Other Why spend $1K every year on a phone?

[Raist3001]

I always upgraded every 2 years and sold my phone. This is the first time I will be upgrading in a year cycle only because I want the plus model. Phones have advanced to the point where unless you want the latest tech, they should last you 2-3 years easily. Same can be said for ipad.

 

[JackieInCo]

I've been buying several phones every year since about 2013. I usually keep them and only sold one of them and that was my S8+ back in February. Last year, I bought two SEs, S8+, Note 8 and a 7+. This year, I bought only a 8+ so far and will probably buy the Note 9. I had three lines on T-Mobile and ported one over to AT&T last month so I'm using the iPhones on T-Mobile and the Note 8 on AT&T.

I've been buying more factory unlocked phones lately since T-Mobile only allows two unlocks per year so I bought my 6S+, 8+ and S8+ all unlocked and will likely do that with the next Note and whatever iPhone I buy in the future. All my phones from T-Mobile are unlocked except for the two SEs.

I enjoy being able to switch out my phones whenever I want. Last week, I was using my blue S7 Edge as my daily and the week before, my factory unlocked silver S7 Edge.

I stil have a 6S and a 6+ that are jailbroken which is why I never sold them and keep them charged. The SEs are also jailbroken.

Maybe one day I'll go back to buying only one phone a year like I did pre-iPhone days but for now, it's a lot of fun having more then one phone. When I got my first cell phone in 1993, I upgraded about every 2-3 years.

 

[bushman4]

Next iPhone worth upgrading to will probably be a 'A foldable iPhone' Lately Apples hardware changes have been minimal,and the software is available on older iPhones. Time for Apple to be more innovative if they want people to upgrade more often!

 

[44267547]

Next iPhone worth upgrading to will probably be a 'A foldable iPhone' Lately Apples hardware changes have been minimal,and the software is available on older iPhones. Time for Apple to be more innovative if they want people to upgrade more often!

I don’t think Apple will ever venture on the path of a foldable iPhone. Not to mention, I’m not sure what that would make it “worth” upgrading to something that we don’t know anything about this technology, other than Samsung has allegedly rumored experimented with.

 

[PhoneMe1]

Seriously thinking about selling my X64GB for $1100AUD and getting a 8 for the rest of the year, i have a feeling the X is really going to tank in re sale soon.

 

[johannnn]

- Why say 1k in the title if you explain in the text that it's more like 0.5k? I can definitely get 500 bucks if I sell my phones after 12 months.
- There's no other tech that we humans use as much as our smartphone nowadays. So if we should spoil ourself with fancy tech, smartphones is the thing to buy.
- It really depends on what your economy is. Not too long time ago I was a student living the single life, and 500 bucks was a lot. Now we are two people having decent jobs, so 500 bucks is not a lot anymore.

 

[44267547]

Not all iPhone users upgrades their iPhone every year. I keep my iPhone for 3 years. Although it gets slower and slower, I still don't want to buy a new one. I think I will buy a new iPhone until my old iPhone doesn't work.

I would say large majority of consumers don’t upgrade annually, strictly just because of the fact they don’t think about it as much as other heavy tech users do. I think some believe phones are a priority, when others see them as nothing more than as a tool that they will replace when they actually need it, as you mentioned. A thousand dollar iPhone is likely too much for some to want to upgrade annually, unless they are in an upgrade program.

 

[maflynn]

Why would I want to spend a grand to buy a new phone?

I'm not spending 1,000 on a phone every year. Heck, I'm not planning on doing that every other year. I'm happy to hold on to this puppy for a few years (hopefully).

 

[bruinsrme]

Good question.
I like having the newest phone.
Two years ago we were out to dinner. The bill was delivered. After studying the bill I looked at the breakdown. Alcohol was nearly half of the bill. Two to 3 drinks per person, so one could estimate $15 and upwards to $30 per person.

Instead of my money going towards alcohol it was shifted to the iPhone upgrade program.

Surely one doesn't need to upgrade every year but I would rather have a new phone than piss away money on alcohol.

 

[PeterJH3]

After reading through the [current] four pages of posts on this, looks to be around a 60/40 or maybe even 70/30 split of those that keep their iPhones for longer than a yearly upgrade. Yes, lately, they are getting better and better, and last a lot longer.

I was intrigued at the very first iPhone and was with T-Mobile way back when. Still, I bought the 16gb iPhone and jailbreaked and unlocked it. Was fun back then; when iPhone 3G came out, the design didn’t catch me, but I upgraded to the 3GS when speed was the new thing and switched to AT&T.

