I am tempted by the new iPhone Air as my iPhone11 is on its last legs and needs replacing plus the Apple support will probably turned off for this model in 2026.
At what point do you have to upgrade your tech?
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Should I stay or should I go?
I upgraded to an iphone16 recently, mainly because I was running out of memory on my old iPhone. Each iOS upgrade takes more memory to download than I had available and I was fed up with offloading apps to create space. I think the iphone16 has dropped in price since Apple launched the 17, so it might be a good bet.
I got a brand new iPhone 16 as a work award. It is still in it’s box. I have been exclusively Android for more than a decade and my current Pixel 4A will soon be 5 years old I think. Longest I ever kept a smart phone. To move to the Apple infrastructure makes me feel a bit queasy, my daughter is in there so she may end up owning this one
Funnily enough, I have just this evening read an email from HSBC saying that the HSBC app will shortly no longer work on Android 10.
My Samsung is about 7 years old (Android 10) and is getting tired. I am sure that it is slowing down faster than I am. Also, it does not have whatever remote capability it needs to allow it to be used to “tap” a credit card.
All in all, I think that it is about time I got a new phone.
My I-phone 5 does all I need it for : internet, e mails, photos and listening to Apple Music, which has my entire library accessible by cloud. I can also make telephone calls. It hasn’t had room to upgrade for probably 3 or 4 years.
I have a Google Pixel 6, the latest is up to 10
I have no intention of replacing it until it finally conks out
I don’t access the internet with it, nor do I pay bills with it
For general faffing about on the net and spending my money I use my iPad a superb machine
That phone I can’t stand the fecking thing
I renewed both my Samsung phone and tablet this year because certain apps wouldn’t work or update. The final straw came when I had to renew my driving license. To do this online, both phone and tablet needed to be able to read qr codes and they couldn’t.
I was dreading this but smartswitch helped a lot. I just had to remember tons of passwords.
My windows PC is next. Windows 10 finishes this month but I think I have a year to get a new PC as the old one doesn’t have enough oomph for the new OS.
Dreading this too!
I need to update my PC too. It has Windows 10 and not much oomph.
I upgrade ,y PC about a year ago.
Was dreading the switch … but Microsoft account took care of it. OneDrive transferred (unsurprisingly) and pleasantly surprised when I fired up Edge to find all favourites and passwords had transferred too.
I did mine last last year, to a reconditioned Compaq with extensive support from@vulpes-vulpes and it’s going great guns for cheap.
Me too. A job for next weekend.
When it stops working, not when there’s a new shiny one.
This is the right answer. And mend where you can. Then, when you do need to replace, the bugs have been out, and it’s mass produced and cheap. Flash kit is a sucker’s money pit. I’ve known hifi buffs.
I’m not convinced. That may once have been the answer but these days moving from phone to phone or PC to PC is a lot quicker and easier if you can connect them together and migrate huge amounts of stuff. That’s very tricky if the old one is already dead.
Definitely upgrade before a device fails is a golden rule.
Do it based on additional functionality that you will genuinely use. Better camera is a good reason, more memory if you download things (although Apple charges an arm and a leg for memory), improved battery life or improved processors (is your phone frustratingly slow.
I can recommend the Apple Store replacement battery service for reinvigorating an elderly iPhone.
I’d be tempted to get a pro or pro max rather than and air though. The air looks to thin to be an ergonomic success. And the camera is better.
My phone is a Google Pixel 6A and still working fine. It just upgraded itself last week to Android 16, so it’s obviously still supported. No reason to look for another as it does what I need it to.
I have 2 Windows 11 mini-PCs, one of which has just updated itself to W11 25H2. No doubt the other one will update soon as well. These are the ones I use on a daily basis, without problems.
I have a Windows 10 laptop that can’t be upgraded to Windows 11 except by bodgecraft, but I don’t use it any more anyway.
I’ve also got another old laptop that’s stuck on Windows 7. It’s probably still working. I haven’t booted it up in quite a while but last time I did it was still working OK.
I have no need for any new tech gear (apart, possibly, from a replacement car).
