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Other What’s the real reason for upgrading?
- Thread starter Andeddu
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An iPhone 8 running iOS 16 may seem slick, but there is absolutely no comparison to a 15. It certainly doesn’t compete on speed, functions and OS.
I could not imaging running iOS 16, or even the current iOS 17 now that I’m running the dev. beta of iOS 18.
I could not imaging running iOS 16, or even the current iOS 17 now that I’m running the dev. beta of iOS 18.
So, yes. You did say it was bad (after claiming that you didn’t say it was bad). That’s all cleared up now, lol.
Essentially are asking people :
I’ve decided that your decision was bad. But still please tell me why you made your bad decision. And also, whatever answer you give me that seems rational, it isn’t the “real” reason (because I’ve already decided that your answer couldn’t possibly be relational).
So… I don’t think you have a genuine interest in people’s answers. If you are genuinely interested, you are not good at conveying that genuine interest. 😂😂😂
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How smooth does it need to be before the next new model iPhone no longer matters to you?
I would acknowledge to you that there is absolutely no comparison between a 15/iOS 18 and my iPhone 11 Pro Max running iOS 17. The 15 will 'win' hands down. But is that something I need for a phone that's only used for phone calls, texts, emails and light web browsing?
Or is it just a case of old(er) will never be good enough?
Table stakes: Running a device that uses a current, supported iOS.
Other benefits:
Other benefits:
- Updated cellular radios and frequency support for improved coverage when traveling.
- As you note, current battery and better battery life
- OLED screen was a solid upgrade, as was always on display
- I do think that the AI features, especially if it actually gives Siri a brain, will be worth it.
- Getting rid of lightning
I upgrade when the current model of iPhone represents a sufficient advance in a weird subconscious value matrix.
When I had Nokias I was lucky to last out the two year contract, buying out the last few months to upgrade, until I got my iPhone 3GS. Then I got the 4s, 5s, 6s, and 8 Plus. Each of them was a decent advance, and good value. But the 8 Plus was so good, and the smartphone became a maturing platform, so my 8 Plus served me well until the 14, where the upgrade in power, camera, screen, etc, won out over the out of warranty repair cost my 8 Plus needed if it was going to stay my daily driver.
My 14 is great. I got a screen protecter this time, because the one or two light scratches on the screen of my 8 Plus were driving me mad. I love the camera, and want to get out and take more photos again. One day my 14 will start wearing out, and the iPhone 19 or something will have a truly spectacular camera, or some other feature that appeals, and its value will be sufficient to motivate me to upgrade again.
I still have my 8 Plus, and my 5s, and was using them from time to time as I found uses for them. My wife has the 8 Plus as a backup, so she can see me in Find My... and she doesn't use it much, so it doesn't matter that the battery is knackered.
When I had Nokias I was lucky to last out the two year contract, buying out the last few months to upgrade, until I got my iPhone 3GS. Then I got the 4s, 5s, 6s, and 8 Plus. Each of them was a decent advance, and good value. But the 8 Plus was so good, and the smartphone became a maturing platform, so my 8 Plus served me well until the 14, where the upgrade in power, camera, screen, etc, won out over the out of warranty repair cost my 8 Plus needed if it was going to stay my daily driver.
My 14 is great. I got a screen protecter this time, because the one or two light scratches on the screen of my 8 Plus were driving me mad. I love the camera, and want to get out and take more photos again. One day my 14 will start wearing out, and the iPhone 19 or something will have a truly spectacular camera, or some other feature that appeals, and its value will be sufficient to motivate me to upgrade again.
I still have my 8 Plus, and my 5s, and was using them from time to time as I found uses for them. My wife has the 8 Plus as a backup, so she can see me in Find My... and she doesn't use it much, so it doesn't matter that the battery is knackered.
I think the problem might be that even though you can afford it the earth and human race can’t. Sure - if you’re buying the newest phone every year it doesn’t matter. It’s a drop in the ocean. But if one billion do the same it will matter. The same goes for sneaker collectors.
I’m by no means innocent myself. Just look at my signature. I could have settled for pen and paper and a Nokia 3210. But I’m not replacing all the gadgets on a yearly basis. I tend to wear them out. Same with sneakers btw 😄
Why do you care what reason anyone upgrades their phone? I do it just because I can. It could be for any reason. Primary Reason I usually upgrade though is when the battery starts dropping in capacity. Other reasons could be shiny new feature. Like the latest iPhone is Ti.
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My reason is I have the money and I want it! I also need it!
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I work with a number of people who love cars. They love owning them, talking about them, comparing them and anticipating newer models and versions of existing models. They happily pay three figure sums every month, either on loan repayments or personal contract plans, in order to own an up to date car with their desired performance levels, features and fit/finishes. By comparison I happily buy a car, pay off the loan and continue to use it until the average monthly outlay to keep it on the road outstrips the average monthly loan repayment required to replace it. This general happens once every 8 to 10 years.
