Should I get the iPhone 13?

I here you

Go buy a $300 phone off Amazon and put your sim card in it. The people who endlessly upgrade their phones are suckers.

The iPhone peaked awhile ago (X version or so), with just incremental improvements, mostly to the camera. Which, unless you’re some photography buff, is probably undetectable. Buy an unlocked phone on Amazon, get a cheap Mint Mobile plan and stop being a schlemiel.

I guess that's Verizon's way of keeping you as a customer for the next 24 months. I think I'd just keep the phone you have.

You type like a poor person who can't afford the fetish products you desire. Are you beyond help?

For the past 4 years I've used a $42 phone. My friend gave me her old iPhone. The camera is excellent in the iPhone, but everything else is basically the same

I still use the $42 phone as my everyday phone because the battery charge lasts 2 days.

The iPhone always has to be recharged. It's heavier too. But I do use it in place of my Nikon DSLR camera if I go anywhere

I'd skip every other model. It's just an incremental change this time.

Every other model, OP.

[quote] Here me out.

Oh dear.

Has anyone tried or heard about anyone who has tried Mint Mobile? Ryan Reynolds is a part owner

They charge $15 a month for service and between $15 and $60 a month for the phone. 0% interest

I like the improving camera so I can totally replace my carry-separately camera. I think the iPhone camera is almost there. I like optical zoom, but the iPhone is close

No.

The only good reason to buy a new phone is if your old phone is broken.

I am buying an older generation. Who the hell cares about it? Spend that money on travel or invest it. Inflated prices on a phone that needs a ton of added shit (jack, port adaptors...). I don't like Apple's BS. I got a watch and will pair it and that's that. Otherwise, not worth it unless it will make you very happy I guess.

The difference here is the new model is basically free.

You’re giving Verizon a loan for $700 , which it is paying you back over 2 years

R15 what matters is the cost to change. It’s not free. OP would be throwing away money for a minuscule upgrade from 12 to 13. If he had an older phone, then sure, it would make sense.

I have an iphone 6. It still works. I’m not aware of the newer versions having anything I cannot live without. Why would I spend money on a newer model?

R17 - so you can also spend yet more money on adapters.

R18, I guess a lot of the folks buying the newest phones as they come out are also ready to buy the $500,000 starter house. I don't know where their money is coming from but I don't have it and most don't.

I’m with you, r17, and also have a 6.

What I know the new ones DON’T have is the home button. Either type the passcode every time or face recognition only, which if you’re wearing sunglasses or a mask, I’ve heard doesn’t work well at all.

I’ll keep my 6 for now.

R19 - I don't know man. I got lucky because even a good salary doesn't cut it in LA now so staying out here in Eastern Europe and renting my place in LA has let me make a bit of extra $. Even so...no way will I throw my money down the drain like that. I technically could afford it but then again...what if a huge emergency pops up? What if I get laid off (very probable with outsourcing) and I need to tap into my savings. Yeah, I will have an inheritance but still...you never know so I don't throw money out the window. Apple products are such a huge money pit. And most people don't have the money and I guarantee you that almost all is bought on credit.

Try this. I here they are really good.

Marry me, R22!

R22 - I write articles and studies for a living. This is where I let loose...random thoughts, stream of consciousness, opinions. I am not gonna worry about ANYTHING on a board that has threads about porn actors and where right-wingers troll every day.

Then you should consider parting with the need to explain yourself when you get a gentle ribbing.

Meh.

R25 - I like to explain when I meet a live one around these parts.

If you write for a living, I suggest a good proof reader.

[quote]Has anyone tried or heard about anyone who has tried Mint Mobile?

I switched to Mint Mobile earlier this year. (I brought my own phone.) It works just as well as AT&T did for me in terms of quality and coverage -- and it saves me $500+ a year compared to AT&T.

I switched to Google Fi. I considered Mint, but Fi seemed like the better deal for me.

R27, call me!

OP, I’m still going strong with my Jitterbug Flip, baby.

I had an X until it met an unfortunate end earlier this year. I wanted to see what the 13 would bring, so I only “upgraded” to a used XS with more storage. Now that it’s out, I think the 13 looks good, but the rumors about the 14 look better (no notch, full screen), so I’m going to wait. That means that if I hadn’t broken my old X, I could have easily used it for five years, and when I upgrade it will actually feel like one.

