Other iPhones Aren't Worth More Than $600 (To Me)

[blairh]

I realize this is simply my opinion only. Having used many different iPhone's over the years, and currently using the XS Max, I personally feel no iPhone is worth more than $600 at retail. I understand others love their iPhone's and paid a lot more than that for them. But having used the XS Max for almost a year now, I'm simply done with pricey iPhone's. I simply don't think they are worth it at that price point. I'm planning on trading in my XS Max to AT&T once it's half paid off and getting an 8 Plus which I believe will be $550 post-keynote this year. I will then hold onto it until it no longer functions properly. With the exception of a potential future folding iPhone, I see no reason to ever spend more than $600 ever again for an iPhone. The innovation in smartphones is simply no longer there.

 

[bpeeps]

Phones Aren't Worth More Than $600 To Me

Fixed your clickbait title for you.

The phone is worth whatever price the market is willing to pay.

 

[The Game 161]

Until you use a different OS...I’m sorry iPhones are very much worth higher than that for IOS, software updates and support alone no matter what the device does

 

[sirghost]

I realize this is simply my opinion only. Having used many different iPhone's over the years, and currently using the XS Max, I personally feel no iPhone is worth more than $600 at retail. I understand others love their iPhone's and paid a lot more than that for them. But having used the XS Max for almost a year now, I'm simply done with pricey iPhone's. I simply don't think they are worth it at that price point. I'm planning on trading in my XS Max to AT&T once it's half paid off and getting an 8 Plus which I believe will be $550 post-keynote this year. I will then hold onto it until it no longer functions properly. With the exception of a potential future folding iPhone, I see no reason to ever spend more than $600 ever again for an iPhone. The innovation in smartphones is simply no longer there.

Cool, thanks for letting us know.

 

[DevinNj]

I could see the pricing on a folding iPhone adding at least a $1,000 to your $600 limit. So...

 

[Thai]

I realize this is simply my opinion only. Having used many different iPhone's over the years, and currently using the XS Max, I personally feel no iPhone is worth more than $600 at retail. I understand others love their iPhone's and paid a lot more than that for them. But having used the XS Max for almost a year now, I'm simply done with pricey iPhone's. I simply don't think they are worth it at that price point. I'm planning on trading in my XS Max to AT&T once it's half paid off and getting an 8 Plus which I believe will be $550 post-keynote this year. I will then hold onto it until it no longer functions properly. With the exception of a potential future folding iPhone, I see no reason to ever spend more than $600 ever again for an iPhone. The innovation in smartphones is simply no longer there.

Does that even make financial sense??? Sure buddy...go for it.

 

[andiwm2003]

I realize this is simply my opinion only. Having used many different iPhone's over the years, and currently using the XS Max, I personally feel no iPhone is worth more than $600 at retail. I understand others love their iPhone's and paid a lot more than that for them. But having used the XS Max for almost a year now, I'm simply done with pricey iPhone's. I simply don't think they are worth it at that price point. I'm planning on trading in my XS Max to AT&T once it's half paid off and getting an 8 Plus which I believe will be $550 post-keynote this year. I will then hold onto it until it no longer functions properly. With the exception of a potential future folding iPhone, I see no reason to ever spend more than $600 ever again for an iPhone. The innovation in smartphones is simply no longer there.

..............................

The phone is worth whatever price the market is willing to pay.

I agree with both of you. I always thought the iPhones are too expensive for my taste and therefore I'm using a XR and I love it. It's still too expensive in my opinion and like the OP I will in the future look for cheaper ways to get to an iPhone (refurbished, last generation, midrange models). But as the second poster says there is no absolute value of a phone, just what the market is willing to pay. I hope the market will pressure Apple to continue to offer midrange models like the XR with fast enough processors to be future proof for several years. I don't need a fancy triple camera, a ultra resolution super display, I'm happy to have a notch, I don't need ultra light and super thin. I need a fast processor and long battery life.

 

[Thai]

I agree with both of you. I always thought the iPhones are too expensive for my taste and therefore I'm using a XR and I love it. It's still too expensive in my opinion and like the OP I will in the future look for cheaper ways to get to an iPhone (refurbished, last generation, midrange models). But as the second poster says there is no absolute value of a phone, just what the market is willing to pay. I hope the market will pressure Apple to continue to offer midrange models like the XR with fast enough processors to be future proof for several years. I don't need a fancy triple camera, a ultra resolution super display, I'm happy to have a notch, I don't need ultra light and super thin. I need a fast processor and long battery life.

