Question for iPhone users

[grumpyduck]

As an Android user, I'm fascinated by the idea that Apple seems to be coming out with new iPhones all the time. I just received a text from TMobile offering me $800 off on a new iPhone 13. Seems it was only yesterday they were pushing the iPhone 10.

Do people really upgrade every time a new phone comes out?

What are the differences? Are they that major?

[LakeArenal]

1. Rich gadget heads might. I have had my I-6 for 6 years.

It works fine.

[ananda]

2. I have an iPhone 7 Plus

Works fine, does everything I need it to.

[Bettie]

5. That's what I have too...

though, as I get a little older, I do wish the screen was a little bit bigger!

[ornotna]

24. Just upgraded from a 7 plus

That I was more than happy with. Unfortunately the battery wasn't holding a charge very well, so now have the 12 pro max. It's a nice phone that I expect I'll have for a few years at least.

[ananda]

30. Sounds good. My battery is OK for now.

I'm sure I'll upgrade at some point, just not yet.

[Sogo]

3. I still use my Apple SE

that came out at the time of the iPhone 5.

It works just fine, because Apple decided to continue to update the SE.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

4. I don't. Only reason I'm on my 2nd iPhone is my first one got too old to be updated.

Both were the cheapest models in the line.

[Elessar Zappa]

6. I update every three years.

It’s not worth it to get a new phone every year, imo.

[House of Roberts]

7. I'm using an I-Phone 6.

It still has the headphone jack, which connects to the stereo in my truck.

The idea that eliminating the jack was a good thing is ludicrous.

[Mme. Defarge]

11. Exactement!

When my beloved, precious iPhone 6s can no longer be updated, I might still try to use it for downloading and listening to audiobooks, if that’s still possible.

[seaglass]

28. Yes it is possible. I just swapped out my iPhone 5 for my son's old iPhone 8 and am still listening

to podcasts and Sirius XM on my iPhone 5. As long as you can connect to WiFi you're good. It is weird though that both phones ring when I get a call even though I can't answer on my 5.

[Mme. Defarge]

29. Great!

And yes, that is very strange.

[Hoyt]

8. Have an iphone 8. Don't see replacing it until it stops working or something significant is released

Had a bunch of android phones before that, but my iphone is much easier to use and always works, at least so far. I'm not a big user of features other than browsing, occasional photos, etc.

It is so perfect for me, that I really don't pay much attention to their semi-annual new phone ads.

[TDale313]

9. Certainly not every time for me.

My last one was an iPhone 6. Just upgraded last year to a 12.

[Tetrachloride]

10. I get by with an iPhone 6.

If I was a filmmaker or photographer, i would upgrade or get a film camera.

Newer phones will eventually be required for some phone service.

Leading Issues of updates : battery, camera, Face ID login

General iphone advantages: App Store security and its not a Chinese company.

There is zero chance i would use an Android phone if my iphone is working.

[AZProgressive]

12. I have an IPhone 11 I think

I recently upgraded from an Android. I like the phone better and don’t feel I need a newer IPhone.

[lynintenn]

13. Just upgraded from a 6 to a 12

I like Apple products since it pairs with my computer and I can answer texts on my MacBook. I do not like the 12. I only switched because I dropped my 6 on concrete and broke the screen. It has some nice upgrades and the screen in larger but the 6 was simpler.

[Locutusofborg]

36. For me it was 6 plus to 12

I like the 12!

[hlthe2b]

14. I don't. I had an iphone 4 for a very long time, an iphone 5c, even longer and now have the second

second edition version of the SE.

I like smaller phones and the trend to go bigger and bigger just doesn't work for me. If it won't fit in my scrub pockets, it is no use to me.

Having the latest, greatest features is of little concern to me. I only care about reliability and security.

[TxGuitar]

15. Just upgraded my 7 to a 12

Only because it stopped working properly.

[FreeState]

16. Wait Android based phones aren't updated every year?

It's not just Apple that releases new technology every year. Samsung, Google, etc all release new phones every year.

[Sympthsical]

17. My 13 Pro is coming today!

Very excited. I unfortunately also scheduled contractors to come give estimates on in-ground sprinkler repair. So, every time the doorbell rings, I get all excited, and then no. It's just a sprinkler guy. It's like I put pants on for nothing.

I upgrade once every two or three iterations. I'm going from an 11 pro to a 13 pro. I probably would've waited for 14, but I kind of ran over my current phone with my car, so it's looking a little . . . experienced.

Battery life improvements are always good for me, as I can disappear from dawn to dusk sometimes. I usually have a 26,800 mAh battery around, but if I don't have to carry it, it's a plus. There's supposed to be a significant upgrade with the 13. Also very significant camera upgrades. I actually do use the cameras for things, so that's ducky. Also, again, ran my phone over. So my current cameras seem a little wonky.

