iOS device upgrades - anyone feeling like they are (slowly) getting off the bandwagon?

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › iOS device upgrades - anyone feeling like they are (slowly) getting off the bandwagon?

dejadeadnz

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#240204 26-Aug-2018 12:35

For context, I have owned a lot of Apple devices but wouldn't consider myself a fanboy. My gaming PC/home desktop is Windows-based and I would never switch to a Mac there. Have had a Macbook Air which I held onto for 5 years before replacing it with a Macbook Retina five years later. I've had 3 Ipads (Ipad 3, Ipad Air 2, and the latest Ipad Pro 10.2 inch) which as I upgraded have become hand-me-downs to relatives. I have an Apple Watch series 3 also.

But in terms of Iphones, I look back in amazement at the number of Iphones I've had over the last 8 years of Iphone ownership (4, 5, 6, 6S, 7 and then Iphone X). Certainly had no real desire to upgrade from a 6 to 6S until I smashed my screen by accident before I was about to do an important trip and decided to quickly upgrade and sort out the broken phone later. Then my mother finally decided to have a smartphone in 2016 and I handed my 6S to her and got a 7. And I did jump all over the X willingly the moment it was out because the liberation from the god bloody awful and ugly bezels and huge home button was so, so good.

Yet now I find myself not being able to care less about the upcoming Iphone or Apple Watch. On the former, I expect there to be little in way of substantive improvements -- if you like iOS and hated the previously crap battery life on the Iphone, the bezels and so forth, the X pretty much fixed all the annoyances. I just don't care about minor updates to the camera; CPU upgrades also don't matter that much to me as I rarely game or do anything excessively intensive. My Apple Watch just allows me to more discretely check the time, messages and so forth during meetings, track exercises, and skip music tracks whilst walking. Unless they really improve its appearance, I couldn't care less about the next iteration.

There's also the desire not to contribute to so much environmental degradation. Honestly, some of the Iphone upgrades that I have had, I'd struggle to tell you one thing that was really different between one to the next (the worst was the 6S to 7 "upgrade"). However, I must admit that if Apple were to release an Ipad that gets rid of the home button, I am probably ordering that right away.

Anyone else developing similar thoughts?

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#2079363 26-Aug-2018 12:43

Yes I’m with you. Latest iterations are a bit of a yawn fest. While I’m not quite at the point of switching to Android, not upgrading at all, seems like the best choice at the moment.

alasta

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#2079366 26-Aug-2018 12:53

The technology appears to have matured to a point where we're not going to see ground breaking improvements from one year to the next.

Historically I have always upgraded my iPhone every two years. I currently have an 8 Plus that I bought when they were released last year, and I expect that by the end of 2019 I will want to upgrade to an iPhone X type of design.

My Apple Watch is a series II, so it's coming up to two years old. The watch is important to me for tracking my running which is my main hobby, and I would quite like to have 4G connectivity to check messages when I am out on long runs. However even if the NZ telcos announce support for the 4G Apple Watch it's unlikely that I will upgrade it within the next year as it doesn't make sense from a cost/benefit perspective.

dejadeadnz

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#2079368 26-Aug-2018 12:55

Whilst I have no inside information, from all appearances it just doesn't look like the telcos here are interested in supporting 4G connectivity on the Apple Watch. I for one would gladly pay $10 a month extra for the privilege of being able to go out occasionally without carrying my phone.

Dairyxox

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#2079371 26-Aug-2018 13:22

Theres very little innovation anymore.

Also the software quality seems to be dropping, things often don't "just work" anymore.

sbiddle

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#2079381 26-Aug-2018 14:14

You could argue the exact same things with Android. I played with a brand new Sony Xperia handset the other day and apart from a slightly different styling and a slightly better camera it's exactly the same end user experience as my 2yr old Xperia.

The difference is that pretty much every Android vendor only commits to software updates for 2 years, with some saying they'll still support critical security fixes for another year on top... So despite my phone being perfectly capable of running Pie it'll never get it. Compare this to Apple who are supporting every device for well over twice this time.

rugrat

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#2079396 26-Aug-2018 15:45

I usually run my devices into the ground and then buy the latest.

I have iPhone 6, only thing appealing to me for the x is wireless charging.

I have Apple Watch series 2, don’t care about slim ones as don’t find it a hassle to have phone in pocket. If they come out with one that only needed charging once a week that may make me consider buying, turn current watch off over night and charge every three days.

I do the same with cars and most gadgets, don’t buy just to have next thing out.
Find in long run end up being better off doing things that way.

Stu1

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#2079397 26-Aug-2018 15:51

sbiddle:
You could argue the exact same things with Android. I played with a brand new Sony Xperia handset the other day and apart from a slightly different styling and a slightly better camera it's exactly the same end user experience as my 2yr old Xperia.

