iPhone 6(S)/Plus Fix My 6 Plus or Buy an 8 Plus?

[thelatinist]

So my iPhone 6 Plus has developed touch disease. Although I've had a 6 Plus since launch, this is not my original; that was replaced just before the 2-year mark with a refurbished phone due to mute switch failure. This phone I've had since then, and I've replaced the battery and the screen in it. It's scratched and dinged, but it's served me well.

I had been hoping to continue to use this phone until the new Plus model comes out this fall, but this issue is making my phone all but useless. So I'm now facing a decision: should I get my phone repaired under Apple's special repair program for affected 6 Pluses for $149, or should I bite the bullet and get a new 8 Plus now? I would probably purchase the 8 Plus through the iPhone Upgrade program with the intention of keeping it at least two years.

What say you?

 

[blaine07]

Safe over sorry, do both LOL ‍♂️

(I’m probably not a good influence but hey, it happens)

 

[mtneer]

The repair is $149, but the new phone is going to cost $800+. What kind of usage do you need from the phone? If you are a light user, the 6+ would be the best bang for your buck for another year or two (as long as you stay off from upgrading to iOS 12 or higher). Obviously, if you are a heavier user or social media influencer, then you will need to keep up with the latest and greatest models for the processing and camera capabilities alone.

 

[KrisLord]

If you’ve replaced the screen and battery, I doubt Apple will touch it.

 

[44267547]

So my iPhone 6 Plus has developed touch disease. Although I've had a 6 Plus since launch, this is not my original; that was replaced just before the 2-year mark with a refurbished phone due to mute switch failure. This phone I've had since then, and I've replaced the battery and the screen in it. It's scratched and dinged, but it's served me well.

I had been hoping to continue to use this phone until the new Plus model comes out this fall, but this issue is making my phone all but useless. So I'm now facing a decision: should I get my phone repaired under Apple's special repair program for affected 6 Pluses for $149, or should I bite the bullet and get a new 8 Plus now? I would probably purchase the 8 Plus through the iPhone Upgrade program with the intention of keeping it at least two years.

What say you?

I would say the iPhone 6 is near the end of its lifespan with iOS support, I personally would opt for the iPhone 8, and it’s a huge upgrade over the iPhone 6 in almost every way aside from they physically resemble each other. I would not opt to repair your iPhone 6 Plus.

 

[tonybarnaby]

I would say the iPhone 6 is near the end of its lifespan with iOS support, I personally would opt for the iPhone 8, and it’s a huge upgrade over the iPhone 6 in almost every way aside from they physically resemble each other. I would not opt to repair your iPhone 6 Plus.

He plans to buy a new phone this fall.

I say browse swappa. 6s are pretty cheap and will hold you over.

 

[44267547]

He plans to buy a new phone this fall..

The OP never said “Buy” this Fall.
They said they were contemplating making a decision purchasing the iPhone 8 _now_ due to the issues with the iPhone 6, which I supported take advantage of the iPhone 8 now, being its a familiar design and they don’t upgrade that often.

So I'm now facing a decision: should I get my phone repaired under Apple's special repair program for affected 6 Pluses for $149, or should I bite the bullet and get a new 8 Plus now?

 

[tonybarnaby]

The OP never said “Buy” this Fall.
They said they were contemplating making a decision purchasing the iPhone 8 _now_ due to the issues with the iPhone 6, which I supported take advantage of the iPhone 8 now, being its a familiar design and they don’t upgrade that often.

He makes it clear he wants an x plus. For that reason i say get a 6s for a few hundred on swappa, then sell it this fall.

 

[44267547]

He makes it clear he wants an x plus.

And also made it very clear they are making the decision of repairing the 6 or purchase the iPhone 8 now. The 6s isn’t even a consideration in this discussion, even if it is your suggestion. Regardless, if they choose to purchase the iPhone 8 or wait until the fall, I would not repair the iPhone 6 Plus given the limited support remaining.

 

[bobfa100]

The repaired iPhone will have more value as a trade-in on the next generation. Get the battery replaced for $29 through the rest of 2018. New battery + new screen = trade-in $$.

The current iPhone X is being replaced per the buzz on the net.

 

[thelatinist]

If you’ve replaced the screen and battery, I doubt Apple will touch it.

I'm sorry if i was unclear. I did not do the work myself; both repairs were done by Apple at the Apple Store.

And also made it very clear they are making the decision of repairing the 6 or purchase the iPhone 8 now. The 6s isn’t even a consideration in this discussion, even if it is your suggestion. Regardless, if they choose to purchase the iPhone 8 or wait until the fall, I would not repair the iPhone 6 Plus given the limited support remaining.

The purpose of repairing the 6 Plus would be to get me to fall so that I can purchase a new 2018 Plus model rather than being stuck with the 8 Plus until at least next spring. I cannot go without a phone between now and October, so your alternative of not repairing the 6 Plus and waiting until fall is not feasible. TonyBarnaby's suggestion is at least one that would work.

I'm going to crunch some numbers before I make my final decision.

 

[TheSkywalker77]

Thinking into the future - if you have the money I'd say buy the 8 plus. Although it'd be cheaper to repair it, iOS 12 is the last supported iOS version the 6 plus will get and it'll most likely lag it like hell. Long term the 8 plus is a better investment.

 

[thelatinist]

So this is how I'm thinking about it now. Either way, I need something to get me through to September, and either way I will have a monthly phone payment from September on. So the options come down to this:

Repair iPhone 6 Plus now and buy 2018 Plus in September:
Additional Cost: $149
Advantages: Get new 2018 Plus sooner
Disadvantages: Continue with old, slow phone for 5 months.

Buy iPhone 8 Plus now, upgrade to 2018 Plus in April 2019:
Additional Cost: $200 (5 mo. @ $40/mo.)
Advantage: Have use of faster, more advanced phone for five months
Disadvantage: Longer wait for new 2018 Plus.

Still haven't quite figured it out, but I'm closer.

 

[thelatinist]

Picked up a brand new iPhone 8 Plus this evening. I traded my 6 Plus in for $125, which made the decision a no-brainer. Between saving $149 not repairing my 6 Plus and the $125 they gave me for it, that’s $274 to use toward the 8 Plus.

 

[tonybarnaby]

Picked up a brand new iPhone 8 Plus this evening. I traded my 6 Plus in for $125, which made the decision a no-brainer. Between saving $149 not repairing my 6 Plus and the $125 they gave me for it, that’s $274 to use toward the 8 Plus.

Very good. The a11 will not be obsolete until at least ios 14 or 15 i believe. My 8 plus is the best phone I've ever had.

 

[44267547]

Picked up a brand new iPhone 8 Plus this evening. I traded my 6 Plus in for $125, which made the decision a no-brainer. Between saving $149 not repairing my 6 Plus and the $125 they gave me for it, that’s $274 to use toward the 8 Plus.

Wise decision. The iPhone 6 is completely outdated and would have been not your best choice given it’s limited lifespan with iOS remaining. The iPhone 8 has very similar internals to the iPhone X and will at least provide four years of iOS updates.

 

[thelatinist]

Very good. The a11 will not be obsolete until at least ios 14 or 15 i believe. My 8 plus is the best phone I've ever had.

Yeah, it’s clearly an excellent phone and, rather than being the first generation of this form factor like the new +, Apple has had time to work out all the kinks and refine the design. I’ll hang on to this for a couple of years and buy the next generation of Plus when it’s been tested on someone else.

Meanwhile, this phone is awesome. Much faster, much smoother, Siri works better. It feels like my old phone...just better.