The Windows 11 ‘upgrade’ bodgecraft works fine for now. It’s unlikely in my opinion that Microshaft will bother to prevent updates to such bodged machines, so they could be good for several more years.
Obviously not a tactic to adopt for any machine that is critical to maintaining one’s mental health, but if there is ancient software, say, that you simply cannot transfer to a new box, its the only way to go unless you can live with running such things in a VM.
I’m also on an iPhone 11 and I think this will be the last year that it will get the iOS update (it was bottom of the list of applicable models this round). Mine is still running fine and amazingly my battery health is still at 94%.
I used to upgrade every few years, but these days there is not the need – they basically do all I need them to. That said, I’m thinking of maybe this round or the next I will need to upgrade.
On the computer side, I probably upgrade the MacBook every 5 years or so.
The NY Times Wirecutter is not very pro the Air
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/iphone-air-review/?campaign_id=190&emc=edit_ufn_20251001&instance_id=163619&nl=from-the-times®i_id=48146778&segment_id=206969&user_id=d977d45fc2a2cd4eccd3c36f8261a692
As per Leedsboy’s comment I got a new one because the camera and attendant functionality were better than both my old phone and my digital camera.
Pretty happy with the iphone 16.
The missus has been an Apple girl ever since her Design days. Unless your internet provider is giving you a really good deal we see no point in going for the latest (ludicrously expensive) iPhone. Reconditioned “as new” is how we go – currently she’s had her 12 for three years now and it’s looking good for at least another two. By that time the 16 will no doubt be a “bargain”.
As for “better camera” – are you all pros, do you even know what half the functions are? Mrs Lodes is the world’s best photographer (that’s a fact) and for the non-serious everyday stuff (which is roughly 255 photies a day) she is more than happy with the 12 and it’s 256gb memory.
I, by the way, am also more than happy with my 140 euro 256g Redmi 12s. Does everything and more I want it to (I took a photie last week, wasn’t very good) and I like to think there’s a whole office in China looking at all my personal details and wondering “What is this AfterWord and why does he spend so much time there?”
As a talented commdian* once said, “I don’t care if the Chinese are listening to my phone calls, most of my phone calls are me ordering Chinese”.
My life is so banal, I seriously think I could be an effective deterrent to hostile countries listening/watching. “is he really watching another shoe repair video from that cobbler in Tring?? Thats the 5th one today…”
* Ian Stone.
I moved from an 8 to a 12 pro and the camera improvement was really noticeable. I moved from the 12 pro to a 16 pro max this year (and donated the 12 to my son). The camera difference is not as stark but it is still noticeably improved. I am the official family photographer and I love taking pictures of the seasonal changes on my dog walks.
That’s what I do – whenever I upgrade I pass the old one on to the missus. She takes it over as and when she can remember her Apple password. There’s been an iPhone 13 Pro just sitting there waiting for her to get her act together for about 9 months.
As for the general point, I upgrade whenever I feel like it, generally I skip a version. Don’t see any reason to feel guilty about it. Currently on 15 Pro, but this time I might wait for the 18, times being a bit hard right now.
If you buy a pro, the phone probably has a year more of life than a non pro. I noticed my 12 Pro being a bit slow in certain apps this year. It’s good to leave a bit of a gap – you notice the benefits so much more as well.
I bought a Samsung S24 when they became available and I’m not expecting to need a new phone for another five years or so. Still waiting for Android 16 to drop but Samsung are always slow on this. As to the phone…it’s a phone it does everything I expect from an up-to-date smart phone and a lot of stuff I’ll never use.
I don’t use a laptop or a desktop. I don’t have any need for them. My phone and a couple of Samsung tablets are all I need.
I tend to look for new tech when it shows it’s age by slowing down, battery drain and when it gets beyond being able to update to the newest security patches.
I will be updating some important stuff next year in the form of new amplification and I’m considering adding a DDC.
DDC? Yoiks!
Further to the DCC – I assume you’ll get a sale-or-return/“try before you buy” arrangement, Mr P?
And new amps for old – what are you eyeing up?