I then got the 4, 4S, 5, and 5S by selling each prior year’s model on eBay and put the money toward the new iPhone. Generally simple. The digitizer on my 5S died unexpectedly and I ended up going with the annual upgrade program...I’ve since had the 6, 6S, 7, and now an 8 Plus (my first BIG iPhone). The only reason I didn’t wait the extra few months was the X didn’t come in gold as I’d also just gotten the Series 3 Apple Watch.

My gifts to myself each year are iDevices...to each his or her own, but I don’t even see the total price of the phone anymore. It’s a small monthly payment and I enjoy the latest and greatest that Apple creates.

 

[PhoneMe1]

I bought a Silver 4 day old X64GB for $1000 today, Apple retail here is $1579AUD, sold my 6 month old SGX64GB for $1100, thought i would have a change of colour get another full warranty and picked up $100.
This one has a nicer screen too. Might get APC+ for it.

 

[Danoc]

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[rui no onna]

My gifts to myself each year are iDevices...to each his or her own, but I don’t even see the total price of the phone anymore. It’s a small monthly payment and I enjoy the latest and greatest that Apple creates.

I don't really enjoy getting new iPhones anymore. For me, they're at that stage where the novelty is gone and they're more than good enough. On the older subsidy model, I used to replace my iPhones when the battery starts to wear out. At $100 for a battery replacement vs $200 for a new phone with warranty, that was an easy choice to make. At $700+ for a new phone (even at $30/mo), the battery replacement is actually starting to look more attractive. Mind, I try to keep recurring expenses low since it's quite easy for little things to add up. For example, $5.5/18K for Roth IRA/401k seems like a huge chunk but it becomes much more manageable at $200/700 per paycheck (started at $100/200 increasing contributions by $50-100/paycheck each year).

I do splurge on iPads. I use those more than I do any of my other tech and there are some improvements I'm still waiting on.

 

[msp3]

I'm always wondering why so many people buy the "premium" models over the plain XR, 11, etc. It doesn't matter if you're in a nice part of town, poor part of town, upgrading phones at the cell phone counter at Walmart, it seems like everyone has a premium iPhone model the only difference is when was the last time they upgraded. As a matter of fact, I have an XS and spouse uses an 11 Pro.

Is this the magic of the carriers? People pay for their $1000 phones in small chunks over time so no one minds or pays attention to how much it is? Is this analogous to cars where people pay per month as opposed to caring about how much the MSRP is? Is this just North America where there is a strong credit market or does it apply elsewhere like for yuropoors?

 

[Apple_Robert]

I'm always wondering why so many people buy the "premium" models over the plain XR, 11, etc. It doesn't matter if you're in a nice part of town, poor part of town, upgrading phones at the cell phone counter at Walmart, it seems like everyone has a premium iPhone model the only difference is when was the last time they upgraded. As a matter of fact, I have an XS and spouse uses an 11 Pro.

Is this the magic of the carriers? People pay for their $1000 phones in small chunks over time so no one minds or pays attention to how much it is? Is this analogous to cars where people pay per month as opposed to caring about how much the MSRP is? Is this just North America where there is a strong credit market or does it apply elsewhere like for yuropoors?

In MR land, many, if not most Apple purchases are not typical of the real, non-tech obsessed world, where people tend to hang onto their phones longer and not obsess about them. For many here, it is about Apple clout status. Many have allowed their self-identity become all things Apple. And the there group spends because they can easily afford it.

 

[Stephen.R]

I'm always wondering why so many people buy the "premium" models over the plain XR, 11, etc. It doesn't matter if you're in a nice part of town, poor part of town, upgrading phones at the cell phone counter at Walmart, it seems like everyone has a premium iPhone model the only difference is when was the last time they upgraded. As a matter of fact, I have an XS and spouse uses an 11 Pro.

Is this the magic of the carriers? People pay for their $1000 phones in small chunks over time so no one minds or pays attention to how much it is? Is this analogous to cars where people pay per month as opposed to caring about how much the MSRP is? Is this just North America where there is a strong credit market or does it apply elsewhere like for yuropoors?

i don’t know about other people.

I tend to buy higher spec stuff, less often - often higher spec has a feature that equals or beats “newness” in 12, 24 or 36 months.

i (or, our company technically) bought my wife a 12 pro max late last year, purely based on the camera aspect. She was otherwise happy with her 6s+, but the camera was showing its age. If you’re upgrading for specific feature and expect to keep it for ~5years, get the best you can afford.

 

[marty1980]

There are a lot of people who upgrade every year, but don't pay $1000+ to do it. You can pay for your phone monthly on a trade-in program that gives you yearly upgrades. You can sell off your previous phone and upgrade for minimal cost. However people do it, if it makes them happy, good for them I guess.

