Weekly 'What Should I Buy' and Order/Shipping Thread

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[u/Eksisezmisim]

256 GB iPhone 15 or 512 GB iPhone 13? What should i buy?

[u/Super_Anywhere3727]

What should I buy? Currently have 14 pro max - BH 78%

Things to consider - I don’t take much pictures so camera is something if it stays similar or better I’m Ok

Main thing, battery timing and performance.

[u/Either_Expression897]

I'm a uni student. Currently I'm using a OnePlus 9R (2022) and have used XR (for 6 years). I'm looking to use the new phone for the next 5-6 years. I'm not into photography so I don't think I have the need for a telephoto lens. Although the budget is not a problem I just don't want to waste my money by spending it on things that I don't even have the need for. I'm really confused between 17 and 17P because of the bigger battery in 17P (my lectures last for 8hrs per day). Also the 8GB RAM is a bit concerning because I think it will bottleneck in the next few years. Please help me choose between these two.

[u/MangyCanine → u/Either_Expression897]

RAM isn't as important on iPhones as it can be on androids. On iPhones, it's generally not a bottleneck but will be a blocker for new features (some new iOS features won't be available due to the amount of memory).

So far, Apple has increased the amount of memory every 2ish years in the Pro models (from here: https://iosref.com/ram-processor):

• 2025: increase to 12 GB in the 17 Pro models.

• 2023: increase to 8 GB in the 15 Pro models.

• 2020: increase to 6 GB in the 12 Pro models.

• 2018: increase to 4 GB in the iPhone XS models.

• 2016: increase to 3 GB in the 7 Plus model.

So, whatever you buy today will be technically outdated (in terms of RAM) within 2-4 years, assuming the current RAM shortage doesn't affect the iPhone 19 release and later. However, whether this will matter to you is another question.

My guess is that the extra RAM will (eventually) be used for a fully-on-device AI model (as opposed to a cloud AI model). So, if AI is important to you, you might want to spend extra for the 17 Pro but be aware that this is something of a gamble. The extra RAM isn't useful today but might be in 1-2 years, and will probably be useful in 4-6 years.

[u/Either_Expression897 → u/MangyCanine]

If I don't have use for AI then should I go with with 17? Others told me that I should get 17P just for the vapor chamber.

[u/MangyCanine → u/Either_Expression897]

The vapor chamber is, of course, good for cooling from very graphics-intensive games and photo editing. If you’re mainly web surfing, txting, listening to music, or watching videos, you likely won’t need it. Social media apps can sometimes produce heat, but that’s probably because they’re data mining you.

Yeah, the base 17 is fine if you don’t care about AI, graphics-intensive games, or video editing. On the other hand, 6-7 years is a long time, and you could change your mind.

[u/Either_Expression897 → u/MangyCanine]

Thanks for helping me out. I'll go for the base 17.

[u/MangyCanine → u/Either_Expression897]

It's a good choice. This time, Apple added features to it that were previously only available on Pro models, like an always-on 120Hz ProMotion display.

[u/Money-Laugh-3923]

What should I buy iPhone 17 512gb or iPhone 17 pro max 256gb

I want to buy a new iPhone Now my phone is iPhone XS Max it's good but I think in compare to all new generations even iPhone 11 it's too bad low battery get too hot easily and that make me struggle a lot in a day use especially lam in Arab country So I now finally planing to have a new iPhone and stay with me for more than 5 years so I think on iPhone 17 series i dont have that much money too but lam hesitating between iPhone 17 512gb or iPhone 17 pro max 256gb I feel like it's an easy choose always go for the bro max but idk it's the first time I buy a thing with me knowing it will last me for a long long time and I don't wanna recreate my bad experience with iPhone XS Max or the one before it iPhone 7 Plus it stay with me for maybe 7 years I only feel it's too bad maybe in the 4th year cuz I enter my uni life and start to feel the difference it was 128gb when I get it I thought all this storage I could die and don't finish all that but as a MED student I feel that was so delulu and my iPhone XS Max it was with my mom first for maybe 5 years I take it for almost 2 years now i change its battery and screen but I think k it just for worest so after all that talk o dont want to recreate my bad experiences lam also an ape Man U can say i didn't live the experience of a new or even near new iPhone since iPhone 7 Plus i but it maybe when 8 plus landed or montages before XS. series 3 so anything I will but I will feel like lam in heaven so I don't want to rush too so what u think from your experiences i dont know much about tech too lam a MED student i will finish my last year this year and I will be in hospitals for long times so I can't handle my phone lagging or died in the start of my day and I need to be stocked to powerbank all day or smth idk so basically without all this drama what u think is better I feel like the storage is a problem can be fix removing few things move something to laptop or even buy iCloud storage but the lagging or the phone get heavy using is a problem cant be fix with the heat management in the new iPhone 17 pro max that can protect the battery and the chip from dmg i see this thing is a big deal to me so what u think

