Thursday, September 16, 2021

The Future of my iPhone

Today, I am struggling with a decision.

My iPhone, which was purchased the end of July, 2016, is full.  I use it just as much as a camera as I do a phone/text/way to browse the Internet.  The memory is full of photos, and I've been having issues taking the photos off (I won't bore you with the details).  I had to take apps off just to install the latest operating system upgrade, which was an urgent one due to security concerns.  I had to take apps off the phone.

Now, I don't have room for the next operating system upgrade.  

Do I buy the latest iPhone, the one just released (iPhone 13)?  I used my first iPhone for four years.  This one, I've had for five years. My strategy has been to get a new, current phone, and keep it for a long time.

A much better camera than my iPhone SE first edition tempts me, but is it necessary?  I enjoy photography but the limitations of the iPhone (especially with macro photography, for which it would be difficult to purchase a supplemental gadget to attach to my iPhone) frustrate me. So does my SE 1st Edition's inability to take good photos on cloudy days (which we have too many of where I live.)

My son talked to me and said 'Mom, if photography is going to be a hobby for you, you can't cheap out.  I suggest you buy an iPhone model a year or two old, not worrying about the latest built in camera, Spend the difference in money on an actual camera with features you want and decent photo editing and storage software".

But my cell phone is always with me, meaning my camera is always with me.

Then, there is 5G.  Do I really need to upgrade to a 5G ready phone?  Will having 5G matter to me?  Perhaps a year old iPhone model (one of the iPhone 12's) will do.

I'm retired but working part time.  Still, I have to watch my spending.

I want to keep taking good pictures for my readers, like this autumn clementis.

I know, in the scheme of things, this is a minor thing to worry about.  But if anyone has suggestions, I would appreciate it.

One more note:  due to Yom Kippur, I will not be posting comments until this evening (this post published automatically and was prewritten).  

Thank you in advance for any suggestions (I know some of you have made suggestions before, but I think I need one more small push.)

9 comments:

  1. ...not a problem for me, I don’t have a smartphone.

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  2. I was in the same situation you are in about three months ago. I splurged on a new iPhone. It is fast, and it has plenty of storage space, and it takes great photos. No regrets.

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  3. I was in the same situation you are in about three months ago. I splurged on a new iPhone. It is fast, and it has plenty of storage space, and it takes great photos. No regrets.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was in the same situation you are in about three months ago. I splurged on a new iPhone. It is fast, and it has plenty of storage space, and it takes great photos. No regrets.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, you know I upgraded from a 5c (my original iPhone) to an 8 not long ago. I couldn't take photos if I had even 30 stored! Also, many apps I wanted stopped working on it. I picked 8 because it still takes the updates from Apple, and the camera is better. Plus it was affordable! Used from Best Buy. I'm with you on a phone being the camera, I have it with me, while I don't often have the camera. I walk outside with my phone in my back pocket, not my camera.
    I say, go with as new as you can afford.

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  6. Good luck figuring out what you want. I like my Google Pixel

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  7. I get the brand new one, and then I keep it for 4-6 years. I was able to lease it, so an additional monthly payment along with my cell bill for 18 months. After that, I paid off the remainder, and now I own it. I'm currently on an iPhone 11, and I'm not planning to upgrade this year.

    Wait a couple months if you can. Your carrier might have a deal where you turn in your older phone you get a better deal on a new phone. (I tried to do that with my upgrade, but things went awry. Long story.) It seems like they do this around Christmas.

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  8. Sure like the flowers in photo.
    Coffee is on and stay safe

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  9. Can you download your photos to a card or your computer

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