Other Currently on iPhone 12 Pro Max. Upgrade to iPhone 16 Plus or wait?

[ericthered926]

I’d wait until the 17 lineup if you’re happy with your current phone. The 12 most likely has 2 more OS years of support seeing as the XS and 11 series are still supported (iOS 20). Don’t quote me on this but rumors also seem to indicate that the regular 17s will also get promotion displays which you maybe don’t care about since your 12 pro max doesn’t have it. In addition, you can currently buy iPhone 14s and 15s (all non pro sizes) directly from Apple, so if history is any indicator, the 16 plus should still be available brand new from Apple when the 17s come out.

 

[one more]

The only reason that I am considering upgrading is that Apple might soon drop support for iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Considering iOS 18 runs on everything from iPhone SE (2nd gen) and XR onwards, I think your 12 Pro will still be alright for a few years to come, unless you really want Apple Intelligence.

 

[Zwhaler]

I would wait.

 

[Matsamoto]

I regret upgrading to iPhone 16 Pro Max because of how bad iOS 18 is. I would stay on my iPhone 13 Pro Max with iOS 17.7 if I could. But you cannot cancel trade-in once you sent it.

Currently, iPhone is the most irritating device in my life. Absolutely unstable, laggy and unreliable. But maybe it is good for me, I want to use it less and less.

I don’t like Apples view on new iPhones and iOS.

Apple could give us buyers a option to either stay on the latest iOS, in this case 17.7, or update to 18.

As it is for now the iphone update to the latest iOS, and you can’t do anything about it.
A new iOS 18.0 (or any new update) is ALWAYS full of bugs and laggy.

Im still on 17.7 on my 15 Pro and I’m gonna wait.

 

[Parowdy]

In the not too distant future Apple will drop support for it?
The Xs is iOS 18 compatible, so the 11 will at least receive 19, and the 12 iOS XX or whatever Apple is going to call it. That’s at least 2 more updates, one year each plus one year for iOS 18.
So you’re looking at almost up to 3 years of software updates, I don’t see the problem.

 

[Parowdy]

I am worried that Apple might drop the iPhone 16 Plus (leaving only the iPhone 16) when the iPhone 17 launches.

I can highly recommend buying iPhones used, I got a 15 Pro for 750€ a few weeks ago, compared to what Apple sells their line up in my country, that’s almost a steal considering the 15 Pro is the 16 Pro without the camera control and originally retailed for 1150€. Took some time to find a legitimate offer, but I’m very happy I found it. It even still has Apple Care until next month and after that one year of mandatory manufacturer warranty, long live the EU. I’ve found AirPods Pro 2 with USB C for 150 instead of 270 also still under AC until next year. Paying full price for Apple products is luckily something I seldomly have done anyway. It’s enough I do so every month for Music and iCloud..
Anyway, you can probably find a good deal if you dig through the web for some days/weeks and save a lot of money.

 

[SpotOnT]

Wait. It isn’t like Apple will discontinue the iPhone 16 Plus at the end of the year. They will probably sell it for a full three years, so you have time to get it if you want it.

In general it is better to wait until you are no longer satisfied with your current device.

 

[Sami13496]

I have hard time telling the difference between iPhone XR and iPhone 15 and I’ve used both daily. 15 has that pill shaped notch and the edges are a bit thinner but that’s it? I don’t really notice any difference in screens or camera. Maybe the screen is a tight brighter or colourful? But just barely. Camera… don’t notice any difference. But again I’m not a photographer. I just take random photos here and there. So when I hear people saying they need to upgrade to say iPhone 15 because their iPhone 13 is old I just don’t get it 😅 But hey for each their own.

 

[klasma]

I am still quite satisfied with my iPhone 12 Pro Max, but I know that it's an old phone and, in the not-too-distant future, Apple will drop support for it.

There doesn't seem to be any good reason for you to upgrade. Wait until you become dissatisfied or support is actually dropped (which may not happen for another two or three years).

 

[klasma]

I am worried that Apple might drop the iPhone 16 Plus (leaving only the iPhone 16) when the iPhone 17 launches.

You'll still be able to buy an iPhone 16 Plus for at least a short while should that happen. And maybe you'll even prefer the new slim model once it's actually released, and then regret having bought the 16 Plus before.

