The case for keeping your old iPhone

‘Tis the season. No, not the one with all of the songs and decorations. That is the season with all the brand new goodies…new iPhones, that’s. Each fall for greater than a decade, we have marked the altering of the seasons with the annual migration (bodily or nearly) of the Apple devoted to Cupertino.

This 12 months has been no completely different. Apple launched the iPhone 14 collection of telephones. In comparison with the earlier 12 months’s iPhone 13 collection, Apple added two vital security options: automobile crash detection and emergency satellite tv for pc call-for-help. The iPhone 14 and iPhone Plus have the identical processor, similar display screen decision, similar storage, and similar digicam capabilities because the iPhone 13 collection.

Additionally: Your Google Pixel has automobile crash detection, too. How you can set it up

The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max do add just a few new goodies. There’s the “Dynamic Island,” a user-interface hack that tries to seek out which means for the notch the place the front-facing digicam friends out from behind the display screen. It is nicely finished, and usually provides some worth, however it’s positive not a cause by itself to purchase a brand new iPhone. The pricier iPhone 14 fashions additionally add a 48 megapixel digicam (which is a giant deal for photographers), and replace the processor one other era to the A16 Bionic, which does present a little bit of a pace bump.

Apple didn’t replace the Lightning connection to USB-C, which implies uploads from the iPhone 14 collection, together with the Professional with these very giant image and video information, stay slower than they must be.

Additionally: iPhone 14 Professional: Enormous new digicam sensor, similar gradual Lightning cable knowledge transfers

Apple giveth and Apple taketh away. This 12 months’s Apple taketh away is the power to make use of bodily SIM playing cards. All iPhone 14 fashions use solely eSIM inner SIM implementations, which has its ups and downs.

I am holding my previous telephone

My each day driver is now a two generations previous, refurbished iPhone 12 Professional Max, and I am holding it. I’ve no plans to purchase an iPhone 14 Professional Max (which might be the mannequin I might swap to, if I cared sufficient to do it). There’s nothing in both the 13 collection or the 14 collection that rocks my world sufficient to pony up the large bucks to make a substitute. Plus, the eSIM is such a ache within the butt to alter out, nearly at all times requiring some calls to the provider, that it is simply not value it.

My spouse, however, should resolve to improve to an iPhone 14. Not one of the new iPhone 14 options (equivalent to they’re) significantly intrigue her. However she’s operating a comparatively low reminiscence 64GB iPhone 11 Professional. If the low reminiscence configuration proves too annoying someday this 12 months, she may decide to improve. However that will not be as a result of attractiveness of the brand new telephones. It is largely as a result of beneath configuration of her previous telephone.

Additionally: iPhone 14 Professional innovation scorecard: The hits and misses

Cannot wait vs. improve calculus

Talking personally, relating to tech upgrades, I often strategy them with one in every of two mindsets. The primary is what I name the “cannot wait” mindset. That is after I’ve been utilizing a tool for too lengthy and it is grow to be too troublesome. That might be due to too little reminiscence, as a result of the battery is dying too usually, as a result of one thing’s damaged, or there’s a problem with apps. “Cannot wait” happens after I have been holding out, desperately hoping for a brand new machine to grow to be obtainable to fulfill some burning wants.

The second mindset is the “improve calculus” mindset. That is after I take a look at the options within the new machine to see if any of them look like they’re one thing I actually need. This usually depends upon how behind you’re in telephone releases. For instance, after I jumped from my beloved 6s Plus to the iPhone 12 Professional Max, I noticed large enhancements in nearly every part. Moreover, the 6s Plus had simply stopped being supported by present iOS variations, which was a high-quality motivator for upgrading.

However in case you have an iPhone 13 and purchase an iPhone 14, you will not discover any enchancment in any respect except you are caught in a mobile useless zone on the highest of a mountain. These two fashions are nearly an identical.

Additionally: Most individuals do not want Apple’s flashy new journey tech. This is what we really want

The case for holding your older iPhone

I’ve talked a few bunch of causes I am not upgrading, however let’s flip it again to you. Listed below are some causes you may need to follow what you have got. You may need to hold your older iPhone if…

For those who do not need to spend massive bucks on a brand new machine. When you can nonetheless purchase a bottom-equipped iPhone SE for $429, the iPhone 14 fashions begin at $799 and prime out at $1,599. That is numerous inexperienced to spend, particularly in a near-recession 12 months sinking beneath the load of unprecedented inflation. Given how little the iPhone 14 provides, it may be sensible to hold onto your cash (and your telephone) for an additional 12 months.

If the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus add nothing that may change your life. Until you are climbing mountains or are touring outdoors of mobile vary, the iPhone 14 is an iPhone 13 minus the SIM card slot. There’s simply nothing right here that justifies an improve except you are coming from a a lot older mannequin.

In case your battery is holding up. In case your battery is holding up simply high-quality, you won’t must improve. Even when your battery wants assist, most Apple battery replacements range from about $50 to about $70, an entire lot cheaper than shopping for a brand new telephone.

When you have sufficient RAM. For those who’ve received loads of storage, you won’t really feel pressured to discover a higher answer. With 256GB, I’ve numerous RAM in my telephone and it is holding properly. My spouse, nonetheless, my resolve to improve as a result of she has lots much less RAM in hers.

For those who do not care about bragging rights. Some of us like to point out off that they’ve the most recent tech. Maybe that is as a result of it says that they had the cash to get it, or as a result of they assume it makes them look cool, or just because they love the product. However in case you do not care, do not spend.

For those who do not want one for some work-specific cause. I generally purchase the most recent tech to put in writing about it, however relating to my telephones and my computer systems (that are mission-critical to doing my job and managing my life), I wait till I am darned positive the disruption is value it.

For those who journey overseas. It is a powerful one, as a result of the satellite tv for pc emergency characteristic is welcome insurance coverage if one thing goes horribly fallacious whereas climbing within the Alps. However the eSIM swap is sort of problematic, particularly if you’re outdoors the nation. You simply may need to follow an older telephone.

For those who use a non-mainstream provider and do not need to swap. That is the eSIM once more. Not all carriers assist them.

If you do not need the trouble of switching eSIMs. We’re banging the eSIM drum once more, however swapping eSIMs between telephones may be very prone to require a go to to a provider retailer or a few lengthy and irritating telephone calls to your provider’s assist line.

For those who’re snug with the bodily dimension of your telephone. For those who like your telephone’s dimension, there won’t be a cause to get a distinct telephone, particularly because you’d most likely purchase the identical dimension. That is additionally true of the iPhone 13 mini. Granted, it is solely a few 1/4-inch smaller than the iPhone 14, however it’s nonetheless smaller. Fingers can really feel the distinction.

For those who can nonetheless improve iOS in your telephone. When you have an iPhone 8 or later, you are good. For those who’re rocking an iPhone 7, 6s, first era SE, or earlier, yeah, it is time to purchase a brand new telephone.

Additionally: How you can repair your previous telephone’s low earpiece quantity quick for 25 cents

Are you upgrading?

I see a reasonably sturdy case for holding an older iPhone and a typically weak case for upgrading — particularly from a current iPhone 12 or iPhone 13. What about you? Are you upgrading? In that case, why? Tell us within the feedback beneath.

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