I’m looking at the Laiv uDDC which unusually for a DDC offers the connectivity I would like. Most DDCs allow for a single digital input and multiple digital outputs this one from Laiv does the opposite so I can connect my CDT and my steamer to the DDC and then out to my DAC over i2s. This should offer a small improvement in SQ to both of my front ends.
I’m looking at two integrated amps at the moment the Roksan Caspian 4g and the Atoll Electronique IN200. I’ll probably end up buying the Roksan purely because it has a set of balanced inputs which will save me having to buy some new RCA interconnects and a new passive switch to swap between my speaker amp and my headphone amp but first before I get around to any of it I need to recover from my hip op. Planning these changes gives me something to look forward to even if I can’t do anything about implementing them for six or seven months.
The planning’s part of the fun…and the notion of a steamer with a digital output appeals, it’s like the vacuum that sends email! 🙂
How’s the hip/physio/mobility/pain?
It most certainly is. Most if not all Streamers have digital outs so an external DAC can be used. This is what I’m already doing but putting a DDC between the Streamer and in my case a CDT and the DAC will re-clock the digital stream and give me the best possible digital connection. Not to mention it’s a new toy and it has buttons!
As for my new hip…it’s sore and painful which is exactly what I expected. It’s only just over a week since I had the op so it’s bound to be uncomfortable. I’m following the instructions to the letter, physio exercises three times a day along with walking around my flat on my crutches every forty minutes or so. I assume it’s getting slowly better as the exercises are becoming easier to do. The district nurse is calling on the 9th to check me over again and change the dressing on the incision and I’ve an appointment at Wrexham Maelor on the 5th November with my consultant.
Thanks for asking A. 🙏
All sounds good with the recovery. Excellent news.
I note that you side-stepped my playful riff on your original typo – I thought that perhaps a digital steamer would let you know when your broccoli was ready!
Mon dieu! I only just noticed. 🫣
😁
Samsung have been known in the past for not offering Android updates beyond a certain point, two or three updates from what was shipped new, because they always want you to buy their latest models.
The advantage of Google’s Pixel phones is that though they too want you to buy their new kit, the Android OS is theirs, so they only seem to stop offering updates when the hardware is no longer up to the job.
I love my Pixel 7, especially as it doesn’t have any bloatware you can’t remove. My previous one, a Samsung, had Facebook, Linked In etc and you couldn’t remove them.
Samsung will provide the update to Android 16 for the S24 it’s just taking them a little time to roll it out. When I bought the phone I was assured of updates covering seven years.
I updated my Samsung stuff to Android 16 yesterday evening. Evidently it’s been available since September 22nd but being somewhat distracted by other life events I missed it so if for nothing else my thanks to Uncle for this thread or I’d have continued on in ignorance.
I do the available Android upgrades as a matter of course* but I often wonder if they’re worth it, because apart from the occasional visual tweak I rarely notice any difference.
The visual tweaks with Android 16 ARE pretty noticeable.
*On Pixel phones they pretty much insist that you take the upgrades as they’re offered.
I agree Mike. I upgrade for security reasons more than anything else. Samsung’s One UI updated to 8 as well. For the most part I don’t notice much difference whatever they tweak as I use Niagara Launcher on my phone and tablets. I prefer the lack of screen clutter it provides.
I get the cast off Iphones from my daughter each timer her contract finishes. However I’ve stuck for many years with the iPhone 8 which for me is perfect in terms of size and functionality. However the battery is dying and some apps won’t update so looks like I’ll have to upgrade. Hate the face recognition security as opposed to the perfectly fine and simple finger print.
To say the joy and excitement of new tech – for phones anyway – has gone out of the window would be accurate round here. It’s a chore about as exciting as an annual tax return (which Mrs Moles does). I have just swapped my iphone 11 (on its last year of ios updates as observed above) for a 14 which should last me another 3 years. This time round I have swapped Music Magpie for Back Market – on the recommendation of a IT geek at work – and everything has gone smoothly, which is all I ask. £308 for a ‘good’ 14 which after a week seems perfectly fine to me.