 

[JamesMay82]

You sound happy enough with the 12 so I’d just keep riding it out til it’s no longer fit for purpose. I must admit I think that should last a few more years.

I find it funny how I keep my macs 10 years but change my phone every 2 years when they are if a similar value now. It’s wasteful. I’m on a 15 pro and my plan is to keep it for 5 years

 

[Tsepz]

I am still quite satisfied with my iPhone 12 Pro Max, but I know that it's an old phone and, in the not-too-distant future, Apple will drop support for it.

I wanted a bigger iPhone, and there was obviously no other option (i.e., the iPhone 12 Plus doesn't exist).

When Apple released the iPhone 14 Plus, I was overjoyed that Apple decided to release a cheaper iPhone with a larger display.

Now, from many indications, there will be no iPhone 17 Plus. Apple plans to replace it with a much more expensive iPhone 17 Slim.

Despite not wanting to retire my iPhone 12 Pro Max, should I upgrade to the iPhone 16 Plus?

Or should I wait until Apple drops support for the iPhone 12 Pro Max and see what options are available at that time (in the future)?

Well if you are still satisfied with your 12 PM maybe continue with it until something that truly catches you arrives.
I doubt the 12 PM is losing support anytime soon, it is not getting Apple Intelligence, yes, but given its chip and amount of RAM, it will probably see quite a lot more iOS updates.

 

[StoneJack]

The way I see it, here are my three options:

1. Upgrade to iPhone 16 Plus
2. Wait until Apple releases a new iPhone that wow me (assuming that Apple supports iPhone 12 Pro Max until then)
3. Wait until Apple drops support for iPhone 12 Pro Max and see what is the best option for me then

wait

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I have not.

What I mean is that I don't even need to upgrade until Apple drops support iPhone 12 Pro Max.

There is absolutely no reason you should be worrying about the 12 losing support anytime soon.
The A14 in the 12 Pro Max is still being sold brand new in the iPad 10, plus it’s the exact same chip that the M1 is based off of. It’s not losing support anytime soon.
And iOS 18 still goes back to the XS and XR.
Realistically, you shouldn’t have to start thinking about upgrading until the 18 series, unless you want to upgrade earlier, of course.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

In the not too distant future Apple will drop support for it?
The Xs is iOS 18 compatible, so the 11 will at least receive 19, and the 12 iOS XX or whatever Apple is going to call it. That’s at least 2 more updates, one year each plus one year for iOS 18.
So you’re looking at almost up to 3 years of software updates, I don’t see the problem.

Also, there’s the fact that Apple has kept compatibility the same for several years in a row before, including for iOS 17 and 18.
In fact, there was a three year break where Apple didn’t drop any devices between iOS 13, 14 and 15.
So it’s quite possible that iOS 19 doesn’t drop any devices, or maybe it does but iOS 20 doesn’t….

Apple likes to give the basic iPad about five years of software support, and the A14 based iPad 10 came out in 2022, so that same chip in the iPhone 12 should at least be supported through 2027.

 

[Zaft]

I also have the 12PM. It’s perfectly fine, it’s kind of hard to justify upgrading even now.

I’ll wait until the 17PM as I would like a smaller Dynamic Island.

 

[Devyn89]

I would wait, next year is when all the Apple Intelligence stuff they’ve announced will be ready and they may increase RAM next year to have bigger Apple Intelligence models to draw from.

 

[kitKAC]

I don’t like Apples view on new iPhones and iOS.

Apple could give us buyers a option to either stay on the latest iOS, in this case 17.7, or update to 18.

As it is for now the iphone update to the latest iOS, and you can’t do anything about it.
A new iOS 18.0 (or any new update) is ALWAYS full of bugs and laggy.

Im still on 17.7 on my 15 Pro and I’m gonna wait.

That would require Apple to add hardware support to the previous iOS release, which will not happen. Fair easier for someone to just wait to purchase a new iPhone if they want a more stable new iOS to go with it.

 

[1rottenapple]

If you’re satisfied with the 12, I predict if you upgrade you’ll realize after the excitement wears off in a week or so it’s just the same phone but either you’ve spent $900 or you’re paying a monthly installment.

