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

[Myzhi]

In the past, being on a 2 year contract entice many people to upgrade because it felt like you weren’t taking advantage of the benefit. Once the carriers got rid of it, many people got off the 2 year upgrade cycle train.

 

[pdp1]

Since when does majority rule dictate what I should like? I have zero interest in a large screen. Zero! I understand that few companies are making a normal-sized phone any more. That doesn't mean I have to like it.

Is it possible that sales of the SE would be higher if the phone's internals were up to date? Sure. Lots of us want small phones, not cheap phones. And many people were waiting, and hoping, for an SE update that didn't happen. So, it is impossible to say with any amount of certainty there is no demand for a small phone.

Majority rule definitely doesn’t have to dictate what you like, but it definitely will dictate what kind of products a company will release. I am (was?) an SE fan as well, I went back to the SE after owning a 6 and I kept the SE for well over two years, the longest I’ve ever owned a particular iPhone. But I truly believe we are in the minority in terms of phone size requirements, and any small phones released from now on from any manufacturer will be afterthoughts and not the main attraction of any phone lineup.

 

[Shanghaichica]

The reason is saving 5-600$ a year old paying off their phone and actually keeping it. 600$ a year at this point is a little crazy when these phones should be good for 5 years minimum nowadays. IMO.

Well it cost me £730 to pay off my X and I got £560 for my X so in the end it cost £170 to upgrade to the max.

 

[thadoggfather]

I used to have to have the latest model

2G,3G,3GS,4,4s,5.....no 5s...6 to 6+,7+..... no 8+.... X.... no XS/Max.

Skipped the 5s knowing my next phone would have Touch ID

Skipped 8+ and using 7+ on iOS 12 to pair with series 4 that replaced my watchos4 series1 I sold to a friend. 7+ I still love the matte black no back glass to weigh it down more.

So far skipped XS and using X on 11.3.1 jail broken for fun times / a breather from watch

Can’t wait for iOS 12 on both jailbroken for series 4 pairing flexibility and smooth iOS.

Have two SE’s now discontinued one on 10.2 for nostalgia / jailbreak around launch and one that was 11 jailbroken and I got
For $80 from carrier but I upgraded it to 12.0 to pair with
Watch / have a smoother a9 run than on 11.


Tl;dr — skipped quite a couple recently and not feeling like I’m missing a super ton. The 7+ is the only phone I’m still using not discontinued but not latest and greatest either. Better speakers and Face ID and that camera are cool but I’m still happy with my X and not feeling the new price standard.

 

[CTHarrryH]

Always do 2 years on a phone and still plan to. I can't imagine a feature that would want me to do more often. Apps are really what makes the function today. Can't imagine using a folding phone - but then again way back I used a flip phone when they were all that existed

 

[indychris]

Since when does majority rule dictate what I should like? I have zero interest in a large screen. Zero! I understand that few companies are making a normal-sized phone any more. That doesn't mean I have to like it.

Is it possible that sales of the SE would be higher if the phone's internals were up to date? Sure. Lots of us want small phones, not cheap phones. And many people were waiting, and hoping, for an SE update that didn't happen. So, it is impossible to say with any amount of certainty there is no demand for a small phone.

Didn’t intend to imply that a majority OR minority should dictate what is best for you. I was only responding to your comment that the SE is a ‘phone-sized phone’ which seemed to indicate that there’s one size a phone is supposed to be. My only point is that most people must disagree that the SE is the ‘right’ size for a phone—if there indeed could actually be such a thing. No harm no foul.

 

[Arei]

I always did the 2 year upgrade while the contracts were still a thing, though I had to break it a little early when we left Sprint for Verizon. So I think I did 1 1/2 years on the 4s then 2 years on the 5s. I updated to the 6s Plus almost 3 years ago now, paid it off, and enjoyed it for about another year until a couple of weeks ago and I felt like I was ready for a change. I was originally going to keep the 6s plus until it died, but while I was on vacation in DC a couple of a months ago, the camera went bad and not having a working camera was bumming me out.