The difference is that pretty much every Android vendor only commits to software updates for 2 years, with some saying they'll still support critical security fixes for another year on top... So despite my phone being perfectly capable of running Pie it'll never get it. Compare this to Apple who are supporting every device for well over twice this time.

That’s a really good point most of my Android phones and tablets are now paper weights where as I can still use my iPad mini 2 and still receives updates had no issues and still actually works on the majority of apps . My next tablet will be an iPad for sure at least I may get more than 2 years out if it where as android is terrible for updates.

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sbiddle

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#2079411 26-Aug-2018 16:34

rugrat:

I have iPhone 6, only thing appealing to me for the x is wireless charging.

I don't see any appeal in Apple's wireless charging. Yes they've finally taken wireless charging semi mainstream with the adoption of the standard, but by limiting their devices to 7.5W (and the fact many wireless chargers are only 5W) means you end up with incredibly slow charging speeds.

You can charge an 8 or X to around 50% in 30 mins using a USB-C PD charger (both models support 18W PD) which makes a huge difference if you have a flat phone and want to give it a boost.

Dial111

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#2079430 26-Aug-2018 17:57

No. For a few reasons

1. As it’s been pointed out, the appeal for me is the timely and guaranteed OS updates Apple offers. Came from Android and loved the experience but if it wasn’t a Nexus device then don’t hold your breath.

2. Resale value. You can generally hold a iPhone for 2 years from new release and when you sell it, come out with a huge chunk of what you paid.

3. Apple support, anything that’s ever gone wrong Apple have looked after me from an out of warranty 6S Plus to just recently refunding me $89 of in app purchases Miss 5 made on my ATV. Nothing has ever been a problem.

4. It just works. Mucked around with rooting and flashing custom ROMs on Android from the Galaxy S2 Days and up then got sick of trying to flash the perfect ROM and chase the latest update etc (Nexus filled the void somewhat) With iOS and Apple it’s a little bit no thrills but you know what your getting every time, kinda like shagging your way through your 20s and then you find the one you want to settle down with lol.

I’m no fan boy by all means I just recently contemplated crossing back over for the Note 9 (and before that the Note 8) just couldn’t pull the trigger.

But will be grabbing the 2018 iPhone X Plus for sure.

jarledb

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#2079446 26-Aug-2018 18:56

The phones have gotten so good in the last few years that I kept my 7 Plus for 2 years, I had been on a yearly update until then.

Part of it was that I think the X is too small, and part of it was that there was no pain in using the 7 Plus, its still doing great and if the rumours of Apple releasing a X Plus is not true, I might keep it another year.

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alasta

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#2079452 26-Aug-2018 19:23

sbiddle:

rugrat:

I have iPhone 6, only thing appealing to me for the x is wireless charging.

I don't see any appeal in Apple's wireless charging. Yes they've finally taken wireless charging semi mainstream with the adoption of the standard, but by limiting their devices to 7.5W (and the fact many wireless chargers are only 5W) means you end up with incredibly slow charging speeds.

You can charge an 8 or X to around 50% in 30 mins using a USB-C PD charger (both models support 18W PD) which makes a huge difference if you have a flat phone and want to give it a boost.

Slow charging isn't usually a problem for me because I charge my device overnight, however I don't really see the benefit of wireless charging. I have spare lightning cables in my car, backpack and at work so there is always one handy and it only takes two seconds to plug the cable in.

So, even though I don't need fast charging it's still nice to have and I'd take it in favour of a relatively pointless wireless alternative.

antoniosk

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#2079477 26-Aug-2018 20:54

sbiddle:

You could argue the exact same things with Android. I played with a brand new Sony Xperia handset the other day and apart from a slightly different styling and a slightly better camera it's exactly the same end user experience as my 2yr old Xperia.

The difference is that pretty much every Android vendor only commits to software updates for 2 years, with some saying they'll still support critical security fixes for another year on top... So despite my phone being perfectly capable of running Pie it'll never get it. Compare this to Apple who are supporting every device for well over twice this time.

You should see ios12 on my wife's old 5S... runs so fast on a 5 year old device, keeping it going to Sept '19.....

But anyway, running a new software on 5y old hardware is pretty perilous. There's so little free memory hardly any apps stay in memory (ios11 on iphone 5!) and things so sloooow....

________

Antoniosk

gehenna

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#2079490 26-Aug-2018 21:37

I feel like the next few years will be "the year of the xxxxx" iterative updates. This year was "the year of the notch" or near bezel-less displays. Next year might be better batteries or lower power consumption making batteries last longer. Year after that might be the year of 5G phones. etc etc.