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

[Pakaku]

Count me in for not upgrading because the prices are insane. The good news is the iPhone 4 I'm still on has lasted for a long time with no significant wear other than the home button starting to weaken. And it should be possible to open it up and replace that part... Just a matter of unscrewing it, not so easy on the newer phones. So besides some incompatible apps, it's still solid as a music player, for web stuff, and for usual phone basics. Some people need more out of their phones, but I'm happy with my music.

What will manufacturers come up with to keep people upgrading every year or two?

There are enough people in the world, on different upgrade cycles (some upgrade this year, others next year, yet others already did last year, etc) that I don't think the manufacturers have to worry about it

 

[AppleHaterLover]

the iPhone 4 I'm still on

Well your issue with iPhone pricing didn't start last month, now did it?

 

[Mr Kram]

If you talking about pricing, you should only consider the cost of ownership. If you paid $1000 for a phone and the upgraded and sold tour old phone for $750, then your cost of ownership is “only” $250. I’d bet that if you bought a new phone and held it for 3 years, your cost of ownership would only be marginally less. To me it makes sense and it’s worth it to upgrade annually.

 

[Shanghaichica]

If you talking about pricing, you should only consider the cost of ownership. If you paid $1000 for a phone and the upgraded and sold tour old phone for $750, then your cost of ownership is “only” $250. I’d bet that if you bought a new phone and held it for 3 years, your cost of ownership would only be marginally less. To me it makes sense and it’s worth it to upgrade annually.

Yes my max only cost me £170 this year after I sold my X. So I will continue to upgrade yearly whilst it’s cost effective for me to do so.

 

[August West]

Keeping my 6s+. Absolutely no reason for me upgrade since my iPhone looks and performs as good as new plus the battery is still at 100%. Hoping to get at least a couple of more years out of it if not more. Not being a power user or spending every waking moment glued to the phone makes keeping an older model easier.

 

[bladerunner2000]

Lack of headphone jack and a ridiculous price tag probably have something to do with that.

 

[pat500000]

After reading comments, people don’t need to justify why they should or shouldn’t buy xsmax. Buy what fits.

 

[x-evil-x]

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.

23% does sound like a lot but when you hold them both and use them it doesn’t seem like they are much different in size.

 

[cornerexit]

23% does sound like a lot but when you hold them both and use them it doesn’t seem like they are much different in size.

You notice the weight however carrying it every day.

 

[1rottenapple]

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.

Ya I’m like you. I need to stop upgrading. I don’t foresee upgrading my laptop unless the keyboard breakers in 3 years. The iPhone... I got the max and I want to keep it three years. My series 3 the gf wants to buy me the 4 sooo.... but the AirPods, mine is dying so I bought another one and gave my old AirPods to a friend.
[doublepost=1540262970][/doublepost]

After reading comments, people don’t need to justify why they should or shouldn’t buy xsmax. Buy what fits.

Ya I gave my 7plus to my dad and got the 8plus because his 6 died (WiFi doesn’t work, screen is dying quickly like white bars). My gf 6 also is dying (screen is dying a slow death, white bars and yellowing). So I gave her my 8 plus. At the end of the day, those were my justifications but I for one feel quilt about changing phones to much. It’s a waste when the changes are marginal at best. I want to treat my phones like a TV or laptop.

 

[bushman4]

When a new type of iPhone like the Foldable iPhone comes out there will be a massive upgrade cycle. People want something new not just added features or better internals
This year Apple was able to get away with the large screen iPhone but next year they better
Innovate a new style if not many will sit tight with what they have

 

[nburwell]

Ya I’m like you. I need to stop upgrading. I don’t foresee upgrading my laptop unless the keyboard breakers in 3 years. The iPhone... I got the max and I want to keep it three years. My series 3 the gf wants to buy me the 4 sooo.... but the AirPods, mine is dying so I bought another one and gave my old AirPods to a friend.

I have the S3 and just submitted an order last night with Apple for the S4. I'm telling myself that I'm going to keep my S4 for a couple years at least, but we'll see if that happens. My MB I know for sure I will keep for 3-4 years (maybe more) especially since I don't use it as heavily as I do my iOS devices.

I also keep telling myself I'm going to keep my 10.5" IPP for another year or so. But I bet on 10/30 when Apple reveals new iPad's, temptation will set in.

 

[Gudi]

Wtf? You made a list of flagship and only included the Xr. People don't like to see the reality.

I made a list of all unsubsidized LCD iPhones, but let me give you four lists to show you what I mean. The iPhone XR belongs to large LCDs, because it features Apple's Display Zoom mode with the same point options as an Xs Max. In its respective category Apple’s pricing is rather stable. OLED iPhones are their own category.