I'm still using my Pixel 4XL and love it, though Google never really did anything with the Soli feature and ended up ditching it all together. I thought about upgrading to the Pixel 6 Pro, but I think I may skip it. They're switching over to their own processor, so I'm sure there will be some initial issues upon release. Also, the camera bump on the back is enormous.

OP, if you haven’t yet paid off your old phone, that is an indicator that you don’t have a ton of disposable income. This “monthly installment thinking” for consumer goods is a trap, IMO.

I ordered one and am not looking forward to having to buy all the accessories but my current phone is a Galaxy 9, so it's time.

[quote]This “monthly installment thinking” for consumer goods is a trap, IMO.

Yes. If you need a monthly installment plan in order to afford something, then you can't afford it. (With a few notable exceptions, like housing).

[quote] OP, if you haven’t yet paid off your old phone, that is an indicator that you don’t have a ton of disposable income. This “monthly installment thinking” for consumer goods is a trap, IMO.

Why would someone pay off the phone at once is you get a monthly installment plan with no interest?

Was going to say something similar, r38.

Sometimes the free money is worth it.

A couple of years ago I bought a new TV. I easily could’ve paid cash but the store was running a 30-month interest free promotion. Why would I pay them immediately when I now have use of that money for the next two years or so? Even if I kept it in a savings account with a mere 1% interest, I’m still ahead of the game.

I did some research. I spent an hour waiting to "chat" via text bot with Tmobile to see what deals they were offering existing customers. I told them I did not want to upgrade my service plan, I just wanted to understand the cost to upgrade my 3 year old paid-for iPhone XS. (Partner and I pay Tmobile $70/month for 2 lines with almost unlimited text/talk/data on their 55+ plan. In 3 years we have never gone over the text/talk/data cap.) They did not try to up-sell me to another service contract but they will only offer you a 'deal' on the 13 if you pay for the phone in installments. In my case they offered $400 for my XS ($200 paid upfront, the balance paid out as credits over 30 months) and the iPhone 13 Pro would cost me $33/month for 30 months. ($26/month for 30 months for the standard 13.) Meaning that after the monthly credit of about $6/month, the 13 Pro would cost $27/month for 30 months. The phone remains "locked" to Tmobile until it is paid off, then it's yours outright. I'm happy with Tmobile so wouldn't change carriers anyway. You have to pay the sales tax on the phone upfront btw.

they know that they're going to have a hard time getting rid of iPhone 13s now that iPhone 14 sketches have leaked. So they're giving them away

[quote]The phone remains "locked" to Tmobile until it is paid off

Which is why they want you on an installment plan.

If you plan to stay with the carrier anyway (like Verizon is the only one that works well near me so I wouldn't switch), go for it.

I should get mine tomorrow.

My current phone is an 8. Apple's updates have slowed it down so much the podcast app is a nightmare.

I'm kind of looking forward to a new phone, but I am going to miss my home button.

I think you should get a life, OP.

Puh-leeze

He can’t even decide if he wants a new phone, much less an entire life.

I just bought the iphone 13 and turned in my iphone 12. It was basically a free exchange with Verizon, so why not get the latest technology?

I am typing this from my new 13. Just transferred all the stuff from my 8. So far...it's fine. Faster.

Faster is not always a good thing.

Meh….it’s neither hear nor there

[Quote]Try this. I here they are really good.

R22 Your referral of the Grammar and Punctuation course is appreciated. You may also wish to investigate if they offer a spelling class.

I just got the 13 Pro. The screen is significantly brighter and sharper than my previous XS. It makes reading texts and emails outdoors on a bright day a lot easier. The phone has more heft - size and weight - than the XS, and the squareness of the sides takes a bit getting used to.

One factor people seldom mention when debating the merits of upgrading, or the frequency of upgrading, is how much you rely on your phone. I "cut the cord" and got rid of my telephone landline years ago. So 100% of my phone calls and the majority of my emails and web browsing are done on my iPhone. Upgrading every 3 or 4 years therefore doesn't seem unreasonable.

I just upgraded my Iphone 12 mini to an Iphone 13 mini, because the exchange was free.

I find the new phone zippier and the battery lasts longer, considering I has already used the 12 mini for a year.

OP, nobody hear cares.

I hate not having a home button. It is a pain in the ass to close tabs/windows.

R55, try using the "Assistive Touch" function. You can create a home button on screen, tap it twice (then swipe up) to close out apps.

Thanks, R56 that worked.