iPhone 5 broken, but I am so unsure about the new ones...

[Tiwele101]

Hello!

I am sorry, for this is probably a regular thread... but I just need some reassurance, because I annoy myself by now.

My iPhone 5 16GB of 2 1/2 years is broken - shattered screen, nothing that bothered me too much, actually.
But this morning I discovered, that the autofocus of the camera is broken too. Other photo apps, like VSCOcam simply have a black screen.
So, yeah... I need a replacement.
And I informed myself and looked into it and generally, it'll be the newest iPhone. (I was looking at the iPhone 5S, but the price difference is too small to justify the technological differences for me.)

And looking at how I handle the 5, it should be a 6S:
I have small hands (size 6 women gloves) and I use the phone a lot one-handed, I like it in my jeans pocket or in a pocket when I'm in the woods with the horse. And while I am sure people get used to the bigger size, I feel I do need the portability.

BUT... I also take a lot of photos. And then I look at the 6S+ and the screen, all the reasons are out of the window. I'm not entirely sure if it is a need or a want.

And I am also worried about battery life of the 6S. I am a light user, especially on weekdays, because I don't need the phone during workhours. I am just worried if I want to take a couple of photos or a small video, the battery drains so fast I can watch it, like with my 5 now.

I apologise, I usually can make these decisions for myself, but I feel a bit frustrated by it now. I'd be grateful for any input, even if it is a totally different suggestion.

I can afford either model... but I also need to replace my 8 year old Macbook early next year, so I want to keep an eye on the budget.

Thank you in advance!

 

[rocknblogger]

The new iPhones are excellent. I have a 6s Plus and my wife has the iPhone 6s. She's a somewhere between light and heavy depending on her day but so far she hasn't gone below around 40% battery by the time she comes home from work.

She takes the phone off the charger at about 6:00am and comes home around 5:30pm. I charge mine every two days most of the time. These are excellent devices and I'm sure you'll be happy with either one regarding battery life.

I suggest though that you take more care of it. It'll last you a good long while if you do

 

[xymay]

Both the iPhone 6s and 6s plus are great new devices, well, for me, I mean if I were you, I would have somebody to replace my iPhone5 replaced with a new screen, camera and battery, considering that iPhone 5 size fits better for one-handed use and being put in a pocket. An iphone 5 replacement screen +camera+battery totally costs about $100 and the saving money for upgrading to a new iphone can be used on upgrading to a new Macbook. The newly replaced iphone 5 can last for one year of use at least , which allows me more breathing room to upgrade a new iphone then.

 

[Tiwele101]

@rocknblogger
Thank you for your reply!
That's definitely helpful regarding battery life.

Yes, admittedly, my phones are being used and they look like it. Especially since I don't have any protection on them. In my defence though, I work in a workshop and for years this is the first time I broke one. Whatever the new will be: there'll be a case.

@xymay
Thank you too! Unfortunately I do not live in the US, but in Switzerland. Shopping around, screen + battery alone will cost me double your estimated amount. I'm not sure if it's worth it, I think the camera issue is bigger, because it's not the back... the camera is damaged through the front of the phone.

 

[Newtons Apple]

You need to go to the Apple store and hold them in your hand. Going from the 5 to the 6S+ is a jump. It will take some getting used to but boy I love my S+ and would never go back to a non + model. The screen is great and it makes a huge difference using the keyboard in portrait mode.

 

[sunking101]

Why do you think that the battery of a 6S will last for a shorter time than the old battery in an iPhone 5? If I recall correctly, the iPhone 5 never had a great battery life to start with.

The 6S is better in all respects than the iPhone 5, 5S and iPhone 6. It is Apple's biggest upgrade for years.

 

[valinda]

I think the 6s plus will be too big for you, especially if you like to keep it in your pocket. The 6s has a much
better battery life than the 5. I have a plus and I don't normally keep it in my pocket.