LCD small
$649 iPhone 5s (16GB)
$649 iPhone 6 (16GB)
$649 iPhone 6s (16GB)
$649 iPhone 7 (32GB)
$699 iPhone 8 (64GB)

LCD large
$749 iPhone 6+ (16GB)
$749 iPhone 6s+ (16GB)
$769 iPhone 7+ (32GB)
$799 iPhone 8+ (64GB)
$749 iPhone XR (64GB)

OLED small
$999 iPhone X (64GB)
$999 iPhone Xs (64GB)

OLED large
$1099 iPhone Xs Max (64GB)

Yes, sure... They are getting cheaper ( they are expensive and using last year ROM size, it's like a double treat ). LOL

Apple uses storage size to spread price points and make people with deeper pockets pay up. This strategy is ingenious, because until you hit the limit all phones perform the same. Competitors have begun to copy Apple’s pricing. This year however Apple offers a storage doubling for only $50. Please compare!

APPLE
$749 iPhone XR (64GB)
$799 iPhone XR (128GB)

GOOGLE
$799 Pixel 3 (64GB)
$899 Pixel 3 (128GB)
$899 Pixel 3 XL (64GB)
$999 Pixel 3 XL (128GB)

Fandroids pay more for entry level (+50), more for large size (+100) and more for storage (+50).
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I would say everybody in my office is intelligent enough to weigh up a mobile phone with its pros and cons. Everybody there has a university degree and a background in either finance, planning, production or R&D. The iPhone 7 and 8 are great phones and in very good deals at the moment.

Carriers don’t offer good deals, period. Every contract which includes monthly payments to a telephone company is a scam. The networks have been build a long time ago and usage costs are a fraction of a cent per minute. You said a lot of the decision for an iPhone 7 or 8 is to do with deals currently offered by carriers. So your colleagues are not (intelligent enough to) comparing phones but deals. Would you compare cars by the current offerings of car rental services? I hope not.

 

[Princejb134]

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.

5 years minimum for a android is non existent lol
they start stuttering and after the first year

 

[44267547]

When a new type of iPhone like the Foldable iPhone comes out there will be a massive upgrade cycle. People want something new not just added features or better internals
This year Apple was able to get away with the large screen iPhone but next year they better Innovate a new style if not many will sit tight with what they have

I’m not sure how you expect Apple to ‘innovate a new style’, when generally hardware changes are not always significant every year. I think 2019 will focus on the triple lens camera as been rumored, Face ID improvements, but phones in general have plateaued where they’re not ground breaking every single year. Fortunately for Apple, the iPhone has a very strong following, which is why they _need_ to have a variety of models offered with different price points for everyone.

 

[Newtons Apple]

When a new type of iPhone like the Foldable iPhone comes out there will be a massive upgrade cycle. People want something new not just added features or better internals
This year Apple was able to get away with the large screen iPhone but next year they better
Innovate a new style if not many will sit tight with what they have

iPhones, in their present form, will be around for a long time. No sense in changing just to change. If the current form works, they will keep using it. I find the current shape or form works very well and so do millions of others.

 

[Gudi]

iPhones, in their present form, will be around for a long time.

It will be interesting to see if Androids will keep copying the notch or outdo each other to eliminate it.
[doublepost=1540384953][/doublepost]

When a new type of iPhone like the Foldable iPhone comes out there will be a massive upgrade cycle. People want something new not just added features or better internals.

I think the opposite is true. Once the design of a product category has settled, it’s all about added features and better internals. Even if Apple builds a computer based on foldable screen technology, the iFold will be something completely different than an iPhone or iPad. It will be optimized for another category of use cases, like an Apple Watch.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Carriers don’t offer good deals, period. Every contract which includes monthly payments to a telephone company is a scam. The networks have been build a long time ago and usage costs are a fraction of a cent per minute. You said a lot of the decision for an iPhone 7 or 8 is to do with deals currently offered by carriers. So your colleagues are not (intelligent enough to) comparing phones but deals. Would you compare cars by the current offerings of car rental services? I hope not.

I know very very few people who buy phones outright and pay separately for a plan so going through a carrier or third party retailer using a carriers services is a popular option. I bought my 8+ through a third party as it was £100 cheaper than O2 could offer and I got £50 cash back. Most of my colleagues do similar because that way you may pay more but you haven’t got a large sum of money going out initially for a handset. I don’t think intelligence comes into it, it’s about choosing a deal that suits your outgoings.

 

[egraphixstudios]

Apple should change the iPhone cycle to 2 years rather than 1.