I really wish I wasn't impatient and got a better deal on the Xs (or got the Max), but I'm really happy with the Xs and enjoy it a lot. I think 3 years was a good wait. I could've just got the camera fixed/replaced, but for the photos I like to take, I'll be happier with the Xs camera in the long run.

My mom is also on my plan and I have a feeling black friday is going to make me wish I updated both our phones at the same time.. Though as long as I get a good deal on an iPad when upgrading her phone (going to do XR for her) then I'll be happy.

I'm going to do at least 2 years on the Xs. I think in the future I'll start paying in full and selling/upgrading when I feel like it, but for now I've got a lot of stuff to pay down and this will get me through. I'm still a little eh about missing the Max, but I'm happy to have a screen as big as the Plus in a smaller phone. My pockets thank me.

 

[cornerexit]

Since when does majority rule dictate what I should like? I have zero interest in a large screen. Zero! I understand that few companies are making a normal-sized phone any more. That doesn't mean I have to like it.

Is it possible that sales of the SE would be higher if the phone's internals were up to date? Sure. Lots of us want small phones, not cheap phones. And many people were waiting, and hoping, for an SE update that didn't happen. So, it is impossible to say with any amount of certainty there is no demand for a small phone.

A 5” edge to edge display would be awesome, and what I want. It would be the new SE. I don’t want anything bigger or heavier than my 7. They should have made a Xr 5” version, everyone would be happy. Nope, the younger gens live on their phones so they want bigger. This trend is lame and I won’t be surprised to see a 7” or 8” iPhone. The past few years have been a big change in society where I live. At work, gym, driving, people are glued to their phone. In the real world we call this addiction. The rest of us use the phone as a tool. So we prefer smaller, lighter. You couldn’t pay me to lug around a Max sized phone.

 

[iapplelove]

I still have my 6 and my wife her 6 plus. They do everything we need them to do. Thinner, better camera, etc. does not seem worth the expense. This year or early next year could be the big upgrade. Waiting for the event coming up to make a decision. May upgrade laptop(2012), ipad(air), watch(orig) and phone(6).

lmao I owned a launch iPhone 6 Plus too, only upgraded to the X last nov because the screen was beyond cracked and didn’t want to pay. But I own a mbp 2012 and still use my iPad Air haha. Same stuff.

This year the air is getting upgraded for sure. And I finally plan on getting another Mac in 2019 even though my 2012 runs great.

 

[ImAnAgent]

I upgraded back in April and bought a 256GB 8+. It will last me a few years now and after that time, I'll see if I feel the latest iPhones are worth an upgrade. I love my home button and touch ID.

 

[xAnthony]

I would love to upgrade from my iPhone 7. I just can’t justify the cost. My current phone does everything I need it to. $2,000 CAD for a iPhone XS Max seems crazy.

 

[coachingguy]

I still have my 6 and my wife her 6 plus. They do everything we need them to do. Thinner, better camera, etc. does not seem worth the expense. This year or early next year could be the big upgrade. Waiting for the event coming up to make a decision. May upgrade laptop(2012), ipad(air), watch(orig) and phone(6).

I think this is the point, the phones have gotten so good, that for 90% of the people they do everything we need them to do... Upgraded processor, RAM, Screen... That's not going to change enough for most people to feel obligated to upgrade every year... It's not just Apple, the Smartphone market has matured to the point where most people feel like their current devices are just fine.

I think this is part of the "Apple isn't innovating anymore" discussion... What's left to "Innovate", at the point, the rectangle appears to be the best shape, your device can only be so thin, the screens so detailed... For the foreseeable future, all changes will be incremental. So upgrading every 2+ years or longer will be the norm... IMHO

Coachingguy

 

[DeanL]

It's not sustainable to upgrade every year. We pollute and destroy the earth simply for vanity. Not to mention that we're no longer in the days were the newer model had a lot of differences or was night and day in terms of performance.
It's a good thing that people are holding on to their phones longer.