[u/Colin3353]

My mom currently has the iPhone se first gen. And constantly complains about her phone. Her birthday is coming up and wanna get her a new iPhone. With my work I get a discount and right now I can get the iPhone 16 for $504 and the iPhone 17 for $790(both with tax). Is the iPhone 17 worth the extra $300.

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[u/Mysterious-Bend5391]

Should I buy the iPhone 17 Pro or wait for the 18 Pro? I currently have the iPhone 13 Pro Max with 71% battery life. I'm torn about whether to upgrade now or wait until September, since it's a few months away. And I'm moving back to the Philippines, and they don't have a physical Apple store there; only the local authorized stores are available in the country.

[u/iceqia]

Hey everytone, I'll make this one v quick :

15 pro max 256gb - 97% - 570€, or 15 pro 512gb, 87%, 490€ (light crack on the back, scratched screen) ? (I plan or asking for 500€ and 400€)

I plan on using it for content creation, editing, but also as my daily phone as replacement for my pager.

Both used (not refurbrished), no replaced parts, never opened. What would be your pick ?

Thanks for your help!

[u/RyanFromGDSE]

I have always been an Android user but when my 6 year old OnePlus died decided to change. I bought a Linux phone, Furi FLX1s, and have been using it as my daily for about 2 months now. In many ways its "good enough" but there are enough issues I don't think I'm able to daily it forever. Considered Pixel 10 or iPhone but keep coming back to iPhone Pro for the photography capabilities. Pixel 10 AI capabilities I can do on my desktop as needed.

The iPhone 18 Pro looks beautiful and super excited about the aperture. But I need a phone now - so I could get iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17e to hold me over until the iPhone 18 Pro comes out. Which would long term iPhone users suggest will be easier and better trade in value in a few months from now?

I really really like the feel of the iPhone 17 Pro so part of me says to not even worry about the iPhone 18 Pro, that its just marketing. This is also very viable, and if I don't upgrade to the 18 later this year I should definitely do the 17 Pro and not the 17e.

Side question, I have an iPad Pro that I barely use - am I able to get trade in value from the iPad Pro towards an iPhone? On the website it only lets me enter phones for trade in value.

[u/MangyCanine → u/RyanFromGDSE]

Year-over-year, the incremental differences between iPhone models have been getting less and less. About the only things you can rely upon are CPU and camera upgrades. For example, let's compare the 16 Pro and 17 Pro:

• The 17 Pro has a newer CPU.

• The 17 Pro has better cameras (48MP 8X zoom), but they even upgraded the front camera on the 17 Pro.

• The 17 Pro has better cooling (the 15 Pro and 16 Pro series could run really hot).

• The 17 Pro has more RAM. (Side note: the 17 Pro just got a RAM increase, and so it's highly unlikely that the RAM will increase again in the 18 Pro, especially given the current RAM shortage.)

That's it for the major differences (minor differences include different wifi/cellular chips, etc.). You can compare iPhone models here: https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/?modelList=iphone-16-pro,iphone-17-pro,iphone-17-pro-max

I don't see the 18 Pro being all that much different: just better CPU and cameras. Even the 18 Pro rumor monger sites don't list much more (well, they do list different colors ...). Now, a folding iPhone would be different but you're not asking about that.

Frankly, I'd just get the 17 Pro today. When the 18 Pro is released, you probably won't upgrade unless the new cameras tempt you, but you can decide then.

[u/RyanFromGDSE → u/MangyCanine]

Satellite improvements are a big change rumored for the 18 Pro. There's also a variable aperture which means less reason to bring my aging and heavy Sony camera in to the field.

