I see, it don't affect me cuz I buy every year haha
Then you're safe I suppose
I bought my 5S with the intention of keeping it for at least three years even though I'm only on a two year contract now. I made it from the iPhone 4 until the 5S came out so with the considerably more powerful hardware I expect it shouldn't be a problem to last that long, assuming the limited RAM doesn't drag the device down in the meantime. I fear that when 64-bit apps become more standard they'll hog RAM like nobody's business, not to mention iOS updates that get more and more demanding. I'm confident I'll get lots of good use out of this phone (which I love) but I know it could have been better.
Anandtech claims the hardware in 5s is so powerful, there is nothing currently out that stresses it. So I wonder if it'll be as smooth as it is now with iOS 8.
I absolutely believe it to be true, the RAM on the 5 and 5S is an issue now - let alone in a couple of years time. Intentionally crippled and Apple will make sure that future releases of iOS are RAM-hungry, just to expose it.
Why would Apple even offer upgraded iOS versions to older devices if they were really trying to sell more devices?
Why would Apple even offer upgraded iOS versions to older devices if they were really trying to sell more devices? Why does OS X Yosemite run on hardware from 2007 when Apple could easily make an arbitrary decision to cut off a couple years of older hardware with little to no backlash?
Most importantly, if you really believe what you're saying, why would you ever buy another Apple product again? I know I sure wouldn't.
As a selling point?
They know once you download and install the latest iOS on your older device that it will not run as good and you will have to upgrade. My wife thinks I need to keep my phone for a long time but I told her you can only update the iOS 2 or 3 times until it won't run anymore. I might sell my iPhone 5s to get a 6s just to get rid of my edge payment.
It's called planned obsolescence. They've been doing it for years. They have some of the world's best software engineers, and they could probably make all of the phones run excellent. But, they don't because they want you to upgrade every 2 years.
However, the 5/5c appears to be just as fast as the 5s because the 5c was released in 2013. I guarantee you if Apple didn't release the 5c, the A6-based devices would run slower than they currently do on iOS 7.1.1.
Well, yes... but every feature Apple decides to include can be considered a selling point.
Except you don't have to upgrade just because of a new OS. You can upgrade whenever you feel your device no longer meets your needs. Maybe it is indeed related to the installation of a newer version of iOS, but maybe you're just tired of your phone. After all, newer iPhones and iPads tend to run pretty well for about two years after they are released.
I don't want to throw in any conspiracy theories, but every time a new iPhone comes out, the previous one becomes slower with the updated OS.
4S is slower with iOS 7, even thought it's a very capable hardware.
Anandtech claims the hardware in 5s is so powerful, there is nothing currently out that stresses it. So I wonder if it'll be as smooth as it is now with iOS 8.
Yes, technically you don't have to upgrade and you can upgrade whenever you feel like. But as soon as a new OS is released, it will automatically download itself when the device is on WiFi and plugged in, and take over several GB of storage with no way for users to reclaim that space. So, on a 16GB device, it's either upgrade or instantly lose ~10 - 25% of your storage.
I know you can get around by diligently charging off Wifi, or cramming the device full to prevent auto download, bit that's not a true "choice".
Praying the 4S can run iOS 8 just fine.
Used an iphone 3G on iOS 4 until February of this year when I got my 4S.
Love the iphone but upgrading every 3 years is ridiculous. I don't have a problem dropping 2K on a laptop that will last 5-6 years, but $600-800 on a phone that will be outdated in 3-4 is ridiculous.
Bought my 3G for $40 in 2011 and my 4S for $80 this year. Plan on continuing to buy used...
The iPhone 5S is not even pushed to its hardware potential yet so I'll be curious how this plays out.
My guess is it'll work just as good and the next iPhone will be more different in the design department rather than processor
Praying the 4S can run iOS 8 just fine.
Used an iphone 3G on iOS 4 until February of this year when I got my 4S.
Love the iphone but upgrading every 3 years is ridiculous. I don't have a problem dropping 2K on a laptop that will last 5-6 years, but $600-800 on a phone that will be outdated in 3-4 is ridiculous.
Bought my 3G for $40 in 2011 and my 4S for $80 this year. Plan on continuing to buy used...
If it was going to be a problem they would make it so that you couldn't download the update to the device.
For example I cant update my older iPod touch with iOS 7 because it says its not supported by the hardware.
Erm, iOS7 on the iPhone 4 anyone?
They aren't just phones though are they? More like mini computers with a camera and phone attached. Tech gets dated pretty quickly, but every top smartphone is good for at least a couple of years.