iPhone 12 Bad time to buy a 12?

[kingston73]

I recently switched carriers but kept my xs max at the time, I didn't want to pay full price or be on a payment plan. My xs has been good to me but it's close to 4(?) years old now and has been acting up. I'm considering buying a used 12, maybe here or on swappa. I don't care about the camera's on the pro/max but I do like the large screen of my xs Max and the 12 seems like a good compromise.

I'm wondering if it's a bad idea to buy one now though? Thoughts and opinions welcome.

 

[decafjava]

I recently switched carriers but kept my xs max at the time, I didn't want to pay full price or be on a payment plan. My xs has been good to me but it's close to 4(?) years old now and has been acting up. I'm considering buying a used 12, maybe here or on swappa. I don't care about the camera's on the pro/max but I do like the large screen of my xs Max and the 12 seems like a good compromise.

I'm wondering if it's a bad idea to buy one now though? Thoughts and opinions welcome.

I don't think so. I honestly think buying the current or next to current gen of phone is fine given Apple's long support of older models. I am mulling over getting the 12 Pro or Pro Max if things at work pick up in preparation for the fall.

 

[PeteBurgh]

I don't think it's a bad time at all. It sounds like you're looking to replacement, but it's not essential to buy a new one today: this is always a good position to be in because you can sit back and look good deals.

Both the 11s and 12s would both be good replacements/upgrades (if you aren't especially interested in the cameras, they are only incremental differences between the two, so that might be an opportunity to save a bit). I would just keep an eye on the Apple refurbished page, Swappa, and other second-hand retailers and wait for something you like at a decent price.

 

[marty1980]

The right time is whenever you’re ready or in need. There’s always something better coming down the line. You decide if it’s worth the wait and for how long, but don’t let yourself get stuck forever waiting.

I like my X, but I have found it to be a bit small for my hands. When using my daughters Xr, I felt it was a good size. I came from a 6+ before my X. If you’re worried about size, my opinion is you will be good with the 12.

 

[marty1980]

I don't think it's a bad time at all. It sounds like you're looking to replacement, but it's not essential to buy a new one today: this is always a good position to be in because you can sit back and look good deals.

Both the 11s and 12s would both be good replacements/upgrades (if you aren't especially interested in the cameras, they are only incremental differences between the two, so that might be an opportunity to save a bit). I would just keep an eye on the Apple refurbished page, Swappa, and other second-hand retailers and wait for something you like at a decent price.

I say the 11 has the upper-hand only because the battery life of the 11 is top of the line. The 12 has been criticized for its step backwards in battery life. The difference may not be as big as it seems from internet noise and on paper.

But really, I agree. Either one will serve you well.

 

[kingston73]

I was thinking 12 mainly because of 5G but haven't really done much investigation to know if that's worth it or not.

 

[TonyK]

We went from the XS Max to 12 Pro Max this week. We wanted more memory and the better camera.

If the 12 Pro Max or any newer phone has something you want, go for it.

 

[tranceking26]

Buyer's Guide for the 12 series says Neutral. I'd go for it myself. 5G is certainly future-proofing but will your regular places have good coverage? That's what you'd have to find out.

 

[fat jez]

You’re looking at probably 6 months or so before a 12S/13 comes out. Bear in mind that the Max has only been on sale about 4 months, so we are hardly talking old tech.

 

[firedept]

Never a bad time to buy a phone. Especially if you need it.

 

[now i see it]

If a new 8 Plus was still available I'd buy it in a second. Good time to buy a 12? That's funny

 

[IowaLynn]

Correct me if wrong but XS came out in 2018. 11 Pro Max in 2019. And of course 12 series we have now.

I have the X and just bought 12 Pro. Not that different in size but a downsize from Max.
I prefer the S21 Ultra and I think the Pro Max would be expensive but better fit.
If you had said you prefer the smaller X/XS then the iPhone 12 or 12 Pro would be okay.

I have always bought in March- April timeframe - iOS is hammered together better with the new models. Any kinks or bugs or unknowns identified, battery or anything else.

