Other What would be a more reasonable upgrade strategy?

[Sami13496]

I update my iPhone as rarely as possible. For me reasons to update are the phone has become uncomfortably slow or it doesn’t get the latest updates anymore. Battery can be replaced. I only use Apple products, i.e. iPhones for phones. However, I want to spend as little money as possible on gadgets. I'm wondering what makes more (financial) sense a) always buy the newest iPhone and use it as long as possible or b) buy devices a few generations older but update them more often. For example, get an iPhone 12 now and then in two or three years an iPhone 15, etc. Or get an iPhone 15 now (when it’s released) and use it for like 5 years.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. I’m on XR now and next year if it doesn’t get iOS 18 I will upgrade.

Also I buy only non-pro models, if that matters.

 

[Andeddu]

It’s probably better to just buy the latest model, in your case it would make sense to pick up the iPhone 15 when it’s out. That means you can have the latest and greatest and have the peace of mind that it’ll last you 6-7 years of solid use as a daily driver. The only thing you’ll need to change is the battery every 2-3 years.

 

[now i see it]

It all has to do with depreciation. Brand new phones lose their value faster than slightly older phones.

Best way to figure it out is go to Swappa. Com and price out different iPhone models offered for sale.
Get the launch day price somewhere online and compare.

It really is just a math problem. Easy math although a bit tedious.

 

[MyPhone99]

Reasonable upgrade strategy ? it depends on who you are

i) For a normal user - iPhones are good for at least 2-3 years or even more and you can still sell them at a decent price especially if its pro phones (for at least 70%+ of its original price in many markets if you can use your phone without much physical dents or scratches , but its value might drop if its more then 3-4 years old phone)

ii) For users who wants latest and greatest (but worried about pricing) - Order on launch day and use it with screen protector and case for about 10-11 months and you can get a great resale value (keep a back up phone to use for this one month , Thus you will enjoy your new iphone on launch day more as you just used an old iphone for about a month Try this , its definitely fun and you will enjoy your new phone much better this way as you can feel the new spec enchantments

iii) For users who wants latest and greatest and don't worry about its pricing - can just upgrade on every launch day either by trading off the phone with apple or with carrier or gifting it to someone , they may not get great resale value but they don't need to go through the hassle of advertising your phone for resale and don't have to waste time in talking to the scammers

iv) For users who just need working iphone - Use it till it die, or replace its battery once in every 3 years , that way you can use this phone for atleast 6-7 years, I still see people using the 6s, 7's without major issues

 

[ctjack]

It is all apple trade in values reliant.
Your option a is the most expensive - driving the phone to the ground basically means getting it to 0 dollar value in couple of years.

For example, 12 pro max had the best value and upgrading to 13 pro max was the cheapest way to keep owning an iphone. But then they cut 13pm value towards iphone 14pm, but 12 pm relatively hold its value and got better deal at trading in for 14pm when doing amortizations by each month - think of it as Apple would still give you 550 bucks for almost 3 year old phone.

I personally buy carrier all cash promos - metro has free iphone 11, cricket has it for 200, boost mobile has iphone 12 for 240, metro had iphone 13 mini for 430. You got the point.

 

[splifingate]

'Reasonable' is an investment in something that you want (and can afford).

'More Reasonable' is an investment in something that you need (and can afford).

Only you can be the judge of that

Upped to a 13-mini (from a 12-mini) with the More Reasonable assessment that said shelf-stock will degrade, over time.

I have no real interest in the Pro/Max phones.

It may very-well be that I can purchase two-handfuls of iPhone 13-mini's in three years time (which I may do), but it seems More Reasonable for me to get one--in my hand, now--while the gettin' is Good

 

[Isamilis]

I update my iPhone as rarely as possible. For me reasons to update are the phone has become uncomfortably slow or it doesn’t get the latest updates anymore. Battery can be replaced. I only use Apple products, i.e. iPhones for phones. However, I want to spend as little money as possible on gadgets. I'm wondering what makes more (financial) sense a) always buy the newest iPhone and use it as long as possible or b) buy devices a few generations older but update them more often. For example, get an iPhone 12 now and then in two or three years an iPhone 15, etc. Or get an iPhone 15 now (when it’s released) and use it for like 5 years.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. I’m on XR now and next year if it doesn’t get iOS 18 I will upgrade.