You don’t just buy an iPhone. You buy the ECOSYSTEM. You buy it for STRONG resale value. You buy it for 5+ years of full software support. You buy the customer service.

Many folks forget about the “other” benefits of iPhone ownership. They just look at the price. Go over to Android and you will see how crappy it is over there.

 

[compwiz1202]

I agree with both of you. I always thought the iPhones are too expensive for my taste and therefore I'm using a XR and I love it. It's still too expensive in my opinion and like the OP I will in the future look for cheaper ways to get to an iPhone (refurbished, last generation, midrange models). But as the second poster says there is no absolute value of a phone, just what the market is willing to pay. I hope the market will pressure Apple to continue to offer midrange models like the XR with fast enough processors to be future proof for several years. I don't need a fancy triple camera, a ultra resolution super display, I'm happy to have a notch, I don't need ultra light and super thin. I need a fast processor and long battery life.

Yes. I don't think we will stop getting iPhones, but they will be more like cars now where you pay off the installments and then go without payments for a while. It's insane when installments cost more than the plan.

 

[BeeGood]

That 8+ you’re about to buy cost $869 when it released two years ago. Would you have made the same argument and said “I’m not paying that much for an 8+, I’m getting the 6s plus because the 8+ is no better”?

If the answer is “yes”, then why don’t you just get the 6s plus today?

All you’re saying here is that you’re unwilling to pay more than $600 for a smartphone. I highly doubt you really believe that an 8+ and a XS Max should cost the same.

 

[Newtons Apple]

They are worth what people are willing to pay and $600 is not going to get you much at Apple.

 

[Harthag]

People should put $600 toward English punctuation and grammar lessons instead of "iPhone's".

 

[EM2013]

Just came in here to point out that all phones cost more than $600, not just iPhones.

 

[eyoungren]

You don’t just buy an iPhone. You buy the ECOSYSTEM.

What happens when Apple won't let you play in the ecosystem because in 2012 the Mac you're using is a 2003 17" PowerBook G4 running Leopard that can't use iTunes 10.6.4 and above?

And don't say 'That's what an MBP is for'. Didn't have the budget then, don't now.

You buy it for STRONG resale value.

What happens to that resale value when you don't sell your phones?

Because we keep our phones (iPhone or otherwise) until they die or are given away.

You buy it for 5+ years of full software support.

Really? I usually jailbreak my iPhones (to workaround the Apple ecosystem Apple won't let me be a part of) so my iPhone 6s+ is still on iOS 9.0.2.

You buy the customer service.

I want a refund!

Service has gone down since late 2012 when I got my iPhone 5.

Many folks forget about the “other” benefits of iPhone ownership. They just look at the price.

Design aesthetics and iOS were the two reasons I originally went for the iPhone. Any other 'benefit' Apple had or has is lost on me.

Go over to Android and you will see how crappy it is over there.

So far Android's been decent on my Pixel…but I don't expect too much I guess so I'm not disappointed.

 

[Thai]

What happens when Apple won't let you play in the ecosystem because in 2012 the Mac you're using is a 2003 17" PowerBook G4 running Leopard that can't use iTunes 10.6.4 and above?

And don't say 'That's what an MBP is for'. Didn't have the budget then, don't now.


What happens to that resale value when you don't sell your phones?

Because we keep our phones (iPhone or otherwise) until they die or are given away.


Really? I usually jailbreak my iPhones (to workaround the Apple ecosystem Apple won't let me be a part of) so my iPhone 6s+ is still on iOS 9.0.2.


I want a refund!

Service has gone down since late 2012 when I got my iPhone 5.

Design aesthetics and iOS were the two reasons I originally went for the iPhone. Any other 'benefit' Apple had or has is lost on me.


So far Android's been decent on my Pixel…but I don't expect too much I guess so I'm not disappointed.

Sure, things can happen. But, compared to other ecosystem, Apple is by far the best in terms of support and longevity.

Keep iPhones a long time...GREAT! Pass it on to someone else...GREAT! But then again, you’re making the argument for me! Thanks!

Jail breaking...cool beans. Did you root your Pixel? Android Q is very restrictive I hear. Good luck with that.

Clearly, aesthetics is NOT your strong point if you got a Pixel.

 

[bpeeps]

What happens when Apple won't let you play in the ecosystem because in 2012 the Mac you're using is a 2003 17" PowerBook G4 running Leopard that can't use iTunes 10.6.4 and above?

