Other Optimal Trade In Cycle for iPhone Pro/Pro Max Models?

[Sully]

Claude AI told me that a 3-year cycle is the sweet spot for these phones. The rationale is that the combination of having equivalent tech to new models and maximum trade-in value is optimized at the 3-year mark. If you only consider annual cost, it’s always cheaper to hold longer. The argument for selling or trading is that you maintain a phone with very little friction for day-to-day use. And, as the phone ages, it becomes less usable.

I’ve held for mostly three or four years. Three when I saw more than one iPhone 8 brick and have no value and four when the 15 went to USB-C and the new processor. So, I went from 8 to 11 to 15.

How often do you upgrade your iPhone, and what are your reasons?

 

[CMoore515]

I upgrade every year. I'm part of the iPhone Upgrade Program but even when I wasn't I'd pay full price and trade in or sell my previous phone to cover some of the costs.

 

[eyoungren]

Guess I missed it by almost double…primary iPhone is the 11 Pro Max, bought in February 2021.

I upgrade when I want a new phone and can swing the finances to get it. My phones are not my life. Lots of people use their phone for everything now - I have multiple computers and large displays/TVs for any of that. So my phones primarily serve as phones.

My 11 Pro Max is currently running iOS 26.4, so I hardly count that as being less usable - particularly for what I use my phone for. And I don't do trade ins. I still have every smartphone I've purchased since 2009 (and some others I also got but never used as a primary phone).

 

[now i see it]

How often do you upgrade your iPhone, and what are your reasons?

I’m using a 6S Plus I purchased 2-1/2 years ago.
Why?
Modern iPhone OLED screens are a flickering abomination.
I also have a SE3 but I deplore the tiny sized screen.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

"Optimal" in what way?

Optimally, you run it into the ground before you replace it.

 

[Momof2.1107]

Upgrade every year or either every 2 years depending on whether the upgrade is worthwhile to me. I also weigh the trade in values year to year at Apple and I take that into consideration when it’s time to upgrade.

 

[Le Big Mac]

"Optimal" in what way?

Optimally, you run it into the ground before you replace it.

Only if performance is irrelevant.

The degradation in performance (whether battery or processor with newer apps/software) creates an increasing cost, which has to be compared to the cost of an upgrade.

That's different for everyone, depending on their needs for performance and their ability to pay for a new one.

There's no right answer - my mom/mother in law might hold onto their phone 5 or more years because performance doesn't really matter (or it continues to do what they need just as well). For a power user that's different.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Only if performance is irrelevant.

The degradation in performance (whether battery or processor with newer apps/software) creates an increasing cost, which has to be compared to the cost of an upgrade.

That's different for everyone, depending on their needs for performance and their ability to pay for a new one.

There's no right answer - my mom/mother in law might hold onto their phone 5 or more years because performance doesn't really matter (or it continues to do what they need just as well). For a power user that's different.

Which is exactly my point. “Optimally” needs to be defined for each individual.

To me, it’s optimal to not have to replace something until it needs replacing (generally speaking). Doesn’t mean I always DO that. But I recognize that when I don’t, it’s sub-optimal 😉

 

[ayephoner]

Which is exactly my point. “Optimally” needs to be defined for each individual.

To me, it’s optimal to not have to replace something until it needs replacing (generally speaking). Doesn’t mean I always DO that. But I recognize that when I don’t, it’s sub-optimal 😉

I'm not sure that factors in trade-in value (and/or carrier deals).

I traded my 12pm for a 15pm and got over $800 for the trade. The upgrade cost me like $10 or $11 a month for 3 years.

I just traded that 15pm for a 17pm because I switch carriers. I got exactly $800 for the trade this time, but they also paid off the remaining balance owed on my 15pm to the former carrier.

I do hope to keep this 17pm for at least 3 years (maybe 4 or 5), but they make the cost of upgrading very easy and very cheap. That said, I certainly agree with you that this is very much an individual consideration.

 

[M5RahuL]

I usually skip at least couple of iterations. Would've kept the 15PM if it wasn't for the heat issue!!

 

[MultiFinder17]

Optimally one should keep a phone until it no longer does what they need it to do. Better for the pocketbook, better for the limited supply of materials on the planet, better for keeping e-waste out of the world. I use two phones, one personal and one for work, and when my work phone no longer does the job for some reason I cycle my personal phone down and get a new one. Currently I use a 13 mini for work that I adore and a 15 Pro personally that does more than everything I need.

 

[Antaris]

I upgrade every year. I'm part of the iPhone Upgrade Program but even when I wasn't I'd pay full price and trade in or sell my previous phone to cover some of the costs.

Cool! Is this Apple's program or do cell carriers also offer it? (I moved back to iPhone with the 17MP after > a decade with Android so I'm not familiar with trade-up policies... thanks!)

 

[CMoore515]

Cool! Is this Apple's program or do cell carriers also offer it? (I moved back to iPhone with the 17MP after > a decade with Android so I'm not familiar with trade-up policies... thanks!)

Apple.

Apple Upgrade Program

 

[HouseLannister]

Optimal for return $ in store/carrier credit is 1 year.
Optimal for a green planet is until they no longer sell replacement batteries.
Optimal for keeping up-to-date with the latest OS without noticing any issues is probably about 3 years.

I upgrade my phone whenever I see something cool and have the tiniest bit of FOMO. I use both Android and iOS, so I sometimes get 2-3 phones every year. Nothing optimal about my strategy. It's just a question of do I have money that my wife won't notice I spent and is there something I want.