New iPhone Advice

[disneychrista]

I am in the market for a new iPhone. My current phone is an 8 plus and no longer receives updates. It is only a matter of time before apps stop updating. Which iPhone would you suggest I get. I generally keep my phones for at least 5 years. The iPhone 16 plus is $929, the 15 plus is $829 and the 14 plus is $629. I don't need the latest or greatest. I just want a reliable phone that I don't need to replace for 5 or more years.

 

[robinb]

I am always of the opinion that you should buy the best electronics you can afford because it will last longer. If you can afford the 16 plus, I would buy it.

 

[disneychrista]

I am always of the opinion that you should buy the best electronics you can afford because it will last longer. If you can afford the 16 plus, I would buy it.

That is my opinion generally as well.

 

[_19disnA]

My view is that most Apple products are overpriced for what you get compared to the competition. To me they are all just a phone that happens to let you do texting or read emails when not at home. I have an Android based phone and keep it until the battery no longer holds a charge. Adding new 'features' is just an attempt to sell you a newer phone.

 

[Micca]

The 16 plus is only $100 more than the 15 plus? I'd go top of the line.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I would vote for the 16 plus too

 

[Christine]

If you keep your phone forever, go with the latest model.

 

[disneychrista]

My view is that most Apple products are overpriced for what you get compared to the competition. To me they are all just a phone that happens to let you do texting or read emails when not at home. I have an Android based phone and keep it until the battery no longer holds a charge. Adding new 'features' is just an attempt to sell you a newer phone.

I had an Android and hated it. Bought an iPhone and will only ever buy iPhones from then on. One could say Android phones are cheaper for a reason.

I don't care about any newer features. And only get a new phone when it fails or in this case can no longer be updated. I am going on vacation in March and don’t want apps I use to become unusable due to updates I can’t get, so I am buying now to prevent this.

 

[kymom99]

I had an Android and hated it. Bought an iPhone and will only ever buy iPhones from then on. One could say Android phones are cheaper for a reason.

I don't care about any newer features. And only get a new phone when it fails or in this case can no longer be updated. I am going on vacation in March and don’t want apps I use to become unusable due to updates I can’t get, so I am buying now to prevent this.

That’s wise, and you will have an upgraded camera for pictures!

 

[fla4fun]

I agree with buying the most recent phone you can afford, as it will be supported longer and have more up to date components. I would not rule out the 14 or 15 (I have the 14 Pro Max myself) if they fit your budget better, but if it is not a financial hardship to buy the 16, that is what I would buy.

 

[MillauFr]

I just bought a refurbished 13 on Amazon for $400. Works fine. I didn't want to get a locked phone from one of major carriers and be forced to pay a huge monthly bill. Mint Mobile is $180 per year.

 

[Brian Noble]

didn't want to get a locked phone from one of major carriers and be forced to pay a huge monthly bill.

You can always buy an unlocked phone of current vintage.

 

[disneychrista]

I just bought a refurbished 13 on Amazon for $400. Works fine. I didn't want to get a locked phone from one of major carriers and be forced to pay a huge monthly bill. Mint Mobile is $180 per year.

I would probably buy it straight from Apple so it would be unlocked. It is the same price as my current carry (Straight Talk).

How is the service on Mint? I have thought about switching. That is about half what I currently pay.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Two options...

1. If you're not into having the newest or don't have a specific need tied to the newest, buying refurbished on Amazon is the way to go. I do this for my kids. I even save a little extra if I buy a carrier specific phone vs unlocked.

2. If you want the phone that's got the longest span before becoming obsolete and/or you have a need for some of the newer tech, go for the 16. I bought a 15 Pro new (before the 16s came out) back in June because I had a need for the upgraded camera.

*We also check the deals with our carrier, since sometimes we get discounts on other perks by going through them.

 

[MillauFr]

You can always buy an unlocked phone of current vintage.

Why buy a new one? Don't they cost $1,000+? I guess I don't pay any attention to understand why the new phones are any better than the old ones.

 

[MillauFr]

I would probably buy it straight from Apple so it would be unlocked. It is the same price as my current carry (Straight Talk).

How is the service on Mint? I have thought about switching. That is about half what I currently pay.

Mint works great. I get 5G and the speed is pretty good. Even works in the subway so I'm happy with it.

 

[fla4fun]

If I were considering refurbished phones, I would stick to the refurbished phones on Apple’s website. You get the same guarantee as a brand new phone and can purchase Apple Care if you wish. Unfortunately, they haven’t had anything newer than the 14 series on there any time I have looked recently, but I would think the 15 series should be appearing soon now that the 16s are out. I feel confident that Apple stands behind their refurbished phones the same as they do their new ones. I know there are people who have had good luck with used phones on Amazon, Best Buy, etc., but unless I could see their product before buying, I would not feel comfortable buying it.

 

[disneychrista]

Why buy a new one? Don't they cost $1,000+? I guess I don't pay any attention to understand why the new phones are any better than the old ones.

My reasoning is that they are newer and will be supported longer. Apple guarantees updates for at least 5 years. So that means a refurbished 13 has only 2-3 years more of updates before you the phone becomes obsolete. Where if you buy a new 16 you can get 5+ years out of it.

I did some math and based on 5 year life span the new 16 comes out to $15.48/month the new 14 (with 3 more years of updates) comes out to $17.47/month even though it is $300 cheaper to purchase. Assuming your refurbished 13 gets 2 more years of updates that works out to $16.67/month. So cheaper to purchase now but you end up spending more over the long run having to buy a new phone in 2 years.

 

[MillauFr]

My reasoning is that they are newer and will be supported longer. Apple guarantees updates for at least 5 years. So that means a refurbished 13 has only 2-3 years more of updates before you the phone becomes obsolete. Where if you buy a new 16 you can get 5+ years out of it.

I did some math and based on 5 year life span the new 16 comes out to $15.48/month the new 14 (with 3 more years of updates) comes out to $17.47/month even though it is $300 cheaper to purchase. Assuming your refurbished 13 gets 2 more years of updates that works out to $16.67/month. So cheaper to purchase now but you end up spending more over the long run having to buy a new phone in 2 years.

Isn't a minimum of 5 years but more like 7 or 8 years? I was using a I*Phone 7 at work until last year.

 

[disneychrista]

Isn't a minimum of 5 years but more like 7 or 8 years? I was using a I*Phone 7 at work until last year.

It can be but it isn’t guaranteed My iPhone 8 stopped getting updates this year after about 6 years.