 

[MisterMillz]

No. It’s not a bad time.

 

[scoblep]

The XS came out in fall of 2018. The XS Max is still a great phone. If you still like the phone and it does everything you need to I'd say wait. At this point you're at the halfway point in the iPhone 12's cycle. If you hold off you'll be able to buy the 12S or 13 or whatever they come out with or the 12 at a much greater discount. Unless your phone isn't working as intended I'd hold off the 6 months or so.

 

[kingston73]

I have been looking at size comparisons and it does seem like the 12 is not much of an upgrade over my current, so I guess I'm looking at either the pro max or waiting. Mine has been working decently but for the last couple months has started doing randomly weird things. Sometimes the camera just won't work, it'll just show a black screen until i force restart. Sometimes even though it shows full bars and is connected to wifi it will just lose all connection until I either force restart or put it into airplane mode.

 

[MisterMillz]

Piggy backing here, OP. There is a noticeable size difference between the 12 and XS Max. The 12 is just a smidge larger than the 11 Pro and a little smaller than the regular 11. The 12 will give you 5G, an ultra wide in lieu of a telephoto, a Qualcomm modem, MagSafe and night mode. Day to day is going to be negligible between the A12 and A14. I would primarily look at the 12 if you desire a smaller, lighter device, or your phone is going to croak. Otherwise, the 12PM is closer to the experience you’re used to. Alternatively, the 11 Pro Max could be a solid buy too.

 

[IowaLynn]

connected to wifi it will just lose all connection until I either force restart or put it into airplane mode.

Frequent threads mentioned. Sometimes ISP side, some router related. I'm fine now with WI-FI 6 router upgrade. For years I'd find iphone or android as one or other seemed to be issue. Interference of course and there WI-FI 6 helps.

 

[kingston73]

Related question, I switched service from T-Mobile to Xfinity. Both show full coverage for my workplace on maps but since the switch my xs is nearly useless. Would a pro max help with this or is it entirely carrier related?

 

[LFC2020]

Wait for the 12s/13.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The right time is whenever you’re ready or in need. There’s always something better coming down the line. You decide if it’s worth the wait and for how long, but don’t let yourself get stuck forever waiting.

I like my X, but I have found it to be a bit small for my hands. When using my daughters Xr, I felt it was a good size. I came from a 6+ before my X. If you’re worried about size, my opinion is you will be good with the 12.

This post makes way too much sense.

 

[Tsepz]

I recently switched carriers but kept my xs max at the time, I didn't want to pay full price or be on a payment plan. My xs has been good to me but it's close to 4(?) years old now and has been acting up. I'm considering buying a used 12, maybe here or on swappa. I don't care about the camera's on the pro/max but I do like the large screen of my xs Max and the 12 seems like a good compromise.

I'm wondering if it's a bad idea to buy one now though? Thoughts and opinions welcome.

Go ahead and get it. I got the 11 Pro Max around this time last year and I am still loving it.

Get the 12 and enjoy it, it will be great for many years to come.

 

[now i see it]

As mentioned previously, the best time to buy a new model phone is approximately 5 months or later after it has been released (Feb 1 onwards). Launch day phones come with a brand new 'beta' version of the newest iOS release that's ALLways very buggy. You get a brand new fancy phone with crappy software on it.
If you wait for five months or so after release before buying a new phone, several (yet not all) of the most glaring bugs will be fixed in updates to the OS.
Launch day iPhones suck big time.

 

[TechLord]

Nothing wrong with buying one now. I'd say IF you can wait, wait. But if you need one now then its still fine, we're only mid cycle. I'd say its only very imperative to wait if we're a month or two away from Sept, since we're going to get a new iPhone and a price drop on the old one so it really is bad value to buy a 12 that late into the cycle.

 

[kingston73]

Thanks for al,the suggestions. Decided to go ahead and get a pro max. The 12 was just not enough of an upgrade, I love the size of my xs max. It’s been getting worse and the signal strength has been very hit or miss lately.

 

[baypharm]

Should have waited. We are only 4 months in from the model 12 launch. But enjoy your new phone