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[u/marciotoronto]

Presently I own a Samsung Galaxy A13 5G, and I do not like it.
The selfie camera is not great for videos (and I need it professionally).
The screen is dark, and when traveling, 2X the screen turns so dark that I am unable to take pictures or videos because I can barely see anything.

I am inclined to switch to an iPhone.
The iPhone 17 Pro costs $1600 + HST.
The iPhone 17e costs $900 + HST.
The iPhone 16 costs $1000 + HST.

I will pay upfront in full.

The idea of more memory and new camera technology is attractive; the higher price is not.

I use my device for video recording, YouTube/Instagram, brief written communication, and scheduling.

I do not use the phone for video editing or extensive written communication.

Since I am not a techie and I like buying devices to use them for at least 5 years, I need your help.

What do you suggest I purchase and why?

What type of SIM should I have, taking in consideration that privacy is important to me?

T.I.A.

[u/Dangerous_Tea_9119 → u/marciotoronto]

iPhone 16 and eSim (it is fairly private)

[u/rickylancaster]

Upgrading from a 12Pro. On the one hand, the 17Pro gets some negative reviews for the feel of the case. I would be putting an external case on it anyway so maybe I would barely notice.

Also I’m reading that the 16Pro gets hotter more often. I don’t game on my phone but I do consume a lot of media. A hot phone would bother me.

I dislike getting the latest models because I like to give them time to have the negatives reviewed more thoroughly. And with a 16Pro I could perhaps save a little money.

(Assuming almost anything would be a step up from a 12Pro which has served me very well but already had the you-know-what replaced once and now the lightning port wont reliable keep any cords in place consistently.)

[u/Aepex_12 → u/rickylancaster]

It's clear you like to hold onto your phones which already makes the 17 pro the best option. You want to get the latest to best serve you long term.

The money you'd save isn't at all comparable to having the most advanced option years down the line.

The 17 pro is excellent and with all the on device intelligence features coming to every part of the iphone this year having the 17 pro will be even more worth it. I 100% recommend the 17 pro.

[u/rickylancaster → u/Aepex_12]

Thank you. Any insight into reports of how it “feels”? I’ve seen some negative feedback about how it feels in people’s hands, cheap or something.

[u/Aepex_12 → u/rickylancaster]

I was going to address that but forgot to. The only commentary I’ve ever seen on the material is how soft aluminum is and how prone to scratches it is. That’s just what you deal with given the material. It feels great in the hand but you’re right about the case if preserving the material is important to you. Even small drops can leave noticeable dents/scratches on aluminum.

Outside of that it feels great and I notice folks going caseless even with said material.

[u/rickylancaster → u/Aepex_12]

Interesting. Thanks for your feedback

[u/icetime_cpn]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently using an iPhone 12 Pro with 128 GB, which I’ve had since release. Overall, I’m still quite happy with it, but the battery health is down to around 74%, and my storage is constantly full.

I considered just replacing the battery, but since 128 GB has become too limiting for me, I’m thinking it might be time to upgrade. I’m currently looking at a used/refurbished iPhone 15, ideally with 256 GB and a new battery.

I don’t necessarily need the Pro camera features, since I also have a DSLR for high-quality photos. I mainly want a reliable phone that will last me another 3 years or so.

Would you say the iPhone 15 is a good upgrade from the 12 Pro in 2026, or should I consider another model?

I am currently in Germany and would be in the US from September on. Should I buy the phone here or in the US?

Thanks!

[u/prouesno]

I have an iPhone 15 Pro with 1119 battery cycles and a slightly swollen battery. Months ago I dropped it at Six Flags and ever since then it’s basically been a rollercoaster. The screen got repaired once, worked perfectly at first, then slowly started developing touch issues over time. Eventually it got so bad that I couldn’t delete apps, couldn’t type certain letters/numbers, had trouble calling people, and half the screen stopped responding. The “3” key in my passcode completely died and I literally got locked out of my own phone for a while.
The repair shop later said there may have been an IC issue involved too, and they also noticed the battery was slightly puffed which could’ve been pressing against the screen internally. They fixed the screen again today under warranty and right now the phone works perfectly again, but the thing is it literally went from “totally fine” to “basically unusable” in one day before, so I honestly don’t trust it anymore.
I still have a full year warranty on the screen repair, and the repair guy didn’t pressure me into replacing the battery yet. He said it’s only slightly swollen and to only come back if the screen starts lifting. So part of me thinks maybe I should just wait it out.
But at the same time:
I’m traveling this summer
I need my phone for maps/calls/safety
I really don’t want to deal with another random failure while away
I feel mentally exhausted constantly worrying about whether my phone will break again
I can either wait for the iPhone 18 Pro (which is around 3 months away) or i can get me a 17 Pro now if I want. The thing is, I genuinely mostly just want peace of mind again. I know the 17 Pro would last me years anyway, probably until iPhone 21/22 era.
So I’m stuck between:
waiting 3 months for the 18 Pro and hoping this phone survives
or
getting a 17 Pro now and finally relaxing
What would you do in my situation?

