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Upgrade or not from X?

  • From X to 11

    Votes: 8 5.1%
  • From X to 11pro

    Votes: 67 42.7%
  • Holding on to the X another year.

    Votes: 82 52.2%

  • Total voters
    157

chfilm

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Nov 15, 2012
3,402
2,084
Berlin
Hey,

I know I know, this thread is kinda redundant, but still, would like to discuss this a bit with others who are potentially in my shoes.
Have an X, with Apple Care+ running out on November 2nd. (Important for resell value or to potentially swap it once for a new battery..)

I'm really tempted by the cameras in the 11pro, as I was already amazed by the better contrast and colors last year and the portrait mode in wide shots, that's something I really miss on my X.

I know myself though, that when Apple comes out next year with USB C and a notch-less design, I'll want to upgrade again.
So the question is, are you guys who feel the same holding out another year, or do you think it might be an option to trade up to the regular 11 for one year, to have the better camera always with me to keep those memories in the nicest possible way, or just bite the bullet, get the 11 pro and upgrade again next year? Or just to hold on to the X because, what does the better camera really matter after all...?
I should add that I really don't like the form factor of the regular 11.

What are your thoughts?
 

wib

macrumors regular
Nov 16, 2013
167
120
You can now renew AC+ monthly after the 24 months are up.

That’s amazing news! It’s the first I’d heard of it. It doesn’t look like it’s available where I am yet (and my devices are outside the window of opportunity now) but it seems like a way for Apple to keep getting an income from the people who don’t upgrade as often but take care of their devices and would like the extra reassurance...

Thank you for telling us about it!
 

Moakesy

macrumors 6502a
Mar 1, 2013
576
1,209
UK
This is me.

Thinking exactly the same and looking at reviews, reading up on people's experiences, wondering if to...

1) do it this year
2) wait until next year
3) buy now, then sell it and upgrade again next year

Main reason are battery (currently lucky if the battery lasts the entire train journey home) and camera, as do use the camera a fair bit for stuff I do at work.
 
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chfilm

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Nov 15, 2012
3,402
2,084
Berlin
This is me.

Thinking exactly the same and looking at reviews, reading up on people's experiences, wondering if to...

1) do it this year
2) wait until next year
3) buy now, then sell it and upgrade again next year

Main reason are battery (currently lucky if the battery lasts the entire train journey home) and camera, as do use the camera a fair bit for stuff I do at work.

Exactly my thoughts!
I’m considering to buy and sell it again next year.
I’d definitely do this if there was also the MAJOR expense of the new Mac Pro looming this year... this is really holding me back.
was just at the store again and playing with the 11. It’s a nice phone I think, just by itself I’m even leaning towards the slightly bigger screen. But when you put a bumper on it it just becomes way too big I think... the upgrade price to the 11 would be totally neglectable if we consider a resell value of 600€ and Substrat the vat. tax from the new 900€ phone.
 

MacDevil7334

Contributor
Oct 15, 2011
2,552
5,812
Austin TX
I decided to upgrade from the X to the 11 Pro this year. Apple offering me 40% of the original value for a 2 year old phone definitely helped tip the scales a bit. I will likely sell and upgrade again next year, especially if the rumored smaller model materializes. In the meantime, I am absolutely blown away by the cameras on the 11 Pro and the improved battery life is great as well.
 
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le.bouch

macrumors regular
Aug 3, 2010
163
73
I decided to upgrade from the X to the 11 Pro this year. Apple offering me 40% of the original value for a 2 year old phone definitely helped tip the scales a bit. I will likely sell and upgrade again next year, especially if the rumored smaller model materializes. In the meantime, I am absolutely blown away by the cameras on the 11 Pro and the improved battery life is great as well.
Ditto. Went from X to 11P with zero regret. Cameras (DF looks amazing), battery, overall speed, Face ID all much improved. Got a good resale for my X - not sure I would this time next year. I may sell again next year for the 2020 model BUT remember notchless, USB-C etc is still pure speculation. What if next year only brings an 11Ps and you’re still sitting there with your X...?
 

mavis

macrumors 601
Jul 30, 2007
4,771
1,541
Tokyo, Japan
I upgraded from the X to the 11 Pro Max for the battery, bigger screen, and the cameras. Haven't regretted it at all, in fact, I'm even more impressed by the new phone than I thought I'd be. Check out the difference in this shot I just tried on both phones - maybe an extreme example but it gives you an idea of the massive improvements Apple has made to the cameras on the iPhone. This alone made the upgrade worthwhile, IMO. I didn't do any post-processing on these images - this is how they looked, as-shot.

comp_1.jpg


comp_2.jpg
 

Howyalikdemapls

macrumors 6502a
Sep 2, 2013
822
873
There are countless opinions out there that could sway you either way. It’s doubtful that one persons opinion will be the deciding vote, but personally I am waiting.

