. So you're essentially using the same phone just with a lighter wallet.

Very well said. And what you're describing is a best case scenario. Worst case--and perhaps just as common--is that you not only have a lighter wallet but also a phone that is fatter, heavier, and more uncomfortable to hold.

 

[janeauburn]

The main issue with the 8 Plus, as with any TouchID phone, is that they give up a lot of screen real estate to accomodate the touchID:

View attachment 2056794

But what you realize when you play with the supposedly upgraded phones without the large bezels is that those bezels are actually useful to hold the phone without getting your fingers on the screen.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

But what you realize when you play with the supposedly upgraded phones without the large bezels is that those bezels are actually useful to hold the phone without getting your fingers on the screen.

Like with anything you evolve in your usage and hold a phone slightly differently. Even when I had an 8 plus I would grip via the outer edge and the latest phones (12 onwards) have a nice flat edge that is very easy to hold.

Think of it like driving a new car. Things are different, but it’s the same operation. You adapt within minutes and soon forget the older methods and experiences. As awesome as the 8 Plus was, it’s not going to last forever and if you want an iPhone, they are always going to be continuing as a full screen interface. The days of large bezels and TouchID buttons on the front of the device are well and truly over.

 

[clevins]

But what you realize when you play with the supposedly upgraded phones without the large bezels is that those bezels are actually useful to hold the phone without getting your fingers on the screen.

First off, you're talking to someone who's used iphones since the 5, so I know that. Second, what the hell is the point of an iphone where you're afraid of "getting your fingers on the screen"? Lastly, I use the XS Max that I currently have just fine without issue from spurious edge detection.

 

[clevins]

Very well said. And what you're describing is a best case scenario. Worst case--and perhaps just as common--is that you not only have a lighter wallet but also a phone that is fatter, heavier, and more uncomfortable to hold.

The arrogance in your posts... that you're right objectively, not just for yourself... is incredibly offputting. I have to say this over and over because people here are incredibly bad at realizing it, but you are not everyone. Your likes and dislikes are not universal. But phrasing your posts as if they are (and making the OP here) just comes off as trollish or blindly condescending. Or both.

 

[5105973]

Being enslaved by anything is the definition in one way or another of not being free and certainly not happy. Personally it’s a bad choice of words in this context I’d you’re trying to make a counter point to the OP. « Something that we can do something about, enslaves us and hence we have to accept that (for some reason), hence it’s all fine this enslavement ». The OP is trying to make an opposite point, backed up strongly by endless psychological studies that late capitalism in its most productive phase is leading to tragic unhappiness in the MOST wealthy countries, and isolation and atomisation which encourages even more consumption to act as a crutch or medication to the problem, as opposed to seeing the issue for what it really is. Capitalism can only survive with irrational consumption - a transfer of earned wealth of ordinary people to super corporations who have more money than states and don’t know what to do with it. That’s a stupid system in the context of humanity and sustainability. And for those who make the simple argument of “what’s wrong with buying stuff, buy what makes you happy” - we’ve known for the past 40 years that our consumption habits are out of control (not our fault, marketing has ensured they’re that way) and our planet is literally being entirely consumed for this deeply unsustainable “progress”. Your argument is one of many that is literally killing the planet. If we were to be sustainable Apple would be ordered to make a new iPhone once every 4/5 years max, make all phones highly repairable and cheap to repair (not 3/4 the price of new one just to replace a screen) and the same would be expected of the auto industry, they clothing industry etc. Purchasing seasons would be gone, companies profits or license to operate would be directly connected to their level of sustainability and ho much they impact that planet and hence profits would suffer - Correctly. Hence the conclusion is a for-profit system is not conducive to sustainable life on the planet. Remember everyone, that we are at multiple tipping points due to industrial emissions mostly. The same industry that wants to justify a new iPhone model (and watch, and iPad, and MacBooks almost every year).

I like a lot of the points you make, but Apple isn’t personally a problem for me. Their products have lasted our family years and we’ve gotten incredible value for the money out of most of our Apple products, except for the occasional lemon. I do wish they would make their products more serviceable and give customers less flack about changing batteries. So I agree with you more needs to be done.

My problem is that all the other major corporations who switched their manufacturing over to China won’t hold to Apple’s level of standards. That means, unlike my mom who could get kitchen appliances that worked reliably for decades and a vacuum cleaner that lasted for 25 years, I can’t find a decent appliance and find myself having to buy a new vacuum cleaner every two years. It doesn’t matter if I bought a cheap $80 Eureka or a $800 Miele, now that they’re all made in China they break. And the cost to repair is more than the cost to buy new in some cases. Or they make it impossible to get customer service for warranty repairs. I don’t have three hours to spare on hold. Or to drive to another state to an authorized service provider. Or pay shipping costs to one.

I don’t blame China. I blame the decision makers who decided this waste was profitable and each year permit ever flimsier plastics to replace parts that once were metal for a reason.