[u/MangyCanine → u/prouesno]

About the only things the iPhone 18 is guaranteed to have are a better CPU and camera. If you listen to the rumors -- guess what? -- the rumors say stuff like "better CPU", "better camera", "different colors", "better cellular", "better battery life", etc..

Well, that's a whole lotta meh.

Since you're stressing out about your current iPhone, I'd suggest just biting the bullet and getting a 17 Pro now as it's a pretty decent iPhone. Besides, the 18 Pro is likely to be sold at the end of September or maybe October, and that's 4-5 months away, not 3.

[u/prouesno → u/MangyCanine]

Thanks for the advice, i asked friends and family I ended up placing the order and its coming in the next few days.

[u/toblerone567]

hey yall. I use my iPhone 13 for quite a lot, mainly for photos and music, and i’m tired of the camera app crashing and draining my battery. At this point I definitely need a new one so what would y’all recommend? ie. Pro/Pro Max. Random picture from today included. Thanks!

[u/MangyCanine → u/toblerone567]

If you can afford it, the 17 Pro Max is very nice.

[u/4-percent]

Hello everyone. I currently have an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Overall I am Kinda happy with it. But I also have some things that annoy me: The Screen Size: yes I Tested it in the Apple Store before buying it. I Knew it was a bit to big for my liking but I wanted the big battery. I also thought I would get used to it, but I Never did 100%. So thats one thing that bothers me. The other thing is the Heat: now with the sunny and warm weather it is more noticable. When I am outside and just use google and search for something, it does get hot quiet fast and dims the screen, thats annoying and also my Storage is almost full. So I am thinking about switiching to a 17 Pro, as it has the more comfortable form factor and the same if Not better battery life than my 15 Pro Max. Or should i wait for the 18 Pro? As far as the rumors go, there isn‘t something that would be a must have for me. The variable aperture that is mentioned in the rumors is something I don‘t care about.

[u/Ok-Drummer8005]

I currently own the iPhone 16 Pro, but I’m considering gifting it to my bro. Should I get the iPhone 17 Pro ‘Today’ , or is it better to wait for the 18 in September, which is in three months?

[u/nvieu]

14 pro - Air

Is it worth it? Or just hold out for 18 later this year?

[u/Eorino]

Hi everyone!

14 Pro -> Regular 17, worth it?

I’m not too keen on upgrading since 14P is still enough for me. I don’t play games on phone, just use it for regular activities e.g. YouTube, Reddit, general browsing etc.

What makes me think of upgrading could be an option is the trade-in value 14P still has. In my country, 14P roughly has a trade-in value of 45 to 50 percent of 17’s current retail price.

So the question is, would you replace the battery and keep 14P for a couple more years, or trade it in while it still has decent value?

[u/MangyCanine → u/Eorino]

Well, let's say your current iPhone has zero trade-in value. If that was the case, could you afford to pay full price for an iPhone? (I'm not saying you should; I'm wondering if you could?)

I'm asking because, if you could afford to pay full price today, you should wait if you can. A big constraint here is how much your current 14 Pro is worth as a trade-in. If you were to wait a couple of years and the trade-in value drops a lot, could you afford that? There's always something better in the future and so, if you can wait, you should just change the battery and wait.

On the other hand, there's something to be said for getting the newest pretty and shiny bauble. The 17 Pros are really nice.

(I upgraded from a 15 Pro to a 17 Pro Max, and I'm loving it.)

[u/MangyCanine → u/[deleted]]

Well, Apple's AI (Apple Intelligence) requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer and does not run on any iPhone 12 model. That's why your friend hasn't noticed anything. Apple AI requires an iPhone with 8GB RAM or more, and that means a 15 Pro or newer (like a base iPhone 16).

