Apple’s new “Why Upgrade - See What You’re Missing” page

[creat0r]

Summary

Apple has created a page on their websites where the user enters their current iPhone model and gets a list of reasons to upgrade to the 15-series. Interestingly, currently only the 11- or 12-series are selectable. The user then picks one of four iPhone 15-series models, and the list is generated with reasons to upgrade. It’s similar to the older “Compare” feature, but this new page only shows the differences.

 

Quotes

Quote

 “The new “Why Upgrade” page on Apple’s website shows users of some older iOS models what features they’d get if they traded up to the latest iPhone 15 series.  The tool says “See what you’re missing“ in hopes of convincing shoppers that it’s time to move on from handsets introduced in 2019 or 2020.” - Cult of Mac

 

My thoughts

Honestly I feel like Apple is getting a bit desperate to get users to buy new products, the title screams of desperation of wanting to give users FOMO. I’m a big tech nerd who usually wants the best, but my iPhone 12 Pro Max from 2020 is still serving me great. I know a lot of users are feeling the same way (maybe not on this forum though): that their smartphone is good enough - so why upgrade? If Apple made product that was innovative and revolutionary for real, then they wouldn’t need a list with all the subtle differences for the average user. My conspiracy theory is that the old “Compare” tool showed how much each “new” generation had in common with the previous generations, and that’s why they want to hide it and only display the differences. Also, wanting to give users FOMO by using their devices that are just a few years old is VERY hypocritical considering all their environmental focus.

 

Sources

 https://www.cultofmac.com/851469/apple-highlights-reasons-to-upgrade-latest-iphone-2/ 

[creat0r]

Direct link to Apple’s page: https://www.apple.com/iphone/why-upgrade/ 

[da na]

"You're missing out on:

 

 

 

76mp 5th camera

 

 

 

 

 

 

"

[da na]

Well even the old Compare is missing my beloved 4S, which has a home button, ring/silent switch, and custom clear back too. Looks like I'd lose features if I DID upgrade huh?

[dilpickle]

Phone stagnation is not unique to Apple.

[TylerD321]

8 minutes ago, creat0r said:

Direct link to Apple’s page: https://www.apple.com/iphone/why-upgrade/ 

What I gather from this website is that even Apple doesn't recommend upgrading phones unless your phone is at least 3 generations old.

[TempestCatto]

You're missing out on: No headphone jack, no physical home button, no fingerprint sensor, no love life.

 

No thanks Apple. I'll stick to my 6s until it stops working on AT&T's network.

[Kisai]

4 hours ago, creat0r said:

 

My thoughts

Honestly I feel like Apple is getting a bit desperate to get users to buy new products, the title screams of desperation of wanting to give users FOMO. I’m a big tech nerd who usually wants the best, but my iPhone 12 Pro Max from 2020 is still serving me great.

My Xs is perfectly fine, I replaced the battery a month ago. It should be fine for the forseeable future until 5G is fully rolled out.

 

I would strongly suggest people not upgrade their phones unless it's actually broken. If it still works, it will be fine until the radio technology changes. 

[Avocado Diaboli]

"Yeah, we're gonna offer you six to eight years of software support, but we'd really like you to upgrade your phone after three years. Why? Money, me boy!"

 

Also, hilarious how they're spinning the inclusion of USB-C as a reason to upgrade. And how exactly do I charge my PC with a USB-C cable, Apple?

[Just A Name]

6 hours ago, TylerD321 said:

What I gather from this website is that even Apple doesn't recommend upgrading phones unless your phone is at least 3 generations old.

AND only 11 or 12 series as of now

[Monkey Dust]

I guess maybe they don't have any optimism about selling a new phone to iPhone X, and earlier, users.

 

I have an 11, and honestly a 15 still feels like a meh upgrade considering the cost. The biggest deal feels like USB-C charging, and being able to get rid of my lighting cables. I'll probably stick with the 11 until it stops receiving security updates.   

[saltycaramel]

Nice marketing initiative, non-techy people should be provided with this kind of real-world information and not be at the mercy of nerdy relatives that usually give very bad advice when it comes to mobile devices (see some of the posts here).

[TetraSky]

 

Is this apple admitting the glass back on their phones was a bad idea?