 

[1rottenapple]

I think this is the point, the phones have gotten so good, that for 90% of the people they do everything we need them to do... Upgraded processor, RAM, Screen... That's not going to change enough for most people to feel obligated to upgrade every year... It's not just Apple, the Smartphone market has matured to the point where most people feel like their current devices are just fine.

I think this is part of the "Apple isn't innovating anymore" discussion... What's left to "Innovate", at the point, the rectangle appears to be the best shape, your device can only be so thin, the screens so detailed... For the foreseeable future, all changes will be incremental. So upgrading every 2+ years or longer will be the norm... IMHO

Coachingguy

Thank YOU! It's like TVs. Yes the jump from 240i?? CRT, to 480, to 720 was huge. 1080 was like the iphone 6. Now its 4k, 4k ultra, Ultra 4k, or what ever. Now you stick to your TV and buy as needed, such as when it brakes, when you are redecorating a room, etc...

Phones are at the 4k level where its small changes for the better but my 1080p TV works for me.
[doublepost=1540185898][/doublepost]

It's not sustainable to upgrade every year. We pollute and destroy the earth simply for vanity. Not to mention that we're no longer in the days were the newer model had a lot of differences or was night and day in terms of performance.
It's a good thing that people are holding on to their phones longer.

Ok i was expecting you to own older tech based on your signature but your devices are pretty new.

 

[x-evil-x]

Not accurate at all... The X (and XS) is 35% heavier and 23% larger than the 6. That isn’t trivial. If it was the other way Apple would be shouting that from the roof tops!

(6) 5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 inches (138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm)
(X) 5.65 x 2.79 x 0.30 inches (143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm)

Weight differences don't really change the way the phone feels to me a slighter heavier phone isn't really anything. They are very similar in dimensions and feel for me.
[doublepost=1540213912][/doublepost]

Actually, X resale value beat all other iPhones by a wide margin.....

How so? Most average resell values are upwards of a 400$ drop from previous year prices. Ive never had any of my other phones lose that much value in one year. Ive been selling my iPhones since the 3g.

 

[Thai]

(6) 5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 inches (138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm)
(X) 5.65 x 2.79 x 0.30 inches (143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm)

Weight differences don't really change the way the phone feels to me a slighter heavier phone isn't really anything. They are very similar in dimensions and feel for me.
[doublepost=1540213912][/doublepost]
How so? Most average resell values are upwards of a 400$ drop from previous year prices. Ive never had any of my other phones lose that much value in one year. Ive been selling my iPhones since the 3g.

Google it. iPhone X had the highest resale value by a wide margin.

https://9to5mac.com/2018/07/23/iphone-x-resale-value/

And most recently: https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/06/iphone-x-trade-in-value/

For what it’s worth, i trade-in my 256GB X 3 weeks ago for the Xs with Verizon and got back $700.

 

[Ffosse]

I'm one of those who will always upgrade every year like a fair few on this site I imagine.

What has to be remembered is that 90% of the public aren't interested in technology and take little interest in their phones. As long as it works is good enough for them.

I have a friend who recently didn't know what model of iPhone she had (it was an SE, handed down to her by her daughter), and she didn't even know about the app store. She had been complaining about the keyboard and I told her to go into the App store and try out other keyboards.

She didn't even know what the App store was. It's amazing how many people just aren't clued up about technology.

 

[azentropy]

(6) 5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 inches (138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm)
(X) 5.65 x 2.79 x 0.30 inches (143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm)

Weight differences don't really change the way the phone feels to me a slighter heavier phone isn't really anything. They are very similar in dimensions and feel for me.