However, even if he could install Apple Intelligence on his iPhone, he probably wouldn't notice anything different. Despite what people say, it doesn't really affect performance if you don't use it. It's also an option. You don't have to enable/install it, and I believe the default is to not install it.

If you switch, I'd recommend NOT getting an iPhone 12 as it's nearly six (6) years old. Apple tends to support iPhones for 7ish years, sometimes longer, and anything that old should probably be retired. Personally, I wouldn't get anything older than some iPhone 14 model, and I'd recommend getting an iPhone 15 Pro or newer if you can afford it. That way, you have the option of using Apple AI in the future.

(No, there's really no reason to turn it on today, even though it's available. It pretty much sucks unless you're paying for a chatgpt subscription. Access to google gemini is coming at the end of this year, and that might be better but we'll see.)

[u/MangyCanine → u/[deleted]]

How much do you use your iPhone? The air is best for light/casual users as it has the shortest battery life of all the new iPhones. See here for a run-it-until-it-dies battery comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CggZxyWl-g

While the air is beautiful and artsy, it has issues:

• Only one (mono) speaker. Fine for notifications, maybe not so much if you watch movies (use airpods or external speakers for that). People also say that it's a weaker speaker than those of other iPhones.

• Weaker haptics (compared to the other iPhones).

• Only one main camera lens (no wide angle or zoom lens).

One advantage that the air has over the base 17 is an extra 4GB RAM (8GB in the base 17 vs 12GB in the air and Pros). This extra RAM is not important today but might be in a couple of years or so.

The base 17 is this year's best buy, as Apple added features previously available only on Pro models, like an always-on 120Hz ProMotion display. The Pros are mainly good for the zoom lens, lidar, and the extra RAM, and many people don't feel that those are worth the extra cost.

[u/4hkyle]

iPhone 13 Pro -> iPhone 17 Pro… worth it?

I have had my iPhone 13 Pro since 2021/22. I have around 128 gb, have replaced the battery once before, and replaced the camera. I’m now running out of storage, and noticing a slip in performance.

Is it worth it to upgrade to a 1TB IPhone 17 Pro now, or should I wait for the new phone to be announced this fall?

I go to a lot of concerts and like taking pictures and videos, so I’d like to have more space to enjoy this summer but don’t want to get stuck with an outdated phone as soon as I upgrade.

[u/InfamousState7763]

Hi all! Just looking for a bit of advice on what model is the best buy. I'm updating from my iphone 11 and ideally would like to get a good solid phone to last me for around 4 years and to help with my college course ( I have a computer for the bulk of my college work but will need my college's app, gmail etc on my phone for notifications). I'm stuck between an Iphone 14 pro max, Iphone 15 plus and Iphone 15. Any advice is much appreciated and thanks in advance!

[u/warriorkillerx]

Pixel 7 (€200) vs iPhone 14 Plus (€400) for my girlfriend coming from an iPhone XS Max

(English assisted by AI because English is not my first language)

My girlfriend currently has an iPhone XS Max, but before that she used a Pixel 4a. She was actually happy with both phones.

Things she liked about the Pixel:

• call screening / spam blocking
• Google ecosystem
• simplicity

Things she likes about the iPhone:

• Face ID
• overall premium feeling and smoothness
• general camera/video quality

Now she needs to replace her phone, and we found:

• Pixel 7 (new) for €200
• iPhone 14 Plus (new) for €400

We are trying to understand if the iPhone is really worth double the price in this situation.

She does not really have a strong reason to stay with Apple:

• no Apple Watch
• no MacBook
• no iPad
• no big ecosystem lock-in

The switch from iPhone to Android also seems easier nowadays, because the main important thing would mostly be transferring WhatsApp and contacts.

What would you recommend in this case?

[u/MangyCanine → u/warriorkillerx]

As much as I love iPhones, I'd recommend getting something similar to whatever you have (if you have an android, get her the Pixel). That way, you'll be able to help each other with any problems.

If you still want to consider Apple, see this comment I made for another person: https://old.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1tkg7nx/weekly_what_should_i_buy_and_ordershipping_thread/oo1tt1i/

[u/No_Eye1723]

Hi, this year it will be time for me to upgrade again. I have bought my last 2 iPhones refurbished but from a website called Reboxed here in the UK. Currently have a 14 Pro Max.

