Other Tough to decide which one to pick

[Shirasaki]

Hello guys. I am eyeing on upgrading my current iPhone 6s Plus to a newer one. Since I do not like smaller phones, iPhone 7/8 Plus and iPhone XS Max are my options. The problem is, iPhone XS Max, while packs a ton of new hardware features, costs $2049 AUD (256 GB). On the other hand, iPhone 8 Plus cost $1400 AUD (256GB), but obviously does not have a lot of features that iPhone XS Max has. Which one do you guys will recommend? I am curious about face Id and faster processor. On the other hand, iPhone 8 Plus is still fairly new and A11 may be able to hold another year or two.

Any input is welcome here.

Update: Sorry that I forgot a point. My old iPhone 6s Plus got water damaged while playing around near a pool yesterday. As of now the Apple Watch is the only option for me to make a phone call, which is not that practical. I was still reeling from the dead iPhone 6s Plus, which I do like to use.

 

[Adam Warlock]

I think even at $1,400 the iPhone 8 Plus is absurdly expensive, but I'll bet it'll do everything you need for years to come. Unless the XS Max has features you absolutely cannot live without--and I can't imagine what those might be--I'd save the $650 if I were you.

Also don't forget you may kick yourself in a few short months for plunking down over $2,000 (!!!) for a phone soon to be eclipsed by the iPhone 11 or whatever it'll be called.

 

[infamousnxtAir]

Wait until September. It is only 3 months away.

 

[44267547]

Hello guys. I am eyeing on upgrading my current iPhone 6s Plus to a newer one. Since I do not like smaller phones, iPhone 7/8 Plus and iPhone XS Max are my options. The problem is, iPhone XS Max, while packs a ton of new hardware features, costs $2049 AUD (256 GB). On the other hand, iPhone 8 Plus cost $1400 AUD (256GB), but obviously does not have a lot of features that iPhone XS Max has. Which one do you guys will recommend? I am curious about face Id and faster processor. On the other hand, iPhone 8 Plus is still fairly new and A11 may be able to hold another year or two.

Any input is welcome here.

I think the familiarity factor would be there with the 8 since you own iPhone 6S+, and you can save quite a bit of money, and they do share quite a few similar features between the Max. But you mentioned you were unsure about Face ID, what I would do, is maybe try the Max for 14 days through Apples return policy, if you don’t like it, then revert to the iPhone 8+.

As far as the difference of processors, the major difference with the A12 is smart HDR camera and 60 FPS for gaming over the A11, otherwise the speed differences are mainly negligible.

It’s far is the ‘waiting period’ until September, if you want the Max now, it won’t be majorly different in all likeliness from the iPhone 11, aside from the ‘triple lens camera’, unless you’re someone that is deeply invested into Apples camera upgrades.

 

[bruinsrme]

Hello guys. I am eyeing on upgrading my current iPhone 6s Plus to a newer one. Since I do not like smaller phones, iPhone 7/8 Plus and iPhone XS Max are my options. The problem is, iPhone XS Max, while packs a ton of new hardware features, costs $2049 AUD (256 GB). On the other hand, iPhone 8 Plus cost $1400 AUD (256GB), but obviously does not have a lot of features that iPhone XS Max has. Which one do you guys will recommend? I am curious about face Id and faster processor. On the other hand, iPhone 8 Plus is still fairly new and A11 may be able to hold another year or two.

Any input is welcome here.

I think it comes down to 2 things cost and form.
Cost well that’s evident.
Form. I encourage you to spend some time typing on the phone options. With the 6,7 and 8 series the bezel plays a big part on typing as the keyboard is set move towards the center of the phone, further from the edge.
If you’re thinking the max the issue will be less felt but in the XS the outer left and right keys were most affected. In other words, the thumbs are forced outward typing and may cause discomfort.
I had the X and now the max.
When the max was released I worked at an Apple store and the price was too attractive to pass on.
Many X customers came in looking to upgrade to the S series, mostly X to the max.
One of the biggest reason was the typing issue noted above.

64g isn’t enough so the 256 is really the min, some may argue but with the larger screen I have 15 movies on my phone.

I and many others complain about the price. I just paid $4 for a cup of coffee.

So, the 8p will provide the used to comfort but with some much better hardware.
The max will give you more screen, facial recognition (which I love) a nice step up in hardware but with a price.

Your 4-5 months out before the new phone, can you wait?
Then my last point if you spend a lot of time on your phone you may opt for the max. I was excited when the iPad Pro lost the home button as I am one that doesn’t miss it.
[doublepost=1557834576][/doublepost]

Wait until September. It is only 3 months away.

It’s the worst time of the year to be looking for a new phone, isn’t it?

