Newer iPhone holding up longer probably due to the technology (or Apple’s innovation) recently has been stagnant, compared to few years ago in iPhone 4-6 era.
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iPhone 13 A Five Year Keeper?
- Thread starter Mark Stone
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This ole boomer started it's Apple handset journey with Apple's first LTE handset the iPhone 5 (I still have it somewhere and it works) I had a 5s (WOO HOO 64 bit SoC) then a 6 Plus (bend gate), 7 plus, X (Face ID awesome!), Xs Max (I could finally render a full size web page on a device and almost read it 
), 11 PM (OMG NIGHT MODE!) and now 13 PM. well....after I read what I just typed I guess I'm not a candidate for the will power to hold out 5 years! (worried when Apple gets a periscope camera I might bite)
), 11 PM (OMG NIGHT MODE!) and now 13 PM. well....after I read what I just typed I guess I'm not a candidate for the will power to hold out 5 years! (worried when Apple gets a periscope camera I might bite)
I think that you're buying the wrong iPhones to keep for 5 years.
2016 SE was already a dying design and couple months after you bought the phone (in mid-2017) the iPhone X was introduced (Late 2017).
Later you buy an 8+ in 2018 which was a design based on 6+ in 2014. Then of course 13 would look good to you.
But then again right now the 13 series, which its design is majorly based on iphone x would probably replaced with a completely new design in the following 1-2 years and this design would probably look outdated/boring.
Personally, if you want to keep your iphone as much as possible, try to change them after a major redesign.
I personally used iphone 5 - iphone 6+ - iphone X and now I'm using 13 pro which is the only device I had without a redesign but I was really tempted by the 120hz screen.
I know I based my thoughts on design but nowadays all iphones are very powerful with great cameras therefore only major difference I can see from your point is design.
2016 SE was already a dying design and couple months after you bought the phone (in mid-2017) the iPhone X was introduced (Late 2017).
Later you buy an 8+ in 2018 which was a design based on 6+ in 2014. Then of course 13 would look good to you.
But then again right now the 13 series, which its design is majorly based on iphone x would probably replaced with a completely new design in the following 1-2 years and this design would probably look outdated/boring.
Personally, if you want to keep your iphone as much as possible, try to change them after a major redesign.
I personally used iphone 5 - iphone 6+ - iphone X and now I'm using 13 pro which is the only device I had without a redesign but I was really tempted by the 120hz screen.
I know I based my thoughts on design but nowadays all iphones are very powerful with great cameras therefore only major difference I can see from your point is design.
I used to be a yearly upgrader.
When I got the 11, I decided to stick to a 2 year cycle, so skipped the 12 and now have the 13.
I intend to keep the 13 for at least 2-3 years. I think 5 years is a bit much, but I will take it year by year and see what the developments are so that my next upgrade actually feels like an upgrade! At the moment it feels like a 1 day honeymoon period, then back to more of the same!
When I got the 11, I decided to stick to a 2 year cycle, so skipped the 12 and now have the 13.
I intend to keep the 13 for at least 2-3 years. I think 5 years is a bit much, but I will take it year by year and see what the developments are so that my next upgrade actually feels like an upgrade! At the moment it feels like a 1 day honeymoon period, then back to more of the same!
I beg to differ 😜 I think the biggest jump in longevity was when Apple introduced the dual core processor in the iPhone 6s. People are still using those until today as opposed to the iPhone 6, for example. I also had an iPhone 5 and while it held up better overall than the 6 after a few years, it still cannot be compared to, for example, the X now, i.e. 4.5 years after its launch. Also the number of iOS updates supported by the newer devices seems to confirm this - any model launched later than the 6 got definitely more of them.
Dual core processors were introduced in the iPhone 4S in 2011. The 6S was the first iPhone with 2GB of RAM, though, and that makes a big difference!
Still use an 8 plus, which I had to get in an emergency when my 6s plus got stolen during a trip to Mexico. Before that I used to get a new iPhone every two years when contracts were a thing.