That’s how I felt when I went from xs max to 12 pro max. I’m on a 13 mini.

 

[Ctrlos]

The only real reason for most people to buy a Max iPhone in 2024 is the 5x camera. ProMotion is OK but I'd argue iOS is smooth enough to not miss it but its down to personal preference.

I'd buy the 16+. The 2x assisted zoom is close to your 3x lens on the 12 Max. I'd go to a store though and see if a lack of ProMotion is a dealbreaker.

 

[ssledoux]

Well, that is the thing: There is nothing I really want or need right now.

Apple has done absolutely nothing to make me want a new iPhone (at least so far).

The only reason that I am considering upgrading is that Apple might soon drop support for iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Maybe Apple will release new iPhones that wow me, but I doubt it.

I’m not all-knowing when it comes to Apple for sure, but I can’t imagine support dropping for the 12‘s in the next couple years.

 

[Rainshadow]

I am still quite satisfied with my iPhone 12 Pro Max, but I know that it's an old phone and, in the not-too-distant future, Apple will drop support for it.

I wanted a bigger iPhone, and there was obviously no other option (i.e., the iPhone 12 Plus doesn't exist).

When Apple released the iPhone 14 Plus, I was overjoyed that Apple decided to release a cheaper iPhone with a larger display.

Now, from many indications, there will be no iPhone 17 Plus. Apple plans to replace it with a much more expensive iPhone 17 Slim.

Despite not wanting to retire my iPhone 12 Pro Max, should I upgrade to the iPhone 16 Plus?

Or should I wait until Apple drops support for the iPhone 12 Pro Max and see what options are available at that time (in the future)?

I on the other hand am of the opinion that you ignore the 16plus idea altogether.

You don’t want a phone now, and we don’t know what will come later. Stop borrowing trouble.

I understand the plus model being cheaper than the pro max. But realistically it isn’t much cheaper given the utility and length of time you retain your devices. Don’t worry about if Apple will drop the plus model. Use your phone until it doesn’t work and then get the plus model if it is still offered OR just save up an extra couple hundred bucks and buy the max like you did for the 12.

This isn’t really that hard of a decision unless you want the phone now. Which, it doesn’t sound like you do.

 

[TracerAnalog]

I am worried that Apple might drop the iPhone 16 Plus (leaving only the iPhone 16) when the iPhone 17 launches.

There'll be plenty of old stock available at resellers.

 

[coffeemilktea]

Despite not wanting to retire my iPhone 12 Pro Max, should I upgrade to the iPhone 16 Plus?

Sounds like you really like your current phone... there's no point upgrading unless you genuinely like the phone you're upgrading to.

 

[wonderings]

I am still quite satisfied with my iPhone 12 Pro Max, but I know that it's an old phone and, in the not-too-distant future, Apple will drop support for it.

I wanted a bigger iPhone, and there was obviously no other option (i.e., the iPhone 12 Plus doesn't exist).

When Apple released the iPhone 14 Plus, I was overjoyed that Apple decided to release a cheaper iPhone with a larger display.

Now, from many indications, there will be no iPhone 17 Plus. Apple plans to replace it with a much more expensive iPhone 17 Slim.

Despite not wanting to retire my iPhone 12 Pro Max, should I upgrade to the iPhone 16 Plus?

Or should I wait until Apple drops support for the iPhone 12 Pro Max and see what options are available at that time (in the future)?

"I am still quite satisfied with my iPhone 12 Pro Max" That is your answer right there. If you are happy with what you have, why spend a couple of thousand dollars on a new phone? If you are ok with burning money for no reason other then a very brief dopamine high when getting a new device, and the depression that comes after when it really does not change your life for the better at all and you continue on with your upgrade anxiety.

If you are worried about support being dropped you can buy at that time when support is actually dropped. What are you really getting with a new phone, the biggest thing is a better camera, though the cameras have been pretty amazing for a while now considering these are cameras on a phone! You will have some apps load up a little faster then they already do, and the screen resolution might be a bit better. AI is a big thing, but for many I think it is just a gimmick that at the moment is not going to change much for day to day use. Stick with being content, keep your hard earned dollars or if you really want to spend give to a charity.