My older iPhone still receives the latest iOS upgrades and has 81% battery health according to Apple. However, the CoconutBattery app indicates it has 83.4%. When the hype surrounding the iPhone 17 began, I nearly bought one, but my service provider was late in offering it, giving me enough time to read and watch reviews, and I ultimately changed my mind. I'm glad I did, as now everyone is talking about the iPhone 18. I’m not a photographer, so I don't need the best camera available; the camera in my older phone still takes sufficiently good pictures. Additionally, I don’t care much for Apple Intelligence.
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iPhone 17 Would you hold on to your old iPhone, which continues to receive the latest iOS updates, without succumbing to the hype of purchasing a newer model?
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You're asking this of a person who upgrades phones every 3.5 to 5.5 years and keeps their old phones. My current primary iPhone is the 11 Pro Max, my secondary is my iPhone 6s+.
So…yeah. I guess. I mean, if I got caught up in anything I wouldn't be using the phones I am now. I will be upgrading at some point, but only on my schedule - and most likely not to the current iPhone model.
So…yeah. I guess. I mean, if I got caught up in anything I wouldn't be using the phones I am now. I will be upgrading at some point, but only on my schedule - and most likely not to the current iPhone model.
For me personally it depends on how convinced I am by what the new iPhone brings over the one I already have.
When I had the 11 Pro Max I happily skipped the 12 Pro Max because the battery life actually seemed to regress.
I jumped on the 13 Pro Max due to its huge battery and 120Hz screen, skipped 14 Pro Max, got 15 Pro Max due to the increase in RAM, USB-C, new build materials and longer Zoom.
Skipped 16 Pro Max and got 17 Pro Max due to new aluminium build, vapour chamber, upgrade to 12GB RAM and the finalisation of the 48MP transition thanks to them upgrading the telephoto to 48MP too.
I am keen to see what Apple Intelligence does with the upgraded RAM, and I think going forward my upgrades will be guided by upgrades to RAM on each iPhone generation as these are very telling of big plans for future updates.
No reason to upgrade every year, unless you are on a decent carrier promotion and it makes sense just financially to do so. Of course in that case you are always going to be financing a phone and paying more every month for the carrier rate and of course whatever the value of the iPhone you select.
I used to fall into this camp. I would upgrade every year and was ok with paying more with ATT for my service/line because I did enjoy getting a new iPhone every year.
But since the leaps and bound in innovation have slowed over the last few iPhone releases I now just purchase a phone in full and get a basic cheap carrier rate saving almost 50% over what I was paying before. And honestly even if I was to jump back on the upgrade every year train, I would choose Apple Trade up program because it about the same price anyway and I have the freedom to pay my plan off early with Apple.
I will say the 20th anniversary iPhone that is rumored to be all glass, no bezels and get rid of the dynamic island, etc. does interest me though. So maybe I will hold onto my 16e till then.
I used to fall into this camp. I would upgrade every year and was ok with paying more with ATT for my service/line because I did enjoy getting a new iPhone every year.
But since the leaps and bound in innovation have slowed over the last few iPhone releases I now just purchase a phone in full and get a basic cheap carrier rate saving almost 50% over what I was paying before. And honestly even if I was to jump back on the upgrade every year train, I would choose Apple Trade up program because it about the same price anyway and I have the freedom to pay my plan off early with Apple.
I will say the 20th anniversary iPhone that is rumored to be all glass, no bezels and get rid of the dynamic island, etc. does interest me though. So maybe I will hold onto my 16e till then.
My 13pro does what I "need" and more. I use prepaid cell service, and buy unlocked from Apple when I do upgrade. While I like some of the features of the newer phones, I don't need any of them. The rumored improvements in IP18 series don't seem like they are worth spending the money on an upgrade in my use case.
I never use the latest of anything. Don't care to be an unpaid beta tester. I stay 1 version behind on OSs. Newest thing I have is my M3 Air. My phone is an 11. Both are refurbs bought after the next models were announced.
I only upgrade when I have to (that's true for all my Apple toys). And since I don't purchase, bank, or even surf on my SE v2, kinda curious for how long I can continue to use it.
I'd still be using my iPhone 11 Pro Max if it wasn't for wireless charging. That's one feature that made me upgrade.
I wish Apple would return to those rounded edges. They made one-handed use to much easier. The squared off sides look great but when it comes to actual usage the rounded sides were great.
I typically don't upgrade for3-4 versions of iPhone. I have accelerated that schedule recently but I eschew first versions - too many issues and I'm too old to live on the bleeding edge. I wait for version 2.0 or 3.0 before I jump in.
I wish Apple would return to those rounded edges. They made one-handed use to much easier. The squared off sides look great but when it comes to actual usage the rounded sides were great.
I typically don't upgrade for3-4 versions of iPhone. I have accelerated that schedule recently but I eschew first versions - too many issues and I'm too old to live on the bleeding edge. I wait for version 2.0 or 3.0 before I jump in.
I tend to keep the older models unless the reviews indicate a totally solid device. I had a 3,5, 6S, 11pro, 13pro and 15pro.. my opinion is that while Apple has promised big improvements in hardware and iOS, recently the quality control issues are more pronounced.. yes camera quality has improved and memory for the dollar is much better, I do miss the days when you didn’t have to wait for the x.7 software release for most bugs to be fixed.. again, just my opinion.
The OP headline implies new iPhones are mostly "hype." I have been using iPhones since v1, and I can state unequivocally that that claim is nonsense; new iPhones are never just hype.
