I'm sitting here with an unopened box of the iPhone XS 256 GB in front of me. I can't believe how much I paid for it
I had a 6S but I gave it to my sister. Originally I planned to buy a used iPhone 7 for 350 USD as a replacement.
Then I thought it's better to buy a new XR 64 GB. I always wanted FaceID and the gestures. Of course upgrading to the XR 128 GB seemed like a pretty good deal. It's the perfect amount of storage for not much more money. And lots of reviewers said the same.
Then I started to doubt whether I shouldn't get the XS 64 GB instead because it's just more comfortable to use with one hand (although the XR was more manageable than I expected) and I love taking pictures. But it's pretty expensive. After agonizing over it for a few days, I decided the zoom lens on the XS could be convenient and I could survive with 64 GB.
Before I went to the Apple Store I started to think that the XS 256 GB would be nice too. On my iPhone 6S I used more than 50 GB and it made me worry a bit. And I could start taking 4K videos too. I couldn't justify the big jump in price however. It seemed ridiculous to pay that much more for a storage upgrade. I could buy a small tablet instead.
While I was waiting in line to purchase the XS 64 GB, I changed my mind at the last moment and ended up buying the XS 256 GB instead. I thought it would give me more peace of mind.
Looking back now, it just seems crazy I bought it. If you had asked me a few days ago if I wanted to pay 1250 USD for a phone or 150 USD for additional storage, I would have said no way.
My whole decision process was one big mess with lots of cognitive distortions. Every upgrade seemed small but the final price is not.
And still I don't know whether I should return it or not...
Hi OP you should return it and get an XR in 128gb because,
1. You did not intend to spend so much in the first place and the XR is the best value for the money at the moment, you will still be getting all the fancy new stuff like the A12 processor, the new camera with a bigger, deeper sensor(working with the A12 to product those amazing high dynamic range shots), amazing screen to body ratio, best stereo separation in a smartphone, face id and also the longest battery life even in an iPhone.
2. As you have stated, 128gb is the prefect size for not much more money. Totally agree with you. 128gb is prefect for me and from what you are saying, also for you.
3. The zoom lens does not kick in as often as most people think it does, it depends on the lighting condition. So unless you take a lot of sunlit pictures it’s not really going to matter.
4. The iPhone XR is the spiritual successor of the non plus size iPhones. In that it has the same PPI of 326 but more importantly requires only 2x render to draw on the screen compared to 3x render on the plus size iPhones, X, XS, XS Max. This means it requires less resources(cpu/gpu, ram, power, heat dissipation) to render an image on the screen. On screen benchmarks are showing that the iPhone XR is able to maintain the highest FPS be a good margin compared even to the XS and XS Max. It is currently the best iPhone for playing games, in terms of FPS and also length of gaming time before needing a recharge. Moreover with the current excess of power in the XR, it would probably be supported for a long time to come, considering it is the only 2x render device with not only the A12 processor but also 3gb of ram.
5. Many reviewers have tested all the latest iPhone and almost everyone is recommending the XR as the iPhone to buy. Most are saying the difference is not worth the additional $250. Something you have notice yourself. Totally agree with the majority of reviewers out there. The only noticeable difference would be the telephoto lens which works occasionally depending on how well lit the place is. For me, that’s not worth an additional $250. This is not even counting the top up to get 256gb since 128gb is not an option.
6. You don’t seem to have a problem with the size of the XR, as it turns out to be more manageable then you originally thought it was. So going with the XR would mean going with the biggest screen you find manageable.
7. So many beautiful color option. Mine is blue.
8. Most importantly, it’s good financial discipline to not over spend. Once you get into the habit of spending more than you sensibility should, it will inevitably lead to future heartaches. Seen too many people get caught in this trap.