iPhone 12 iPhone SE, used X or iPhone 12?

[lagflag]

Hi,
A long time Android user here. Recently I have decided that I am done with Android phones. I currently have Pixel 2 (I bought it used) and I used to love it till the glitches are becoming too much to handle.
I can afford iPhone 12. But the frugal person in me is having hard times to justify $800 even if I am going to use the phone for the next 5 years (Could that be stretched to 7 years?!). I was wondering, would it make sense to buy a used iPhone X or XS instead? Or how about a brand new iPhone SE 2? I don't want a lower camera than my current Pixel, so I am not sure about SE 2. Or should I just pull the plug on the iPhone 12? Does the difference in specs from X to 12 worth the price difference specially for someone coming from old Android like Pixel 2?

ETA: I have iPad and I like IOS. That was the reason I started considering moving to iPhones

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

I say get in cheap and see if you like iOS and the iPhone and then, if you do, you can upgrade to the 12 or 13 next year and still recoup a good amount that you'd spend on something used. And I chose the X because I feel like the fullscreen and FaceID is what you'd really need to experience iOS best.

 

[TechLord]

Go for an iPhone 12 and just hold onto it for 5+ years. My mum uses a 6s which is almost 6 years old and it has no issues besides battery, I’m sure the 12 could make 6-7 years.

 

[Saladin12]

Go for the iPhone 12. Deffo don't go for the 8. The SE 2 will feel like step back (design wise) and the X is probably a little too old to be thinking about keeping it for a further 5 years (it might make it but you'll deffo feel it).

The iPhone 12 will future proof you for at least five years, if not a fair bit more. It might also be worth considering waiting until September and purchasing then. You could buy the new iPhone 13 but you will also be able to pick up the iPhone 12 for a fair bit cheaper than you will right now.

My advice is, if you can, wait 2.5 months and then buy the 12 at a cheaper price.

 

[lagflag]

Deleted (double post)

 

[lagflag]

I say get in cheap and see if you like iOS and the iPhone and then, if you do, you can upgrade to the 12 or 13 next year and still recoup a good amount that you'd spend on something used. And I chose the X because I feel like the fullscreen and FaceID is what you'd really need to experience iOS best.

Thank you. I forgot to mention that I already have iPad and I loved IOS. iPad was the reason I changed my mind regarding buying an iPhone

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

Thank you. I forgot to mention that I already have iPad and I loved IOS. iPad was the reason I changed my mind regarding buying an iPhone

Then go straight to the 12. The others probably won't last another 5 years. Enjoy!

 

[Expos of 1969]

Thank you. I forgot to mention that I already have iPad and I loved IOS. iPad was the reason I changed my mind regarding buying an iPhone

That makes some sense. Prior to you adding this piece of information, I was going to say that Android is not your problem…it is the Pixel 2 so get a nice new Samsung S series.

 

[thekev]

SE2 is good if you can get a carrier deal. You can get one in the US down to $50-100 from some of the prepaid carriers. It's not possible to reliably get 5-7 years from any phone, and if I kept one that long, it would definitely get 1-2 battery replacements in that interval. You might or you might not get that out of it. Budget less and assume it could go either way.

Then go straight to the 12. The others probably won't last another 5 years. Enjoy!

I wouldn't expect the 12 to be much different from the SE 2. 12 definitely has better battery life and I assume a better camera. Processors will both feel old in 5 years.

 

[lagflag]

That makes some sense. Prior to you adding this piece of information, I was going to say that Android is not your problem…it is the Pixel 2 so get a nice new Samsung S series.

I don't like Samsung's. Full of bloatware and usually fast only the first year or 2 years. After that they become slow and sluggish.
Pixel's are the Android's stock (just like IOS). If that didn't work, then any other Android won't be better in terms of software issues.

 

[boss.king]

Hi,
A long time Android user here. Recently I have decided that I am done with Android phones. I currently have Pixel 2 (I bought it used) and I used to love it till the glitches are becoming too much to handle.
I can afford iPhone 12. But the frugal person in me is having hard times to justify $800 even if I am going to use the phone for the next 5 years (Could that be stretched to 7 years?!). I was wondering, would it make sense to buy a used iPhone X or XS instead? Or how about a brand new iPhone SE 2? I don't want a lower camera than my current Pixel, so I am not sure about SE 2. Or should I just pull the plug on the iPhone 12? Does the difference in specs from X to 12 worth the price difference specially for someone coming from old Android like Pixel 2?

