Other What’s the real reason for upgrading?

[eyoungren]

Within the same week?? Maybe clothes don’t excite me because they don’t end up in the bin till they have a tear or look terrible. It’s usually over a year.

I still have clothes purchased in the late 80s and early 90s in my closet. One jacket I have (Levi's) was purchased at a membership store (like Costco, but now defunct) in 1988 and another at Mervyns in 1990.

Hypercolor shirt anyone? Generra? Yeah, I have them.

Some clothes have 'disappeared' over the years. I suspect my wife but she will vehemently and angrily deny it.

 

[fw85]

You're spot on OP, and the amount of negative emotion you've stirred up despite clearly stating this is a thought experiment and not you telling people what to do with their money - basically proves your point.

Phones are now a very mature and increasingly stagnant market, people could easily get by with the same phone for 4 years and barely be missing out on anything.

Most interesting new features nowadays come in software, which thanks to Apple's unmatched long term support, trickles down to older models as well.

But yeah, people are never content with what they already have and cannot control the urge to chase new trinkets instead.
You're always encouraged to want more, achieve more, but never really taught to determine what is enough for you.

 

[SkweeBop]

We realized after viewing our vacation photos that we really wanted better quality.

 

[StrollerEd]

My upgrade history: each early iPhone ... iP4, iP5, iP6S, iP7, 12P pro ... waiting for serious dissatisfaction to kick in

That dissatisfaction could be something poor wrt the iPhone 12Pro or something unmissable on a iPhone 16 or 17 model.

I did 'invest' in a s/h 4:3 camera and lens when deciding not to upgrade from the 12Pro but I've not used that as much as I thought as I shoot using the 12Pro much more often and am happy with the outcome post processing. So, I might just succumb to an upgrade for that reason soon, considering the 15Pro & 15PM but still waiting on the 16 ...

I should also add that I'm a lazy Safari user and often have too many tabs open and I use Notes a lot ... so maybe RAM?

 

[eyoungren]

My upgrade history: each early iPhone ... iP4, iP5, iP6S, iP7, 12P pro ... waiting for serious dissatisfaction to kick in

That dissatisfaction could be something poor wrt the iPhone 12Pro or something unmissable on a iPhone 16 or 17 model.

I did 'invest' in a s/h 4:3 camera and lens when deciding not to upgrade from the 12Pro but I've not used that as much as I thought as I shoot using the 12Pro much more often and am happy with the outcome post processing. So, I might just succumb to an upgrade for that reason soon, considering the 15Pro & 15PM but still waiting on the 16 ...

I should also add that I'm a lazy Safari user and often have too many tabs open and I use Notes a lot ... so maybe RAM?

HTC Touch Pro --> iPhone 3GS (a gift, used as a secondary phone to familiarize myself with iPhone/iOS) --> iPhone 5 --> iPhone 6 Plus --> iPhone 6s Plus --> Pixel 3a XL --> iPhone 11 Pro Max (my current iPhone).

I've had the iPad Air 2 (sold to a forum member here at some point). Currently have the 6th gen iPad. Starting to look at updating as it's now stuck on iOS 17. Learned my lesson, will NOT be selling my 6th Gen iPad, just adding a new one.

I hate Safari on every platform/OS it can/will run on. I use other browsers. Although they may all use Safari's engine, at least I don't have to deal with Safari's UI. For my Macs, Safari is only used when necessary (for some reason or another).

Not slamming you, just stating my upgrade path/preferences.

 

[StrollerEd]

HTC Touch Pro --> iPhone 3GS (a gift, used as a secondary phone to familiarize myself with iPhone/iOS) --> iPhone 5 --> iPhone 6 Plus --> iPhone 6s Plus --> Pixel 3a XL --> iPhone 11 Pro Max (my current iPhone).

I've had the iPad Air 2 (sold to a forum member here at some point). Currently have the 6th gen iPad. Starting to look at updating as it's now stuck on iOS 17. Learned my lesson, will NOT be selling my 6th Gen iPad, just adding a new one.

