[anizan]

High-quality phone cases from brands like UAG and OtterBox, designed to withstand multiple drops and falls, allow users to keep their phones for longer periods without needing to upgrade.

Despite Apple's efforts to continually update the iOS software and consume more memory and CPU resources with minimal user benefits, there seem to be no compelling reasons for me to upgrade from the iPhone 12 at this time

[vsnf]

I've been an iPhone user since the OG in 2007, with a stint of Lumias (RIP) in the early 2010s. I'm currently on an aging 11. I've always been somewhat miffed at iPhones because they've never once cared about whatever consumer segment I fall into. Every year like clockwork it's "better camera". That's it. Whatever other innovations they do under the hood, the only overt thing they advertise or care about it is better camera. Sure, its nice I guess, but I'm not a big taker of pictures. After the iPhone 8, photo quality got basically good enough for me that everything after has been a barely noticeable upgrade. I'm sure teenagers, TikTokers, and amateur photographers really care, but boy howdy, I do not.

I'll be upgrading to the 16 come September, because my phone is kind of falling apart at this point, but it will done wholly without excitement.

I really just want hardware buttons so I can use the music controls by touch, without taking my phone out of pocket. I really just want the clickwheel iPod back.

[diffeomorphism]

Because cameras and screens are the main things which set the luxury/flagship segment apart and apple sells only in that segment.

If "good enough" is fine, just get a budget or midrange phone.

[vsnf]

Apple has other aspects that appeal to me. By and large, I like the OS, and by and large, I don't like any of the Android variants. This is what keeps me on the platform. But the unexciting upgrades is what keeps me from upgrading.

[badpun]

Get the iphone SE then. More than good enough for everyday intents and purposes, and you’ll save hundreds of dollars.

[vsnf]

Does this really solve any of my problems though? I’m not especially price conscious on phones, I’m just unexcited and feel somewhat underserved. Besides the physical home button, my primary wish for music controls goes unanswered by the SE. Plus I find it’s a little small for my hands. I’d absolutely get it if it was obviously better in some way than a Max model or whatever, but is it?

[badpun]

I don't think it's better (unless you prefer smaller phones, which is the case for me), but it's also not worse, and around 50% cheaper. Unless you're a multimillionaire, that should be a factor.

[jandrewrogers]

Main reason to upgrade is significantly better camera and the satellite connectivity. If you don’t care about those, it doesn’t matter that much. I will say that I like the 15 a lot, it is a good “final version” of the product with balanced hardware that doesn’t feel like a transition, one of which they produce every few years. Some models don’t feel like a final form, more like half-baked intermediate versions.

Will replace it in 3-4 years per usual, assuming the hardware materially improves.

[seanmcdirmid]

I upgraded to a 13 after having a 10 forever. Magsafe (introduced with 12) is a nice feature, though I guess it can be jury rigged into older iPhones via a case? And Apple key is nice, although that was more of an Apple Watch upgrade. Unless they make some break through with on-phone low latency conversational AI (or something similar), I can't see myself finding a reason to upgrade.

I get the feeling that people with cheap Android phones might upgrade more often, but I have no evidence to back that up.

[kalleboo]

> allow users to keep their phones for longer periods without needing to upgrade

Except they're talking about smartphone sales being up in general.

This is all about China trying to distance itself from Apple (and Apple on their hand trying to distance themselves from China but eat their cake as well)

[paxys]

I have an iPhone 11 Pro. Been trying a bunch of friends' 14 and 15 Pros to see if I should finally upgrade. Literally can't notice a difference.

[olliej]

I really don’t understand the “you must buy a new phone every year” crowd.

It hasn’t been the case that year on year hardware improvement remotely warranted upgrading - for iPhones or android for almost a decade. You get the majority of new OS features for 4 or 5 years before new features start needing new hardware support.

[sentientslug]

Only big noticeable difference is the higher refresh rate on newer Pro models. I also still have an 11 Pro Max.

[bestnameever]

My iPhone 12 Pro Max looks pretty much brand new, despite never being in a case. I really wonder how much those cases really help these days

[bzzzt]

They stop the wobble from the camera island if you put your phone face up on the table.

[olliej]

So for you, not providing OS updates to old phones is supporting them?

That’s a new one.