Breaking the Apple iPhone Upgrade Cycle

In this post, I try to convince myself that I should be content with the iPhone in my pocket.

It’s September, and for months I have suffered from the iPhone itch.

The iPhone itch is a common condition. It affects millions of people across the world this time of year.

Some years I can go unaffected. This year it’s beginning to feel like a significant flare-up.

The cause?

The hype around the iPhone 16.

In the distant past, I upgraded my iPhone every September to the latest and greatest until I found a cure.

The cure was common sense and willpower.

The trusted iPhone 12 Pro Max has been a faithful companion since 2020.

Can our relationship continue, or will iPhone 16 promotional messaging win out?

A Reminder to Self: Why I Stopped Annual iPhone Upgrades

I stopped buying a new iPhone every year for one simple reason. Despite technological advances, my everyday use of the phone remained unchanged.

New iPhones were snappy. Images grew in megapixels. The App Store grew with improved pro apps.

But my use case is constant. It is photography, writing, music, banking, shopping, payments, and home security. Oops, I forgot about telephone calls and messaging.

My first iPhone was the 3GS. I bought it when the iPhone 4 was on the cusp of release. But I opted for the tried-and-tested 3GS. It had rave reviews.

Today’s decision is the same as in 2010. Do I buy a tried-and-tested device or take a risk with a new model?

I upgraded from the iPhone 3GS to the 5, 5S, and 6 Plus, followed by the iPhone 7 Plus.

The iPhone 7 Plus was the best phone I'd used. But it had nothing new over the 6 Plus it replaced. The recurring theme was set. Incremental updates oversold by marketing.

After a couple of phablet-sized phones, I yearned for a normal phone.

Enter iPhone X.

Eager, I took possession one week after the launch. The iPhone X was mine, all mine.

But doubts set in. I had ditched a fine phone for a taste of the future.

I smile when I recall Jony Ive presenting how the iPhone X will evolve over time with software.

The iPhone X became obsolete in a year. Replaced by the XS.

But hell, the XS was new, shiny, and fixed the faults of the previous iteration.

The iPhone X and XS were a perfect size for one-handed use, and the OLED screen was beautiful. The one iPhone decision I regret was giving up the XS and purchasing the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max

Influencers discussed why they thought the iPhone 12 was the best phone for most people. But, in a world of triple-lensed smartphones, did I want a phone for years that limited the camera to two lenses?

Price was irrelevant because if you can afford £800 for a new iPhone, you can afford £1,000. £200 or a little over £8 a month for two years is negligible.

As in the past, I fell for hype and:

• Stainless steel in place of aluminium.
• Three lenses.
• 800 nits brightness, whatever they are.
• Ceramic Shield.

I missed the two-year-old iPhone XS that I traded in for the 12 Pro Max. The XS was scratch free - mint condition. But, within weeks, the 12 Pro Max’s Ceramic Shield had scratches. A first for me.

And the Pro Max weighed a ton. I have held onto the 12 Pro Max for four years and have longed for a non-Max-sized phone for all that time.

Why Do I Want to Upgrade the iPhone?

I need to ask myself this honest question.

Why do I want to change my phone?

The key word is ‘want’. It is a want. I want a small phone. If I were in possession of the standard iPhone 12 Pro, changing would be off the agenda.

It is a personal thing. Others might prefer a Max-sized smartphone. There are many who use the iPhone 13 mini and long for its renewal.

I have lost count of the times I have browsed Amazon, Apple Refurbished, and my mobile provider for a good deal. Good deals are hard to find, as the prices between generations are marginal.

iPhone Upgrade Considerations

Nothing beats a list to set out some rationale for deciding. The list outlines some points on upgrading to an iPhone 14 Pro versus keeping my iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 14 Pro is the main contender.

I am worried about reports of 15 Pros overheating. I also want to avoid getting caught up in the AI hype surrounding the new iPhone 16.

I checked the specs of both phones. It's a choice between photography and cost.

A major camera upgrade would be great. But I love my carefree ownership and not seeing another debit from my bank account. I can throw the phone onto a table, carry it in a hip pocket, or take it on holiday without worrying about it costing £1000.

It took two years to pay for the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and I have kept it for an extra two years. That’s two years payment-free.

Resisting Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence, or AI, will be a game changer for the smartphone market. Or that is what commentators claim.

I have doubts that AI on the phone is for everyone. It could be a generational thing, and I could be wrong, but it would take a revolution to change my daily phone use.

Let’s look at some of the early AI tools that Apple has promised in the video below:

• Genmoji: Apple’s AI-generated emoji. It looks like fun, but I don’t share the world’s obsession with emojis.
• A smarter Siri: This excites me. A Siri that will understand my non-American accent, working with me in my context.
• Writing support: It allows users to rewrite and change the tone and formality of a piece. It also checks grammar and spelling. This could put third-party writing apps on borrowed time. They must offer unique, specialised services to compete. Be mindful of AI changing your writing 'voice'.
• Image Playground: An app that generates images. It's like Adobe Firefly, but for your phone.

The online consensus is that AI will take another year to prove its potential. If this is correct, the iPhone 17 could be the one to buy. That’s a mere 52 weeks to wait.

An important consideration is the potential for an AI subscription. AI will be free for everyone. But some reports say Apple will charge for future premium features.

The Poor Economy of Older iPhones

If you want to buy new, the bad news is iPhones hold their value. When I priced a refurbished iPhone 14 Pro on Apple’s UK site, the interest charge of 14.9% eroded the savings. Little difference remained between the current model and the iPhone 14 Pro. No incentive.

Amazon UK was charging the same price for both 14 Pro and 15 Pro.

There is the option to buy from the used market, but there is some risk of receiving a damaged or faulty device.

The Risk With New iPhone Models

If Apple Refurbished offers little discount and buying used has risks, what about the brand new iPhone 16?

There are aspects of the iPhone 16 that sound safe. Extra RAM. A titanium body. Larger screen. A new capture button. Updated bluetooth and wifi.

But what of the shrunken bezels?

Many iPhone generations have had issues:

• iPhone 4's antennagate.
• iPhone 6 Plus' bendgate, and
• iPhone 15 Pro models running warmer than previous models.

Will an iPhone screen with bezels of 1 mm be a marvel or a weakness? Time will tell.

Decision Time

By outlining my thoughts, I risk sounding like a spoiled child.

“Oh, will I get this iPhone or that iPhone”?

With world problems like wars, hunger, and intolerance, choosing an iPhone is meaningless. Let me be clear about that.

At the end of the day, what would I get for a new monthly expense?

My daily use would remain unchanged. I'd love a 48-megapixel camera on my phone. But I enjoy the OM System OM-1 and OM-5 cameras. The iPhone 12 Pro’s camera is available if I need it.

The latest iPhones are fantastic. But, they don't tempt me to upgrade.

That’s what I’m telling myself.

My alternative?

For much less money I could treat myself to a new lens.

Thanks for reading. If you found this story helpful, please consider buying me a coffee. It would mean so much. 😊

And if you are tempted by the call of a 48 megapixel iPhone camera, have a look at this.