I hate Safari on every platform/OS it can/will run on. I use other browsers. Although they may all use Safari's engine, at least I don't have to deal with Safari's UI. For my Macs, Safari is only used when necessary (for some reason or another).

Not slamming you, just stating my upgrade path/preferences.

OK, not feeling slammed

BTW, my very first 'smart phone' after the Palm & Psion organisers was the Nokia 9110 ...

I never found a real use for the iPad. I use both Safari and Firefox but am willing to be persuaded to change.

Why have you kept the 11ProMax? I did consider the 11Pro when wishing to move on from the 7 but the deal from EE meant I paid less for the 12Pro than buying either outright.

 

[eyoungren]

OK, not feeling slammed

BTW, my very first 'smart phone' after the Palm & Psion organisers was the Nokia 9110 ...

I never found a real use for the iPad. I use both Safari and Firefox but am willing to be persuaded to change.

Why have you kept the 11ProMax? I did consider the 11Pro when wishing to move on from the 7 but the deal from EE meant I paid less for the 12Pro than buying either outright.

My browser upgrade path is all over the place and largely dependent on the type of Mac I was/am using. So, rather than give a detailed list I will simply say that I prefer customization over speed. I am willing to sacrifice some amount of speed for the ability to make the browser be and look the way I want it to. Because I generally spend about 16 or more hours a day in front of a computer. I want to be comfortable in my browser.

Right now, my main one is Vivaldi. Vivaldi is by some of the same people who did Opera. It uses the Chrome engine, but because it has Opera's influence I can do things like have my address bar, bookmark bar and tabs at the bottom instead of at the top. And Vivaldi, because it's based on Chrome, can install all the same addons that Chrome itself uses. I get customization and access to addons.

As to why I kept the 11PM, well…upgrades for us (my wife and I) are usually every 3.5 to 5.5 years. We upgraded in 2021 but for cost reasons and network reasons I went with the 11PM (brand new) instead of waiting for the launch of the 13 series. It was cheaper monthly.

Network wise, I've been a guinea pig on Sprint when Sprint launched LTE. For a couple years my iPhone 5, an LTE device, only got 3G. And I had to deal with all the issues Sprint had with Network Vision (their LTE rollout). At the time I got the 11PM, T-Mobile was solidly pushing out it's 5G network. Having experienced what I experienced with Sprint, I had no desire to repeat my performance as a network guinea pig with T-Mob's 5G rollout. So, the 11PM being LTE only I'm doing just fine.

Also, I have a T-Mobile issued femtocell at home for connectivity reasons (without it the coverage stinks at home). It's 4G/LTE only so at home with a 5G device I'd be at the mercy of T-Mobile's 5G network. Of course, I could have a 12 or newer device just switch down to LTE only, but then I'd have to remember to switch it back when leaving the house. No, all the way around I chose to simply wait until T-Mob's 5G network has worked out all it's issues. By the time I get the 15PM (when the 17 series launches) 5G will be old hat (or SHOULD be).

 

[StrollerEd]

My browser upgrade path is all over the place and largely dependent on the type of Mac I was/am using. So, rather than give a detailed list I will simply say that I prefer customization over speed. I am willing to sacrifice some amount of speed for the ability to make the browser be and look the way I want it to. Because I generally spend about 16 or more hours a day in front of a computer. I want to be comfortable in my browser.

Right now, my main one is Vivaldi. Vivaldi is by some of the same people who did Opera. It uses the Chrome engine, but because it has Opera's influence I can do things like have my address bar, bookmark bar and tabs at the bottom instead of at the top. And Vivaldi, because it's based on Chrome, can install all the same addons that Chrome itself uses. I get customization and access to addons.

As to why I kept the 11PM, well…upgrades for us (my wife and I) are usually every 3.5 to 5.5 years. We upgraded in 2021 but for cost reasons and network reasons I went with the 11PM (brand new) instead of waiting for the launch of the 13 series. It was cheaper monthly.