Personally, my last upgrade was phone iPhone 6+ to iPhone X (~3 years). I am getting a battery replacement for my X soon and keeping it until the fall when the iPhone 12S/13 launches. Then the X passes down to one of my kids. I'm very likely to upgrade this year (~4 years). Back in the day I used to do 2-year contracts and it was just nice to upgrade every 2 years. I don't need that fast of an upgrade cycle for my phone use, so it doesn't make sense for me and I no longer have the desire to.

 

[WNYX]

I usually purchase the new iPhone every even year. I pass my old iPhone to my dad, and he passes his old iPhone to my mom. So, right now, my dad is using my old XS Max, and my mom is using my dad’s old XR. I’m hoping the 2022 iPhone will be my last iPhone for the foreseeable future.

 

[rui no onna]

I'm always wondering why so many people buy the "premium" models over the plain XR, 11, etc. It doesn't matter if you're in a nice part of town, poor part of town, upgrading phones at the cell phone counter at Walmart, it seems like everyone has a premium iPhone model the only difference is when was the last time they upgraded. As a matter of fact, I have an XS and spouse uses an 11 Pro.

Is this the magic of the carriers? People pay for their $1000 phones in small chunks over time so no one minds or pays attention to how much it is? Is this analogous to cars where people pay per month as opposed to caring about how much the MSRP is? Is this just North America where there is a strong credit market or does it apply elsewhere like for yuropoors?

Quite likely. On installment, the price difference between regular and Pro is an entirely manageable $5-10 per month.

Although frankly, the regular iPhones have creeped up in price so close to the Pro versions. SIM-free, the 6.1" iPhone 12 128GB is $880 or just $120 less than the 6.1" iPhone 12 Pro.

As mentioned though, it doesn't cost $1K yearly. On the Apple trade in program, it's around $600 every year to get the latest base Pro. I believe those who sell on their own get better resale value ergo paying less for their yearly upgrades.

 

[Htsi]

Disposable income. I used to use my phones for 2+ years earlier. Now I changed from the 11P to 12P. handed down my old phone, plan to do that with the 13/12S as well. Value of new tech is upto the buyer.

 

[Htsi]

Quite likely. On installment, the price difference between regular and Pro is an entirely manageable $5-10 per month.

Although frankly, the regular iPhones have creeped up in price so close to the Pro versions. SIM-free, the 6.1" iPhone 12 128GB is $880 or just $120 less than the 6.1" iPhone 12 Pro.

As mentioned though, it doesn't cost $1K yearly. On the Apple trade in program, it's around $600 every year to get the latest base Pro. I believe those who sell on their own get better resale value ergo paying less for their yearly upgrades.

Correct, makes zilch sense to buy the 12 for only $120 less.

 

[Robbosan]

2 1/2 year old thread back from the dead lol, it's $2kAUD now anyway.

 

[jagolden]

There is no need to spend that money every year.
We have 11 Pro Max phones, we skipped the twelve, and we’ll see what the thirteen brings to the table.

 

[jagolden]

I'm always wondering why so many people buy the "premium" models over the plain XR, 11, etc. It doesn't matter if you're in a nice part of town, poor part of town, upgrading phones at the cell phone counter at Walmart, it seems like everyone has a premium iPhone model the only difference is when was the last time they upgraded. As a matter of fact, I have an XS and spouse uses an 11 Pro.

Is this the magic of the carriers? People pay for their $1000 phones in small chunks over time so no one minds or pays attention to how much it is? Is this analogous to cars where people pay per month as opposed to caring about how much the MSRP is? Is this just North America where there is a strong credit market or does it apply elsewhere like for yuropoors?

Because generally speaking the “premium” and Pro models offer some or much better hardware functions.
It’s no longer status, but desire for more capability.
I could not imagine using a smaller screen than a xxPro Max offers.
Once I got a 6s+, I could never consider a smaller screen size.
’s will bring, especially batter wise and camera wise.

 

[aesc80]

2 1/2 year old thread back from the dead lol, it's $2kAUD now anyway.

It's an even better question now, since the differences between each revision becomes narrower and narrower. I've had an iPhone X for 3 whole years - and probably could have squeezed one more year out of it too. If it was all about economics and not so much tech - then yeah, I'd be happy with an iPhone X today. That being said, I work in the mobile development arena, so at times it's sooo much easier to work on my own phone and play around with thing, than with a company issue phone (which may or may not be the "max"ed out version). I realize I'm the exception for the rule here - many here upgrade for stats or simply want to latest and greatest.

TL>DR: If I wasn't in tech, I wouldn't be updating every year.