You buy a new computer because it's nine years old. Or deal with the limitations of old hardware and be thankful Apple supported your setup for as long as they did. Complaining about Apple support for older products is hilarious considering that's one of their strong-suits when compared to the competition.

What happens to that resale value when you don't sell your phones? Because we keep our phones (iPhone or otherwise) until they die or are given away.

If you keep your phone until it dies, then you obviously don't need to resell it. You have kept it long enough to have gotten max value out of the phone making the initial price worthwhile and then some. The high resale value benefits those who choose to move on to a new phone after 1 to 3 years. You can make a portion of your initial investment back. And when you give your phone away, then someone else is getting value out of it and that's your prerogative to not charge them for it.

Really? I usually jailbreak my iPhones (to workaround the Apple ecosystem Apple won't let me be a part of) so my iPhone 6s+ is still on iOS 9.0.2.

Switch to Android. It sounds like tinkering and playing with your phones is something you want to do. So switch to an ecosystem that allows you to do it. Then let us know what support for older products is like after you do. I'd wager a bet it doesn't come close to what Apple offers.

I want a refund! Service has gone down since late 2012 when I got my iPhone 5. Design aesthetics and iOS were the two reasons I originally went for the iPhone. Any other 'benefit' Apple had or has is lost on me.

Well then, cya!

 

[keysofanxiety]

What happens when Apple won't let you play in the ecosystem because in 2012 the Mac you're using is a 2003 17" PowerBook G4 running Leopard that can't use iTunes 10.6.4 and above?

I know your pain. I had a Nokia Lumia 1520 and it wouldn’t even detect when plugged into my Pentium II desktop running Windows 98.

It’s utterly ridiculous how these companies think they can get away with not supporting their own ecosystem.

 

[chenhastwins]

I will pay 6000 for it

 

[BeeGood]

What happens when...

Then you do precisely what you did. Buy an android phone that you’re happier with.

But the fact that your specific use case was such that iPhones don’t work for you doesn’t negate that person’s point. They’re not saying that there is value in the iPhone ecosystem for everyone. He’s making a case as to why it is justifiable for some to pay a little more than what you might pay for a seemingly equivalent android phone.

 

[Thai]

@ eyoungren

Pixel you say....

And after a mere 4 months of Pixel ownership, you get this: The Pixel 3 is Pissing Me Off. – Droid Life

(BTW, the editor who wrote that article is a pure Pixel fanboy to the extreme...for him to write this...well....)

Hilarious quotes from that article:

"The performance of it is dog sh*t. The camera is slow to load, if it even loads at all. Reboots are required daily or you’ll open apps and watch them slowly load or freeze for lengthy periods of time. Battery life, which could be sh*tty because of the attachment at all times to a Wear OS watch, is bad."

"When I mentioned to Tim that my Pixel 3 is garbage right now, he too said that his Pixel 3 XL is behaving badly. And he listed out all of the problems I’m having, like a need for daily reboots, slow-loading camera and apps, etc. Well, his battery life is fine. Additionally, a reader dropped us a random email over the weekend with the same complaints, that his Pixel 3 XL had “gone to complete sh*t lately, dropping frames and freezing.”"

"Redditors are well aware of the slow camera problem too."

"Lag and stuttering and slow-loading apps are noticeable things. When you miss shots on your camera because it takes 5-10 seconds to load and then doesn’t seem to register every other shutter button press, you don’t need data – something is just wrong."

---------------------------------------------------------------

And if you read the comments from that article, then you will see that A LOT of the owners have the same problems!

No wonder you are already back to iPhone forum just weeks after buying Pixel 3a!
[doublepost=1564600513][/doublepost]And hilariously...while you're boasting Pixel 3a, tell us more about your 60 FPS video mode!

Now, folks, this is about as dumb as you can get!

Google, in all its wisdom, decides that owners like eyoungren is NOT smart enough to know the difference between 30 and 60 FPS. So, while filming, Pixel 3 will change AUTOMATICALLY between 30 and 60 FPS within the SAME video (you have ZERO control over it)! So, when viewing your video, various parts of that video will have different frames per second!

And what it does record is just very plain video with piss-poor audio and poor dynamic range because again, it does NOT have the computational power to adjust in REAL TIME the highlights and shadows down to the pixel level like the iPhone XS.