I upgraded my 6s+ to XS max last week. Plan to use it for 4-5 years. Long gone are the days of annual upgrades. With the UK living costs increasing exponentially and wages stagnant- other priorities take pace first I guess.

 

[Macalicious2011]

Phone hardware have reached diminishing returns and are now like computer.

You don't need the flagship device to enjoy the full experience. Most crucially. You don't need to upgrade every two years or twelve months.

Instagram, Safari and Gmail look the same on an iPhone 8 and X, the same way browsing webpages on a $3,000 Macbook won't be much different than on a $1,200 Macbook.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Apple should change the iPhone cycle to 2 years rather than 1.

I upgraded my 6s+ to XS max last week. Plan to use it for 4-5 years. Long gone are the days of annual upgrades. With the UK living costs increasing exponentially and wages stagnant- other priorities take pace first I guess.

Well that will not happen. Apple depends on it new phone sales and will continue to offer new devices with incremental upgrades, yearly.

 

[Macalicious2011]

I know very very few people who buy phones outright and pay separately for a plan so going through a carrier or third party retailer using a carriers services is a popular option. I bought my 8+ through a third party as it was £100 cheaper than O2 could offer and I got £50 cash back. Most of my colleagues do similar because that way you may pay more but you haven’t got a large sum of money going out initially for a handset. I don’t think intelligence comes into it, it’s about choosing a deal that suits your outgoings.

The trouble is that people are quick to renew or upgrade phone contracts and don't realise that buying a one year older phone, whether new or refurbished can save them alot of money.

Only 12 months ago people were drolling over the holygrail £1,000 iPhone X. Now you can pick up a mint refurbished one for £650. In a few months after used Xr models have flooded the market the iPhone X will be £500-600.

Why pay 24 x £83 = £1,992

When 12 months later you can buy the phone for £600 and use a cheap pay monthly deal that will cost you £384(£16x24) over 24 months. Boom! Just like that you are spending £984 on a phone over 24 month instead of £1,999. That's enough money left for an expensive holiday, saving for a house, new Laptop or 50 inch TV.

My SIM only plan is only £16 with unlimited calls, text, 30GB data and free roaming in the US and EU.

If you don't have £600 to buy a phone outright then get an interest free credit card. Pay £60 for 10 months and the phone will be yours.


Seriously. It's not that hard to have a flagship phone without spending stupid money.

 

[lockerc18]

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 had a 6+ until last year when the display controller died. Apple wasn't very eager to fix it, so I got a X. Good phone. Way too expensive. My SO still has her 6, but dropped it recently and the screen shattered. Bummer. It was working fine until then. So, it's on to the XR for her. But if our phones were still working, neither of us would have upgraded. They met our needs and were working just fine. Until they weren't.

 

[philcooper]

I can add to this.

I have an iPhone 6 Plus (and Watch series 3) which I purchased outright.
Before that I would buy a new phone with each 1.5 release because there were new features that I could use and benefit from.

I use my phone all day for work as well as for personal use.

Since the iPhone 6 range, other than camera improvements (which is a serious reason for me to upgrade, compared to my iPhone 6 Plus), the other features are not sellers for me (emojis, face recognition, etc).

I am NOT happy that the earphone jack has been removed. Bluetooth earphones are ok for some but (1) I don't fancy spending another bundle to get a pair of quality in-ears, and (2) It's not very practical on a long haul flight having to charge your iPhone AND your earphones when I can do it very easily at the moment with my current iPhone.

Nevertheless, I actually went to the Apple store today to purchase an iPhone Xs Max 256GB.
This costs £1,249 in the UK - yet I found out that Apple has, in its wisdom, removed the lightning adapter for earphones from the box and you now have to purchase it separately.

You know what, that was the last straw for me.
Apple has lost a long-term customer who has spent scores of thousands of pounds, for the sake of an adapter that cost them 30p to manufacture.

They have just made it not worth my while anymore. (I and my family have an iMac, MacBooks, iPads, iPhones, iPods, Apple TV, etc).

I'm clearly not the target market for them anymore, and so be it.

 

[zorinlynx]

Apple should change the iPhone cycle to 2 years rather than 1.

I upgraded my 6s+ to XS max last week. Plan to use it for 4-5 years. Long gone are the days of annual upgrades. With the UK living costs increasing exponentially and wages stagnant- other priorities take pace first I guess.

In a sense, that's what they do. You had regular years and "S" years; "S" was basically the same phone with minor improvements.

I don't know why they broke the cycle for the X; last year should have been the iPhone 7S (which the 8 basically was) and this year should have been the iPhone X. My guess is the X's tech was ready and they didn't want to wait any more.

BUT they seem to have resumed the cycle with the XS series this year (small improvements on the X) so we may be back to the two year redesign cycle.