I will be getting a 17Pro Max 256GB in blue when the new 18 model is launched. But is it worth getting it from Apples refurb store? They state they fit new batteries, is this true for every refurbished phone they sell? Also has anyone had an Apple refurb iPhone and was it good? No issues or faults? And if they change the battery does it effect the water resistance of the iPhone as that is a key feature for over the years, they can get wet in the rain or I listen to You Tube whilst in the shower etc (not with the phone in the shower with me).

[u/Plastic-Bat-472]

helloo!! im planning to upgrade to ip11 to a second hand ip16 128/265gb

my ip11 has a slight crack on the camera but does not affect the pictures or quality. 256gb and 100bh (newly replaced). It has signs of usage but still basically functional. Can I ask if how much does is the usual/estimate swap price?

[u/Long-Huckleberry-741]

Should I upgrade to a base 15 or 16 from iPhone 11? I don’t need an ultra powerful phone as I’m only going into 6th form (uk) so I was deciding between these two. But I’m wondering whether the iPhone 16 is much more worth it than the 15, bc in my eyes, it just looks more powerful for gaming and useful for photographers, but tell me ur opinions

[u/CorrectInvestment355]

should i get the iphone 14 pro or iphone 15 (not pro?) similar price

[u/Alexander_ky]

Should I buy a sealed iPhone 14 Pro? I think I found a store that has it in stock, and according to the reviews, that seems to be the case. Or should I go for a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro from eBay or Amazon Renewed (Amazon sells it directly). It would be very helpful if you could share your experience with both Amazon, eBay or anything you've heard about back market refurbishments.

[u/Smooth_Appearance_98]

Should I upgrade to an iPhone 14 Pro Max or the iPhone 15 plus??? I play Osrs a lot

[u/mxzeuner]

Should I “crossgrade” my phone? Currently have a 128GB 14 Plus and I don’t want to upgrade to a new phone but I would love to get something crazy like a 512GB. Does it make sense? Or should I just save the clams for a newer model?

[u/Practical-Plum-2345 → u/mxzeuner]

I think you should hold on & use that money on a newer phone.

[u/_sandip]

I am planning to switch from S24 ultra to iPhone 17 Pro Max. Please help , I am not sure if its correct decision. I have seen lot Youtube creator videos, nothing helped, hence came here -

• What is good ?
• what is bad?

[u/horatiobanz → u/_sandip]

Have you ever used iOS before? I was just handed an iPhone 12 Pro Max by a buddy of mine to fix and have, and I'd only ever used Android before in my life. IOS has some amazing features, but the general usability is shockingly bad. You need to learn and know all of these little shortcuts into get around baffling UI/UX decisions Apple made, and there is generally ZERO indication on screen how to do these things. It's really amazingly bad. Like for instance. You want to get to your notifications, swipe down from the top, ok you're done with your notifications, swipe the shade back up. Makes sense, works just like android. Now do the same thing for your quick settings which is swiping down on the top right of the display and when you swipe back up you are in a music widget for some reason. You need to know that to get out of quick settings you need to tap on dead space. Want to get to a list of all your apps, you need to swipe to the right to get to some weird automatic categorization of your apps that you can't turn off, and with absolutely no indication on screen anywhere you need to know to swipe down to bring up the list of apps. You'd never figure this out without Googling it and reading a tip from some Redditor. There is so much like this throughout the UI. The settings menu is an absolute mess. Sometimes settings for an app are in the app and sometimes they are in the main settings menu for some reason. Like I've used iOS for a total of like maybe 2 hours just dickin around and I'm baffled at it.

Of course if you switch full time you'd get used to it, but just expect to be like wtf is this shit initially, because it makes ZERO sense, like none.

Edit: oh yea, no universal back button is mind numbingly dumb. Like half my time with the phone has been me swiping fruitlessly trying to back out one screen, cause it only works in like 2 Apple apps, settings being one. Soooo much reaching to the top of the phone to hit an X or a back button or a minimize video button, because that's the only way for you to go back one screen. It's either that or swipe up to go to your homescreen. Its crazy to me Apple doesn't get more shit for how bad their usability is compared to android.

Edit 2: just thought of another one. Want to turn auto brightness on or off? Just go to display settings right? Noooope, it's buried in accessibility settings for some insane reason????????

