iPhone 12 Upgrade for cheap - iPhone 12 vs 13

[adhdboy411]

Hi, all.
I'm a high school student who's an enthusiast and wants to get a nice, shiny new iPhone for their big 18. I watched WWDC during class (kinda sad, innit?), and I was absolutely drooling over a $830 iPhone 16 when it came out. And then, I went to Walmart and found that the iPhone 12 is $249, while the iPhone 13 is $399 (both through Straight Talk). While I would appreciate to get a BIG upgrade over my iPhone 11, I don't know if it's worth $150 for an upgrade with diminishing returns. I got a nice camera for nice photos and videos, I don't play a lot of games, and so my storage use is pretty low. I just listen to music on my AirPods Pro 2, use my Apple Watch, and watch YouTube. Now, I don't want to start WW3 over me not wanting the latest and greatest specs, but frankly I want to (cheaply) upgrade my iPhone every year, and the iPhone 16, while a big leap over my 11 in almost every aspect, is WAY too much money for someone working at McDonalds 10 hours a week. I'd rather wait for that tasty iPhone 17 with that possible 120hz screen, and then I'll feel fulfilled in my nerdiness.

But anyway, what do you all think? Should I "splurge," or should I save?

 

[tbgb50]

Hi, all.
I'm a high school student who's an enthusiast and wants to get a nice, shiny new iPhone for their big 18. I watched WWDC during class (kinda sad, innit?), and I was absolutely drooling over a $830 iPhone 16 when it came out. And then, I went to Walmart and found that the iPhone 12 is $249, while the iPhone 13 is $399 (both through Straight Talk). While I would appreciate to get a BIG upgrade over my iPhone 11, I don't know if it's worth $150 for an upgrade with diminishing returns. I got a nice camera for nice photos and videos, I don't play a lot of games, and so my storage use is pretty low. I just listen to music on my AirPods Pro 2, use my Apple Watch, and watch YouTube. Now, I don't want to start WW3 over me not wanting the latest and greatest specs, but frankly I want to (cheaply) upgrade my iPhone every year, and the iPhone 16, while a big leap over my 11 in almost every aspect, is WAY too much money for someone working at McDonalds 10 hours a week. I'd rather wait for that tasty iPhone 17 with that possible 120hz screen, and then I'll feel fulfilled in my nerdiness.

But anyway, what do you all think? Should I "splurge," or should I save?

FWIW, I don't buy the latest and greatest even though I can afford it. I was thinking of getting an iPhone 15 (new/unlocked) as an upgrade to my iPhone 12. I thought the price would drop by more than $100 when the 16 launched since the 15 does not support AI which is of no interest to me - but it did not.

If I was in the same situation, I would save and get the most current new, unlocked model you can afford in a few months. You will get updates longer and not get locked into a carrier. $399 is high if you have to get say a $45 plan. I pay by the year on US Mobile - they have an annual for $270 which is half that price and you can choose your network - Verizon, T-mobile or AT&T.

Good luck.

 

[adhdboy411]

FWIW, I don't buy the latest and greatest even though I can afford it. I was thinking of getting an iPhone 15 (new/unlocked) as an upgrade to my iPhone 12. I thought the price would drop by more than $100 when the 16 launched since the 15 does not support AI which is of no interest to me - but it did not.

You will get updates longer and not get locked into a carrier. $399 is high if you have to get say a $45 plan.

Thanks for the input! For context, I'm planning to get a $25 a-month plan from Simple Mobile (I'm not a heavy mobile data user, anyway), and then after two months, the phone will become unlocked (seriously, $299 for an iPhone 12 is a steal), in which case I will switch back to US Mobile. I'd get a 14, but the upgrades are minimal. I'd get a 15, but it won't get AI, which, depending on how it pans out, may become one of those quality-of-life features you don't appreciate till it's gone, in classic Apple style (iMessage, device syncing, etc.). And I'd get an iPhone 16, but I ain't rich, and frankly a first gen AI phone is probably going to have some quirks. I'm planning to wait for the iPhone 17 to release; at this point, if Apple doesn't switch to 120hz screens, they're going to get some REALLLL flak. And frankly, considering the iPhone 17 will have the 2x zoom, support for Apple Intelligence, will probably get some form of Promotion, and have Dynamic Island, Apple's going to have their work cut out for them when the iPhone 17 Pro launches. Even the iPhone 17 will struggle if the iPhone SE 4 rumors are true. And so, given this, I'm pretty sure iPhone 12 or 13 is going to meet me 99% of my needs for the next year or two.

 

[tbgb50]

Thanks for the input! For context, I'm planning to get a $25 a-month plan from Simple Mobile (I'm not a heavy mobile data user, anyway), and then after two months, the phone will become unlocked (seriously, $299 for an iPhone 12 is a steal), in which case I will switch back to US Mobile. I'd get a 14, but the upgrades are minimal. I'd get a 15, but it won't get AI, which, depending on how it pans out, may become one of those quality-of-life features you don't appreciate till it's gone, in classic Apple style (iMessage, device syncing, etc.). And I'd get an iPhone 16, but I ain't rich, and frankly a first gen AI phone is probably going to have some quirks.

Sounds like a great plan that you really thought through. I'm an old guy and the 12 meets all my needs except one - the satellite SOS. I live out west and drive long distances alone where, at times, cell service is sketchy. I'm keeping my eye on the price for a base 15 since I don't really take pictures and I don't like large phones. If it drops another $100 i'll buy otherwise I'll get a 16 when the 17 launches.

 

[ab2c4]

I know the 13 is slightly better but I think at the given prices the 12 is the better deal.

 

[adhdboy411]

Alright. But, iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 users of the world: Does the battery REALLY make that much of a difference day-to-day when you’re just casually just using it?

 

[Zapdoc]

Alright. But, iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 users of the world: Does the battery REALLY make that much of a difference day-to-day when you’re just casually just using it?

Both phones have poor battery life 12 worse than 13