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iPhone 5 or earlier Tell me if this is a stupid idea - iPhone 8 -> iPhone 4S -> iPhone 12

T

tlab

macrumors regular
Original poster
Dec 12, 2017
115
201
I have been using an iPhone 8 for 2.5 years - essentially since its release. The glass back has shattered and while it's protected in a case 24/7 it's slowly becoming a bit of a hazard. Plus the battery life is rapidly deteriorating. Long story short, I need a replacement.

I'm tempted by the SE but I'm also very intrigued by the rumoured 5.4" iPhone 12, especially if it's got the iPhone 4/iPad Pro style design. I still think the iPhone 4 was the greatest iPhone ever.

My options, obviously, are to buy an iPhone SE, hold on and hope my 8 survives another 6-8 months until the iPhone 12 comes out (noting that there's a good chance that it still has the iPhone X-style rounded sides, which doesn't appeal to me all that much), or (bear with me) buy a refurbished iPhone 4S.

Call me crazy, but I'm leaning toward the 4S. I use my phone way too much to read things on the internet. I want to stop doing that so much. I want to just use my phone to take calls, send messages, access emails and attend zoom meetings. I don't care if the camera sucks by today's standards - I have an actual camera that still (just) takes better shots than the iPhone 8. Then when (if) the iPhone 12 comes out and fulfils all my dreams (aside from the one where 3.5-4" phones become standard again), I've only dropped around AUD$80 on an iPhone 4S, which I'll be able to use as a streaming iPod (thanks headphone jack!).

On a scale of 1-10, how much will I regret this decision and wish I'd just got an iPhone SE2 that will last 2-4 years? What are the odds Apple Music will stop working on iOS 9 at some point and I'll be stuck with a crappy 8GB iPod?
 
EM2013 said:
You’re complaining about battery life on a 2.5 year device yet you’re considering an 8 year old device that will have worse battery.
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It’ll be refurbished with a new battery. The 8’s battery is severely deteriorated.
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BugeyeSTI said:
I'd get SE2 then either keep it as a backup when the 5.4 12 is released or if you don't like the 5.4 just keep using the SE2 until Apple offers something you want
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This is a good point, but even with true SE’s trade in value I think the cost of buying two new phones within 6 months of each other is more than I can justify.

This is definitely my second choice though.
 
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Why 4S and not 5S which would be a little more bearable? SE2 would be a good option but if you plan to upgrade to the 12 already then hold off.

How bad is the 8? I mean if it's in a decent case it should be ok to use still.
 
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If I was happy with a 5S, I'd get an SEv1! I used to have a 5S until the battery died entirely. The iPhone 4 form factor, with the glass back, is so much nicer. I know, I know, I've proven myself unworthy of taking custody of a glass-backed phone :( The SEv1 is a tempting option as well, though prices don't seem to have dropped yet despite the SEv2's release.

When you say 'bearable', is the implication that the 4S is more or less unusable? Will I just be setting myself up for frustration with its 512MB RAM?

The 8 is getting pretty bad. It's ok to use in the case, but chunks of glass have fallen off so the internals are exposed but for the case :O Honestly the battery deterioration is more of an issue for now.
 
Luckily because the SE has only just launched, you may be able to get a good chunk of the money back when you come to resell it in September (Unless it gets postponed due to the current situation). I do like the SE2 and if I didn't have the iPhone 11 Pro Max, it is the phone I would be purchasing. Also with the age of the 4S You won't be able to download a lot of the apps that you may use on a daily basis so if I were you, I would give it a miss
 
tlab said:
When you say 'bearable', is the implication that the 4S is more or less unusable? Will I just be setting myself up for frustration with its 512MB RAM?
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The iPhone 6 is too slow to use these days, I can’t imagine a 4S
 
johny328i said:
4s is waaaaay too old. It lacks support for most apps nowadays, and the small amount of RAM renders it hardly usable. SE1 is your pick.
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I agree with this... I sold a 4S, 5S, and 5C to friends this week. My favorite phone from my oldies-but-goodies list is the 5S, and the SE1 was a direct upgrade for that. I'm with you though on wanting to do "less" on a phone and try out the 4S. I think you'll get the same experience with an SE1 though. Plus the screens and battreries are super cheap and pretty easy to install if you want to refurbish yourself.
 