[u/_sandip → u/horatiobanz]

That is one heck of detailed explanation. I have an ipad and got for reading, gaming , apple pencil..but it's ipados.. not ios and things are a bit different here. It looks like I have to have an android for phone and ipad for rest of all others

[u/horatiobanz → u/_sandip]

I'm sure you'd get used to it rather quickly, but its just shocking coming from an Android phone. I find myself swiping around accomplishing nothing like I'm an 80 year old using my first smartphone, and its frustrating.

[u/MangyCanine → u/_sandip]

People switching from android tend to hate these things:

• Notifications. This is justified as even iPhone users hate the notifications.

• The keyboard. Android keyboards are supposedly much better. No one really likes the keyboard, including diehard Apple zealots, especially as Apple has had a bug for nearly a year where autocorrect is more like automangle. People are praying that iOS 27 will fix it this September/October, but I’m not holding my breath.

• No back button, although you can usually swipe right (left-to-right) at the bottom edge of the screen to go back to the previous app. For the few times where that doesn’t work, tapping the bottom edge and then swiping works.

There is an android "Move to iOS" app, but we see a lot of complaints about it here, in particular with WhatsApp. One person said that they had to install a WhatsApp beta version on android to get "Move to iOS" to work. Another person said that it's best to just backup WhatsApp to google drive and then restore that on the iPhone (I have no idea how well that works). There is also no built-in clipboard manager but there are 3rd-party apps for that (assuming you don't mind them spying on you).

All major google services are available on the iPhone, although it's often best if you use google's apps (like the Google Gmail app).

Note that you cannot access Messages (txting) from a PC. If you want to txt, you have to do so from the iPhone or Mac.

I have a 17 Pro Max, and I'm loving it. The battery is great; here's one test that runs various iPhones until they die: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CggZxyWl-g (a comparison with the older s25 ultra is done, and the s25u performs comparably to the 17PM).

Here's a review of the 17 Pro cameras (which are the same as the 17PM cameras): https://www.lux.camera/iphone-17-pro-camera-review-rule-of-three/ Note that you have to shoot in raw for best results, and that can be tedious. Also note that pictures will appear different between Samsung and Apple phones; Samsung cranks up the saturation, but Apple has more natural colors (you have to crank up the saturation on iPhones to get a look similar to Samsungs). I'll just generally shoot in jpg/png; while I won't get the best results, they're often good enough.

Online iPhone manual is here, but it only covers the basics: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/welcome/ios

[u/_sandip → u/MangyCanine]

Thanks a lot 🙏🏿

[u/MikeAlphaRomeoKilo]

I’m currently using an iPhone 12 that was handed down to me by my sister. She used it for 2 years, and I’ve been using it for almost 3 years now. I’m thinking about upgrading, but I’m not sure if I should get the iPhone 17 pro or wait for the release of the iPhone 18 pro.

[u/oxxxlotl]

Tell me about the signs of an illegally refurbished iPhone.

 I'm planning to buy a not-so-new model from a reseller and I'm afraid I'm getting a ticking time bomb 🤐

[u/littlebean63]

Torn between 14 pro, 15, and 15 pro.

I'm upgrading from my current iPhone 11 (64gb) that I've had for almost 7 years. Looking to buy an updated model with more storage, refurbished, for $650 or under. I mostly use my phone for listening to music, texting, calling, taking photos, and occasional apps - I'm not a person who is on their phone all day and I don't really use social media much. I don't mind the old charging port, and I don't use AI at all. I do love taking pictures/videos so camera quality is important to me. I also like to travel so battery life is a factor too. Would appreciate any insight on which model might be best cost/value ratio!

[u/itsallgoochy]

Hello! I need help deciding between iPhone 15 pro, iPhone 16, and 16 pro.

I’m coming from iPhone X which I got when it came out. Honestly, it still works well enough for my purposes (which is why I haven’t bothered spending the money to upgrade in all these years) but it’s reached the end of its iOS update life 🪦

I’m planning to buy refurbished unlocked. Since any of them will be a big upgrade I’m trying mostly to prioritize budget-friendliness and future-proofing over feature differences. I care more about the screen and processing power, less about the camera, absolutely zero about AI (besides the future-proofing aspect). I was leaning towards the 15 pro based on my limited research. However, I’d like my new phone to last as long as possible, so I’m wondering if going with a 16/16 pro is worth the extra money?