I'd say a used 11 or 11 Pro would be the best deal right now. Basically a 12, but for a lot less.

 

[svish]

Get a new iPhone 12. No need to think twice. It is a fantastic phone and should last for many years.

 

[tedley]

Anything on your list except the X or the 8 would be a good fit. The reason I would immediately eliminate those two is that they won't be receiving OS updates for 5 more years. I'm pretty frugal as well and still use an 8plus, but not having a phone that gets OS updates fires a 'time to upgrade' event. You want to be able to receive security patches when hackers create new exploits to the OS or applications.

 

[JJL2026]

If your trying to save a few bucks the XS Max is still a great phone and will receive software updates for at least 4 more years. I currently have the XS Max and the camera quality is solid and is almost equal to the 12 Pro of except in low light situations. But if you feel the XS is too small of a screen and the XS Max to big I would go for the 11.

 

[AmazeSE]

Just wait 3 months till the iPhone 13 gets released. You can buy the iPhone 13 at the same current price of iPhone 12 or buy the iPhone 12 for like $100 less.

 

[Populus]

Just wait 3 months till the iPhone 13 gets released. You can buy the iPhone 13 at the same current price of iPhone 12 or buy the iPhone 12 for like $100 less.

THIS ^

@lagflag If you think you can wait just 3 months until September, that would be ideal. The upcoming iPhone 13 (or 12S) is rumored to have a good camera bump -no pun intended-. And a better optical stabilization. Also, bigger batteries.

If you cannot wait because you lost your smartphone or is broken, then go for the 12.

 

[nburwell]

As it looks like the OP holds on to their devices, the iPhone 12 would be what I would choose as it's easily going to last the OP 5 (heck, probably even 7) years.

 

[1BadManVan]

If you want it to last 5 years and actually still decent right up until that point then the 12 is the no brainer choice here.

 

[trevpimp]

Hands down iPhone 12

 

[tedley]

You'd probably be ok with an 11 pro too if you found a killer deal, I would definitely not go any older that that since you keep your devices longer. 12 is the safest bet though.

 

[lagflag]

Thanks for all of you. Here is another question though, would it be more value efficient to buy 12 to last 5 years? Or an older used version (which one?) and then replace every 2 years?

 

[Evader115]

Hi,
A long time Android user here. Recently I have decided that I am done with Android phones. I currently have Pixel 2 (I bought it used) and I used to love it till the glitches are becoming too much to handle.
I can afford iPhone 12. But the frugal person in me is having hard times to justify $800 even if I am going to use the phone for the next 5 years (Could that be stretched to 7 years?!). I was wondering, would it make sense to buy a used iPhone X or XS instead? Or how about a brand new iPhone SE 2? I don't want a lower camera than my current Pixel, so I am not sure about SE 2. Or should I just pull the plug on the iPhone 12? Does the difference in specs from X to 12 worth the price difference specially for someone coming from old Android like Pixel 2?

ETA: I have iPad and I like IOS. That was the reason I started considering moving to iPhones

I just bought a refurbed XR from decluttr for 300 and it is great. Also don't get the X go for the XS.

 

[Barbareren]

Also don't get the X go for the XS.

Why? I’ve owned both and I found them to be practically identical. That’s why I bought a used X when my XS got stolen. It is cheaper too.

If I were the OP, I’d definitely get a used X (just make sure the battery health is still good). It'll still be perfectly usable for a few years to come. I still have mine as a backup.

 

[thekev]

You can frequently find older models new at discounted rates, depending on how you purchase them. If you're going that route, what's worth it depends partly on how much you save. Assume any used one may need a new battery at some point. Just budget it in to the total cost. Make sure the screen looks good and buttons work every time, because they cost significantly more to service than a battery.

 

[Barbareren]

Make sure the screen looks good and buttons work every time, because they cost significantly more to service than a battery.

Thats true. Whenever I’ve bought a used phone, I always meet the seller in person in order to check that everything works as it should before handing over the money.