iPhone XS Has anybody noticed how many people don't upgrade nowadays?

[Renho]

It’s like desktop/laptop computers, the hardware has advanced so fast compared to software that it’s not necessary to upgrade the hardware as frequently since the software still performs decently on older hardware.

My personal example is the 3G too. By the time the 4 came out, two years after the 3G, it was unbearable to use due to the software advancing more than he hardware.

Today, I have an iPhone 6 which was released 4 years ago and I feel it has finally reached the point of the 3G in terms of crappy performance and am finally going to upgrade soon. It effectively lasted twice as long for me. I also had the SE (very similar to the 6s in performance), if I didn’t accidentally jump into the pool with it and was forced to use my wife’s retired 6 that I’m using now, I would probably wait another year before upgrading.

I’m sure there are people out there who still feel the need to upgrade more frequently, or even less frequently, but I’d venture to say that more share the same sentiments as me.

I only upgrade every year cause I pay monthly, but then sell the phone also which in turns make’s the monthly payments even cheaper.
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I was waiting for the SE2. When that didn't happen, I upgraded from a 64 gig 6S to a 128 gig 6S. I'm almost always in range of a laptop computer, though. My son will be upgrading to my old 6S.

Man you’re mean to your kids..

 

[x-evil-x]

I only upgrade every year cause I pay monthly, but then sell the phone also which in turns make’s the monthly payments even cheaper.
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Man you’re mean to your kids..

if you're okay with losing 600$ a year then thats ok. The resale value on iPhones is pretty crap now since the 1000$ phones. Selling the X I have has been the biggest headache ever. Never had an issue before with selling iPhones for a reasonable value.

 

[Ebok]

Yeah maybe, but that has not stopped millions from buying the Xs.

For me, iPhone is the thing that i interact with a million times a day...an integral part of my workflow/life.

Does it cost a lot? I guess so. More than my Macbook refurbished unit. More than my iPad Pro. But do i interact with those million times a day? Do i always have those things with me 100% of the time?

If i see a need to upgrade my iPhone, then i jump with no regrets because of how much i depend on it.

but guaranteed everything you do can be accomplished on an older device.

stop justifying it.

 

[Sarah Jones 799]

if you're okay with losing 600$ a year then thats ok. The resale value on iPhones is pretty crap now since the 1000$ phones. Selling the X I have has been the biggest headache ever. Never had an issue before with selling iPhones for a reasonable value.

Yes been watching eBay people are selling iPhone x for £400 - £600 £600 if your lucky after ebay fees and PayPal not worth it.

 

[PeteS1963]

I think those that pay for their iPhones in full off contract are keeping them longer. But People on the yearly contract plans upgrade every year more often cause there really is no reason not to.

I pay for my iPhones in full and upgrade every year. It makes more sense that way as you obviously get more for a second hand iPhone that’s only one year old than one that’s 2-3 years old. The money I get from my old iPhone goes towards my new iPhone.

In the UK most contracts are at least 2 years. Some are now 3 years long. I find it’s the people on contract who keep their iPhones longer.

 

[Thai]

but guaranteed everything you do can be accomplished on an older device.

stop justifying it.

Sorry, but I love the new smart HDR. Love the gaming performance. No lag or frame drop with sustained gameplay.

I don’t need to justify. Sorry if you feel inferior and need to justify your position in life. Just saying.

 

[PBz]

Yes. I see way more older phones across all demographics. I do see some X line but I see way more 6/6S/7 variants (regular and Plus). I also notice more Samsung phones lately.

Before anyone goes there we live in a very nice area of Florida. People here can afford new phones.

 

[Gudi]

You honestly don’t think manufacturers aren't raising the prices just because they understand that technology has gotten to that level that getting a new phone isn't as important as it once was?

It’s arguably more important to get the best new phone than ever before, because now people are willing to pay upto $1,449 for an Xs Max 512GB. There is a healthy market for very expensive bigscreen phones. The general smartphone market is saturated. Mere computing performance isn’t doubling anymore each year. The iPhone SE was the last phone which sold only because it had a faster processor. Now you have to have all kinds of extras, a nice screen, more colors and camera effects. Those big OLED screens alone increase the price, dual cameras cost more than single cameras, etc. It‘s no wonder the XR is $250 cheaper, because it cuts down on all the fancy stuff people came to expect from their newest flagship phones.

 

[eyoungren]

Yeah maybe, but that has not stopped millions from buying the Xs.

For me, iPhone is the thing that i interact with a million times a day...an integral part of my workflow/life.

Does it cost a lot? I guess so. More than my Macbook refurbished unit. More than my iPad Pro. But do i interact with those million times a day? Do i always have those things with me 100% of the time?

If i see a need to upgrade my iPhone, then i jump with no regrets because of how much i depend on it.

I am the opposite of you.

