If the 18 pro brings something to the table I want then I will buy will it cost more you betcha but then thats part of the reason I work to buy things.
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Other Why Aren't we Keeping our iPhones for Years?
- Thread starter ElPaso
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raykv23
macrumors newbie
I still regularly use my iPhone SE 2020 since I first got it in June 7, 2022. I really love it, and since this is after my 7 died after almost 3 years, the SE 2 is honestly the easy transition for me. Great phone. It’s actually the longest time I regularly use my phone (not counting my old TCL LX phone I still have since 2018), and my SE is really solid and suits well for my needs.
I’m not one to regularly upgrade after a year or a month, because I feel that’s a waste of time and money. So I prefer sticking to my device for years. Saves money that way, and obviously iPhones gets like 6 to even 8 years of major iOS support and even few more years of security patches, which I found pretty useful and good to have.
That being said, I feel it’s now time for me to upgrade after 4 years. Now I’m seriously considering a 15, 16 or 17, mainly the 17 the most I’m focused on because of bigger storage and part of me wants a Dynamic Island.
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You will find the battery life will easily last a lot longer on the newer ones if that's an issue.
raykv23
macrumors newbie
I was actually wondering about that. My SE’s battery life went down to 73% and while part of me went “oh well it still works and I still got some time with it”, I know that’s not good. I figured getting a new iPhone is the quickest though than waiting for my phone to be repaired.
Many, maybe even most people hold onto their phone until either the battery fails or iOS is no longer supported on the device. In fact, there is a large market for replacement batteries. Only rich geeks do yearly upgrades. (I suspect this forum is filled with rich geeks who actually know what the current iPhone version is. Most users have forgotten which phone they have.)
You can figure this out by knowing the number of people who own an iPhone and the number of iPhones Apple sells every year. The first number is dramatically larger.
Matsamoto
macrumors 65816
I like both phones.
I have a Pixel 6a now as a second phone and I also did try the S23 before buying my currently 15 PM.
The S23 was indeed a good phone but I didn’t like the double apps on everything.
I had 256 GB so it was never a problem with storage, just it felts awkward to have google apps and then Samsung apps.
You can disable them but it’s not the same thing.
The Pixel experience is the one I like more because it’s more clean and snappy.
And it’s imo more lookalike to an iPhone.
But you can’t get rid of the search bar on Home Screen, which is annoying.
But I bet you already know this, and you can’t go wrong with either one, just your personal experience🙂
There are a lot of us that rely on a phone while working more so than at home so for those of us if they add a feature that helps with our work load and make the battery last all day that's a win win.
I've had my 13 Pro Max for more than 4 1/2 years now and other than the trainwreck that is Siri, it still feels out-of-the-box sharp. I'm tempted to go for a 17 Pro Max now due to a very good carrier switching deal, but might be persuaded to wait for the 18 PM if there are meaningful upgrades in the offing (e.g. satellite broadband, C2 modem etc).
This, by the way, is the longest I've had a mobile/cell phone, going right back to my very first in 1998. I've tended to be a two to three year upgrader, and have had smartphones since late 2009, but the 13PM is my first iPhone; prior to that I was on Android despite being a long-term Mac user.
This, by the way, is the longest I've had a mobile/cell phone, going right back to my very first in 1998. I've tended to be a two to three year upgrader, and have had smartphones since late 2009, but the 13PM is my first iPhone; prior to that I was on Android despite being a long-term Mac user.
My approach for quite a while now is to buy high-end product and then keep it a while. I think you get more usability that way.* For example I still use for my desktop display an NEC proofing monitor that I bought in 2013; it will need replacing probably in a year or two as the backlight gradually fades. Once it no longer white balances accurately to 120cdm it's done.
*this does NOT apply to cars. High end cars mostly have overpriced components and are a maintenance headache.
CarlJ
Contributor
I kept my iPhone 6 for four years, and my iPhone 8 for five years, and I expect to keep my iPhone 16 Pro for a similar amount of time.
Too many people complain every year that the new iPhone isn't sufficiently different from last year's model, while ordering the new one to replace last year's model. 🙄
Jimmy James
macrumors 603
Economics. I like the idea of keeping a device for a long time. However, with my Canadian telecom, there’s a buyout at the end of two years. It can be cheaper financing a phone for zero dollars or very little money, month-to-month, instead of paying the buyout once you consider a battery replacement, I figure that I’d need to keep a device about 5.5 years just to break even.
Abazigal
Contributor
I was prepared to hold on to my 13 pro max for another year, but I ended up getting the 17 pro max in April this year when it started developing screen issues. Given the price quoted for a screen replacement, plus its battery health was also around 80%, I figured that I may as well get a new phone.
Still, an average of 4 years in between upgrades isn't too bad a track record.
Still, an average of 4 years in between upgrades isn't too bad a track record.
Still love my 14 Pro. 512GB will last me a long time. Considering how much $$$ it was, if I can make it another 2-3 years, that would be wonderful.
Purple forever!
Purple forever!
I’m still running my iPhone 11 Pro full time as my main phone, actually with its original battery.
Along with Samsung galaxy note 10+, also original battery.
Along with Samsung galaxy note 10+, also original battery.
HandsomeDanNZ
macrumors 65816
I have a 14 Pro, which I had a new battery put in about 6 months ago.
It's still very good, but if the 18 Pro has a decent enough camera spec bump, I'll upgrade this year.
3x Optical tele just isn't cutting it for me now.