The trusted brand names of my childhood are garbage now. Even a big German name is doing this. Several of them as matter of fact, like Eheim. Their aquarium filters were gold standard. Not anymore.

Apple is doing really well. They can do better, true. But compared to what’s going on with all consumer products, they seem like saints in the game. That’s why I don’t feel particularly bad buying anything Apple makes whenever I feel like it. I know it’s going to last if I keep it in the family or get reliably refurbished or recycled if I don’t.

 

[Resist]

Average it out and it’s less money than I would pay for a cup of coffee each day. Not misleading at all

Still it's a ridiculous comparison that so many people say for other things like membership dues and such.

 

[sorgo †]

Happy to report I (eventually) successfully resisted and cancelled my 14 Pro pre-order. I did, however, end up placing an order for a Watch Ultra 😅

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

I love the annual upgraders, they help my portfolio grow.

Do you really think the yearly event that everyone knows about helps your portfolio?

 

[Geckotek]

I actually had to edit my response back quite a bit. Trying to be nice and take my own advice I guess. But this person, year after year, unbelievable. Why even be here if all you’re going to do is slag everything. 🤷‍♂️

Some people are happy with technology and some are happy….complaining. 🤣

Also, once you account for things like trade-ins or reselling of devices, the OPs suggestion that people are forking over $1500 is just false.

 

[Technerd108]

I used to have android phones. I would upgrade yearly because it would slow down.

Now I have iPhones and I get minimum 2 years before I want to upgrade but I don’t feel like I need to. After 3 years I upgrade. Usually in three years there are enough features it just makes sense.

I always sell my phone or trade it in if I can get a carrier deal. I bought a iPhone 11 Pro Max on eBay for a few hundred off retail. Then a couple years later T-Mobile had a very high trade in value for iPhone and the new 13 pro max. It was under $300 for a new iPhone Pro Max. Doubled the base internal storage, got Pro Motion and great battery life. Totally worth it.

In my opinion the 14 is cool. I am not so sure about the pill cutout vs the notch but overall there is nothing significant that I need in the 14 and my 13 pm is great so I will keep it another year at least before I consider an update.

However just telling people not to get the 14 and you have an 8 and are happy doesn’t make a lot of sense. You are using an ancient phone and haven’t even tried the 14 so it is just a very odd statement. If you have an 8 then a 14 would be a significant upgrade in almost every way.

 

[sparksd]

Apple does an extremely good job at making you believe you need their products and need to upgrade them every year. They do ith well and that's why they are so profitable. I love the annual upgraders, they help my portfolio grow.

Personally for me, I've bowed out the annual upgrade rat race. I realized a long time ago that the iOS experience on all iPhones are the same. The only difference year to year is the outer shell case is slightly changed, and even then most people cover it up with the same phone case. So you're essentially using the same phone just with a lighter wallet.

Yeah, it not like the significant updates to the camera and associated processing or the support for 5G count as changes ...

 

[babyexercise]

Yeah - the emergency SOS feature what is the coolest thing they announced, IMO

If you go to country side a lot yeah

 

[babyexercise]

I used to have android phones. I would upgrade yearly because it would slow down.

Now I have iPhones and I get minimum 2 years before I want to upgrade but I don’t feel like I need to. After 3 years I upgrade. Usually in three years there are enough features it just makes sense.

I always sell my phone or trade it in if I can get a carrier deal. I bought a iPhone 11 Pro Max on eBay for a few hundred off retail. Then a couple years later T-Mobile had a very high trade in value for iPhone and the new 13 pro max. It was under $300 for a new iPhone Pro Max. Doubled the base internal storage, got Pro Motion and great battery life. Totally worth it.

In my opinion the 14 is cool. I am not so sure about the pill cutout vs the notch but overall there is nothing significant that I need in the 14 and my 13 pm is great so I will keep it another year at least before I consider an update.

However just telling people not to get the 14 and you have an 8 and are happy doesn’t make a lot of sense. You are using an ancient phone and haven’t even tried the 14 so it is just a very odd statement. If you have an 8 then a 14 would be a significant upgrade in almost every way.

If money is not an issue yeah just buy 14 Pro Max 1TB

 

[ChoiMinji]

It's that time of year again, when Apple and its legions of followers will make you think you need to separate yourself from $1,500 of hard-earned money to get a new phone.

Here's a checklist I use when thinking about acquiring a new phone.

1. Will the phone do anything I need? No.
2. With the new phone, will I end up doing exactly the same things I'm doing with my present phone? Yes.
3. Will the phone make me happier? No.
4. Will the phone make me poorer? Yes, in several ways.

Food for thought...

So today I got a new battery for my 8 Plus. Totally happy, and probably good for another 2 years.

👍Ha!👍 Need a good joykill every now and then to sober up some delusions over microscopic advancements/big holdouts.