I'm not sure what carrier you use, but I'm with Verizon and they won't even activate a 4S anymore. So you may need to check if the 4S is even supported by your carrier anymore.
 
tlab said:
I have been using an iPhone 8 for 2.5 years - essentially since its release. The glass back has shattered and while it's protected in a case 24/7 it's slowly becoming a bit of a hazard. Plus the battery life is rapidly deteriorating. Long story short, I need a replacement.

I'm tempted by the SE but I'm also very intrigued by the rumoured 5.4" iPhone 12, especially if it's got the iPhone 4/iPad Pro style design. I still think the iPhone 4 was the greatest iPhone ever.

My options, obviously, are to buy an iPhone SE, hold on and hope my 8 survives another 6-8 months until the iPhone 12 comes out (noting that there's a good chance that it still has the iPhone X-style rounded sides, which doesn't appeal to me all that much), or (bear with me) buy a refurbished iPhone 4S.

Call me crazy, but I'm leaning toward the 4S. I use my phone way too much to read things on the internet. I want to stop doing that so much. I want to just use my phone to take calls, send messages, access emails and attend zoom meetings. I don't care if the camera sucks by today's standards - I have an actual camera that still (just) takes better shots than the iPhone 8. Then when (if) the iPhone 12 comes out and fulfils all my dreams (aside from the one where 3.5-4" phones become standard again), I've only dropped around AUD$80 on an iPhone 4S, which I'll be able to use as a streaming iPod (thanks headphone jack!).

On a scale of 1-10, how much will I regret this decision and wish I'd just got an iPhone SE2 that will last 2-4 years? What are the odds Apple Music will stop working on iOS 9 at some point and I'll be stuck with a crappy 8GB iPod?
Click to expand...
You mentioned Zoom. The 4s will let you run Zoom, but I don't know for how long and I don't know how well. The thing is that the 4s can only go as far as iOS 9.3.6. Zoom requires iOS 8 at minimum, but if you're going to use any other apps (other than the stock apps) then you're going to be in a bind.
 
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Get a 1st Gen SE. I'd sell you mine if you'd want. Or just get the SE2. You will likely be able to recoup your money if you sell it when the 12 comes out. 4S may have trouble getting activated.....
 
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The 4S is just far too old at this point, iOS 9 is losing support and it runs terribly. If you plan on doing any web browsing, forget it. Just too frustrating to actually sit and use. 8GB is also way too low for any real use. If you do end up with a 4S, please get at least 16GB or you're gonna be in a lot of trouble when your storage is full after a week or two.

5S is the bare minimum now I'd say, skip the 6. 6S and SE1 are still competent options, and can be had for quite cheap. Just hunt a bit and you'll find some good deals. You can always do a trade-in to recoup most of the cost later, hopefully.
 
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I'm using a 6s parallel to my Xs, and it's pretty fine actually. SE1 is basically almost the same, so you all be alright.
 
My 4S works ok 🤷🏻‍♂️

It’s not the beast it was before though. And my 5S seems to walk all over it.. I saw some kid in his twenties on the bus yesterday sporting a 4S. I did feel bad for him briefly, at least its something.
 
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freeagent said:
My 4S works ok 🤷🏻‍♂️

It’s not the beast it was before though. And my 5S seems to walk all over it.. I saw some kid in his twenties on the bus yesterday sporting a 4S. I did feel bad for him briefly, at least its something.
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I see in your signature, though, that you have 3 iPhones newer than that. Would you really use the 4s as your daily driver?
 
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