 

[Dented]

I've just gone from a 5 to a 6S (not plus, that's enormous) and am very happy with the battery life, it's lasting longer despite doing more (4G for instance). I have relatively small man hands and don't have a problem with the size either, although the "reachability" feature has proven useful a few times.

 

[Eileen89]

You need to go to the Apple store and hold them in your hand. Going from the 5 to the 6S+ is a jump. It will take some getting used to but boy I love my S+ and would never go back to a non + model. The screen is great and it makes a huge difference using the keyboard in portrait mode.

I feel the same way. I've had the 6+ for a year and have never had a problem getting it into my pockets even though it sticks out a little at the top with some of my skinny jeans. Also, like you said, the screen on the Plus model is great. I didn't think I can go back to the smaller size model again. I could get a regular 6S Sim Free 128GB model in the store right now, but I'm waiting to have my Plus model delivered instead.

 

[sunking101]

I've just gone from a 5 to a 6S (not plus, that's enormous) and am very happy with the battery life, it's lasting longer despite doing more (4G for instance). I have relatively small man hands and don't have a problem with the size either, although the "reachability" feature has proven useful a few times.

Using reachability on the smaller iPhone?
I always thought that feature was exclusive to the Plus model, and I don't ever need to use it.

 

[Dented]

Using reachability on the smaller iPhone?
I always thought that feature was exclusive to the Plus model, and I don't ever need to use it.

What can I say, I'm dainty!

Tbh it's mostly in those slightly awkward situations where I'm afraid I'm going to drop it otherwise..

 

[Tiwele101]

Thank you all for your input!

I have now borrowed my mum's iPhone 6 and realized that over some period of time, I'm not quite comfortable using it one-handed. Today, I have also finally applied for mobile data again, so I will see if my phone usage changes.

If I don't use it too much, I will go for a used iPhone 5s and evaluate the situation in a year.
If I find myself making good use of being able to being online on the road, I will go for the 6S+.

(I'm also currently at the last and final stage of an application process for a new and entirely different job, so my usage will also depend on that, hence I'm so hesitant.)

But I find your replies reassuring to have reduced the decision to two options. Thank you!

 

[TechGod]

Of course only you can decide what is too big or small but I was able to get used to bigger screens when despite thinking I wouldn't be able to.

 

[mtneer]

I went from the 5 to the 6+ a few months ago. The new plus sized phablet felt overwhelmingly large for about a week. After that, my expectations got adjusted to the new screen size and its handling requirements. Now, with the 6S+; whenever I pick up my old iPhone 5; the 4" screen seems too small and almost miniature to use. In short, do not dismiss the plus by your first impression on picking it up. Your brain needs a little time to adjust and it all will be fine.

 

[sunking101]

I went from the 5 to the 6+ a few months ago. The new plus sized phablet felt overwhelmingly large for about a week. After that, my expectations got adjusted to the new screen size and its handling requirements. Now, with the 6S+; whenever I pick up my old iPhone 5; the 4" screen seems too small and almost miniature to use. In short, do not dismiss the plus by your first impression on picking it up. Your brain needs a little time to adjust and it all will be fine.

I went from an iPhone 5 to a 6+ too and I was obviously ok with the size jump or else I wouldn't have gone onto the 6S+ afterwards.
A bigger phone is bound to feel different in the hand, it's not rocket science. People seem to forget that iPhones used to be abnormally tiny, it isn't that they've suddenly become too big.

 

[Tiwele101]

Hey!

Just wanted to give an update... I bought a new iPhone 6S+. I played with them in the Apple Store and I think I'll be doing fine. When I made the decision, the wanted model was sold out in every Apple Store in Switzerland and probably many, many other shops, so I waited a week and by accident saw that a Apple Store got a new delivery. I enjoy it a lot so far and it's well protected in a silicone case and has an awesome matt screen protector. Tomorrow will be the start of normal working days with it, so I'm curious how it fits in my life.

Thanks again for the feedback!

 

[Shadowbech]

Hope you enjoy your new 6S Plus.