Network wise, I've been a guinea pig on Sprint when Sprint launched LTE. For a couple years my iPhone 5, an LTE device, only got 3G. And I had to deal with all the issues Sprint had with Network Vision (their LTE rollout). At the time I got the 11PM, T-Mobile was solidly pushing out it's 5G network. Having experienced what I experienced with Sprint, I had no desire to repeat my performance as a network guinea pig with T-Mob's 5G rollout. So, the 11PM being LTE only I'm doing just fine.

Also, I have a T-Mobile issued femtocell at home for connectivity reasons (without it the coverage stinks at home). It's 4G/LTE only so at home with a 5G device I'd be at the mercy of T-Mobile's 5G network. Of course, I could have a 12 or newer device just switch down to LTE only, but then I'd have to remember to switch it back when leaving the house. No, all the way around I chose to simply wait until T-Mob's 5G network has worked out all it's issues. By the time I get the 15PM (when the 17 series launches) 5G will be old hat (or SHOULD be).

I'll have a look at Vivaldi - altho' it looks like it will be costly in terms of time needed to explore and set up as I might prefer

I'm in UK and BT delivers v fast broadband & hence wifi and EE does similar for 5G out and about.

 

[GuruZac]

I have a 15 Pro Max which will definitely not be replaced this year. I genuinely enjoy tech but I’m also much less excited about iOS/iPadOS products now. I actually think the Apple Silicon Macs are far more interesting. Smartphones are smartphone. They all are fast, take great pics, have 5G (a joke most places), have biometrics for banking etc.

To answer the OP, the reason I’ll upgrade next time may be to go back down to the smallest Pro iPhone, so smaller footprint will be the reason. If they came out with an iPhone Pro Mini I’d upgrade this year.

 

[mib01]

A good reason I see for changing models is when you stop receiving system updates. I still have an iPhone 11 and I recently changed the battery, there is a chance that it will only receive updates up to iOS 18, so I will upgrade to 16 Pro next year.

 

[Andeddu]

A good reason I see for changing models is when you stop receiving system updates. I still have an iPhone 11 and I recently changed the battery, there is a chance that it will only receive updates up to iOS 18, so I will upgrade to 16 Pro next year.

I agree, however, I have discovered that it’s still an arbitrary decision to stop using a device after it is no longer supported by the latest iOS update.

The 6S and SE1, which are stuck on iOS 15, can still run 99% of all apps and are still presently receiving security updates. Both devices can access banking and trading apps which require a high level of security.

An iPhone 11 will still be usable for at least 3 more years. That’s the worst case scenario.

 

[DaveEcc]

My iMac late 2012 is stuck on 10.15. That didn't force me to update immediately, but now Chrome tells me future updates won't be supported for 10.15, so it's time to consider my options... Hoping to hold out for an M4 iMac... then weigh that against the discounted M3 iMac, M3 Mini and M4 Mini + monitor.

 

[eyoungren]

My iMac late 2012 is stuck on 10.15. That didn't force me to update immediately, but now Chrome tells me future updates won't be supported for 10.15, so it's time to consider my options... Hoping to hold out for an M4 iMac... then weigh that against the discounted M3 iMac, M3 Mini and M4 Mini + monitor.

I'm running Monterey on a 2009 MacPro and just installed Sonoma on my 2008 MBP today. Your model is supported - you aren't stuck.

OpenCore Legacy Patcher

Experience macOS just like before

dortania.github.io

dosdude also made patches a few years back, so I have two 2009 Minis running Catalina as well. They will eventually get updated to Sonoma or Monterey at least.

 

[aParkerMusic]

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.

Genuine question: why are you regularly using three iPhones? What is each used for? I feel the details of the use cases are important when you’re claiming, essentially, that there is no good reason why someone should even want to upgrade from an iPhone SE1 or iPhone 6S.

 

[mib01]

I agree, however, I have discovered that it’s still an arbitrary decision to stop using a device after it is no longer supported by the latest iOS update.

The 6S and SE1, which are stuck on iOS 15, can still run 99% of all apps and are still presently receiving security updates. Both devices can access banking and trading apps which require a high level of security.

An iPhone 11 will still be usable for at least 3 more years. That’s the worst case scenario.