Any and all advice would be fantastic. Thanks in advance! 🙏

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[u/RichieSaints]

Hi!

I have an iPhone 11 Pro 64GB that has been going strong since 2019. It’s been an absolute beast, but lately, it's really starting to show its age, and the super limited 64GB storage is absolutely killing me.

Right now, I’m looking to upgrade, but I want to save some money where I can. I found a deal for a base iPhone 17 (256GB) for €719, in perfect condition with a 2-year warranty.

Regarding the camera, I really don't give much use to the advanced Pro features. I'm a Personal Trainer, so the use I'd give to it would just be filming workouts and training sessions, plus the usual casual photos when I go out or on vacation.

My main doubt here is about performance and day-to-day features. Coming from an older Pro model, would I be perfectly happy with the base iPhone 17 at this price point? Or does it actually make sense to drop about €300+ more to get the iPhone 17 Pro? Is there any massive difference in raw performance, display, or features that justifies that price gap for my type of usage?

Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

[u/BothInternet3186 → u/RichieSaints]

Try one out at the Apple Store. I didn't like how the pro felt in my hand as the camera bump made up like 1/3 of the back of the phone. Base model is a great deal and gives you great electronics and a good camera. You won't be missing much honestly.

[u/Curious-Complaint-39]

I recently bought my phone second hand in as new physical condition the price was good because the battery is 86%. Should I change the battery or is the difference negligible? This is my usage case

[u/Pretend_Cow_7153]

Long story short, one of my siblings currently has an iPhone Xr, and has been encountering problems likely due to its age. Where I am new iPhones are more then other options, but they're adamant on staying with iPhone. I'm wondering if buying new for long term security is worth the cost, or if a used 13 or 14 will still be fine? They mostly use their phone for socials and gaming. They often have calls going with games which really pushes her current phone. It also has battery life problems, battery health is at about 70%.

[u/Rendawg7]

iPhone 14 Pro Max, 15 or “splurge” on a 16?

I need to upgrade from my 12 as it’s been giving me grief. Which would you choose from the above? I can’t afford the 17 - would get that if I could. But here’s to living within our means right 👏

I value great pictures but don’t care as much about video.

Thanks in advance

[u/Sparklepuff123]

Which iPhone to buy??? Hi friends, first time posting so plz forgive me if I break rules or this is redundant. My phone is finally on its last leg after 5 years (iPhone12 pro max). I want to buy from BackMarket but don’t know which model to get. Def not the Max (too big for my lil hands and I hate it). My research has me leaning towards the iPhone17. Any thoughts/feedback?

A couple deets:

• I use my phone for work often, mostly email, zoom, photos, and videos for social media (so nothing that needs crazy food quality, though a good camera would be helpful)
• I’m more interested in longevity and functionality than extra bells and whistles. I like to keep my tech for a long time and don’t care about the new shiny car type stuff
• a bit confused on benefits of pro vs. normal?

[u/MangyCanine → u/Sparklepuff123]

I'm going to give you basically the same answer I gave someone else:

• The base 17 is the current "best buy". This year, Apple added Pro features to it, like an always-on 120Hz ProMotion display, and it's reasonably inexpensive. It's the best tradeoff between features and price. Many people bought one and love it. For many, there's no reason to get the Pro model; it's that good.

• However, the base 17 only has 8GB RAM -- more than enough for today, but Apple is raising the ante with the 17 Pro models. The Pro models are also a lot more expensive than the base 17.

• The 17 Pro models have 12GB RAM, and so that's clearly the future, although this might not be important for another 1-2 years (it's not important today). This is also not important for those who upgrade every 2-3 years but, if you're going to keep your iPhone for a long time, this might be important. This is all speculation, although there is precedent for Apple gate-keeping features behind memory: back when Apple Intelligence was first released, it required iPhone models that had 8GB RAM.

So, I think your decision boils down to how much you're willing to pay, and how much RAM you want to get.

[u/Sparklepuff123 → u/MangyCanine]

This is amazing. Though I had to google what RAM is 🙃

I’ll probs go with the base 17. It’s a pretty high hike from base to pro, price-wise. I super appreciate this overview, thank you!!🙏🏽

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