With my last purchase, an iPhone SE 3, I decided to not purchase it new, and instead go through the open box route. I was literally waiting on the Apple Store for my turn to either purchase one of the last 13 mini remaining on the store, which at 800€ weren’t discounted at all (funny enough they were more expensive than the iPhone 14 that had just dropped in price) or just get a new SE3 for 500€, or 600€ for the 128GB version.
While I was waiting, I had the idea of checking on a nearby phone store that sells open box and second hand iPhones. So I told the Apple Store guy that I was leaving until it was my turn, and went to this store.
When I arrived to this phone store, I asked the employee to see the SE 3 units they had in store, so he showed me three or four phones. One of them was… new. Literally new. And the screen was gorgeous (not all LCD screens are the same, even on the same model). So I paid 300€ for this new iPhone SE3, which after checking with Coconut, had only 2 battery cycles. I was so happy with this purchase!!
With this option, I was able to compare the screens of different units, side by side, something you’re not able to do at an Apple Store (we all know the screen lottery, which is even worse on OLED models), and save between 200 and 500€ with this purchase.
Now I have a perfectly capable iPhone SE 3, the same machine as the iPhone 13 (the 14 has more RAM, and RAM will be very important in future iOS versions, so I don’t include it), at a much, much lower price. With the added benefit that I prefer LCD screens over OLED because they are much easier on my eyes.
I plan to keep this SE 3 for as long as I am able, being very careful as for when to update the iOS taking into account performance and battery life. Unless Apple releases a smaller iPhone 17, or 18, or the upcoming iPhone 16 OLED screen is really comfortable to use, I will be using this SE 3 for many, many years. Being an A15 device, I really expect it to last. Best 300€ spent in a long time, for sure!
PS: my previous iPhone 8, purchased new at the Apple Store, was significantly more expensive than this SE3, and used it for at least 5 years!!!
TL;DR: yes, I agree that nowadays, it makes little sense, at least for me, to spend a thousand bucks for an iPhone. Maybe if you need a rare model, with bigger storage and you have the money, go for it! But for me, it isn’t worth it, especially when Apple doesn’t offer an appealing enough device for me: I.e. a more compact form factor and a more comfortable screen for my eyes.
Edit: Excuse me, I just read the title of the thread but not the original post. I think my point is slightly different from OP’s.