Right doing the math those dimensions make it a 23% larger volume. The weight is 129g vs 174g (the Xs is 177g) which is 35% heavier. Wether someone can tell or care about the difference is their opinion, I'm just pointing out the facts. I consider 23% and 35% to be a pretty significant increase.

My point is that is one of the reasons I haven't upgraded from my 7 (there are many others). To me being a one handed operator, the size and usability difference between the 6/6s/7/8 and the X is frustrating.

 

[x-evil-x]

Right doing the math those dimensions make it a 23% larger volume. The weight is 129g vs 174g (the Xs is 177g) which is 35% heavier. Wether someone can tell or care about the difference is their opinion, I'm just pointing out the facts. I consider 23% and 35% to be a pretty significant increase.

Which is also an opinion. Poll 100 x owners that previously had the 4.7” model and you’ll see how many people think it’s anything much of a difference. If the difference is a case to no case then They are very similar in size...
My x without a case is smaller then my aunts 6s with an apple case.

 

[DeanL]

Thank YOU! It's like TVs. Yes the jump from 240i?? CRT, to 480, to 720 was huge. 1080 was like the iphone 6. Now its 4k, 4k ultra, Ultra 4k, or what ever. Now you stick to your TV and buy as needed, such as when it brakes, when you are redecorating a room, etc...

Phones are at the 4k level where its small changes for the better but my 1080p TV works for me.
[doublepost=1540185898][/doublepost]

Ok i was expecting you to own older tech based on your signature but your devices are pretty new.

'My signature doesn't say how long I've hold on to them

 

[Dino F]

Ive had every iPhone since the 3g upgrading every two years till the 6+ then got put on the yearly plan and I've had the X for a year(just returned my Xs max).
Seems like With everyone I know upgrading seems completely different then it did a few years ago. Most of my friends have 1-4 year old phones usually. plenty of 7 and 6s people I know still not caring to upgrade. Same with androids not many people have the latest and greatest.
Who else thinks that the rise of phone prices has gone up just because of this reason? Less upgrading means higher prices phones to keep manufactures happy but it definitely feels like less and less people are caring to have the latest phones because phones. Phones have gotten so good that most people dont feel a huge upgrade year after year anymore. Its not like 2010 anymore and things loaded slow, apps took a few seconds to open ect... The 3g was pretty bad. Using safari was horrible most things would crack and things just wouldn't work or very slowly. What will manufacturers come up with to keep people upgrading every year or two? Technology has definitely tapered off.

I commute to work daily and I'm actually amazed at how many people I see on the trains still sporting the old squared designed iPhones (iPhone 4 and 5). These actually still look pretty good!

 

[BeeGood]

How so? Most average resell values are upwards of a 400$ drop from previous year prices. Ive never had any of my other phones lose that much value in one year. Ive been selling my iPhones since the 3g.

I netted about $480 on my 64GB 8+. That was by far the worse hit (over $400 included sales tax) that I’ve taken selling a one year old iPhone.

The X faired much better on the resale market. Around launch day, they were going for about $750 for the base model. That’s only $250 off of the retail price. Add in taxes and you’re only taking a $300 or so hit selling a one year old X. That’s not bad.

 

[azentropy]

Which is also an opinion. Poll 100 x owners that previously had the 4.7” model and you’ll see how many people think it’s anything much of a difference. If the difference is a case to no case then They are very similar in size...
My x without a case is smaller then my aunts 6s with an apple case.

LOL I guess that is the engineer in me. Poll 100 engineers and ask them if a 23% volume and 35% weight different in anything is significant or not.

 

[Ffosse]

I got £600 for my 64GB X recently which I didn't think was too bad.

 

[nburwell]

I'm the only one who upgrades phones on a yearly basis. Most of my friends and family upgrade every 2-4 years. My wife would run her phone's into the ground before she upgraded, but now she upgrades every 2 years.

I honestly don't need to upgrade every year. Especially since devices are so good nowadays, compared to the smartphone industry 9-10 years ago.