Also I buy only non-pro models, if that matters.

It’s probably best to get 1 generation behind the latest one. You got the good price but still recent technology. I am still using iPhone 11 now, with iOS 15 (don’t really care about security, I am not VIP person anyway, lol). I will stay (probably will replace the battery soon) until I *have to* upgrade to iOS 17 or 18 (which will slowdown the phone significantly).

In my opinion, I would keep the phone as long as it can still serve its “basic” functions (texting, video call, taking good picture and video, snappy and long battery life plus running some other critical apps like banking, online shopping etc).

 

[ctjack]

It’s probably best to get 1 generation behind the latest one. You got the good price but still recent technology. I am still using iPhone 11 now, with iOS 15 (don’t really care about security, I am not VIP person anyway, lol). I will stay (probably will replace the battery soon) until I *have to* upgrade to iOS 17 or 18 (which will slowdown the phone significantly).

I am also a fan of staying at whatever the phone shipped with - but ios 16.6 was very pleasantly surprising. Phone holds charge longer and actually lags less. And niceties across the software is an added bonus(new homescreen).
PS. My 11 is on 16.6.

 

[one more]

It’s probably better to just buy the latest model, in your case it would make sense to pick up the iPhone 15 when it’s out. That means you can have the latest and greatest and have the peace of mind that it’ll last you 6-7 years of solid use as a daily driver. The only thing you’ll need to change is the battery every 2-3 years.

You would also need to factor in physical wear and tear.

My personal strategy is to upgrade the device when it gets too slow, cannot run the latest iOS or gets seriously damaged.

If all works well with the existing device and I still want to upgrade, I sell my current one or pass it on to a family member.

 

[Andeddu]

You would also need to factor in physical wear and tear.

My personal strategy is to upgrade the device when it gets too slow, cannot run the latest iOS or gets seriously damaged.

If all works well with the existing device and I still want to upgrade, I sell my current one or pass it on to a family member.

If you’re going to keep your phone long term then you’d have to get a nice protective case, preferably a 2 piece to ensure it stays in perfect condition throughout the duration of its use.

There’s no point in trying to save money by keeping your phone for a long as possible and then not protecting it in the best possible way.

I plan on keeping my iPhone 13 long term so the only time it is out of its case is when I clean it once per month. I’ve had it for 8 months and it’s still as immaculate as it was in Day 1.

 

[Surfsalot]

I wait a few months after release and pick up off market place new or near new for $6-900AUD off retail, works every year. Using a 14 pro 256gb paid $1k 6 months ago, retail is $1899AUD.
Wife has a 12 max 256gb paid $1500 retail was $2050, got it 3 months after release.

 

[sjperformance]

I use AUP. Eventually the time will come that I will not upgrade every year. I'm 41 with kids/business. New iPhone on launch day is becoming less and less of a thing for me. Still into it but nothing like before when I was younger. If you can afford it AUP its the way to go via apple card.

 

[stanza.richi]

Do what is more comfortable for you, from every point of view: if you don’t care about having the last piece of tech and don’t want to spend more than X dollars or euros, identify the right device for you and yours necessities

 

[dchoco]

use it as long as you can.

i own many idevices over this decade and first year of depreciation of value is always the biggest, afterwards it just tapers off.

people who are trying to justify switching iphones every year "to maintain its value" are just delusional and trying to justify their purchase decisions.

-------------

only type of demographics that gets the best value out of upgrading iphones every year are those who actually NEED them for professional work.

if it doesn't ... in any way, impede your daily productivity i don't see why you can't extend the shelf life of that iphone.

 

[Isamilis]

If you’re going to keep your phone long term then you’d have to get a nice protective case, preferably a 2 piece to ensure it stays in perfect condition throughout the duration of its use.

There’s no point in trying to save money by keeping your phone for a long as possible and then not protecting it in the best possible way.

I plan on keeping my iPhone 13 long term so the only time it is out of its case is when I clean it once per month. I’ve had it for 8 months and it’s still as immaculate as it was in Day 1.

I think it depends on people. For some, they need case, for the others (like me and my daughter) they just use thin case without screen protector and the phone is still pristine after few years. Also, I don’t plan to sell the phone hence I didn’t really babysit it.

 

[msackey]

Given your practice, I would say buy the latest iPhone when you are ready to upgrade rather than upgrading more often with older models. Rationale? Electronic waste. Upgrading more often just generates more electronic waste.