I take a lot of photos when out and about, plus of my kids' sport, so a longer optical zoom, plus better image quality (would have to be considerably better on both counts) and I'll be jumping. But then, that'll likely last me another 4-5 years before I upgrade again.
It's still very good, but if the 18 Pro has a decent enough camera spec bump, I'll upgrade this year.
3x Optical tele just isn't cutting it for me now.
I take a lot of photos when out and about, plus of my kids' sport, so a longer optical zoom, plus better image quality (would have to be considerably better on both counts) and I'll be jumping. But then, that'll likely last me another 4-5 years before I upgrade again.
Yeah I would but having taken the case off my 16 Pro for a week, and deciding to put it in a tiny pocket of a new fleece, it dropped out and has a crack on the back.
It's all fine, especially with a case, except I can't put it in water.
Might pick up a new Air or even the first one soon, as I really want a lighter phone anyway.
It's all fine, especially with a case, except I can't put it in water.
Might pick up a new Air or even the first one soon, as I really want a lighter phone anyway.
thecautioners
macrumors 65816
Because T-Mobile lets me upgrade yearly and just pay tax, and last year at least, trading in my year old 16PM, the promo gave me a $45 credit which knocked my monthly cost for the phone down to $0.
I know upgrading after a year means I lose the remaining value of the trade in credit, but I am hopeful that they will have the same/similar promo. Even if not, I don’t mind a $45 increase on my bill, but I can’t imagine them not having at least some type of promo that will lower my cost with trade in.
I just like shiny new things 🤷🏻♀️ the camera is my jam and I love having the best camera possible in my pocket. Can’t quite afford vacations or cars etc so the new iPhone every year is what I save for and look forward to greatly. Ultimately it’s just a super fun thing for me 🙂
I know upgrading after a year means I lose the remaining value of the trade in credit, but I am hopeful that they will have the same/similar promo. Even if not, I don’t mind a $45 increase on my bill, but I can’t imagine them not having at least some type of promo that will lower my cost with trade in.
I just like shiny new things 🤷🏻♀️ the camera is my jam and I love having the best camera possible in my pocket. Can’t quite afford vacations or cars etc so the new iPhone every year is what I save for and look forward to greatly. Ultimately it’s just a super fun thing for me 🙂
Parowdy
macrumors 68000
That design with a black screen or at low brightness and dark mode at night would not look elegant at all.
If you want that look, there are probably screen protectors like this around. And if not, don’t wonder why.
sjsharksfan12
macrumors 68030
I had an Android phone (Samsung 25 ultra) and I switched back to Apple recently because I finally found a way to fix the car play in my car. Now I don't picture myself getting a new phone anytime soon, especially with the inevitable price increases.
raykv23
macrumors newbie
One issue, the Apple store is only couple hours away from my house, while the nearest Metro by T-Mobile store (I’m on Metro) is like a 40 minute drive.
HouseLannister
macrumors 68040
headlessmike
macrumors 68000
I did mine by mail once. Took three days which included being shipped across Europe and back again. I just used my iPhone 5 in the meantime.
Most recently I swapped the battery in my iPhone 11 using a local third party service partner that has access to original Apple batteries. Much closer and easier than going to an Apple Store.
MrAverigeUser
macrumors 6502a
As for me, it is not only keeping my iPhone and iPads for 3-4 years,
but as well my Macbooks (still using my MB 15“ Modell of 2015 without problems, because upgraded to 2 TB SSD).
I purchased my M1 iPad Pro 2TB (model 2022) in 2024 on sold - instead of purchasing a new MBP.
It is not only about keeping and using iPhone, iPad, MacBooks for years,
it is as well choosing only iPhone and iPad models that fit to one ´s REAL NEEDS and prevent overkill-features that you don’t really need. i.e. just a iPone SE (1st gen) followed by a SE 2nd gen some years later and then just an IPhone 14 PLUS 2 years ago…
and I am convinced that my M1 iPad Pro 2 TB is still more than enough for me and surely for 95% of the customers as well… and will serve me surely at least for 3 or 4 years more. My iPhone 14 PLUS 512 GB (bought on SOLDE) is exactly what I really need and will serve me at least for another 2-3 years…
And on top I purchase ALWAYS the model on solde that has been replaced by newer ones, this method reduces mostly the price by 30-50%.
It is all about rational thinking and cool consuming and NOT about always hunting and purchasing Things that you don’t really need at all…
.
but as well my Macbooks (still using my MB 15“ Modell of 2015 without problems, because upgraded to 2 TB SSD).
I purchased my M1 iPad Pro 2TB (model 2022) in 2024 on sold - instead of purchasing a new MBP.
It is not only about keeping and using iPhone, iPad, MacBooks for years,
it is as well choosing only iPhone and iPad models that fit to one ´s REAL NEEDS and prevent overkill-features that you don’t really need. i.e. just a iPone SE (1st gen) followed by a SE 2nd gen some years later and then just an IPhone 14 PLUS 2 years ago…
and I am convinced that my M1 iPad Pro 2 TB is still more than enough for me and surely for 95% of the customers as well… and will serve me surely at least for 3 or 4 years more. My iPhone 14 PLUS 512 GB (bought on SOLDE) is exactly what I really need and will serve me at least for another 2-3 years…
And on top I purchase ALWAYS the model on solde that has been replaced by newer ones, this method reduces mostly the price by 30-50%.
It is all about rational thinking and cool consuming and NOT about always hunting and purchasing Things that you don’t really need at all…
.
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