I went from the 6 to the 7 and when the X came out I upgraded again. The 6 and the 7 felt very similar but when I got the 11 it was a world of difference.

I’m sure if I go from the X to the 11 I will want to upgrade again when the redesign comes out next year. I just don’t feel it’s a responsible financial decision to get the 11 when I know with near certainty I’m going to want the 12 more next year than I want the 11 now.

I’m the type of person that always liked being on the “number” years instead of the “s” years though. I liked having the 4, 5, and 6 rather than the 4S, 5S, and 6S. The 7 was the wildcard because I was still accustomed to a two year upgrade cycle. Now that Apple has switched to a three year design cycle I guess I’ll switch to a three year upgrade cycle so I don’t end up upgrading twice every three years again like I did with the 6, 7, and X.
 
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stillcrazyman

macrumors 603
Oct 10, 2014
5,597
64,007
Exile
I'm upgrading from an X to an 11 Pro Max. Better cameras, bigger screen. Got a good trade allowance on the X, so that made it easier.
 

jaybar

macrumors 68020
Dec 11, 2008
2,073
639
It happened on 10th September. Just check AppleCare+ terms.

No! It’s more complicated. I spoke to agreement administration and you can only convert within 60 days of expiration.

I am amused at these endless upgrade or wait threads. Moreover, there are people “certain” about what the next phone will bring, but at this point, it is only speculation.
 
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dangerfish

macrumors 6502a
Aug 28, 2007
584
133
Do we really think we’ll have a major design change during an “S” cycle? Usually we don’t see design changes then. Isn’t it more likely we’ll get rid of the notch with the iPhone 12?
 
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BugeyeSTI

macrumors 604
Aug 19, 2017
7,141
9,027
Arizona/Illinois
I’m keeping my X for another year. If this years 11 pro would of had Qualcomm modems I would of upgraded this year as I feel 5.8 is the sweet spot for phone size for me. The difference in performance in everyday use is negligible as seen in multiple performance test between the X, Xs and the 11pro. The big differences are in opening/exporting large files or intensive games which I never do and camera quality which I can get satisfactory performance from camera apps that are available like Focos. Next years switch to 5.4 most likely will be the wrong direction for me as I don’t want a smaller form factor but I’m willing to wait it out to see what is offered. Plus not having payments is something that never gets old
 

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,834
5,733
That's why I love the upgrade program. If you join and love the new phone next year then you can easily trade the old phone in and upgrade. If you don't you can hang on to your phone and own it after two years.
 

jaybar

macrumors 68020
Dec 11, 2008
2,073
639
That's why I love the upgrade program. If you join and love the new phone next year then you can easily trade the old phone in and upgrade. If you don't you can hang on to your phone and own it after two years.

people have to be careful about IUP. if you decide to keep your phone and not upgrade the next year, you are automatically dropped from IUP at the end of the 24 months and you need to start over with a complete new enrollment.

some people assume once enrolled always enrolled.
 

wba1990

macrumors 6502
Oct 1, 2015
482
282
Birmingham, England
I had an X got my 11 Pro other day but sending it back, in all honesty not enough of a difference for me better battery yes and cameras but thats it

I might buy an 11 Pro about Jan/Feb 2nd hand if a decent price, but not enough to spend on it now
 

chfilm

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Nov 15, 2012
3,402
2,084
Berlin
That's why I love the upgrade program. If you join and love the new phone next year then you can easily trade the old phone in and upgrade. If you don't you can hang on to your phone and own it after two years.
I wish apple was offering the upgrade program in Germany ;(
i could do a 12 month business leasing, but the minimum price is 1500€.
 

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,834
5,733
I wish apple was offering the upgrade program in Germany ;(
i could do a 12 month business leasing, but the minimum price is 1500€.

Oh that sucks! I really enjoy upgrading every year on the program. Hopefully you'll get it eventually.
 

UBS28

macrumors 68030
Oct 2, 2012
2,893
2,340
Apple held back alot with this update so that is why i will wait.
- 120 hz display
- 5g
- reverse wireless charging
- better edgeless display (the iPhone has too thick bezels)
- do something about the notch.
- better bluetooth codec support (since Apple removed the headphone jack, atleast give us all the codec support?)
- more ram (give us real multitasking)
- usb-c

These are easy things to implement in the iPhone 12 based on what Android phones have right now. So I am a bit worried that if I spend $1500 on an iPhone Pro 11 Max, i will buy a new phone the next year again.
 
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