Other What’s the real reason for upgrading?

[Leet Apple]

I've pretty much upgraded every iPhone from 3G-11 and stopped there when I've realized this does everything I need it to do and Apple hasn't completely redesigned the phone where its a crazy difference like from iPhone 3G-4-5.

Kind've just waiting for the phone to either stop working or a cracked screen then Apple will see me again for a large purchase

 

[SactoGuy18]

For me, I plan to either get the iPhone 16 Plus 512 GB or the iPhone 16 Pro 512 GB. I'm actually starting to lean towards the iPhone 16 Pro 512 GB, mostly because of way better battery life and of course way better cameras than my iPhone 12 256 GB.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I've pretty much upgraded every iPhone from 3G-11 and stopped there when I've realized this does everything I need it to do and Apple hasn't completely redesigned the phone where its a crazy difference like from iPhone 3G-4-5.

Kind've just waiting for the phone to either stop working or a cracked screen then Apple will see me again for a large purchase

I would still consider the iPhone 16 because 1) you get a way better screen, 2) 3GPP NR 5G support, 3) longer battery life and 4) Apple Intelligence support if needed.

 

[xxFoxtail]

I've pretty much upgraded every iPhone from 3G-11 and stopped there when I've realized this does everything I need it to do and Apple hasn't completely redesigned the phone where its a crazy difference like from iPhone 3G-4-5.

Kind've just waiting for the phone to either stop working or a cracked screen then Apple will see me again for a large purchase

Yeah that was me as well. I was upgrading almost every year from the original first gen iPhone all the way up to the X. I kept my SE1 longest in that time frame. And only upgraded my X because I wanted the 12 mini. And I only upgraded from that because I had battery life concerns and my vision isn’t what it used to be like a few years prior.

 

[rukind2]

I’m planning to upgrade from my 13 Pro Max for several reasons. The slight screen size increase makes the 16 Pro more attractive, and the overall form factor will make it easier to pull the iPhone from my front pockets. The USB-C connector is a positive, too.

 

[Bungleaio]

Main reason for me is my 13pro's battery is really poor the other reason is I've bought a new iPad and MacBook this year too so everything will be the same generation.

 

[Synomenon]

I upgrade because I like having shiny, new things... especially the thing that I have with me at all times and use for almost everything.

 

[RRC]

Peer pressure, I get bullied if I don’t upgrade every year…

 

[TgeekB]

Peer pressure, I get bullied if I don’t upgrade every year…

You need a body guard.

 

[Andeddu]

Some people are unconcerned about the things you mention. My primary phone is an 11 Pro Max though, so I'm still getting updates.

However, my 6s Plus and my 6 Plus do just fine. Believe it or not the stock apps for Messages and Mail continue to work as does older versions of Dropbox apps and a few others I use.

There are no security issues with older iPhones that still receive security updates. My 8, 6S and OGSE were all updated last week with a security patch despite all being “unsupported” devices.

I wouldn’t have any reservations using these phones for financial apps. In fact, my 6S does contain my banking and trading apps and I am completely unconcerned about being hacked as those apps are still fully supported and updated to their newest versions.

Getting hacked is a very rare thing in this day and age… almost all victims of fraud provide access to hackers by clicking on dodgy links, providing information via the telephone after being tricked by false banking representatives or wire transferring cash under false pretences.

Once your phone is no longer supported via the banking app, you will no longer be able to use it for banking activities. As long as you can use your apps, you are protected as the banking institution you’re with will update their application with the latest security patches.

 

[circatee]

Not sure it is wise to tell or advise others, on when to upgrade their device(s). After all, they paid for their device and they should also understand and know their financial situation.

As mentioned by quite a few others, there are a plethora of reasons for upgrading. But, that decision should be left to the individual in question. My opinion...

 

[Ctrlos]

For most people, at the end of their contract. Only a tiny minority of users upgrade annually. Its why smartphone innovation is so glacial yet we still have annual models. Apple isn't selling the 16 series to those with a 15; its meant for those with a 12 or 13 who's contracts are expiring soon. From that viewpoint you have 3 years worth of new features to catch up on.

This is true of most consumer electronics. Pretty much everyone buys a new TV when the old one breaks, a new Laptop when the old one dies and the Games Console cycle is every 8 years or so. Sony still release annual TV models but only crazy people are buying them annually.

 

[Lakris]

For most people, at the end of their contract. Only a tiny minority of users upgrade annually. Its why smartphone innovation is so glacial yet we still have annual models. Apple isn't selling the 16 series to those with a 15; its meant for those with a 12 or 13 who's contracts are expiring soon. From that viewpoint you have 3 years worth of new features to catch up on.

This is true of most consumer electronics. Pretty much everyone buys a new TV when the old one breaks, a new Laptop when the old one dies and the Games Console cycle is every 8 years or so. Sony still release annual TV models but only crazy people are buying them annually.

Contract? I don't think that's very common in my country but maybe it's very common in other countries? Is it the same as what we have here when you buy a phone with a subscription and you get the phone "cheaper" because it's sort of a downpayment on the phone? Some people do that here, but not most people. Its not profitable in most cases for most people.

