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Other What’s the real reason for upgrading?

Andeddu said:
I am not telling anyone how to spend their own money because it’s theirs to do with as they wish
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Uh, your weird guilt-trippy post indicates you’re trying to do exactly that. Sounds like a bunch of “advice” that no one needed.

I don’t feel guilty about upgrading at all. For a new color. The newer my trade-in is, the more valuable its parts are when they’re recycled.
 
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Phone broke. Price to fix not far from price to upgrade. Will be careful-er with new :) color is good!
 
Old phone takes around a minute to load the bank app, which is unacceptable.
 
AppleFanatic10 said:
I didn't watch the keynote[…]
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I wish I hadn’t, hehe, because now I’m really wanting to upgrade from my 15 Plus 256 GB to a 16 Pro Max 1 TB…

Ugh, decisions, decisions… I still have the original iPhone X (silver) 256 GB, the 12 Mini (blue) 256 GB and the 15 Plus (green) 256 GB, but now, after the keynote, I kinda want to to sell them all and buy that top model Pro Max… 🤷‍♂️ I’m weak… 🫤 Also, I love the new Apple Watch 10… and I need some new AirPods as well, because only one of them is functioning now… (And since I don’t live in the USA it’s gonna cost me a small fortune lol…)
 
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I keep mine for as long as necessary. I value my money too much so it has to be a good upgrade. Kept my 64gb X for 7 years and now upgrading to a 16 pro max 256gb.

Everything is an improvement at this point and I get a bigger screen. Storage is a must now too. I do a lot of photography on the go when I travel so having the best camera that’s easy to take with me that can also be used to edit, upload etc without the need of a proper camera and laptop is so helpful to me.

I usually keep them until iOS updates don’t support my device. When they don’t I usually upgrade unless the iOS update doesn’t offer much. I usually rotate upgrading my tech every 5-6 years, so my tv is due in a year or two. I’d rather not update every year or two because I’d have too many things to update and I’d rather use thay money seeing new places, etc
 
AVBeatMan said:
I’ve come to admit that I upgrade every year, even though I say I won’t.

This years excuse is that I turned 60, so why not?

So, accepting that I’ll upgrade every year this you I am joining the iUP. Just makes sense!
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I don’t see an issue with that. It’s the younger folk who should be prioritising other responsibilities before upgrading to a new phone each year such as mortgage deposit, etc
 
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iObama said:
It used to be every two years, but I'm getting older and phones are getting better – I don't care as much anymore.

However, there's no way in hell I'd use an iPhone that doesn't support the latest OS. That's just asking for security issues.
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They still provide security updates for a couple of years after iOS updates stop iirc
 
Andeddu said:
The reality is that people are replacing their phones purely because they want something new and for no other legitimate reason. Much of the time they’re forced to replace the battery or replace their phone and they use the cost of the battery replacement as an excuse to replace their entire device. I have been guilty of this many times in the past because of my love of new technology.

I regularly use an SE1 and 6S (with fresh OEM batteries) and they perform well in 2024.

My iPhone 8, which received an Apple battery replacement last week, is very slick on iOS 16 and can do pretty much anything an iPhone 15 can do without much of a noticeable difference in performance.

An iPhone 12 is as good as anything that’s available today and will be until around 2026.

The consumer based society in which we live is a throwaway and shallow world view which results in so much needless waste.

I shake my head every time I see someone claim that they need a slightly better camera module as the camera in an 11/12 is as good as a regular person will ever require. If you’re not a professional photographer then you should learn how to use a camera properly before using it as a throwaway excuse to spend $1200+ on a marginally better phone. Some of the best photos I’ve ever seen were taken on an iPhone 12 or prior. This includes 4K video footage as proven by top YouTubers such as Marques Brownlee.

The user is almost always the limitation, not the technology. Learn to use what you have rather than purchasing something that’s better. If your photographs are not good, you are the problem.

I used to get excited when purchasing a new phone but when I got my iPhone 13, in Jan 2023, it was a shallow and mundane experience as it replaced an iPhone 12 Mini which was identical in every way other than in size. I just popped on the new case, spent 10 minutes setting it up, and got on with my day. The same would be true if I were to replace my iPhone 13 with an iPhone 15 or upcoming iPhone 16.

We’ve reached peak smartphone now so just learn to use what you’ve got and don’t replace anything unless it’s a necessity to do so.

If you genuinely love new tech and get a buzz every time you unbox a new device, keep on doing what you’re doing… just don’t upgrade because you’re going through the motions and you feel like “it’s time” to upgrade.

So why do you guys upgrade? Is there a legitimate reason for it given that there are so many great SIM only contracts available? Do you actually still get a kick when unboxing and handling the newest tech? I am only having a rant because I don’t think there is much to add to current smartphones. The AI gimmick people are using as an excuse to upgrade to the iPhone 16 is laughable also. I also saw someone using a “better camera module” as an excuse to upgrade to an iPhone 16 Pro which made me giggle.

I am not telling anyone how to spend their own money because it’s theirs to do with as they wish, I am just genuinely interested in what motivates individuals to purchase the same tech every 1-3 years with no rational motivation for doing so.
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Honestly, I had a discussion with a friend recently about iPhones and the pro models. He was talking about how he doesn't use the camera on his 14 pro max to the fullest and feels like he should just going for the base 16. He isn't a pro photographer or videographer and had the realization that he could have saved a few hundred bucks by going for the base models all this time. I then mentioned that Apple's target audience now more than ever with the Pro models are for those in the creative space such as photography and videography. Or if you are not in those creative spaces at least have an interest in them.

