Does It Make Sense To Upgrade To The Latest iPhone When You Have The Previous Generation?
My opinion on the matter, based on first impressions, can be changed in future
If you own an iPhone 13 at the moment, then from my perspective, it only makes sense to upgrade if you have a mini and want a bigger phone. Otherwise, there's no such sensation as Apple tried to slip us at the keynote. In terms of looks, you get almost the same phone.
Instead of solving the holes in the display, it's solved with a seemingly cool feature with a really weird name, dynamic island, that again would be just marketing as it has been before with an overpriced monitor mount, wheels to a grater (Mac), or perhaps a cloth?
Batteries
If we look at the difference in battery life of the iPhone 13 Pro Max versus the iPhone 14 Pro Max, we get an extra 2 hours. It shows that Apple doesn't care that users would appreciate a watch and phones with more battery life. Regarding smartwatches, Apple was even mocked by Garmin on its Twitter feed.
Dynamic Island
This news is based on the redesigned notch, so it makes sense that it's only available for the iPhone 14 Pro.
Car crash detection
The new accelerometer can detect extreme acceleration or deceleration of up to 256 g, and the high dynamic range gyroscope detects extreme changes in the direction of the car's motion. These are hardware innovations on iPhone 14, so older models can't get them.
Satellite communications
Again, the new emergency connectivity option focuses on the latest technology unavailable on older models. So far it's free for two years, the question is how much it will cost after that. And it's also worth mentioning that Apple currently only have it working in the US and Canada, so the rest of the world is paying for "HW" they can't use. The free subscription will indeed be hidden in the devices' price.
4K movie mode
Filmmaker Mode can now shoot videos in 4K HDR at 24 fps, which Apple says is "the film industry standard". Why this can't be done on at least the iPhone 13 Pro is a question, as the chip has been virtually unimproved in the iPhone 14. The new Photonic Engine is probably to blame.
Action Mode
Advanced stabilization for handheld video recording is again dependent on the new Photo Engine, which is why Apple won't provide this mode to older phones. Or maybe it just wants exclusivity for new releases, like it did last year with Filmmaker Mode.
Improved selfie camera
The new iPhones Pro (I haven't seen a teardown from the classic version) seem to have optical front camera stabilization.
Always On Display
Finally, we have even seen Always On Display. The thing that android has had for years, and apple still refused to implement it. Maybe in a few years, there will even be a notification light that users have been calling for.
Because Apple could knock the adaptive refresh rate of the iPhone 14 Pro displays down to 1 Hz, it was finally able to bring them an Always On display. That's also why it won't add this feature to older models.
Conclusion
Practically the only iPhone that makes any sense to upgrade to is the iPhone 14 Pro (Max), but only from 256GB onwards. Otherwise, you'll be cheated out of some camera features. Unless you're an enthusiastic photographer, amateur filmmaker, or vlogger, I'm not sure if getting a new iPhone makes sense.
And even in that case, it will be questionable whether you can't do more with the camera, lenses etc., in this price range. I understand that someone will undoubtedly argue that this device fits in your pocket, which is an advantage. The price is not small, and it offers more things for the casual user that they won't use.
On the one hand, it's nice that Apple is trying to give users elegant features. Still, on the other hand, I wonder if it wasn't for regular software updates, an excellent complaint program. Many admitted bugs and subsequent free fixes even after warranty whether Apple has as much added value as it tries to pretend it has outwardly.
Yes, Apple's ecosystem is simple to use, addictive to use, and until you need to do something outside its boundaries, you think it is a well-designed thing that suits you, and you are happy to pay extra for it. But at the moment, it feels more like Apple gives us a little show at WWDC a couple of times a year, and Keynotes and the stuff they bring in between generations isn't that much.
In the current situation with phones, I would safely say if you have an iPhone 11, upgrading to the new iPhone will give you a lot and will make you incredibly entertained. Still, suppose you are thinking of upgrading from an iPhone 13. In that case, there aren't that many changes, and I would only consider upgrading if you have the previously mentioned iPhone 13 mini or are an avid photographer/filmmaker.
If today's article harmed you, I apologize. I just gave vent to my thoughts as I always do when I write something for you. And I'm proud to take advantage of the fact that any collaborations do not bind me, and I try things I write about on my budget. That's why I can bring you an independent opinion.
Who else does the upgrade make sense for?
For parents of young children who are constantly on the go, the new generation iPhone Pro will give you a great action camera in your pocket or purse to help you capture moments with your little ones, and that's something.
Thank you for reading this article! If you enjoyed it, please leave me 👏🏻 and follow me for more content like this! 😊👍