 

[webkit]

I update my iPhone as rarely as possible. For me reasons to update are the phone has become uncomfortably slow or it doesn’t get the latest updates anymore. Battery can be replaced. I only use Apple products, i.e. iPhones for phones. However, I want to spend as little money as possible on gadgets. I'm wondering what makes more (financial) sense a) always buy the newest iPhone and use it as long as possible or b) buy devices a few generations older but update them more often. For example, get an iPhone 12 now and then in two or three years an iPhone 15, etc. Or get an iPhone 15 now (when it’s released) and use it for like 5 years.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. I’m on XR now and next year if it doesn’t get iOS 18 I will upgrade.

Also I buy only non-pro models, if that matters.

This can be difficult to answer as we don't know for sure where iPhone prices, resales, features, etc. will go in the future. However, looking at the current situation a new iPhone 12 will cost at least $629 and give you around 3-4 years of iOS updates while a similar new current generation iPhone (starting at $829 right now) will give you 6-7 years of iOS updates. You'd have to buy two older iPhones over the 6 to 7 year period to get the same amount of iOS updates as one new current iPhone.

Another option would be to consider an Apple certified refurbished iPhone which includes a new battery, new outer shell and same-as-new 1 year warranty. It may still be best to go new current generation, though.

 

[winxmac]

iOS 17 Supported Devices
iOS 17 requires an A12 Bionic chip or later. It drops support for devices with A11 Bionic chips: the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus and iPhone X. This also marks the third time Apple has dropped support for 64-bit devices. However, devices with the A12 Bionic SoC (iPhone XS and XS Max and iPhone XR) and A13 Bionic SoC (iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max and iPhone SE (2nd generation)) have limited support. Devices with an A14 Bionic SoC or newer (iPhone 12 series and later) are fully supported.[3]

Since iPhone XR/XS/XS Max are the oldest supported devices, and from the linked article, not all features of iOS 17 are available on A12 Bionic devices, it seems that they may not get iOS 18 and either you go with iPhone 14 or 14 Plus or wait for 15 or 15 Plus...

 

[Andeddu]

I think it depends on people. For some, they need case, for the others (like me and my daughter) they just use thin case without screen protector and the phone is still pristine after few years. Also, I don’t plan to sell the phone hence I didn’t really babysit it.

I am generalising because 99% of people would statistically be unable to keep their phones in a good condition for 5+ years without even as much as a screen protector. I’ve already seen lots of banged up iPhone 13s & 14s out in the wild.

If you’re someone who never has an accident, you won’t require much protection. I drop my phone on occasion onto concrete and hardwood floors so I tend to opt for a high level of protection.

 

[canuckRus]

'Reasonable' is an investment in something that you want (and can afford).

'More Reasonable' is an investment in something that you need (and can afford).

Only you can be the judge of that

Upped to a 13-mini (from a 12-mini) with the More Reasonable assessment that said shelf-stock will degrade, over time.

I have no real interest in the Pro/Max phones.

It may very-well be that I can purchase two-handfuls of iPhone 13-mini's in three years time (which I may do), but it seems More Reasonable for me to get one--in my hand, now--while the gettin' is Good

Did same for same reasons. No interest in larger phones.

 

[klasma]

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

You can try to do some math. For example, the 128 GB 14 is currently 14% more expensive than the 128 GB 13, but assuming both get 6 years of iOS upgrades, will also (counting from today) last 25% longer (5 vs. 4 years to go). So it would seem the 14 is the better deal for that storage size. On the other hand, both have basically the same SoC and therefore may be dropped from iOS upgrades at the same time. In that case, the 13 might be the better deal.

IMO, that’s a bit of a wash though, barring a drastic price increase, since future support isn’t completely predictable. I would instead compare the feature set and buy the model you like best. Depending on preferences, not all new features make for a better iPhone. The newer model may be heavier or bulkier, for example, or have a feature you don’t especially like (dynamic island?), or may be losing a feature (physical SIM card slot). In that case, the older model may actually be the “better” one.

 

[TechnoMonk]

I upgrade every 6-7 years or so. Went from 7+ to 13 PM. I usually get the latest model, as I tend to keep the phones longer than most in the US. I tend to stay away from a discounted last year model at the time of purchase. Get the latest, enjoy till it can get the support.