Other Dear Apple,

[roland.g]

Dear Apple,

Thank you.

Thank you for opting not to take my money again this year. Thank you for letting me keep $2,000+ instead of buying a new iPhone. I appreciate your thoughtfulness as you slow roll your innovation and continue to release variants of the iPhone 12 Pro. By not making the iPhone 17 Pro Max any more compelling than my iPhone 14 Pro Max, I can continue to use this device and gain productivity and enjoyment from it for another full year without squandering any of my money on a new device that does not differentiate it substantially enough to warrant replacing my current iPhone.

Thank you Apple for giving me another 12 months, though I have only ever owned Apple devices, to consider switching to another brand and platform. And thank you Apple for hoodwinking all those upgrading into thinking that this year's slate of device releases warrants their purchase. Your release cycle has blazed a path towards design maturity, letting consumers get far more utility from their purchases, and stretching the upgrade cycle by several years. Consumers no long need to have the latest and greatest since it's not that much greater.

Apple, we used to be able to count on the naming convention to showcase new generations of phones. The 4 and 4S. The 5 and 5S. The 6 and 6S. Should we call the 17 the 12X, since we he had the 12, 13 (12S), 14 (12T), 15 (12U), 16 (12W) and now the 17 (12X). Maybe it should have been called the 2026 iPhone Pro Max and likewise.

Sincerely,

Underwhelmed.

 

[NotApplicable]

My upgrade will cost $299 after trade-in, a new annual low for me!

 

[MBAir2010]

GREAT POST!
I feel the same way, something happened in Cupertino that lately  is not our older brothers  anymore.

also
we need to mention their lackadaisical incompetent support staff or AiI
as I need to jump to the 2nd hoop just to get a repair order competed.
I started this 1 pm EST.

and after 2 hours of upgrading the watch to 11, the process nullifies the upgrade.
so I spent 4 hours of nothing, Im not doing anything with that again.

hello Polar LOOP!

 

[chfilm]

While I mostly agree with you guys, the AIR woke something inside me that reminded me of the old days when I looked at a new iphone and felt a want to own this beautiful object- the pros since the 13 just look so boring and outright ugly, that you don't really want one- the air though... But the tradeoff in battery and lack of an ultra wide camera are probably gonna keep me away from it

 

[MBAir2010]

While I mostly agree with you guys, the AIR woke something inside me that reminded me of the old days when I looked at a new iphone and felt a want to own this beautiful object- the pros since the 13 just look so boring and outright ugly, that you don't really want one- the air though... But the tradeoff in battery and lack of an ultra wide camera are probably gonna keep me away from it

I really miss my 5 I think, the two toned silver back was beautiful!
and my iPod touch was elegant.
the new  products lost that appeal as the MacBook M1 202o is still beveled an elegant.
apple had a beauty aspect towards their products as Im happy to use these today.

 

[satchmo]

And Tim, maybe it’s time.

 

[parajba]

I liked the event, I think the iPhone line up was actually pretty cool. The Air is obviously a first step towards a new design, from next year overall performance will keep improving and get very close to the pro, like it happened with the MacBook.

 

[DR3MCLAREN]

Completely agree. The iphones have become stale, boring and repetitive. Even iOS 26 which gave me a bit of excitement when I started using it in July has become dull. I keep seeing Google Pixel 10 pro ads on TV and I feel like its calling my name. But I'm so invested in the Apple ecosystem (phone, watch, airpods, tv, macbook, homepod, etc) I fear its too much work and cost to switch. Was really hoping the iphone 17 line up would bring something that excited me.

 

[NotApplicable]

Completely agree. The iphones have become stale, boring and repetitive. Even iOS 26 which gave me a bit of excitement when I started using it in July has become dull. I keep seeing Google Pixel 10 pro ads on TV and I feel like its calling my name. But I'm so invested in the Apple ecosystem (phone, watch, airpods, tv, macbook, homepod, etc) I fear its too much work and cost to switch. Was really hoping the iphone 17 line up would bring something that excited me.

the Pixel 10 line exhibits objectively less significant changes from the previous generation than the iPhone 17 line. you're experiencing the "grass is greener" effect.

 

[GMShadow]

the Pixel 10 line exhibits objectively less significant changes from the previous generation than the iPhone 17 line. you're experiencing the "grass is greener" effect.

These people also couldn't even tell you what they want - it's solely a desire for change for the sake of change.

Phones are a mature product category. That's not one that coincides with 'ooh shiny' every year.

 

[Mr Magoo]

I'm not complaining. Was pretty expensive to buy new macbook, mac mini, ipad and iPhone every year. Still have old macbook pre notch era. Wont upgrade until that hideous notch thing is gone. And now on my second samsung fold couldnt be more happy. Have a mac mini m2 pro. And old ipad pro. Was nice to have all in the echosystem but honestly theres way around it not to be bound by different cloud solutions. Buy a nas or two instead.

 

[Bootleg Gucci]

Well I been waiting 5 years now to upgrade my 12 Pro Max… might keep it until 18 Pro Max but Dynamic Isore likely still be there. iPhone 20 is the year they make all screen display right?

 

[Gix1k]

Well I been waiting 5 years now to upgrade my 12 Pro Max… might keep it until 18 Pro Max but Dynamic Isore likely still be there. iPhone 20 is the year they make all screen display right?

You'll be surprised how useful Dynamic Island is once you get it.

 

[BotchQue]

I guess I'm in an extreme minority with my wish:
Apple, design the camera bumps on your next phone first. Then draw the body, the whole body, around that thickness. Fill it with as much tech as you have/want to, then fill the rest up with battery!! I don't care if it weighs twice as much; I don't care if it's 3/8" thick. Just gimme a flat slab to use as a phone/camera that doesn't wobble when set down or cut into my pelvis when pocketed (I currently use an SE with an Apple nylon case (which stands out more than the lens), and that's perfect.)
I stated up-front that I know I'm in the minority, so quiver those arrows, folks!