I would keep this for 5 years and more if it was not for the camera. We have kids and memories of them growing up is very valuable to us. My wife got an iPhone 12 Pro last year and it takes striking photos. So, I almost jumped in for a 13 pro, however macrumors on the 14 pro having a 48 megapixel lens is holding me back since it is already spring. Also, if I can avoid the notch, that would be a bonus
I would keep this for 5 years and more if it was not for the camera. We have kids and memories of them growing up is very valuable to us. My wife got an iPhone 12 Pro last year and it takes striking photos. So, I almost jumped in for a 13 pro, however macrumors on the 14 pro having a 48 megapixel lens is holding me back since it is already spring. Also, if I can avoid the notch, that would be a bonus
I try to go at least three years with the same phone, but depending on what‘s new I might be tempted to upgrade a little earlier. I‘ve never had a phone for just a year though, there‘s usually to little change for that to be a desirable upgrade.
If you do a battery swap at some point, I think five years is totally doable. Most of the innovation in recent years has been in cameras, so if you don‘t use them too much, there‘s probably little reason to upgrade early. Even 5G is very gimmicky, 4G speeds are plenty for anything you‘re likely going to do on a smartphone.
If you do a battery swap at some point, I think five years is totally doable. Most of the innovation in recent years has been in cameras, so if you don‘t use them too much, there‘s probably little reason to upgrade early. Even 5G is very gimmicky, 4G speeds are plenty for anything you‘re likely going to do on a smartphone.
Yep! I kept my iPhone 3GS from 2009 to 2016 (almost 7 years), then I bought an iPhone SE pretty much immediately after launch which I’ve been using happily ever since (almost 6 years now) 🙂
I guess I also used a second-hand HTC Desire Z for a few months in 2013 when the 3GS’s screen broke, but the sliding mechanism died on that pretty quick and the 3GS was still smooth on iOS 6 while the newer Z stuttered on stock Android 4.2 ROMs so I fixed the screen and switched back.
I honestly have no idea why I kept the 3GS for as long as I did, except that at some point it became sort of a fun challenge to squeeze as much useful life out of it as I could. I also had a 1st gen iPad Mini for a newer and larger iOS device when I wanted, which also took some of the upgrade pressure off.
As for my current SE: unlike the 3GS at 6 years old, it’s still getting software updates and is butter-smooth on most apps and websites. I also really prefer a smaller phone I can use one-handed (my partner regularly falls asleep with my arm around her, meaning a single-handed phone is useful to pass the time until she rolls over), and I do most of my media consumption on my 27” iMac or a TV so I don’t feel I’m missing out on something larger. The only thing I’d really like to upgrade for is a better camera, but that’s not worth an extra ~$500-800 CAD to me just yet for an SE3 or 13 Mini. Maybe when the SE stops getting updates.
I guess I also used a second-hand HTC Desire Z for a few months in 2013 when the 3GS’s screen broke, but the sliding mechanism died on that pretty quick and the 3GS was still smooth on iOS 6 while the newer Z stuttered on stock Android 4.2 ROMs so I fixed the screen and switched back.
I honestly have no idea why I kept the 3GS for as long as I did, except that at some point it became sort of a fun challenge to squeeze as much useful life out of it as I could. I also had a 1st gen iPad Mini for a newer and larger iOS device when I wanted, which also took some of the upgrade pressure off.
As for my current SE: unlike the 3GS at 6 years old, it’s still getting software updates and is butter-smooth on most apps and websites. I also really prefer a smaller phone I can use one-handed (my partner regularly falls asleep with my arm around her, meaning a single-handed phone is useful to pass the time until she rolls over), and I do most of my media consumption on my 27” iMac or a TV so I don’t feel I’m missing out on something larger. The only thing I’d really like to upgrade for is a better camera, but that’s not worth an extra ~$500-800 CAD to me just yet for an SE3 or 13 Mini. Maybe when the SE stops getting updates.
Sorry, I obviously meant RAM, don't know why I wrote about the processor 🤣
Your assessment of the 8 - 8 Plus - X is absolutely correct. My switch from an 8 Plus to the iPhone 13 was nice, but my old phone was still very strong and fast - and I'm not doing anything on the 13 (except facial recognition) that I couldn't have continued doing almost as fast on the 8. That is the one thing that is so attractive about iPhones - a device that is 5 yoa if cared for is still viable - whereas an Android device is usually shot.
We should start referring to RAM sizes as dual, quad, and octa-gig (etc.) configurations!
Many people are already keeping their phones for at least three to five years. This is why we only see minimal improvements yoy on new iPhones, as Apple doesn't target those who had a year old phones, but Apple targets those who have 2 generations or older of iPhones.
And Apple does realize there are still many people using the 6s/7/8 (and Apple still supports them anyway), so they come up with the 2020 SE, and then 2022 SE, to lure these people into upgrading for less.