 

[Disher]

I`m upgrading from my 14 because I want the spatial video feature now that I have the Vision Pro.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Contract? I don't think that's very common in my country but maybe it's very common in other countries? Is it the same as what we have here when you buy a phone with a subscription and you get the phone "cheaper" because it's sort of a downpayment on the phone? Some people do that here, but not most people. Its not profitable in most cases for most people.

They are super common in the US. Not contacts like we used to have, but you get a phone "deal" and the carrier credits your bill for x (24-36, usually) months.

The wife and I just buy our phones upfront without payments. It's pretty unusual, based on what I've read.

 

[Ctrlos]

Contract? I don't think that's very common in my country but maybe it's very common in other countries? Is it the same as what we have here when you buy a phone with a subscription and you get the phone "cheaper" because it's sort of a downpayment on the phone? Some people do that here, but not most people. Its not profitable in most cases for most people.

In the UK most people buy a phone on contract terms, that is the device cost is split into 36 interest-free monthly payments and charged alongside your airtime bill. I'm not sure they'd sell as many if it was all up-front.

 

[4sallypat]

SOS Emergency is the reason I am upgrading.

14 is expiring soon.

16 will hopefully be free for 2 years when I pay off the Apple Card at 0%.

 

[Lakris]

They are super common in the US. Not contacts like we used to have, but you get a phone "deal" and the carrier credits your bill for x (24-36, usually) months.

The wife and I just buy our phones upfront without payments. It's pretty unusual, based on what I've read.

Thanks for the clarification.
My husband and I also always buy our phones upfront, don't want to be locked to one operator and it isn't the cheapest way to buy a phone for us. Also, we always sell our phones when we buy new ones.

In the UK most people buy a phone on contract terms, that is the device cost is split into 36 interest-free monthly payments and charged alongside your airtime bill. I'm not sure they'd sell as many if it was all up-front.

Thanks for the clarification.
We have something similar here, but I prefer to buy my phones without any carrier deal.

 

[Jackbequickly]

I do not mind spending extra for my 16 ProMax. I have worked hard and have the funds to do so. As much as I depend on my phone, I find the price of admission well worth it.

 

[Andeddu]

I do not mind spending extra for my 16 ProMax. I have worked hard and have the funds to do so. As much as I depend on my phone, I find the price of admission well worth it.

This was always my reason for upgrading every couple of years too.

Even though my older phones did everything I wanted them to do, I wanted something new, shiny and slightly faster. I spend over 5-6 hours each day on my phone so I always felt justified to upgrade to the newer device.

I do like owning phones that look different though and, now that the design of the iPhone is pretty much settled, I miss the innovations of earlier phones. If I upgraded my 13 to the 16 I wouldn’t really feel excited because the design is 99% the same along with iOS being identical… it wouldn’t physically feel like an upgrade to me.

 

[Advent0903]

Well my wife took my 15 pro max natural TI, prolly gonna trade in her 14 pro max and get the 16 pro max natural ti. Still on the fence about the gold / brown color

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I usually take out a 2 year contract and upgrade at the end of it. I have a few times upgraded to the previous years device as there’s not a huge difference in spec but quite a big difference in savings.

My contract ends next week and I’m still unsure whether to upgrade to a current iPhone, get last years 15 Pro or just keep my 13 Pro Max another year as it’s still a really great phone that does what I need. My wife has just bought a sim only deal as she’s still happy with her iPhone so i’ll see what the keynote brings.

 

[RRC]

People upgrade because they can/ want to. As long as people can afford it, it's not a massive expense spread out over a whole year - especially when you factor in re-sale or trade in value offset against the cost.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

People upgrade because they can/ want to. As long as people can afford it, it's not a massive expense spread out over a whole year - especially when you factor in re-sale or trade in value offset against the cost.

You say 'over a year' but I'd say only a very small percentage of users upgrade on an annual basis. Its generally spread out over 2 or 3 years on average, even for people who could upgrade yearly. When reading threads on here and whenever there are polls about upgrading, annual upgrades are usually in the minority compared to 10 years ago.

I think that is actually one of the bonuses of modern iPhones, that they last several years. I'm using a 13 Pro Max and unsure whether to upgrade or not because its still a really capable phone despite being a 3 year old model. I am due to upgrade, I can afford it, but the few leaks that have come out haven't exactly enticed me yet and I can't imagine the 16 Pro is going to be massively different to the 15 Pro. The joys of a mature product eh?

 

[RRC]

You say 'over a year' but I'd say only a very small percentage of users upgrade on an annual basis. Its generally spread out over 2 or 3 years on average, even for people who could upgrade yearly. When reading threads on here and whenever there are polls about upgrading, annual upgrades are usually in the minority compared to 10 years ago.

I think that is actually one of the bonuses of modern iPhones, that they last several years. I'm using a 13 Pro Max and unsure whether to upgrade or not because its still a really capable phone despite being a 3 year old model. I am due to upgrade, I can afford it, but the few leaks that have come out haven't exactly enticed me yet and I can't imagine the 16 Pro is going to be massively different to the 15 Pro. The joys of a mature product eh?

Phone tech has definitely peaked compared to what it used to be like... there's no real "need" to upgrade for anyone these days outside of loss of software support, damage or faults etc.