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iPhone 14 Pro Trade in 14pro for 16 or 16e worth it?

irock101

irock101

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 26, 2011
369
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My battery on my iPhone 14Pro doesn't even last a day anymore, even battery health shows around 85%.
I am thinking about trading it in for a regular iPhone 16 or an iPhone 16e. I don't need a fancy camera and prefer a smaller device.
It's not a question to save money but more if the upgrade is actually worth it? I prefer a smaller device and want to make use of apple AI and just have a fast phone and ideally a long lasting battery. Is the upgrade worth it?
I feel like I am fine with the 14Pro for another year but I have also never experienced the 16 series so I don't know what I am potentially missing. Curious what you guys think?
 
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irock101 said:
My battery on my iPhone 14Pro doesn't even last a day anymore, even battery health shows around 85%.
I am thinking about trading it in for a regular iPhone 16 or an iPhone 16e. I don't need a fancy camera and prefer a smaller device.
It's not a question to save money but more if the upgrade is actually worth it? I prefer a smaller device and want to make use of apple AI and just have a fast phone and ideally a long lasting battery. Is the upgrade worth it?
I feel like I am fine with the 14Pro for another year but I have also never experienced the 16 series so I don't know what I am potentially missing. Curious what you guys think?
Click to expand...
I thought about doing the same with my 14 Pro Max. If you just have the regular pro, it won’t be a smaller phone. It will be lighter though.

It doesn’t sound like you care about the camera on the Pro model. Do you care about MagSafe or have MagSafe accessories? It has wireless charging, but not MagSafe so that may or may not be important to you.

Also, perhaps you want to look at one in the Apple Store if possible. It won’t have the high refresh rate screen so again that may or may not matter to you. For me that means nothing, but some people are serious about their refresh rates. Also USB-C so you’re going to need new charging cables.

If what I point out, doesn’t bother you then I’d say it seems like a better suited iPhone for you. You will notice the weight difference and battery life even comparing both models new is improved a bit.
 
16e is a cheap feeling phone with missing features - not worth it for sure. Regular 16? If you can live with 60hz screen then it’s an option to consider
 
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According to Apple’s own “Compare iPhone Models” webpage, the iPhone 14 Pro is superior for the following reasons:
1. ProMotion Technology
2. Always-on display
3. Stainless Steel with textured matte back glass
4. Ring/Silent switch
5. 5 core GPU
6. Pro camera system with Focus and Depth control
7. Macro photography and more optical zoom options
8. Compatibility with MagSafe accessories
9. Slightly larger display
10. 2000 nits peak brightness
11. mmWave capability and UltraWideband and chip
And a few other features.

The iPhone 16e is a downgrade in my opinion. The iPhone 14 Pro is superior to the regular iPhone 16, in my opinion. AI is the “new thing” but I think the honeymoon will wear off quicker than people think.. and then you’re left with an inferior phone (16e).
 
Iwavvns said:
According to Apple’s own “Compare iPhone Models” webpage, the iPhone 14 Pro is superior for the following reasons:
1. ProMotion Technology
2. Always-on display
3. Stainless Steel with textured matte back glass
4. Ring/Silent switch
5. 5 core GPU
6. Pro camera system with Focus and Depth control
7. Macro photography and more optical zoom options
8. Compatibility with MagSafe accessories
9. Slightly larger display
10. 2000 nits peak brightness
11. mmWave capability and UltraWideband and chip
And a few other features.

The iPhone 16e is a downgrade in my opinion. The iPhone 14 Pro is superior to the regular iPhone 16, in my opinion. AI is the “new thing” but I think the honeymoon will wear off quicker than people think.. and then you’re left with an inferior phone (16e).
Click to expand...
Those 11 selling points make for some seriously subjective 'superiority.' If someone doesn't use a feature that a device doesn't have, can it really be considered a downgrade?
 
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irock101 said:
My battery on my iPhone 14Pro doesn't even last a day anymore, even battery health shows around 85%.
I am thinking about trading it in for a regular iPhone 16 or an iPhone 16e. I don't need a fancy camera and prefer a smaller device.
It's not a question to save money but more if the upgrade is actually worth it? I prefer a smaller device and want to make use of apple AI and just have a fast phone and ideally a long lasting battery. Is the upgrade worth it?
I feel like I am fine with the 14Pro for another year but I have also never experienced the 16 series so I don't know what I am potentially missing. Curious what you guys think?
Click to expand...
I would seriously grit it out through the next 6 months and get an iPhone 17 series when they’re released. We’re halfway through the 16’s lifecycle, do you really want to spend your money on a product that’s released on an annual basis and be on the back half of that equation?
 
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vvvvvv said:
Those 11 selling points make for some seriously subjective 'superiority.' If someone doesn't use a feature that a device doesn't have, can it really be considered a downgrade?
Click to expand...
Those are just the first 11 features I found, see the line after the 11th item. Secondly, you do make a good point.. whether or not the iPhone 16e is an upgrade/downgrade from the iPhone 14 is subjective. Fair point.
 
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irock101 said:
I prefer a smaller device and want to make use of apple AI...
Click to expand...
Apple AI isn't even fully available yet. As someone suggested above, replace the battery and wait for the iPhone 17. Maybe by then (iOS 19), Apple AI will be out. Somehow I doubt it though and don't expect it to be fully available until early 2026.
 