Personally, my goal is 5 years as well. But I might upgrade my iPhone 7+ to something by the end of this year (eyeing on a discounted 13 mini by the end of the year) since the mediocre battery life is getting annoying. I did buy it in early 2020, so the battery health is still good, which means that it will only get worse. I can see my S21 survives for 5 years, although I might be tempted to upgrade by year 4.
And Apple does realize there are still many people using the 6s/7/8 (and Apple still supports them anyway), so they come up with the 2020 SE, and then 2022 SE, to lure these people into upgrading for less.
Personally, my goal is 5 years as well. But I might upgrade my iPhone 7+ to something by the end of this year (eyeing on a discounted 13 mini by the end of the year) since the mediocre battery life is getting annoying. I did buy it in early 2020, so the battery health is still good, which means that it will only get worse. I can see my S21 survives for 5 years, although I might be tempted to upgrade by year 4.
This is almost the exact thing that I was thinking. I went from a Xs to the 12 and I am skipping the 13 and possibly the 14 if it isn't something special. I am very happy with my 12 Pro Max.
I’ve decided to stick my SIM card into my SE for a week to see how I like it in 2022. I’ll obviously go back to the 12 Mini but I really am enjoying this older phone so far. It’s performing much better than I thought it would 6 years after release!
I currently upgrade based on the deals offered by my carrier.
While I've kept pas iPhones for a long time, like the Original iPhone - 4S, now I replace them when it makes the most financial sense.
I got the 12 mini when Sprint offered it as a free upgrade if I traded in my 8.
My GF traded in her 11 Pro for a 12 Pro because the monthly payments got $12 lower every month.
I think the main reason people generally replace iPhones now (that aren't tech nerds) is because the battery life sucks.
You could use an iPhone SE 2, even if you bought it today, for another 5 years.
I still use an iPhone 6S as my work phone, without cellular, just tethered, and it runs all my work apps 100%.
While I've kept pas iPhones for a long time, like the Original iPhone - 4S, now I replace them when it makes the most financial sense.
I got the 12 mini when Sprint offered it as a free upgrade if I traded in my 8.
My GF traded in her 11 Pro for a 12 Pro because the monthly payments got $12 lower every month.
I think the main reason people generally replace iPhones now (that aren't tech nerds) is because the battery life sucks.
You could use an iPhone SE 2, even if you bought it today, for another 5 years.
I still use an iPhone 6S as my work phone, without cellular, just tethered, and it runs all my work apps 100%.
I have five years so far on my SE1 (got it in 2017), but I don’t have a goal as far as length of ownership. My general rule is to keep my devices as long as they do their job or upgrade if and when I believe new features are valuable enough for me. For iPhone, in the past those features have only been Touch ID and Apple Pay, because after that phones got bigger which was a deal breaker for me. Had there remained a small 3.5-4” iPhone option, I would have upgraded for a better camera system, more storage, UWB, and maybe water resistance. I’ll probably keep my SE1 until it is no longer usable due to essential apps not being compatible, or I might get an iPhone 13 mini this year if there is no 14 mini, haven’t decided.
Nice! What do you think of the Mini form factor relative to the SE? I played around with a 13 Mini at the Apple Store a while back and it was way nicer to hold than the 11 or XS, but with the edge-to-edge screen and lack of physical home button I can imagine it might be hard to use one-handed. When I *do* upgrade it'll be almost certainly to the new SE form factor or the Mini form factor, so I'm curious what the transition and trade-offs are like.
Both are a similar size. I can handle the Mini fine with one hand but I am aware that some people can’t do that. The lack of a home button is fine too, you won’t miss it. The Mini was my first full screen phone and I got used to Face ID and lack of home button in less than a week. I have a feeling that the next SE will be the size and shape of a regular 11 so you might be more interested in the Mini. I use my phone on media apps like Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube quite a lot and I am finding the SE screen a little on the small side compared to the Mini which I think hits the perfect sweet spot between size and immersion. There are other bonuses such as the sound quality being 10x better on the Mini along with the far superior OLED screen and a multitude of other improvements. I still am loving this SE though as a novelty but I guess I’ll have a new found appreciation for my Mini when I put my SIM back into it one week from now, lol.
I have updated every year since I can remember. I always want to keep my phone for more than a year but always change my mind at the time of release. FOMO I guess is real.