When you should upgrade — the truth

My always advice is: Wait as long as you possible can to upgrade, then buy the best possible upgrade you can, and keep it as long as you can — enjoy the hell out of it — because there’ll always be something new and something next

And that’s truer now for phones than it’s ever been before. Because phones just aren’t rapidly changing, always experimenting, bleeding edge nerd-bait sci-fi any more. They’re fully matured and mainstream.

Just look at all the hotter-than-hot takes that have been pouring in lately, from the Galaxy Fold 4 to the iPhone 14 to the Pixel 7 — spec bumps and a few new features aside, this years models are nigh-indistinguishable from last year’s. I mean, forget S-models, they’re basically being called rev B hardware.

The designs have reached a point where they’re platonic, if not always iconic. Like a Porsche or Rolex or Mont Blanc… or, you get the idea.

So... should you upgrade now or should you wait for next?

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All opinions are my own. This channel does not produce sponsored or paid reviews. Companies occasionally provide briefings or loan sample products to facilitate reviews but provide no payment and get no editorial input, content approval, or advanced previews. They see them for the first time when you do

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📷 Some video and images via by Getty Images and/or AP Archives
🎸 Some music via by Epidemic

[davidsanderford]

Went from a XR to a 14 pro max. It was a vast improvement and definitely worth it

[Neoxon]

I have an iPhone 12 right now, so I can hold out until the 15. I’m mostly waiting for USB-C to be added, which is rumored to be next year.

[aunshah]

Was blown away when I upgraded from iPhone 6 to iPhone X back in 2017 and it’s still going strong in 2022. I think next year will be my year to upgrade. 🎉

[jaywright]

I love your take on when to upgrade. It actually is the best way to enjoy the tech we have, without the anxiety or FOMO setting in 🤦🏿‍♂️😂. It really is best to wait 3+ years, before you upgrade your smartphone, because of the things you mentioned in this video. I'm a tech nerd too, and enjoy having the latest technology to play with. But my 13 Pro and Pixel 6 Pro, will suffice me for a couple years. Maybe more.

Now I watch tech videos to compare my "older tech" to the newer ones coming out this year, and you realize I'm wasting money upgrading so frequently. Just enjoy what you have, save some money up, and then do it again in a few years. Disregard if you're rich, and money is no object. Just pass the old phone on to someone else and save the planet 😎

[rustychain]

My upgrade schedule is dictated by what phones no longer get the current iOS. I give mine and my wife’s old phones to family members and I keep one spare so this year I replaced my wife’s iPhone 11 with an iPhone 14 ProMax and gave her iPhone 11 to her mom who was using an iPhone 7.

[TimothyLeeClark]

Went from a XR to a 13 pro last year and it was such a great improvement. I can wait until the iPhone 16 most likely before I upgrade.

[WineWorldTV]

Still rocking the X as my daily. Changed the battery last March and it's still at 98% Max Capacity. 11 Pro as my main camera. I only have video/photography apps on it so I have lots of capacity. I don't even "keep originals" for any pics/videos in the library and definitely no music at all.

Yeah, all the new features are cool and all, but I don't have a NEED for them. I used to automatically upgrade every 2 years, but things change and I don't have the disposable income to constantly upgrade. Like you said, the features I am waiting for will eventually happen, and guess what, I'll still rock the X as my daily until I can't update the software anymore.

[mike_martin]

Wife and I had the 12 Pro. Upgraded to 14 Pro Max but jumped up to 512gb. I plan to roll with this for awhile

[FutureNow]

I'm still holding onto my iPhone 11 Pro. Waiting for that iPhone 15 Pro to hit with hopefully a USB-C charger to upgrade. And as you mentioned, I'll have a ton of new features that have been added over the last few years. I did replace the battery last week for $69 (nice) since it was at 78% capacity.

[Avucoda]

I have normal iPhone 13 256. My previous iPhone was Xs Max 512. I was kinda tired of having the biggest phone and also when the notch became bit narrower and the battery life got really better. That's why I did change it to having a perfectly balanced phone for me. Now I'm gonna wait for the iPhone 17.

[DBravoer]

I've got a XR red and have a 14 Pro on order. I'm pleased with a 4yr ownership cycle. Will be a huge jump in EVERY area for me. My wife remains really happy with her 12 and has no desire or need to upgrade.

[phatpurrly]

Went from 7plus to 12pro max. As a pro photographer, it's all about the camera specs. 14 pro max is a no brainer. I ordered through my carrier who is offering a very generous trade in price. Thankful for your perspective Rene.

[RawliglatX]

Coming from an iPhone 11 pro, I haven't seen too much improvement to justify a switch to the 12/13 pro (tho 120Hz and Battery have been tempting - just not enough justification)
The one thing I was hoping to convince me was the USB-C, but it never came.
But I noticed I used wireless charging quite often,
(only hassle being that it didn't stick and let me use the phone conveniently while charging)
but with magsafe USB-C isn't too much of a dealbreaker for me.

Recently "lost" my 11 pro and currently on an iPhone 7, so decided to by the 14,

15 would be pretty difficult to justify (over 13/14)

[stevesau]

I’m more than happy with my 13 pro. Finding non subscription polished apps for my everyday use is what I search for.

[abhishekdhiman]

Thank you. I totally agree with all the points you mentioned. I am using a Samsung Galaxy S9 plus. It looks out-dated (camera is old, huge chin and forehead, smaller battery, 60 hz display, 64gb inbuilt memory) but still does the job above average if not per latest and greatest standards.
Time by time I get tempted to upgrade to the latest phone in the market, but I can't justify the huge cost of upgrading when my current phone isn't broken (not even a single scratch without any screen protector). Planning to use it for 1 more year (total 5 years) and then will finally upgrade.

[atthelord]

I went from 11 PM to 14PM. Mainly got a Better screen, battery life, cameras. I could have waited another year tbh, but I’m happy with my purchase.

[romanmaretti]

true! i got the iphone 5 when it first came out then waited til the screen was popping out and not holding a charge to upgrade to the iphone 8 then waited til that phone died and got the iphone 12 pro max and now my iphone 12 pro max is dying but i am not sure if i want to upgrade just yet

[wheeleoo]

people are always gonna say keep waiting until next year, it’s always gonna show some disappointment to an extent

if you want to upgrade, go for it, have no regrets and use the most out of it.

[mdlim]

I upgraded to iPhone 14 pro max from the iPhone 12 pro max. Even with battery health still over 92% on the 12, I'd run out of juice by 2pm. 14 is substantially better with battery life. The rest of the features like always on display, smoother with 120hz and pro motion are just nice. I have two phones, so I'm still using the SAMSUNG fold 2, I still don't feel the need to upgrade it.

[Foliagewen]

Rene, Prince actually laid down the song for your video years ago. I have been caught several times walking through the house, slowly waving my Deep Purple 14 Pro Max over my head side to side, while singing to the tune of Purple Rain. I encourage everyone to sing with me now. “Honey, I know, I know times are changing. It’s time we all reach out for the new, that means you too! You say you want a new iphone, but you can’t seem to make up your mind. I think you better close it, and let me guide you, to the Purple Phone.” (Raise your hands with me now and wave back and forth and SING!) “Purple phone, Purple phone yeah…” 😂 (You can keep singing if you want cause I know you guys did!) I upgraded from 11 Pro Max and love my new phone!