 

[trillionaire]

I realize this is simply my opinion only. Having used many different iPhone's over the years, and currently using the XS Max, I personally feel no iPhone is worth more than $600 at retail. I understand others love their iPhone's and paid a lot more than that for them. But having used the XS Max for almost a year now, I'm simply done with pricey iPhone's. I simply don't think they are worth it at that price point. I'm planning on trading in my XS Max to AT&T once it's half paid off and getting an 8 Plus which I believe will be $550 post-keynote this year. I will then hold onto it until it no longer functions properly. With the exception of a potential future folding iPhone, I see no reason to ever spend more than $600 ever again for an iPhone. The innovation in smartphones is simply no longer there.

I'm sure everyone is going to start spewing the old adage that something is worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it. I wonder how those people would justify a doctor coming up with a cure for cancer (for example) but only performing it for those that can pay $1 million for it, even though the procedure costs him $100. I'm sure there would be people willing to pay it so why should the doctor lower their price? When is too much simply too much and you do it just because you can.

Certainly people will argue that these are apples and oranges, but I see a commonality. Though like the OP said, this is just my opinion.

 

[eyoungren]

Clearly, aesthetics is NOT your strong point if you got a Pixel.

Actually it is.

I've waited for Apple to get rid of the camera bump since the iPhone 6. It's gotten worse (bigger) every year. If the rumors of the iPhone 11 are true then it's a giant square on the back of the phone now.

I don't use cases, so this bothers me. Perhaps the Pixel has a small camera bump, I could argue that point. But compared to the camera bumps on the newer iPhones, there's a big difference.

As far as rooting, no. Haven't done that…yet.
[doublepost=1564602387][/doublepost]

You buy a new computer because it's nine years old. Or deal with the limitations of old hardware and be thankful Apple supported your setup for as long as they did. Complaining about Apple support for older products is hilarious considering that's one of their strong-suits when compared to the competition.



If you keep your phone until it dies, then you obviously don't need to resell it. You have kept it long enough to have gotten max value out of the phone making the initial price worthwhile and then some. The high resale value benefits those who choose to move on to a new phone after 1 to 3 years. You can make a portion of your initial investment back. And when you give your phone away, then someone else is getting value out of it and that's your prerogative to not charge them for it.



Switch to Android. It sounds like tinkering and playing with your phones is something you want to do. So switch to an ecosystem that allows you to do it. Then let us know what support for older products is like after you do. I'd wager a bet it doesn't come close to what Apple offers.



Well then, cya!

Your reply is typical of the anti-Android crowd here. I get that, but you're lumping me in with the Apple-haters that come in her claiming Android is the best.

I use what I like. Right now, I'm typing this on my employer's 2015 MBP. At home I've got several (less than 10 but more than 5) Macs, two of which are MBPs and one is the most powerful G5 Apple ever made. For iPhones, I got a 4, a 4s, a 5 and my 6s+ which my Pixel replaced. I've also got an iPad 6th Gen.

Just because I chose a Pixel (Android) as my current phone doesn't mean I hate Apple.

You can own both products without drinking the Koolaid from both companies. Google/Android does stuff I hate, so does Apple.

As far as expectations of old computers, you're right. However, my problem is when Apple is deliberate about it. There are hooks in iTunes 10.6.4 that if Apple had enabled them would have allowed syncing of Apple devices using a Lightning cable.

But Apple's intent is to make you buy a new device or new Mac. I get that - I just can't afford new.

 

[Thai]

Actually it is.

I've waited for Apple to get rid of the camera bump since the iPhone 6. It's gotten worse (bigger) every year. If the rumors of the iPhone 11 are true then it's a giant square on the back of the phone now.

I don't use cases, so this bothers me. Perhaps the Pixel has a small camera bump, I could argue that point. But compared to the camera bumps on the newer iPhones, there's a big difference.

As far as rooting, no. Haven't done that…yet.

Yeah, your Pixel 3a will NOT age well...substandard processor + 4GB RAM...just won't do well past 6 months (or less apparently for the Pixel 3 with stronger processor than yours).

So, damn with the camera bump, iPhone is a much better buy.

 

[eyoungren]

Then you do precisely what you did. Buy an android phone that you’re happier with.

But the fact that your specific use case was such that iPhones don’t work for you doesn’t negate that person’s point. They’re not saying that there is value in the iPhone ecosystem for everyone. He’s making a case as to why it is justifiable for some to pay a little more than what you might pay for a seemingly equivalent android phone.

When the pronoun 'you' is being used I read that to mean everyone. I try to qualify my statements because 'most people' as you are correctly pointing out is not everyone, nor might it be you.
[doublepost=1564602850][/doublepost]

@ eyoungren

Pixel you say....