If the main focus is only on using apps, it may be worth continuing to use the same device after the end of support for updates. However, if you like to use the camera a lot, the scenario changes, starting with all the models you mentioned.

None of them have autofocus on the front camera, night mode on all sensors, and so on. For this reason alone, I'm considering exchanging the 11 for a Pro version because of this, in addition to the OLED screen.

 

[Shirasaki]

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.

Umm. User is always the weakest link in this security chain. Criminals just need to compromise you to get things done. What are you going to do?

 

[fw85]

I agree, however, I have discovered that it’s still an arbitrary decision to stop using a device after it is no longer supported by the latest iOS update.

The 6S and SE1, which are stuck on iOS 15, can still run 99% of all apps and are still presently receiving security updates. Both devices can access banking and trading apps which require a high level of security.

An iPhone 11 will still be usable for at least 3 more years. That’s the worst case scenario.

Umm. User is always the weakest link in this security chain. Criminals just need to compromise you to get things done. What are you going to do?

While even older iOS versions are sometimes updated with security patches even after they've stopped receiving feature updates, this is hardly comparable with the frequency of regular security updates.

If you're not well versed in cybersec, you might underestimate this.. but there's many exploits discovered almost day to day and a lot of them don't even require you to do much wrong as a user.
There's maliciously crafted SMS messages and emails that you only need to receive/click on in your inbox, that exploit some weakness in the core system app and gain privilege. There's weaknesses in WebKit that could be exploited by some random malicious ad or website. There's lower level vulnerabilities in the Bluetooth protocol that you get exposed to just when you leave it on.

Some of the fixes get backported, but some never make it past 1 previous major iOS release (e.g. iOS 17 and 16 gets patched, but not 15).

How much of a concern this should be to you depends on who you are and what you do on your phone, but running an old version of iOS definitely paints a bigger target on your back and makes you more interesting to attack.

Personally I'm all for keeping things as long as possible, but I'd never skimp out on security with devices I do banking, investing on etc.
Apple already supports their phones for like forever compared to the competition, so after like 6 years you get more than enough value from the product already...

 

[HDFan]

Phones are now a very mature and increasingly stagnant market, people could easily get by with the same phone for 4 years and barely be missing out on anything.

Change "are" to "were" due to AI hardware requirements.

 

[Und Eser]

Thanks for articulating my long-held views on the subject of upgrading so eloquently Andeddu.

Each year Apple endows its new iPhone models with just enough incremental “improvements” to ensure its own market growth while holding back other developments for later releases.

It would be nice to see Apple release a truly state-of-the-art iPhone, with all the latest developments and features, once every five years or so.

 

[fw85]

Change "are" to "were" due to AI hardware requirements.

Any AI feature is yet to prove itself, whether it's actually meaningful or not.

It would be nice to see Apple release a truly state-of-the-art iPhone, with all the latest developments and features, once every five years or so.

They could probably do 3 years without falling behind the competition, if they went all out.

The problem is that people have a recency bias and would lean more towards something else just for being new, rather than buying the 2 year old iPhone despite it still being objectively better.

 

[Shirasaki]

While even older iOS versions are sometimes updated with security patches even after they've stopped receiving feature updates, this is hardly comparable with the frequency of regular security updates.

If you're not well versed in cybersec, you might underestimate this.. but there's many exploits discovered almost day to day and a lot of them don't even require you to do much wrong as a user.
There's maliciously crafted SMS messages and emails that you only need to receive/click on in your inbox, that exploit some weakness in the core system app and gain privilege. There's weaknesses in WebKit that could be exploited by some random malicious ad or website. There's lower level vulnerabilities in the Bluetooth protocol that you get exposed to just when you leave it on.

Some of the fixes get backported, but some never make it past 1 previous major iOS release (e.g. iOS 17 and 16 gets patched, but not 15).

How much of a concern this should be to you depends on who you are and what you do on your phone, but running an old version of iOS definitely paints a bigger target on your back and makes you more interesting to attack.

Personally I'm all for keeping things as long as possible, but I'd never skimp out on security with devices I do banking, investing on etc.
Apple already supports their phones for like forever compared to the competition, so after like 6 years you get more than enough value from the product already...

