Thoughts What made you happy today?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Curvy
  • Start date Start date
Stanthropical said:
What's your current phone?
How old is it?
How often do you normally replace your phone?
Is the current amount of storage currently sufficient for you?
Is the current screen size serving you well?
Which features do you wish it had?
How much do you use it throughout the day?
Do you have a budget?
Are you able to take advantage of some strategic money-saving offer or a combination of several on a specific model which would suffice for your needs?

If current feature set completely meets your needs, go for the same new model.
If you're looking to pay less, go for a lower model with the same specs as your current phone has.

I go for the top model, because I try to keep my phone for as long as possible, unless something breaks. This way the feature set and performance stays relevant for longer. If I could keep the phone for ten years, I would.

Deciding factors for me were, for example, my previous phone was four years old, battery capacity was down to 79%, one button started malfunctioning once in a while (I hoped it wouldn't malfunction during trade-in and it didn't), new top model is twice as fast as my four year old model was, the Lightning charging port was getting on my nerves, after latest OS update my old phone took a performance hit and the new model re-design will likely be same or similar for the next few years.

If you only want something new for the sake of having something new and don't care for top features, but don't want to break bank either, going for the mid-tier model is probably a choice worth considering.

Watch a ton of reviews from well-known channels on YouTube to help you decide.
Look specifically at videos of reputable reviewers with a full review after they've had the device for at least a few weeks or a month, or even longer.
Click to expand...
I think it was watching reviews that ended up confusing me. Definitely just need to focus on what I need. Thanks.
 
Lil_wonders said:
I think it was watching reviews that ended up confusing me. Definitely just need to focus on what I need. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Here's some fun math to help (or complicate things, depending on your mindset):

If you buy the top model and replace it every four years. Assuming it's $1200+10% tax—and let's stretch it out over 12 years:
- Cost of one phone: $1200+10%tax=$1320
- Cost of three phones to last 12 years: $3960
- Per year cost: $330
- You get the best tech so it stays relevant for longer
- Buy you wait longer to get latest features

If you buy the entry or mid model and replace it every two years. Assuming it's $800+10% tax—and let's stretch it out over 12 years to match the cycle of the above example:

- Cost of one phone: $800+10%tax=$880
- Cost of five phones to last 12 years: $4400
- Per year cost: $366
- You don't get the best tech, but probably close enough to best features for basic use
- You get a fresh phone every two years with potentially updated features more often, kind of keeping up with evolution of tech

If you use trade-in deals with the carrier, multiply device payment per month by 144 months (12 years), plus tax.

You can modify the duration math to fit your case.

You could also keep the lower tier model for as long as you can if it's sufficient for your use case.
The more often you replace your phone, the more often you'll spend money on new accessories.
Taking care of your phones will make them last longer. If you only slow-charge and charge only to 80%, battery will lose less capacity over time.

I pay for my phones in full, because I fully pre-pay for my phone service, which is 3-4 times less than major carriers, dramatically decreasing my overall device+service cost.
 
Stanthropical said:
Here's some fun math to help (or complicate things, depending on your mindset):

If you buy the top model and replace it every four years. Assuming it's $1200+10% tax—and let's stretch it out over 12 years:
- Cost of one phone: $1200+10%tax=$1320
- Cost of three phones to last 12 years: $3960
- Per year cost: $330
- You get the best tech so it stays relevant for longer
- Buy you wait longer to get latest features

If you buy the entry or mid model and replace it every two years. Assuming it's $800+10% tax—and let's stretch it out over 12 years to match the cycle of the above example:

- Cost of one phone: $800+10%tax=$880
- Cost of five phones to last 12 years: $4400
- Per year cost: $366
- You don't get the best tech, but probably close enough to best features for basic use
- You get a fresh phone every two years with potentially updated features more often, kind of keeping up with evolution of tech

If you use trade-in deals with the carrier, multiply device payment per month by 144 months (12 years), plus tax.

You can modify the duration math to fit your case.

You could also keep the lower tier model for as long as you can if it's sufficient for your use case.
The more often you replace your phone, the more often you'll spend money on new accessories.
Taking care of your phones will make them last longer. If you only slow-charge and charge only to 80%, battery will lose less capacity over time.

I pay for my phones in full, because I fully pre-pay for my phone service, which is 3-4 times less than major carriers, dramatically decreasing my overall device+service cost.
Click to expand...
I’m still using my iPhone 11 now so it is 5 yrs old. When I buy a new one I pay in full because I can get much cheaper monthly deals which work for me.
I had been considering buying an android rather than the iPhone as I no longer have my Mac laptop. The ease of syncing years ago made my decision.
Am thinking I will stick with the iPhone and just get the latest with the same physical size.
Thanks for your help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Trending content

Back
Top