And after a mere 4 months of Pixel ownership, you get this: The Pixel 3 is Pissing Me Off. – Droid Life

(BTW, the editor who wrote that article is a pure Pixel fanboy to the extreme...for him to write this...well....)

Hilarious quotes from that article:

"The performance of it is dog sh*t. The camera is slow to load, if it even loads at all. Reboots are required daily or you’ll open apps and watch them slowly load or freeze for lengthy periods of time. Battery life, which could be sh*tty because of the attachment at all times to a Wear OS watch, is bad."

"When I mentioned to Tim that my Pixel 3 is garbage right now, he too said that his Pixel 3 XL is behaving badly. And he listed out all of the problems I’m having, like a need for daily reboots, slow-loading camera and apps, etc. Well, his battery life is fine. Additionally, a reader dropped us a random email over the weekend with the same complaints, that his Pixel 3 XL had “gone to complete sh*t lately, dropping frames and freezing.”"

"Redditors are well aware of the slow camera problem too."

"Lag and stuttering and slow-loading apps are noticeable things. When you miss shots on your camera because it takes 5-10 seconds to load and then doesn’t seem to register every other shutter button press, you don’t need data – something is just wrong."

---------------------------------------------------------------

And if you read the comments from that article, then you will see that A LOT of the owners have the same problems!

No wonder you are already back to iPhone forum just weeks after buying Pixel 3a!
[doublepost=1564600513][/doublepost]And hilariously...while you're boasting Pixel 3a, tell us more about your 60 FPS video mode!

Now, folks, this is about as dumb as you can get!

Google, in all its wisdom, decides that owners like eyoungren is NOT smart enough to know the difference between 30 and 60 FPS. So, while filming, Pixel 3 will change AUTOMATICALLY between 30 and 60 FPS within the SAME video (you have ZERO control over it)! So, when viewing your video, various parts of that video will have different frames per second!

And what it does record is just very plain video with piss-poor audio and poor dynamic range because again, it does NOT have the computational power to adjust in REAL TIME the highlights and shadows down to the pixel level like the iPhone XS.

You are projecting things on me that I have either not done nor have I said.

Tell me where I boasted about my Pixel.

I've been on these forums for 8 years and have never left. Why would I be returning?

I don't use my phone (any of them) for video. Nor do I care about video. I use my phones for email, calls, SMS and light web browsing.
[doublepost=1564602989][/doublepost]

Yeah, your Pixel 3a will NOT age well...substandard processor + 4GB RAM...just won't do well past 6 months (or less apparently for the Pixel 3 with stronger processor than yours).

So, damn with the camera bump, iPhone is a much better buy.

I have yet to hit the 6 month mark, so time will tell. I am waiting to see a few things over time.

However, my old HTC Touch Pro lasted about 6 years before I sent it off so someone could keep an old Sprint plan. That was Windows Mobile Pro.

 

[bpeeps]

I know your pain. I had a Nokia Lumia 1520 and it wouldn’t even detect when plugged into my Pentium II desktop running Windows 98. It’s utterly ridiculous how these companies think they can get away with not supporting their own ecosystem.

I'm so mad at Apple. I can't plug ANY of my firewire 400 devices into my 2019 iMac. What gives?

I'm sure everyone is going to start spewing the old adage that something is worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it. I wonder how those people would justify a doctor coming up with a cure for cancer (for example) but only performing it for those that can pay $1 million for it, even though the procedure costs him $100. I'm sure there would be people willing to pay it so why should the doctor lower their price? When is too much simply too much and you do it just because you can.

Certainly people will argue that these are apples and oranges, but I see a commonality. Though like the OP said, this is just my opinion.

Your hypothetical is silly. A few people being able to afford a one million dollar price tag is the direct opposite of what the market can bear. If the majority can't afford it, then people obviously aren't going to pay it and the price will have to be lowered to reach profitability.

Not to mention, the idea that one doctor will have control over a cure for cancer is actually laughable. In actuality, the team of doctors that devised the cure work for a company that will hold all IP, patents, etc in relation to the cure. That company will ultimately have the final say on drug pricing. And they're going to price it to maximize profit. A few people paying 1 million won't net as high of a profit as millions of people paying thousands will. On top of that, that doesn't even include insurance subsidization, regulations, or FDA approvals. Your hypothetical is riveted with holes and too affected by hundreds of variables to be in any way comparable to this stupid post.

Nice try.

Homework for tonight: Read up on Martin Shkreli, the big pharma owner who increased the price of the drug Daraprim exponentially, leading to the investigation that ultimately put him behind bars.