I would also suggest waiting for iPhone 17. There are many downgrades switching to either of those 16 models and in real world use the new features feel basically the same so you're not missing much with this early version of AI. I currently have AI off on my 16 Pro. Only get a 16 if size/weight are number one priority (or if you really want USB-C now).
 
Ask yourself if you need & use all the pro features? I’d say the iPhone 16 & 16 Plus are upgrades in many ways, minus the 60hz and telephoto lens of course. Although the regular 16 models have a 2x crop/zoom.

You’ll also be getting a boost in performance with the A18 & more ram and get Apple AI if that interests you.
 
irock101 said:
My battery on my iPhone 14Pro doesn't even last a day anymore, even battery health shows around 85%.
I am thinking about trading it in for a regular iPhone 16 or an iPhone 16e. I don't need a fancy camera and prefer a smaller device.
It's not a question to save money but more if the upgrade is actually worth it? I prefer a smaller device and want to make use of apple AI and just have a fast phone and ideally a long lasting battery. Is the upgrade worth it?
I feel like I am fine with the 14Pro for another year but I have also never experienced the 16 series so I don't know what I am potentially missing. Curious what you guys think?
Click to expand...

-16 is not smaller. it is slightly but noticeably lighter, so makes 1 handed holding for watching videos a bit more pleasant

-i like commercial AI tech but havent found anything of Apple Intelligence to be useful. that may change over time. Image Playground is laughably bad.

-it doesnt feel any faster for regular stuff. in fact the 60hz limit is noticeably jittier on animations and gives the impression its slower. (i didnt care when i upgraded to 120hz on the 14pro, but i noticed now that i stepped back with the 16)

-turns out, the most useful thing might be usb-c. im a fan of the lighting cable but ive recently had a bunch of new, unfrayed, oem apple lighting cables just refusing to charge the phones. i have way more usb-c stuff around so that is genuinely a good change.

-havent used much but in theory the camera button should be welcomed

i hit my cycle for a free swap. if you have to spend cash, i dont think its worth it. better just to get a new battery.
 
I just ordered a 14 pro off swappa for 400 but needs a battery and 256 gig too.

I'm gonna use it for 2 years and get the iPhone 18. I don't need 1k phones anymore.
 
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Thanks for all your input guys! I will try and just get the battery replaced. Is it one of those things they do in an hour in the apple store or will I have to leave my phone for a few days and end up with a loaner? The last option would make me not want to change the battery and just wait for the iPhone 17 at this point.
 
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vvvvvv said:
What feels cheap about it to you?
Click to expand...
It’s very light (felt like a toy or dummy phone to me), screen looks odd and outdated with those bezels and no dynamic island. And really the whole chassis is kinda basic with nothing modern, impressive or eye catching to it at all, in my opinion.
 
irock101 said:
Thanks for all your input guys! I will try and just get the battery replaced. Is it one of those things they do in an hour in the apple store or will I have to leave my phone for a few days and end up with a loaner? The last option would make me not want to change the battery and just wait for the iPhone 17 at this point.
Click to expand...
Make an appointment, they will do it in store for you if the part is in. If they order it you will be told when it is in and then can very easily without a new appointment go and drop off the phone for its already scheduled repair that was pending the part order.
 
sw1tcher said:
Apple AI isn't even fully available yet. As someone suggested above, replace the battery and wait for the iPhone 17. Maybe by then (iOS 19), Apple AI will be out. Somehow I doubt it though and don't expect it to be fully available until early 2026.
Click to expand...
Damn. Early 2026 might even be a bit optimistic :rolleyes:

www.macrumors.com

Apple Delays Apple Intelligence Siri Features

Apple is delaying some of the Apple Intelligence Siri features that it expected to release in iOS 18, an Apple spokesperson said in a statement to...
www.macrumors.com www.macrumors.com
 
sw1tcher said:
Damn. Early 2026 might even be a bit optimistic :rolleyes:

www.macrumors.com

Apple Delays Apple Intelligence Siri Features

Apple is delaying some of the Apple Intelligence Siri features that it expected to release in iOS 18, an Apple spokesperson said in a statement to...
www.macrumors.com www.macrumors.com
Click to expand...
Its extremely annoying to ask Siri anything, and then itll need you to confirm whether it should use ChatGPT for the query.

I get that cHPT has a cost, but the Apple should provide some intelligence on the query itself and know where the route each question.
 
I don’t think I really need a Pro device whenever I do upgrade, but I think it's still too soon to upgrade from my 14 Pro. It has 82% capacity left, but still lasts me the day just fine. Still runs as well as it did the day I bought it. I'll likely just get a new battery for it when the time comes.
 
thettareddast said:
Its extremely annoying to ask Siri anything, and then itll need you to confirm whether it should use ChatGPT for the query.

I get that cHPT has a cost, but the Apple should provide some intelligence on the query itself and know where the route each question.
Click to expand...
It works fine for me for my needs. Not expecting it, nor do I necessarily want it to, actually like ChatGPT. People don’t yet realize the implications of AI as it relates to security. I believe Apple does and thus treading very carefully.
 
Last edited:
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Can I built a shortcut for chatGTP that it opens if I press a certain button? Never tried shortcuts (you can tell I am not a pro user).
 
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