 

In any case.... I'm looking at that page and only someone completely in the cult of apple would think these talking points are any good arguments in favor of an upgrade.

 

"You get free, temporary iCloud storage to transfer your data to your new iPhone. "

Oh boy, how generous to let people temporarily  have higher storage capacity for free when they need to transfer data on their new phone.

[creat0r]

It makes me really happy to hear peoples stories of refusing to buy new iPhones/smartphones.

[Commodus]

2 hours ago, TetraSky said:

 

Is this apple admitting the glass back on their phones was a bad idea?

 

In any case.... I'm looking at that page and only someone completely in the cult of apple would think these talking points are any good arguments in favor of an upgrade.

 

"You get free, temporary iCloud storage to transfer your data to your new iPhone. "

Oh boy, how generous to let people temporarily  have higher storage capacity for free when they need to transfer data on their new phone.

There's still glass on the back of iPhones. The aluminum refers to the frame. If the back was aluminum, it'd have trouble with wireless charging.

 

I don't think you have to be a diehard Apple fan to see value in the talking points... with that said, if you're using an iPhone 11 or 12, you also don't really need this page to sell you on an upgrade.

 

 

[Zodiark1593]

Recently replaced the battery on my iPhone 11. Definitely no need to upgrade here. 
 

Though, I’m a little irritated that I missed out on being able to procure OEM parts by one model year. 

[FlyingPotato_is_taken]

I like it. This tells me phones are now at the point where average Joe doesn't feel like he needs a new phone every 2 years.

 

[Dracarris]

13 hours ago, Kisai said:

My Xs is perfectly fine, I replaced the battery a month ago.

Wait. I thought that was impossible with evil glued batteries. What sorcery is this?

[bcredeur97]

19 hours ago, da na said:

"You're missing out on:

 

 

 

76mp 5th camera

 

 

 

 

 

 

"

pretty much. 

I love how they don't have my iPhone X in the list. Guess apple thinks I don't need to upgrade 

[TetraSky]

1 hour ago, bcredeur97 said:

pretty much. 

I love how they don't have my iPhone X in the list. Guess apple thinks I don't need to upgrade 

They assume you already upgraded. Because no Apple user proper would be caught dead using a last gen iphone. Much less one that is several generations old. /s

[bcredeur97]

1 hour ago, TetraSky said:

They assume you already upgraded. Because no Apple user proper would be caught dead using a last gen iphone. Much less one that is several generations old. /s

it's the best iPhone I ever bought. Still works great 6.5 years later (yes, I bought it on launch day!) xD 

They increased the price to $1000 and my reaction literally was: "guess I can keep this phone for longer!" 

 

But I will say that's not the play, the play is to buy a REALLY NICE 2 year old phone for about half original price (maybe a smidge more) and keep it for 4 years. I think that's the best balance! (almost like a car?)

[ToboRobot]

This isn't really "news".

 

There seems to be an odd connection between reporting on minute details and disliking people/companies.

Not sure if Apple is more desperate to sell phones or people are desperate to talk about Apple.

 

 

[Kisai]

5 hours ago, Dracarris said:

Wait. I thought that was impossible with evil glued batteries. What sorcery is this?

I dunno, ask the Apple Store.

 

iFixit:

Quote

• The battery is secured to the rear case by four pieces of stretch-release adhesive—one under the upper area of the battery, and three under the lower area.

   
•  

  Each piece of adhesive has a black pull-tab at the end, which is lightly adhered to the side edge of the battery.

 

[PocketNerd]

On 3/26/2024 at 7:16 PM, creat0r said:

Also, wanting to give users FOMO by using their devices that are just a few years old is VERY hypocritical considering all their environmental focus.

FOMO is their entire business model. Especially with this push of being a “luxury brand”

 

And for a while people didn’t want to miss out on the latest and greatest because the latest did a better job of meeting their needs.

 

Now? “Yeah I’m good, thanks.”

 

EDIT: tried the tool myself, and literally the only compelling reason for me is the faster chip, I don’t care about the camera stuff. But even then it’s not worth the over $1100 Canadian buckaroos.

[williamcll]

There's no need to put any complex reasoning.

 

Just "Fresh full new battery" is enough