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iPhone 17 Would you hold on to your old iPhone, which continues to receive the latest iOS updates, without succumbing to the hype of purchasing a newer model?
- Thread starter chmania
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Three things get me to upgrade my tech:
1. a new feature that I value greatly not on my extant devices
2. Present tech doesn’t run things smoothly
3. Their OSes have switched to security updates only (sometime in that two year window)
1. a new feature that I value greatly not on my extant devices
2. Present tech doesn’t run things smoothly
3. Their OSes have switched to security updates only (sometime in that two year window)
did you consider replacing the battery instead?
i am also considering the air while using a 13mini with degraded battery
I had an iPhone 15 Pro (natural titanium) which was in good condition (almost as new, externally perfect) but unfortuantely the battery life just wasn't good enough.
It also got pretty hot at times.
The 17 Pro Max is not hype, the battery life is far superior. I don't expect to replace it very soon - I keep my phones for a long time.
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My wife has that Oppo, and we also have the Poco. We're awaiting the new OS updates in November or December. Once that happens, I want to check if they can connect to my Mac in a similar way to how an iPhone does.
I just went from a 13 mini to a 16e because I had to charge my mini three times a day minimum since I don’t have WiFi now. Apple did swap the battery on the mini but size does matter and I only charge once a day now. I miss my mini but not the battery. Used it for over four years but the 16e had a Prime Day special for 569 Euro.
Sorry for your hearing challenges.
Have you tried used AirPods? The newer model now has hearing aid enhancements. And would certainly improve general calls and music listening for your needs.
I still have my iPhone 8 Plus although it doesn’t get any more updates. The SIM was removed when I upgraded to my current iPhone 14 two years ago. Normally I sell my older phone, but this time I just never got around to it. I decided that since my 7th gen iPod Touch likely won’t last forever I’d hold onto my 8+ for the day my iPod comes to an end.
Yes, I know most people just use their Phones for music, but I prefer not to. I like having the iPod specifically for music.
This isn’t unprecedented. Years ago I gave my father my old iPhone 4 when I upgraded because he needed a new phone. When he passed away in 2017 I reclaimed the phone and not long after my ten year old iPod Nano died on me. I decided to use my old iPhone 4 as a glorified iPod to replace the deceased Nano. I can’t recall exactly how long I used the iPhone 4 for music, but eventually I bought an Open Box 7th gen iPod touch and finally recycled/disposed off the old iPhone 4.
I really wish Apple still made the iPod (although I was never a fan of the iPod Shuffle). But someday my dormant iPhone 8+ will likely be my new (oversized) iPod.
Yes, I know most people just use their Phones for music, but I prefer not to. I like having the iPod specifically for music.
This isn’t unprecedented. Years ago I gave my father my old iPhone 4 when I upgraded because he needed a new phone. When he passed away in 2017 I reclaimed the phone and not long after my ten year old iPod Nano died on me. I decided to use my old iPhone 4 as a glorified iPod to replace the deceased Nano. I can’t recall exactly how long I used the iPhone 4 for music, but eventually I bought an Open Box 7th gen iPod touch and finally recycled/disposed off the old iPhone 4.
I really wish Apple still made the iPod (although I was never a fan of the iPod Shuffle). But someday my dormant iPhone 8+ will likely be my new (oversized) iPod.
Yup, I don’t plan to upgrade until this phone dies. This is a 5 year old phone and it still works well.
Reduce electronic waste. We all, yes including you, will face consequences of environmental pollution and resource wastefulness. There’s also the psychological and personal consequences of always responding to Capitalism’s temptation: that’ll be what many religions characterize as greed and continual dissatisfaction.
Reduce electronic waste. We all, yes including you, will face consequences of environmental pollution and resource wastefulness. There’s also the psychological and personal consequences of always responding to Capitalism’s temptation: that’ll be what many religions characterize as greed and continual dissatisfaction.
I still use my iPod Nano, especially when walking. I think Apple messed up by deciding not to keep producing it. I know, everyone said the cell phone would replace it...but not for me.
The big draw of the Nano was that it was much smaller than the old Walkman-size offerings people often had. Due to the size, I would no more walk with a cell phone for a music device than I would a Walkman.
^^ I use my iPod for music in my car or to connect to my bluetooth speaker at home. I haven’t used it with headphones for years.
LOL ... I am doing the same at present. I have my Nano connected with USB and sitting in the console. I use the on-screen to select music.
Thanks for your input.
I didn't mention that my hearing aids connect directly to my iPhone via Bluetooth—my audiologist programs them at least twice a year. I attribute the performance improvements mentioned in my post to enhanced input from the iPhone 17 Pro, as perceived by my hearing aids (Oticon Real). These improvements span from the iPhone 13 Pro to the iPhone 16 Pro, and continue through the iPhone 17 Pro.
I am skeptical of OTC hearing aids, so I have never tried the AirPods.
My wife has milder hearing loss. She ignores the money we spent on her hearing aids and persists with her AirPod Pros. My disapproval of her approach is an "unmentionable" at home, though she promised to go back to the audiologist.
Sure: "very little change... ...other than cameras and processors." IMO cameras and processors are kind of a big deal.
Replaced rhe battery (75% health…) on my 13 mini. Made a ton of difference in day to day use for the battery. Easily make it to the end of the day now again.
Still, I think iOS26 seems a bigger drainer than iOS18.
If there is no perceivable speed bump in day to day use…no bother for the processor being 3 times the speed (battery though…). Camera: should be better, but I also read people don’t see the difference comparing a 13 and 17 (?). I never compared. Although I easily spot the phone photo and mirrorless photo when viewing on proper screen. Much more crispness, dynamic range and “realness” with the latter.
I have a 13 Pro Max with 87% battery life for > 3yrs running iOS 18.7.2.
Texted Apple Support who did a diagnostic on my device, which has ~750 charges.
Said that diagnostics were negative and everything seems fine. Wait until 1,000 charges to see what happens. Don't need to consider a battery replacement until then.
It's amazing how I still get ~1 day's worth of charge from the device.
Will probably consider a battery replacement next spring/summer and keep it for another few years, maybe waiting for iPhone 19-20.
My iPhone still meets my daily needs, don't game or anything but Safari is a damn hog and sucks up battery life very quickly.
Texted Apple Support who did a diagnostic on my device, which has ~750 charges.
Said that diagnostics were negative and everything seems fine. Wait until 1,000 charges to see what happens. Don't need to consider a battery replacement until then.
It's amazing how I still get ~1 day's worth of charge from the device.
Will probably consider a battery replacement next spring/summer and keep it for another few years, maybe waiting for iPhone 19-20.
My iPhone still meets my daily needs, don't game or anything but Safari is a damn hog and sucks up battery life very quickly.
I just checked with CoconutBattery; my older iPhone has 1,206 charges. I'm charging it every second day from around 40% to 90%. I'm not a heavy user, although I play Mahjong quite frequently on it. 
If I had to charge it every day, then I’d consider getting the newest one available.
If I had to charge it every day, then I’d consider getting the newest one available.
If you care about those things sure, but they aren’t outwardly visible changes. For those looking to have the newest in the fashion sense, they are basically the same, which was my point in comparing it to car manufacturers.
I personally couldn’t give a flip about the cameras.
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Get the battery replaced by Apple when it hits 80%. Problem solved.