 

[G4er?]

I guess I'm in an extreme minority with my wish:
Apple, design the camera bumps on your next phone first. Then draw the body, the whole body, around that thickness. Fill it with as much tech as you have/want to, then fill the rest up with battery!! I don't care if it weighs twice as much; I don't care if it's 3/8" thick. Just gimme a flat slab to use as a phone/camera that doesn't wobble when set down or cut into my pelvis when pocketed (I currently use an SE with an Apple nylon case (which stands out more than the lens), and that's perfect.)
I stated up-front that I know I'm in the minority, so quiver those arrows, folks!

I agree.

 

[menist]

Funny is that the camera control that was all innovative last year, was not even mention in the event 🤣. I guess they can’t figure out anything new for it this year.

 

[Mr. Heckles]

Every time I see a post like this, I feel like people are:

1. Trying to convince themselves they are happy with what they got.
2. Can’t afford a new item.

I’m just saying this, because not once have I ever felt the need to post something like this about anything. I honestly don’t get it. I guess this is “welcome to the internet”.

 

[powerbook911]

While I mostly agree with you guys, the AIR woke something inside me that reminded me of the old days when I looked at a new iphone and felt a want to own this beautiful object- the pros since the 13 just look so boring and outright ugly, that you don't really want one- the air though... But the tradeoff in battery and lack of an ultra wide camera are probably gonna keep me away from it

I feel similar. The Air is the most interesting phone in a while. Nevertheless, two cameras on the back would have been nice. I think that's keeping me from it too. It's also the one element that not high end, whereas the rest of the phone looks luxury.

 

[grammatica]

Every time I see a post like this, I feel like people are:

1. Trying to convince themselves they are happy with what they got.
2. Can’t afford a new item.

I’m just saying this, because not once have I ever felt the need to post something like this about anything. I honestly don’t get it. I guess this is “welcome to the internet”.

It's not mutually exclusive. One can say the phones are not worth purchasing and not have the cash for it. Number 1, IMO, falls under affordability. Most consumers finance their phones, so it's not really about "affording."

 

[Mr. Heckles]

Most consumers finance their phones, so it's not really about "affording."

There was a time an ages ago, I couldn’t afford $20 a month. If I was buying something back then, it was a 100% need and not a want.

 

[roland.g]

I can afford a new phone.

AND. I know what I want.

An iPhone Fold. Not another version of my phone. Seen enough folds out there and seen the videos of the others. I know my use case.

Watching football this weekend there were heavy ads on the Pixel fold. Google and Samsung get it. Apple is waiting another year. That isn’t about getting right. It means that under Ive and Jobs they could do it and under Cook they either can’t get it done fast enough or Tim the actuary is milking it by doing the Air now and the Fold next year. But given how long those style phones have been available, Apple not coming to market yet is frustrating, sad, and a big finger to the customer base.

I don’t want to leave the ecosystem. But my next iPhone will be the Fold and I’m not buying a 15, 16, 17 etc in the interim.

 

[thecautioners]

While I mostly agree with you guys, the AIR woke something inside me that reminded me of the old days when I looked at a new iphone and felt a want to own this beautiful object- the pros since the 13 just look so boring and outright ugly, that you don't really want one- the air though... But the tradeoff in battery and lack of an ultra wide camera are probably gonna keep me away from it

If the Air had 0.5x zoom, I’d gladly make the drop “down” from the Pro Max. I just film with 0.5x too often to be able to afford losing it. The Air is an AMAZING device and I’d be willing to sacrifice a bit of battery life for it if it just had that zoom.

Going with the 17PM though. I’m quite the maximalist so I love the orange, and I’ll absolutely use that battery. I’m only paying $550 up front out of pocket which is taxes and down payment (less than ideal payment history—often use T-Mobile’s payment arrangement most months). Other than that I just send in my 16PM and the new installment amount is the same as my previous installment amount since Apple didn’t raise prices this year. In no life will I have $1200 to drop all at once on pretty much anything so I don’t mind being locked in to a carrier.

 

[TJ82]

While I mostly agree with you guys, the AIR woke something inside me that reminded me of the old days when I looked at a new iphone and felt a want to own this beautiful object- the pros since the 13 just look so boring and outright ugly, that you don't really want one- the air though... But the tradeoff in battery and lack of an ultra wide camera are probably gonna keep me away from it

Totally this. First time since iPhone X I thought I was seeing something special looking again. Imagine how beautiful it would be to go back to the iPhone X shape without the large bump but in the Air's new size. Maybe they'll be able to pull it off one day while keeping it 48MP.

 

[Madonepro]

These people also couldn't even tell you what they want - it's solely a desire for change for the sake of change.

Phones are a mature product category. That's not one that coincides with 'ooh shiny' every year.

And they let others innovate, whilst they complain. It's well known, that technology is slowing it's advancement down, and costing infinitely more.

Totally this. First time since iPhone X I thought I was seeing something special looking again. Imagine how beautiful it would be to go back to the iPhone X shape without the large bump but in the Air's new size. Maybe they'll be able to pull it off one day while keeping it 48MP.

I'd like for them to produce an iPhone, that simply doesn't have a camera, that you can use it as a productivity tool, without the 'look at me' features that encroached upon the device.

 

[Acronyc]

Even if there were some other massive innovations this year, I wouldn't upgrade.

I'm still using my iPhone 14 Pro I got on release and am perfectly happy with it. No need to upgrade at all for me, which is good. Saves money and time.

I just got a new battery in April and it's running great for my modest needs. I hope to get another few years out of it.