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iPhone 5 or earlier iP6s or 7 or 8

sfphoto

sfphoto

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 10, 2010
503
41
Will need to replace 5s and older phones soon as they offer no VoLTE

Already purchased 2016 SE's but thought to get a slightly larger budget iPhone.

So this is to use as a 'Phone', occasional email and map (to find directions).

Any reason to spend $200+ on an 8?
ALSO the 6's in general all seem UNlocked from Apple or else they are a Sprint version - is this true of the 7 & 8?
 
For occasional email, any iPhone is fine. If you want to use the current version of Apple's maps (if you're a fan of apple maps) then you'll want a phone that can run the most up to date version of iOS since it is tied to iOS and can't be downloaded separately.

If you'd rather use google maps and Waymo, then any iPhone is fine.

If you're an apple maps fan then the 6 is out of the running since it's stuck on iOS 12 and soon the 6S will be out too since if won't run iOS 14 (I think).

So that leaves the 7 (which is arguably the worst iPhone Apple has ever made) or the 8, which is the best classic style iPhone besides the 2020 SE.
 
If it's something you're going to use long term, I would recommend the 8 or the new SE, since I actually think it will be cheaper long term. They will be supported and secured for many years to come - iOS 14 is supported on the 6S, but it will likely be the last release to support the 6S (I think). So if you divide the money spent by the years it will last, I think an 8 is probably the best bet; Or the new SE maybe.
 
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I would try to get an 8 if your budget can stretch to it, otherwise you'll find yourself in the same situation in a year's time where as the 8 will be good for a few years still.

Or, the new SE is a great device if you could maybe get it on the Apple upgrade plan or interest free financing elsewhere.
 
Thanks NISI, are you implying that Apple Maps will stop working on an older iOS at some point?

Perhaps Google Maps might too one might think as Google Voice has stopped on pre-iOS11 devices.
 
sfphoto said:
Thanks NISI, are you implying that Apple Maps will stop working on an older iOS at some point?

Perhaps Google Maps might too one might think as Google Voice has stopped on pre-iOS11 devices.
Click to expand...

Eventually it probably will, but being an iOS release or two behind it'll still work just fine; I think he was just saying that if you want the latest features of Apple Maps you need to stay on the latest iOS.
 
re: iP8
Prices seem to have risen just like MacBooks (pandemic)
Seeing $300 for 8's (refurb)
I believe the 2020SE is just another $100 and new.

So perhaps same dollars
Used iP6s $100, replace w/ used SE 2020 for $200 in 2 years.

Was wondering though if the iP8 offers more than the 6s feature wise as opposed to iOS capability, guess not for what I would use for.

Thanks for all the comments!
 
casperes1996 said:
Eventually it probably will, but being an iOS release or two behind it'll still work just fine; I think he was just saying that if you want the latest features of Apple Maps you need to stay on the latest iOS.
Click to expand...

Thanks, we don't do anything other than type in the address we want to find
AND
the iP5 maps app no longer works, but the iP5s does.
Both on iOS8
 
Apple Maps is baked into the OS. It's a stock app that's included. Each version of iOS has its corresponding version of Maps. The older the version of iOS, the older the version of Maps that's included - with any shortcomings it has. The latest version of Apple Maps might be pretty good on iOS 13 but you won't get to use that version on iOS 12 and below

The biggest immediate difference you'll notice between the 6S and the 8 is the 8 is really fast. Everyhing pops open. Really nice to use. The camera is a little better too but not shockingly so. It's also heavier.
iPhone 8 also has wireless charging, is waterproof, has a "fake" (non mechanical) home button and no headphone jack.
IMO the "fake" home button on the iPhone 8 is inferior to the nice mechanical home button (real button) on the 6S
 
now i see it said:
For occasional email, any iPhone is fine. If you want to use the current version of Apple's maps (if you're a fan of apple maps) then you'll want a phone that can run the most up to date version of iOS since it is tied to iOS and can't be downloaded separately.

If you'd rather use google maps and Waymo, then any iPhone is fine.

If you're an apple maps fan then the 6 is out of the running since it's stuck on iOS 12 and soon the 6S will be out too since if won't run iOS 14 (I think).

So that leaves the 7 (which is arguably the worst iPhone Apple has ever made) or the 8, which is the best classic style iPhone besides the 2020 SE.
Click to expand...
iOS 14 is supported on 6s (as well as SE).
 
For sprint especially, I’d definitely recommend the 8. T mobile (who just bought sprint) recently bought two new cellular bands, 66 & 71. None of the three phones mentioned support band 72 but the 8 does support band 66 so you’ll ultimately end up with better coverage with the 8.

Also the 8 is volte compatible on sprint whereas the other 2 aren’t. T mobile is going to have to make some changes to allow those (likely new SIM cards but who knows) to access volte whereas the 8 will work now.
 
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I don't know what your budget is but I would recommend the new SE if possible. You will get the bang for your dollar.
 
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If in your budget range the iPhone SE (2020) is the perfect choice.

If not that then the iPhone8 for sure
 
Any of those would work for what you plan to use the phone for, but the main advantage with going with a newer iPhone is longer software support. As others have mentioned 6s is probably coming up on its last year of software support, the 8 probably still has 3 years of software support ahead of it, and going with a 2020 SE could mean 5+ years of software support. If you don’t upgrade your phone often it could end up being a cost savings long term spending a little more upfront.

The 6s also has known battery problems (I used one for 3 years and had the battery replaced twice during that time). Maybe not a deal breaker for light usage, but something to think about.
 
now i see it said:
For occasional email, any iPhone is fine. If you want to use the current version of Apple's maps (if you're a fan of apple maps) then you'll want a phone that can run the most up to date version of iOS since it is tied to iOS and can't be downloaded separately.

If you'd rather use google maps and Waymo, then any iPhone is fine.

If you're an apple maps fan then the 6 is out of the running since it's stuck on iOS 12 and soon the 6S will be out too since if won't run iOS 14 (I think).

So that leaves the 7 (which is arguably the worst iPhone Apple has ever made) or the 8, which is the best classic style iPhone besides the 2020 SE.
Click to expand...

Now I see it, I’m just curious to know why you think the iPhone 7 is the worst iPhone apple ever made. I’m not being arsey, just genuinely curious?
 
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