Whether a new iPhone is worth it or not to any individual 100% depends on the individual. Everyone's finances are different; some are constantly in locations where the slightly improved reception of pretty much every new phone matters a lot, whereas others are always in strong signal locations; some will use the phones and/or the cameras for work where small improvements may quickly pay for a newer phone; some have older phones than others do, making the new iPhone changes more dramatic; etc.
You decide. Study the specifications with care and then go to an Apple Store and carefully handle/test all the choices.
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I have to upgrade to the newest iPhone Pro Max ever year because I cannot be seen (online and offline) by my social media followers as not having the latest and greatest. That would, like, totally ruin my social rep. I have an image to uphold.
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Yep I did. I only moved on from my iPhone 7 cause the earpiece speaker broke. That plus battery replacement wasn't worth it so I got a Xs Max. That lasted me almost five years but it was a 64gb model so I upgraded to the 15 pro I have now. Two years in it still feels like my "new phone" lol
If the earpiece on the 7 hadn't broken I'd probably still be using it. My 15 pro has 512gb storage, I'm aiming for ten years with this one. Barring it breaking I can't see a reason that I'd ever get a new one.
Same with one of my PCs I've had since 2012. Still runs windows 10 fast as anything. I can even play older games on it, literally has never failed me, I'll probably have it forever. It's hooked up to my TV, I can run YouTube watch a video while surfing the web, steam downloading updates etc never stutters
If the earpiece on the 7 hadn't broken I'd probably still be using it. My 15 pro has 512gb storage, I'm aiming for ten years with this one. Barring it breaking I can't see a reason that I'd ever get a new one.
Same with one of my PCs I've had since 2012. Still runs windows 10 fast as anything. I can even play older games on it, literally has never failed me, I'll probably have it forever. It's hooked up to my TV, I can run YouTube watch a video while surfing the web, steam downloading updates etc never stutters
I've mentioned this in other threads, but this is largely a non-starter for me. For me, rounded edges mean less surface area to grip. Which means I have to grip harder/tighter to pick my phone up (I do not use cases). This makes it tougher to hold because my grip has to continuously be tighter than it would with say my iPhone 5, which has flat edges. That has contributed at least twice I believe (even if only a small contribution) to dropping phones sufficiently to merit repair/replacement.
Finally, since 2015 I've had rounded edges. iPhone 6+, iPhone 6s+, Pixel 3a XL, iPhone 11 Pro Max (my upgrade path). With over 10+ years now of rounded edges I'm done with rounded edges.
The only reason I moved from my 7+ to a 15+ at the end of 2024 was that I needed two apps that were only supported on a newer iOS. I would still be on a 7+, but for that reason.
To me the iPhone 17 Pros in the hand feel more like the 11 series than like the 12-14.
Bar of soap feel.
I have one reason to pursue upgrades: audio quality. I am very hard of hearing and becoming more so each year. I held onto my iPhone 13 Pro for 4 years because the battery was solid and the iOS software performed well. I didn't realize that the poor phone call audio and dropped calls were due to the hardware until Verizon exchanged the 13 for an iPhone 16 Pro for $5. Music sounded great, also.
Verizon did it again and gave me a 17 Pro for about $15. To my delight, I experienced a further jump in phone call intelligibility, signal strength, and music clarity and depth. My decision to upgrade further will depend upon continued improvements in the telephone function. While I'm content now with the 17 Pro, I will trial subsequent releases to see if they keep up with my hearing loss.
I'm satisfied that Apple cares about the phone as a phone.
Verizon did it again and gave me a 17 Pro for about $15. To my delight, I experienced a further jump in phone call intelligibility, signal strength, and music clarity and depth. My decision to upgrade further will depend upon continued improvements in the telephone function. While I'm content now with the 17 Pro, I will trial subsequent releases to see if they keep up with my hearing loss.
I'm satisfied that Apple cares about the phone as a phone.
I’m still on a 13 Mini and I’m happy with it on iOS 26. I did replace the battery a few months ago too.
I only plan on updating if the foldable is good or when this one stops receiving updates. Whatever comes first.
I used to update every year for the first 10 years of the iPhone but now that seems very wasteful to me.
I only plan on updating if the foldable is good or when this one stops receiving updates. Whatever comes first.
I used to update every year for the first 10 years of the iPhone but now that seems very wasteful to me.
Yah and no. The unfortunate reality is the phone slows down and 4 years is the point imho where it’s starts to get annoying plus the phone doesn’t work like it used to whether it’s on purpose or not by Apple.
My 13 mini works and I wish I can keep it as my phone but battery is just plain horrible now for me being a light user and don’t watch videos on my phone, satellite sos is important to me now, and regular use Apple has gimp Siri. I used to be able to make reminders suggesting and add items on my grocery list but for some reason it starts to not work over time. So jumping from 13 mini to the air made sense. Hopefully I can keep it for 4 years.
That hasn't been my experience. Even with my old iPhones on the maximum version of iOS I can run on them. Perhaps, the only exception might be my 4s on iOS 9. But I'm not using that phone for anything remotely important.
I suspect that you could be right though if my life was on my iPhone. But, I have lots of Macs for games and streaming, a TV for movies (and also streaming) and a bunch of large displays connected to my Macs for apps and web browsing. My phones function mainly as phones. So maybe that's why (if they slow down) I never notice.
I have iOS 26.2 Developer Beta 3 installed on my 13 and this iPhone runs great as my backup iPhone to my Air. There are times I prefer the smaller more compact footprint.
I used a 13 mini until recently, and now I have a 17. It's great. But, it was a gift on my 60th birthday, otherwise I would have continued using my 13 mini, nothing wrong with it. The 17 is better, but not worth my money...
( Intelligence is turned off, I have no use for it).