Between work and home I have access to well over ten computers all the time. At home, one of those Macs has six displays attached and the one at work has three. At home I've got a 55" 4K television and at work I use my iPad if I want to watch a show - because it's got a bigger screen than my iPhone.

I interact a lot with my iPhone, but not for things my computers and other devices are better at. They are all right there so I interact with them far more. My iPhone…is just a phone.

 

[x-evil-x]

Sorry, but I love the new smart HDR. Love the gaming performance. No lag or frame drop with sustained gameplay.

I don’t need to justify. Sorry if you feel inferior and need to justify your position in life. Just saying.

would you notice the difference in game performance from an X to an xsmax? doubtful. The camera is a nice small upgrade though.

 

[eyoungren]

I notice I upgrade every 2 years not because of the features in the new phone but because iOS becomes more sophisticated and slows down on the phone I am on. It irks me enough that I actually start thinking about it

It coincidentally happens every 2 years

I have an iPhone 6s+ and I am on iOS 9.0.2, the version of iOS that was released shortly after the launch of the iPhone 6s+. It's been three years since iOS 9.

Haven't noticed any slowdowns.

But then you probably meant slowdowns because of the latest version of iOS.

 

[Thai]

would you notice the difference in game performance from an X to an xsmax? doubtful. The camera is a nice small upgrade though.

Actually I do notice gameplay differences.

 

[x-evil-x]

Actually I do notice gameplay differences.

which game? you've tested them both on an X and xs max? Im not saying I dont believe you I just dont see how you can notice a difference.

 

[Thai]

which game? you've tested them both on an X and xs max? Im not saying I dont believe you I just dont see how you can notice a difference.

Easy...play a game for more than 10 min. A graphics intensive game (Sup racer, Fortnite, Modern Combat). X does great initially. But after about 10 min, you get lag and frame drop.

Xs is far better with sustained gameplay.

 

[Jimmy James]

A years old phone performs well now. That hasn’t been the case for very long.

 

[PBz]

A years old phone performs well now. That hasn’t been the case for very long.

Very true. My 8+ does everything as fast as I would want it to, including editing Raw photos in Lightroom and VSCO.

 

[chanerz]

Some people don’t like face id and the price.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Because my phone still works, but I am on an iPhone X. I see no reason to change from X to XS or "downgrade" to the XR. I think that I will hold on to this phone until there is a significant change to form factor. That is important to me because I feel that app developers will always concentrate on the newest form factors, and apps work best on those ones, rather than be an afterthought. Just my opinion.

Want a fan of Face ID before, but it has grown on me. I still hate Face ID for when I am getting up still in bed and trying to turn off the alarm and clear those bank account balance notifications though in the morning, as it never unlocks, and I end up having to key in a long alphanumeric passcode.

 

[ipponrg]

I have an iPhone 6s+ and I am on iOS 9.0.2, the version of iOS that was released shortly after the launch of the iPhone 6s+. It's been three years since iOS 9.

Haven't noticed any slowdowns.

But then you probably meant slowdowns because of the latest version of iOS.

Yeah I meant the slow down of the latest version of iOS. The animations are noticeably laggy with iOS 10+

 

[Oreon]

I upgrade every year, mostly just buy the phone outright, every other year I either give my last one to mum or sell it to put towards the new one.

Last year I gave her my iPhone 7 Plus and brought the x, this year I sold the x and put it towards my Xs max, next year she’ll get my old phone and I’ll buy the new one.

 

[now i see it]

It's a spiraling circle:

Phone market is saturated and phones are really good, so people don't upgrade as often.

Manufacturers see decreased sales, so they increase prices to compensate the bottom line

Customers balk at the high prices so don't upgrade as frequently as they used to

Manufacturers continue to raise prices to offset diminishing sales

Customers are priced out of the market and hold on to their phones until they no longer function

The future looks grim.

 

[Packers1958]

For many people, $1000+ a year for a new phone is ridiculous. More and more people just can't justify paying for minor updates. Millennials are also not as enthused about tech like previous generations. So the money window for these companies is shrinking.

 

[millerj123]

I only upgrade every year cause I pay monthly, but then sell the phone also which in turns make’s the monthly payments even cheaper.
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Man you’re mean to your kids..

He's currently using a 6, so it's a bit of an upgrade.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

A lot of people I know are keeping phones longer than 2 years and it’s mainly because phones are powerful enough not to need to be replaced as often. Higher prices have also dictated how often people upgrade obviously. I also don’t think the pressure or desire to have the latest phone is as strong anymore.

We have tech enthusiasts here arguing over screen quality and bezel size but let’s face it nobody really gives a toss about that unless they have a particular interest in mobile phones.

 

[nrvna76]

As another poster said, Apple is focusing more on services than the phone itself. And I think they are broadening their product base with AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, HomePod. I also think this is why they are separating the keynotes now.