120Hz screen refresh on the Pro. So graphical things run much more smoothly. I don't think your average user is going to bother about this. Games and editing will look better.

So, yeah, I upgrade somewhat regularly. My entire life is in my phone. Work, school, banking, social, etc. So it's the one thing I'll really bother about. My PC is 7 years old, my macbook 6, and my car 8. I have no plans to replace those anytime soon. But the phone, yeah, it's kind of like the one thing I treat myself about.

[nolabear]

20. What kind of connector does it have?

I want to upgrade but the universal USB-C issue has me worried. It’s already a pain to have different cords for the phone and my trusty laptop (a Mac, I might add).

[Sympthsical]

21. The usual lightning port

The phones are boxed with a lightning to USB-C cable, I believe. I think that's what was with my last one. But the old lightning port cables work, too.

Are you talking about the EU story that just came out about USB-C?

If so, the story is a bit click-baity. It's something the EU wants to do, but member countries first have to do some things, then they'd give manufacturer's two years on top of that. Most estimates have the mandatory EU conversion no sooner than 4-5 years away.

[nolabear]

32. Oh that's good to know. I figured change couldn't be fast

or unilateral.

[beaglelover]

18. I only upgrade every few years. I'm still on a 10 and it is working fine and the battery is fine

as well. I'll keep this one until I have to upgrade due to it breaking.

[Hekate]

19. I've had my iPhone for almost 4 years & enjoy it. I upgrade via download whenever they say...

… to make sure it remains current, but hell if I’m going to lay out the big bucks every year for a whole new gadget.

[NutmegYankee]

22. No. Most hang onto older models until they start to show age problems.

I'm still rocking an 8.

[Hortensis]

23. I had an iphone 5 for years, but when we moved to a new area

our carrier upgraded me to a 7 with wi-fi calling for free when their signal wasn't adequate for the 5 to reliably pick up. They didn't have any technical fixes to offer. I told them that at our age and in a rural area we had to be able to call 911 and have others check on us, which was true, and those were apparently the magic words that allowed the CSR to offer a more powerful phone to solve the problem (not mentioned before). The 7 is a better phone, not just more functions, and solved the problem.

Our daughter and her husband like new models, and last year she decided I needed her old 11Pro. It has better reception still and great battery life annd camera. The downside is that it will do all the things our kids think I should be using a smart phone for. and they know it.

[edbermac]

25. Just got a 12 mini

Had to because my five year old iPhone 6 battery would only hold a charge for about half an hour. I pretty much like it except for the fact there’s no headphone jack and you have to use those expensive stupid AirPods.

[Mosby]

26. I have a galaxy 9 and going to keep it until the wheels fall off.

Its a GREAT phone.

[Lemon Lyman]

27. -

I think only die hards and/or those who are doing well financially upgrade yearly. That's for Apple or any other manufacturer. As someone said upstream, Samsung releases a new Note phone (and others) every year.

As far as the new version having a lot more to offer than the previous version, it of course depends. From what I've read the new 2021 products (iPhone 13, Apple Watch 7, etc...) aren't big upgrades from 2020's versions of each. Take the watch for example. The screen is a little different (the screen goes to the edges, no bezel, whatever). But there aren't many other changes. People like me are waiting for a (or several) great new feature(s). Specifically with the watch, people want things like:

Different form factor (some people would like a round watch -- I'm not one of them)
Extended battery life (maybe last 1 week on a charge instead of 1 or 2 days)
Blood sugar monitoring
Blood pressure monitoring

I'm someone who wants new/more health features. Currently (if you have a 4 or newer) you can do an EKG. If you have a 6 or the new one you can check pulse ox.

[RobinA]

31. Apple Randomly

sends secret death rays to older phones making previously well-functioning phones cease to do what they’ve been able to do up until then. Suddenly your phone becomes a pain in the ass to operate, so you have to upgrade. I’m currently using a 6, but they’ll find me eventually.

[PTWB]

33. I have an old XS Max that is still running well.

I plan to upgrade pretty soon but I’m hoping to wait for a more substantial upgrade than the 13 series offers.

[kairos12]

34. Nope. Get one maybe every 6 years.

[lunatica]

35. I've had two Apple iphones

Theiphone 6+ and when the charger broke off inside it I got the iPhone SE. no regrets and no plans to upgrade.

[treestar]

37. Nothing really noticeable if you aren't a geek on the subject

I went from 4 to 5 to 7 to 10 - when it starts really going slow and giving me trouble, I upgrade to the latest, or almost latest - now they are getting to have many different forms of the latest.

Supposedly the cameras are better each time.

I saw someone in the shower talking on the phone - at the gym - maybe it was an iphone, from 8 they were supposed to be able to deal with water.