I don't pay any monthly fee for my iPhone, and I never want to do so. Plenty of people including myself buy outright and try to get many years out of their iPhones.
I'm not interested in plans,
You realize Apple's and the carriers payment plans are interest free, right? So you tell me, which makes more sense, paying Apple $650-750 upfront and be out that money, or putting that same money in an interest bearing account and paying a monthly prorated, interest free, installment which results in full ownership two years later, and earning the interest on the principle, and making money all the while?
Moreover, when you decide to upgrade, Apple will take your old phone and even with wear and tear, as long as it's functional, they will give you a fair market rate for your phone -- in many cases, likely more than you'd get from a private party if you have excessive cosmetic damage.
Your way doesn't make as much sense, regardless of how long you intend to keep the phone.
and I find the idea of a new phone every year wasteful and environmentally damaging. ... iPhones should be made to last, not for "a year or two". If you think its reasonable to put 1GB of ram into a 2016 Phone you clearly don't give a damn about user experience or anything other than Apple's profit margins. The cost for apple between 1GB and 2GB would not be great and Apple can swallow that cost.
1GB of ram as I've already said is extremely limiting, it should have disappeared with the 5S. Some of us like keeping tabs and multiple Applications open. 1GB was nice in 2012 and maybe 2013, but 2GB of ram should be the minimum now. I want my next phone to last a long time.
Well, you can make the wasteful and environmentally damaging argument if you like. The reality is, it's technology were talking about, and there are improvements made every year that people can benefit from, whether you are OK making the sacrifice or not. And Apple is the most environmentally responsible manufacturer there is. Is it better not to make the product in the first place, than to recycle it? Sure. But again it's technology. If you need it, then there's no point in doing without the benefits new tech provides. At least with Apple you know it's being managed well.
But that's not really your point. You seem to be angry about Apple's failure to offer more than 1GB of RAM. Personally, I have never had an issue with RAM. I fully expect I could keep my 5S for two more years if I didn't want Pay, just like I did with my iPhone 4, which I kept for over 4 years, and only replaced because the home and power/lock buttons broke. I'm still using an iPad 3, and have no intention of upgrading -- how's that for conservation? And miraculously, it works just fine despite not having 2GB RAM, just like my 5S.
So frankly I don't see a problem with Apple releasing a new iPhone with only 1GB of RAM. I can easily see getting two more years out of it without any problems, though possibly making some sacrifices just as I am with my iPad 3. And just like you are making sacrifices with your old phone. If this new phone doesn't suit you, then don't buy it. Make due with your old technology, happy that you are saving the environment, and eventually Apple will upgrade to 2GB and then you can buy your "forever" phone then.