Whilst I appreciate the performance and whizzy features on my colleagues cars, they hold no real appeal for me. Beyond safety and comfort being satisfies, the only thing I care about is CarPlay so I can listen to music & podcasts, navigate and deal with incoming iMessages from my wife etc.
When it comes to iPhones though (and AirPods, and to a lesser extent ATV, iPads Pro, macs etc) I love having new features and the feel of ‘having the latest’. I’ve happily gone on the iPhone Upgrade Program to get this and don’t begrudge the ‘paying in perpetuity’ to indulge such a luxury. Currently on a 14 Pro, paid off, and I’ve saved enough to buy the 16 Pro outright on day one.
My car obsessed colleagues think I’m mad, with one friend insisting that my annual/bi-annual iPhone upgrade is simply Malibu Stacey with the new hat. Drawing parallels with their car fixations and outlays merely draws blank, uncomprehending looks.
Not sure what you’re point is. If you’re upgrading because you want to upgrade, that’s fine. If you upgrade only because your contract is over and you’re moving onto another contract as part of an endless cycle, that’s bad. The example I gave about my own friends is one where they are unconsciously upgrading without thinking about keeping their older phones on data only SIMs. One replaced an iPhone 13 with an iPhone 15 for no particular reason other than his contact ended. That’s is obviously not a good reason to upgrade.
I don’t know why you’re trying to pin me down on something when I’ve qualified my statements many times.
I upgrade when a new device piques my interest, usually between two and three years. I kept my Galaxy Note 4 and iPhone 3GS for about 3.5 years each, the longest I've held onto a particular phone.
I'd like to keep my 15 PM as long as I kept my 7 Plus (February 2017-December 2021) which I passed on to a friend. Again that was my plan for my 13 PM. I actually found overall that the 15 PM was a nice upgrade from the 13 PM but not enough to have made me do so without the pickpocket's intervention. I see, for me, that upgrading every two years is too frequent and isn't worth the cost.
I upgraded my iPhone 13 Pro to 15 Pro mostly because it’s less heavy.
It’s important for me.
Although it’s still too heavy.
It’s important for me.
Although it’s still too heavy.
Great point. I know someone who blows up hundreds of dollars every week eating out and drinking every day. It’s hilarious when he lectures other people on consumerism and buying things they like. Unless you are a perfect human being, it’s useless to judge others. In fact people who do that often have what’s called daddy issues.
Those are excellent reasons! You have my approval!*
*not that you needed it of course,
Agree with the size part, but I am a power user who just wants a mini Pro phone. I do play games, use social media, etc. on my phone, and I have the power in my 15 Pro but would love more portability to go with it. It's really large, and I don't like sitting down with it in my pocket. This leads to me being more distracted by my phone as it's out of my pocket and on the table in front of me whenever I'm out and about hanging out.
Agree ..
It would be nice to have an iPhone Mini and iPhone Mini Pro
(in an alternate reality I guess, since Apple seems to be interested in nothing Mini whatsoever 😞)
How smooth does it need to be before the next new model iPhone no longer matters to you?
I would acknowledge to you that there is absolutely no comparison between a 15/iOS 18 and my iPhone 11 Pro Max running iOS 17. The 15 will 'win' hands down. But is that something I need for a phone that's only used for phone calls, texts, emails and light web browsing?
Or is it just a case of old(er) will never be good enough?
It certainly depends on use case. I now have a 14 PM. Frankly, I wish I still had my 11 PM. I’m holding out until at least the 17 (maybe longer). I use my phone extensively, it is with me now 23.75/7 because of medical monitoring. I no longer use a dedicated camera, I use third-party lenses and camera software. So for me, when an upgrade seems worthy, I’ll do it.
Having the latest and “greatest” just for the sake of it seems silly (to me). Though I do like the IOS upgrades. I’ve only run Dev software sice 15 or 16. 18 is significant.
I'm not smashing it with a hammer when I'm done with it. Someone else gets to use it. I would think the number of people upgrading each is a small percentage of overall buyers also.
6S? No.
I had a 6S as my main phone for 8 years (replaced with 15 Pro end of last year) and it was painfully slow by the end with modern apps. Running stuff like Komoot to navigate rinsed the battery very fast (with its 3rd new battery that actually lasted slightly longer than the original did). Other stuff had got very slow. The camera was poor by modern standards. It had no IP rating so I had to be very careful with it outside in the rain bikepacking.
So I wholeheartedly agree most people usually change their phones far too often for minimal gains as they just want the latest thing. However, my 6S was clearly past it's best (at least for my use case) and bordering on unusable. Sure, I might be able to use a 6S if literally only texting and making calls, but I'd just go buy a low end but more modern android if I was still using that in 2024. When compared to the 15 Pro it is a completely different ballpark. And I got a lot of new added features with an 8 year jump!
I have a work SE too. (I presume maybe SE1 version? Dunno). But the faster processor in it makes it a lot more usable than the 6S was. It looks the same as the 6S, but clearly a lot faster.
So if you keep your phone for many years, good for you, and if you change your phone every year you probably have more money than sense, but I can't say I found a 6S "performed well" or anywhere close to it, at the end of 2023.