To add to all the above, I have stopped using any trade-in – whether to MM, backmarket or CEX – and sell the previous model on ebay. I’ve always got roughly double what the trade-in would be (hmm, wonder why) and as I only ever advertise them as used without a condition statement have never had any trouble from purchasers. Always post shots of the battery health, homescreen etc . The trade-iners can be really picky on battery etc and selling it yourself is the way to go IMHO.
A bit like cars the secondhand market is so well-developed unless you have a contract that gives you one I can’t see why anyone would buy a new phone. I
….made love to a sheep? Just the once, honest…
I will soon need to replace my music room MacMini from 2013. It’s been good but I want to get off Apple and I’m sure the migration/learning curve will be horrible. I’ve also got old but fit for purpose bits of software I probably won’t be able to move over or easily replace which will also be a pain. Result is I’m just hoping it doesn’t die in me though on one an old OS and things like Spotify and Chrome refuse to update any more. It’s only a matter of time…
If you are willing to remain on apple, you might consider using https://opencorelegacypatcher.net/ to update your old mini to a later, probably the latest, operating system.
It will then accept latest Spotify and Chrome installs. I’d install an SSD drive at the same time if not already fitted and it will fly.
I did this recently with a 2015 iMac. It wasn’t too difficult to follow the instructions and cost just £50 for the SSD.
That’s interesting, thanks. I’ll have a look.
Why do you want to get off Apple?
I’ve got rid of all other Apple devices and this is the last one. I don’t like their design philosophy and find it incomprehensible half the time. Every time I install a plugin or update and “Finder” tells me I can’t because Apple hasn’t approved it it’s a total PITA having to trick it into letting me install my software on my machine.
It’s been fine as a recording platform but if I have to upgrade I’m moving onto an open technology. I don’t particularly want to but I’m worried it’ll just die soon or become completely unsupported.
Decision made.
I will upgrade to a iPhone 17 Pro in Silver.
There’s one born etc
Or – to each his own and long may it be so
My money, my choice.
Unless you want/need the camera differences etc from having a pro, I’d seriously consider the Air. I’ve had Pro Max models for the last few years (I’m lucky in that I can change my phone regularly via a work subsidy) and went for them for two reasons – the physical size (I just find the normal iPhone too small for my sausage fingers) and the fact that I could get 1tb versions so almost all my music library could fit on the phone). I’ve gone for the Air this time as I never used any of the pro features and the air is only just smaller than a Pro Max and still has 1tb of storage. The Air is a great phone – the camera is more than good enough, it’s really light and I’ve noticed no issues with shorter battery life, despite how thin the phone is.
I usually buy last year’s models of phone, Mac etc but last time round the iPhone 12 was the first with 5g capabilities so it was worth paying a bit more and future proofing. Now I’m thinking about the next one, it’s back to last year’s stuff, although the camera will be a consideration this time.
What will the new one do that you can’t do now? Do you need to do those things? I’m sure I run my iPhone 12 at about 50% of what it can do.
Well you can flex having the new one!
I recently discovered you can control the cursor by sliding on the space bar. No idea how long that’s been possible.
No one really flexes having a new phone do they? Not at our age surely.
Shirley the point of a mobile phone is not needing to use a flex?
Twang is old school and totally wired.
Even if you’re only using 50% of its capability, you would notice improved performance and functionality. Whether or not that gives you value is entirely your perspective. If you also have a willing family member to take on your old phone and run it for a few further years, that helps the business case (I would have had to get him a cheap phone and I knew my old one had been well looked after and had a newish Apple Store battery).
I have an iPhone SE (2nd gen) – bought in 2020 and still going strong. Size suits my hand and pocket size, functionality is just enough. Apparently the SE has been dropped from the new line up, so the mighty Apple are no longer producing a small form factor phone (making a thinner one is not the same). So, I’ll keep this one chugging along, with a new battery if and when it needs one, and won’t replace until I absolutely have to.
They are really good. Me and my wife both have one, bought refurbished a couple of years ago from the ioutlet which I have used for my last couple of phones. They have quite a lot of the 2022 version, hopefully they still will when I need a new one.