Any of the recent keynotes when talking about the camera and how their phones are used to shot celebrities' music videos and what not. For example, I would bet 98% of the people with iPhone 15 pro or pro max have never used the log video recording feature. I have used it due to the fact I do freelance video but it really is a niche feature. That's why I would encourage those that spend 1K or more on these phones to invest in learning about the cameras and take full advantage of them. Apple stores even hold sessions that teach people how to use their cameras and advanced features.
 
14 Pro 128 -> 16 Pro Max 1TB

Screen size, USB-C, Camera, battery life, storage, Titanium and a new carrier.
 
ShadowGuardian87 said:
Honestly, I had a discussion with a friend recently about iPhones and the pro models. He was talking about how he doesn't use the camera on his 14 pro max to the fullest and feels like he should just going for the base 16. He isn't a pro photographer or videographer and had the realization that he could have saved a few hundred bucks by going for the base models all this time. I then mentioned that Apple's target audience now more than ever with the Pro models are for those in the creative space such as photography and videography. Or if you are not in those creative spaces at least have an interest in them.

Any of the recent keynotes when talking about the camera and how their phones are used to shot celebrities' music videos and what not. For example, I would bet 98% of the people with iPhone 15 pro or pro max have never used the log video recording feature. I have used it due to the fact I do freelance video but it really is a niche feature. That's why I would encourage those that spend 1K or more on these phones to invest in learning about the cameras and take full advantage of them. Apple stores even hold sessions that teach people how to use their cameras and advanced features.
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Good idea and I’d get people to look into the blackmagic camera app, it’s free and unlocks a lot more options filming
 
My phone is the thing I use more than anything else. I get my money's worth here. So I don't so much mind making objectively dumb financial decisions when it comes to upgrading. I don't do it with my other stuff. My MacBook is probably 4 years old, still working great. I have no desire to upgrade it. Still don't have new and improved AirPods. My Apple Watch has definitely seen better days. But the phone from 2 years ago that's still working great is on its way out.

And I don't really think it's anybody's business how others prioritize their finances or spend their disposable income. I've got buddies that golf. Some that shoot competitively. Those guys can spend many times the cost of an iPhone in a year. Who cares. If you can afford it, do what makes you happy.
 
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Taco1933 said:
My phone is the thing I use more than anything else. I get my money's worth here. So I don't so much mind making objectively dumb financial decisions when it comes to upgrading. I don't do it with my other stuff. My MacBook is probably 4 years old, still working great. I have no desire to upgrade it. Still don't have new and improved AirPods. My Apple Watch has definitely seen better days. But the phone from 2 years ago that's still working great is on its way out.

And I don't really think it's anybody's business how others prioritize their finances or spend their disposable income. I've got buddies that golf. Some that shoot competitively. Those guys can spend many times the cost of an iPhone in a year. Who cares. If you can afford it, do what makes you happy.
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Same, it’s pretty much my pc nowadays which is why I went with the max screen. I do have a macbook pro and love the quality of it but I’ll probably eventually sell it and just buy a cheaper new pc at the time for my music hobby or just run the mac until it’s done. iphones are worth it with how much I use them, I’d only ever upgrade if the upgrade warrants it though

Same with TVs, my oled gets a lot of use but they last so long you can get a good 5+ years from it
 
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The only real reason I upgrade is honestly the hope that the battery life gets better and better (especially in the smaller smartphones). Beside that... I just looove to try new tech, even if it's only really small stuff that got improved. I just like to have new things... sooo I upgrade every year or at least every 2 years since forever.
 
Man.. if I was upgrading every year, I would've been soo bored of iPhones by now. I have 13 Pro right now and the only reason I bought 16 is to give to my old phone to a family member because their X barely holds charge and the back is cracked.
I remember when I upgraded my 7 to X and then to 13 Pro, the upgrades felt really noticeable and I was really excited to get them and now I kinda feel like upgrading from 13 Pro to 16 Pro Max is kinda meh.. yeah sure the screen is a bit better and bezels are way smaller but that's kinda it (screen is the #1 reason when I choose whether to buy a new phone or not).
 
Prabas said:
Man.. if I was upgrading every year, I would've been soo bored of iPhones by now. I have 13 Pro right now and the only reason I bought 16 is to give to my old phone to a family member because their X barely holds charge and the back is cracked.
I remember when I upgraded my 7 to X and then to 13 Pro, the upgrades felt really noticeable and I was really excited to get them and now I kinda feel like upgrading from 13 Pro to 16 Pro Max is kinda meh.. yeah sure the screen is a bit better and bezels are way smaller but that's kinda it (screen is the #1 reason when I choose whether to buy a new phone or not).
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Just wait till you see the leap in battery life. That’s always been my #1 reason for upgrading. It’s so good on the 16 line that I might just downgrade from a Max size to regular Pro. I’m tired of my phone falling out of my pockets when I sit down.
 
Oh yeah it's 11 hours more, that's a huge improvement and all but I still wouldn't buy 16 just because of that, I probably would've waited a year or two for an iPhone with under screen Face ID.
 

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For me coming from the 13 pro, it's the brightness so easier readability in the sun outdoors, better battery life since mine is at 80% now and also weight even though that's marginal
 
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