I have seen these types of zero-interaction exploit being reported on some tech blogs, and they are indeed quite scary. Sometimes even the latest version of software can’t be exempt from these kinds of attacks, as the attacker would naturally not want to disclose exploits to Apple: more money selling exploits than helping the software to become more secure.

With that being said, there’s always this cost efficiency in developing exploits. Most easier ones have been patched or mitigated to such extent that they are practically harmless, leaving harder ones behind. They are tougher to find, tougher to crack, and maybe tougher to exploit too. As such higher priority targets are the main victims of such exploits, such as key political figures. For most general public with nothing much worthwhile of using expensive exploits, keeping the latest version of software is good enough, alongside good safety practices. The next door old nanny ain’t gonna need a $5m exploit to scam $50,000 out of her retirement saving account.

My point is: for most people, user is the weakest link. For THOSE people however, maybe a dumb phone works better, or enable the lockdown mode, or be even more careful.

 

[Andeddu]

Genuine question: why are you regularly using three iPhones? What is each used for? I feel the details of the use cases are important when you’re claiming, essentially, that there is no good reason why someone should even want to upgrade from an iPhone SE1 or iPhone 6S.

So, although I did own iPads and an M1 MacBook, I don’t use them because I much prefer portability over being static in one position. I gave away my M1 MacBook to my girlfriend because I turned it on once in 6 months.

I use a regular 13 as my daily driver which is my most current iPhone.

I use my old 6S, which was purchased in 2016 and used as my daily driver for 2 years, as my WiFi only device during the day whenever I am at home. It’s mostly used for web-browsing, e-mails, media streaming over Disney+, Prime, Netflix, YouTube & Apple TV+, Skype, FaceTime, Podcasts and Apple Music. I use it because I don’t like watching shows on my 13 as much because I keep getting WhatsApp messages which I continually have to reply to.

The SE1 is a device which is used when I am in bed. I’ll usually watch a 30 minute episode of whatever on Netflix or Disney+ each night to clear my head as I fall asleep. It’s the smallest and lightest phone which has access to the full app-suite so it’s perfect for the job.

Once the 6S/SE begin to lose app support they will be retired and I will replace them with my 8 which has already received an OEM battery replacement from Apple. It will replace both devices when the time comes.

I’ll hopefully keep using my 13 as my daily driver until the 8 loses app support by which point I’ll upgrade and it’ll then become my WiFi only device.

 

[tridley68]

That’s a bit overkill when all that’s required is a relatively inexpensive battery replacement. Are there no Apple Stores near your residence?

Its only like an extra $7 on My bill so to me its good they don't open it up and ruin anything I once took my daughters phone to have a screen repair dropped it off we wer not even 15 min from the store and they call and say we can replace the battery while we have it open she only had the phone a month so battery was near perfect and when we got the phone back with the new screen a few days later we started having battery issues so not much trust any more with Apple store repair it seemed like they did something to it because I refuse to let them up sale me.

 

[HDFan]

It would be nice to see Apple release a truly state-of-the-art iPhone, with all the latest developments and features, once every five years or so.

Technology moves much faster than that. WiFi 6E in 2021, 7 in 2024, 8 2028 (?). Camera technology with larger sensors, better light sensitivity, longer zooms. AI. etc. "state-or-the-art" only lasts for about a year.

 

[Shirasaki]

Its only like an extra $7 on My bill so to me its good they don't open it up and ruin anything I once took my daughters phone to have a screen repair dropped it off we wer not even 15 min from the store and they call and say we can replace the battery while we have it open she only had the phone a month so battery was near perfect and when we got the phone back with the new screen a few days later we started having battery issues so not much trust any more with Apple store repair it seemed like they did something to it because I refuse to let them up sale me.

To be Fair, depending on how the screen gets damaged, battery can have problems too. So it’s not entirely about upselling but some legit concerns. You never got to see what technician sees Anyway. For me, I sometimes give them a level of benefit of the doubt just to make things a bit smoother.