iPhone 14 Pro Max Annual Upgrade Cycle or Not?

[JFerrari]

For the people that upgrade their iPhone every year…what do you find the reason to be for upgrading every year?

I’ve always upgraded annually since the original iPhone, I’m finding that doing so means less and less every year, despite loving tech, there’s not enough new meaningful features to justify upgrading annually.

Curious what everyone else thinks.

 

[Helmsley]

I've never upgraded annually, but at one time I upgraded regularly. Like you, I feel less reason to do so, and lately I'm keeping my devices longer than I used to.

 

[snow755]

I might save my money over the summer and get me the iPhone 15 plus upgrading from iPhone SE 3rd gen

 

[Surfsalot]

I wait for 5-6 months after release and pick up a bargain, sometimes they come along earlier, got my 14 pro 256gb new for $1,000 cash 2 months ago, retail is $1899AUD here.
Will do the same next year.

 

[Pakaku]

Might be a valid option if you're trading in the previous year's phone, and putting that money towards the new one. I prefer to keep my devices for as long as possible, though.

 

[eyoungren]

I upgrade whenever I've had enough with a particular iPhone. I don't get bored with my tools, but it's nice having a newer one every so many years.

Sometimes newer features of iOS are part of the reason, but hardware usually is not. All I need my phone to do is make calls, texts, do some light email and web browsing. Most phones since before 2009 when I got my first smartphone can do that. And the camera is totally irrelevant to me because I'm not a photog and I'm not taking pictures for posterity or to remind me of places I've been. The primary use of my camera is for meaningless photos that have a shelf life of mere minutes before they lose all their value. I don't need a bazillion MP camera for that.

 

[MisterSavage]

Because I enjoy it. If you're not getting anything out of it that's a good reason to hang on to your device longer.

 

[Jackbequickly]

I upgrade yearly because I like the new tech/features. Sad as something’s these are far between. I trade in so it cuts my costs in half.

 

[Cobold]

I don't need a reason. I do it because I want to and because I can afford it.

 

[RRC]

A new iPhone is my big personal purchase to myself, the only time I didn’t upgrade after a year was with my 7 Plus.

 

[nburwell]

I have typically upgraded every year. This year, I’m going to hold on to my 14 Pro for at least another year since the updates year over year are so minor at this point. The only reason why I upgraded this year is for the AOD and Dynamic Island (especially since I was coming from the regular iPhone 13 model). The reported smaller bezels on the 15 models isn’t something that’s going to prompt me to upgrade.

 

[splitpea]

Nope. I used to upgrade every 2 years. Then they stopped making smaller phones right around the time that they reached “good enough” for 98% of my usage. Now I’m keeping them 4-5 years, saving money, and don’t feel like I’m missing a thing.

 

[MuGeN PoWeR]

I have stopped yearly upgrades since 12PM even thought I am on iUP. I skipped 13PM and upgraded to 14PM. the reason is I didn't find much difference between them though I can afford to do it.

 

[sack_peak]

If I was married with 4 kids, the spouse & I would likely replace annually.

It would be done this way

- 2 iPhone 2Y plans on even years
- 2 iPhone 2Y plans on odd years
- 2 SIM-only plans

Parents gets to use the newest iPhone every refresh.

After year 1 of use the child gets to use it for the next 2 years.

By year 3 we hand it down to a needy relative or sell.

For this year it would look like this

- Parents: 2023 iPhone 15 Pro Max
- 1st 2 kids: 2022 iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Last 2 kids: 2021 iPhone 13 Pro Max
- 1st 2 kids sold phones: 2020 iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Last 2 kids sold phones: 2019 iPhone 11 Pro Max

With the same number of family members it could be lengthened to 6 years.

- 2 iPhone 2Y plans
- 4 SIM-only plans

Parents gets to use the newest iPhone every 2 years.

After year 2 of use the child gets to use it for the next 4 years.

By year 6 we hand it down to a needy relative or sell.

For this year it would look like this

- Parents: 2023 iPhone 15 Pro Max
- 1st 2 kids: 2021 iPhone 13 Pro Max
- Last 2 kids: 2019 iPhone 11 Pro Max
- 1st 2 kids sold phones: 2017 iPhone 8 Plus
- Last 2 kids sold phones: 2015 iPhone 6s Plus

As of today the 2017 iPhone 8 Plus' iOS Software Updates for Features is still supported.
As of today the 2015 iPhone 6s Plus' Bug fixes/Security update is still supported.

3rd year has us replacing batteries.

iOS Software Updates for Features lasts as long as 83 months or nearly 7 years. Bug fixes/Security updates ends between month 83-112 or between 7-9 years.

Due to wear & tear I wouldn't recommend this but you can lengthen it to 9 years.

- 2 iPhone 3Y plans
- 4 SIM-only plans

Parents gets to use the newest iPhone every 3 years.

Every 3rd year has us replacing batteries.

After year 3 of use the child gets to use it for the next 6 years.

By year 9 we hand it down to a needy relative or sell.

For this year it would look like this

- Parents: 2023 iPhone 15 Pro Max
- 1st 2 kids: 2020 iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Last 2 kids: 2017 iPhone 8 Plus
- 1st 2 kids sold phones: 2014 iPhone 6 Plus
- Last 2 kids sold phones: 2011 iPhone 4s

As of today the 2014 iPhone 6 Plus' last Bug fixes/Security update was 7 months ago.
As of today the 2011 iPhone 4s' last Bug fixes/Security update was 4 years ago.

 

[28Gauge]

I always upgraded every two years except this time, which was 3 years. While I would love to have the latest greatest iPhone every year, it just doesn't make much financial sense for me.