 

[Shirasaki]

I think it comes down to 2 things cost and form.
Cost well that’s evident.
Form. I encourage you to spend some time typing on the phone options. With the 6,7 and 8 series the bezel plays a big part on typing as the keyboard is set move towards the center of the phone, further from the edge.
If you’re thinking the max the issue will be less felt but in the XS the outer left and right keys were most affected. In other words, the thumbs are forced outward typing and may cause discomfort.
I had the X and now the max.
When the max was released I worked at an Apple store and the price was too attractive to pass on.
Many X customers came in looking to upgrade to the S series, mostly X to the max.
One of the biggest reason was the typing issue noted above.

64g isn’t enough so the 256 is really the min, some may argue but with the larger screen I have 15 movies on my phone.

I and many others complain about the price. I just paid $4 for a cup of coffee.

So, the 8p will provide the used to comfort but with some much better hardware.
The max will give you more screen, facial recognition (which I love) a nice step up in hardware but with a price.

Your 4-5 months out before the new phone, can you wait?
Then my last point if you spend a lot of time on your phone you may opt for the max. I was excited when the iPad Pro lost the home button as I am one that doesn’t miss it.
[doublepost=1557834576][/doublepost]
It’s the worst time of the year to be looking for a new phone, isn’t it?

Thanks for your input. Really appreciated.

Sorry that I forgot a point. My old iPhone 6s Plus got water damaged while playing around near a pool yesterday. As of now the Apple Watch is the only option for me to make a phone call, which is not that practical.

I am aware that there are only a couple few months away from the latest iPhone release. But with the previous price hike, I am almost certain iPhone XS Max (if they still sell it) will keep the price and reserve even higher price to the latest iPhone.

 

[44267547]

I am almost certain iPhone XS Max (if they still sell it) will keep the price and reserve even higher price to the latest iPhone.

The only reason Apple would maybe raise the price of the 2011 iPhones would be due to a tariff, which I question. Aside from just raising the price for the ‘sake of it’, that won’t happen. I think Apple made that evidently clear that China’s economy can’t sustain any more price increases, especially when Apple just decreased the price other iPhone over there, not to mention, I’d say the iPhone will retain its price point, not lower the prices, but focus more on the trade-in values as Tim Cook already mentioned.

 

[now i see it]

If my iPhone just got damaged from water and was no longer usable, I'd buy a used cheap old model iPhone on Swappa to hold me over until September, then make a buying decision after seeing the new 2019 models (then sell the Swappa phone).

The iPhone 8 plus will still be available next year, so there's no risk in waiting to see what the 2019 models bring.

 

[Shirasaki]

If my iPhone just got damaged from water and was no longer usable, I'd buy a used cheap old model iPhone on Swappa to hold me over until September, then make a buying decision after seeing the new 2019 models (then sell the Swappa phone).

The iPhone 8 plus will still be available next year, so there's no risk in waiting to see what the 2019 models bring.

Is this also okay to buy a new iPhone and use three months, then sell it before September? Will the iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone XS Max hold their value fairly well (80% or higher if I am lucky)?

Another option is accepting apple’s replacement iPhone 6s Plus ($600) and use that one. Not sure about this option.

Also, I tend to stay away from first batch of the latest iPhone and prefer waiting three to four extra months after the release to see the feedback and such. My upgrade ideal month would be February or March after the iPhone release.

 

[now i see it]

I'm no financier, but a new 2018 Max has a greater likelihood of depreciating faster (lose more money) than a new 8 Plus if either were to be sold after WWDC.

The Max is a version 1 of a model, whereas the 8 Plus is the last of its kind. The 2018 Max may get discontinued in September, but the 8 Plus will surely be available. The 8 Plus will always be a "classic", whereas the 2018 Max will soon be forgotten.
I couldn't give unbiased advice as to which one to get because I'm a 8 Plus fan.

 

[Shirasaki]

I'm no financier, but a new 2018 Max has a greater likelihood of depreciating faster (lose more money) than a new 8 Plus if either were to be sold after WWDC.

The Max is a version 1 of a model, whereas the 8 Plus is the last of its kind. The 2018 Max may get discontinued in September, but the 8 Plus will surely be available. The 8 Plus will always be a "classic", whereas the 2018 Max will soon be forgotten.
I couldn't give unbiased advice as to which one to get because I'm a 8 Plus fan.

Thanks again for your opinion. Appreciate it.

 

[44267547]

The concern with the 8+ is that will be continue to be discounted again this fall, which will drop the value even more on that phone, even if it is the ‘last of its kind’ [Which Consumers don’t care about that]. The reality is, the Max won’t necessarily be depreciate any faster, but will likely offer more lucrative discounts/used models on the market once the 2019 6.5 Max is introduced.

I’d say the most compelling thing to wait for, would be the ‘triple lens camera’, it has its advantages moving forward in the next major leap for camera technology, if that’s not of interest, then I don’t think they’re being anything necessarily worth waiting for, being that’s the most anticipated hardware upgrade this year.