I need a replacement cell phone. Questions for iPhone users:
1. What are the best resources to buy “reasonable” iPhone?
2. Have you ever negotiated with your phone service company? There are all types of “free” phones for “new” users. I’ve actually considered switching between them every 2-3 years, to be able to update my phone! (Current plan = TMobile 55+)
3. Is it worth waiting until Nov. sales? (Do older model iPhones ever really go on sale?)
4. I don’t mind buying a refurbished phone, but have not found reliable sources. Amazon third-party has a few with extended warranties, but reviews indicate the condition of most of the phones were not near their descriptions (even for the refurbished-premium level). Plus choices are limited, and typically do not prefer 3rd party sellers.
5. I prefer the smaller size of the i-6(s), but the most recent “small” version was i13-mini, and that will only be supported for 2 more years, and I’ll be in the same boat. For those of you originally with smaller iPhone, have any issues with the larger versions?
Until now, I always inherited child’s hand-me-down, but they traded it in last time. My current model is an iPhone 6. I’m a “light” user, and rarely use it for more than text, phone, and occasional newsfeeds (no videos or music). Great camera is nice, but nearly all newer phones have good cameras. However, I can no longer update most apps which is frustrating. I prefer to stay with iPhone primarily because I don’t want to learn a new system. But, never having purchased an Apple phone for the last +/-12 years, I was obviously surprised at the prices (and size).
For what it’s worth, Wirecutter recommends the regular iPhone 17 (that is: not the Pro model) in their “Which iPhone Should I Get?” guide.
I hear you on liking the smaller size, but I think I would focus on the “I’m going to have this phone for the next X years, so I’ll get the most up-to-date version so I don’t run into the ‘unsupported app’ problem in the future” approach. Have you been in to the Apple store to hold the different models? One upside to the larger screens is that you can set the default zoom / text size to be a bit higher than normal, and it can sometimes make it easier to use.
My daughter was able to upgrade to an iphone 16 from Verizon (free with her plan) a few months ago. She has been lucky and able to upgrade every 3 years and keeping Verizon. However, they do change the names and terms of the plan every time she does this. Last time she got free Disney, this time no. Hers was a trade in deal.
My husband and I upgrade to iphone 13s last year. We switched from Cricket to TMobile, because Cricket would not do free upgrades for existing customers. We got Netflix free with the new phones. The plan is a little more than we were paying on Cricket (the Tmobile 55+ plan). Ours was not a trade in deal.
The cell companies make it really hard to get free new phones as they only offer the good deals to new customers.
I would inquire at TMobile for an iphone 16. They most likely want to get rid of them now that the 17s are released. You probably will not get a trade in deal, your current iphone is too old.
Yes, I have been able to negotiate with cell providers, but it is usually for simple stuff like a $10 loyal customer discount.
Check out if your home internet provider has deals for mobile plans and new phones. They are all doing cross promotion now with home and cell plans.
We got a great deal by switching to TMobile (from Verizon) and purchasing at Costco. I think it was 3 free phones, 1 free line (no contract) and $400 in Costco gift cards. This was in May, and we got the 16 pro. Only issue is that we have not received the gift cards yet; I had read reviews that said this was an issue, so we just need to start getting vocal with Costco, who will hopefully honor the deal. Even so, we are pleased with both the deal and the service we received from T-Mobile. We had a small issue with the e-sims when setting up the phones, and T-Mobile customer service help line was fantastic. A+ experience.
My kids upgrades their 13’s for a 16 for free with Verizon (but I noticed on my online bill yesterday that I was getting charged for one of them, plus the insurance wasn’t removed like I requested, so that was 45 minutes of my life, one of the reasons I hate upgrading is something always seems to fall through the cracks), H and I upgraded out 5se and 8 to the lowest 16 because we still had to pay $350 since our phones are so old. Need to get on tbd phone with apple, because of course there are now glitches in our family plan (I have H’s Venmo app and my son’s Venmo, who knows what else).
I used to have the smaller size iphone and fought against a bigger one right up until I got one. The bigger size still fits in a pocket but is so much more useful. Never would go back to a smaller one.
Within the last six months or so all four of us went to the 16 model - two 16 pro max, one regular 16 and one 16e (the smallest one?). So far we are all happy with the models we chose; this was late spring and summer. We hit a deal where, with trade-ins, our phones were pretty much free with a two-year plan. My cell phone bill is about the same as it was before the new devices.
We have Verizon, but we go to a store here that is not a corporate store. It’s Verizon, sells the same things, can troubleshoot, do plans, etc - but it’s not owned by Verizon corporate. I’m not really sure what the difference is, the store is called Victra. It might vary by area, but I’ve always gotten great service here.
Previous poster was right, every time you upgrade it seems they change the plans and what’s offered with them. This time around, I get more unlimited data but I have to pay for Apple Music, where before it was free. We get a few streaming things free, but I get them free elsewhere so I haven’t paid much attention to that part.
I would walk into a store and just ask what the deals are. I have never done it on my own (ie ordered it online and activated it) so you might be surprised at the customer service and offers.
I upgraded from a 12 mini to a 17 pro just within the last 48 hours. I keep my phone for years and this upgrade was due to rapidly deteriorating battery life. I purchased directly from Apple at a physical store. Had them hand hold me thru the whole process and didn’t leave the store until I was sure all the really important stuff was working.
I investigated using Verizon as the method for upgrading. I found out that if I get the phone thru the carrier all subsequent customer service / assistance will have to go thru the carrier.
I’d rather be dressed in an arctic parka and sent to Hades than ever depend on my carrier for support.
As it stands I have spent over 3 hours on the phone with them trying to resolve a technical issue relating to access to my account. Three blinking hours and it’s still not resolved.
Had a question about the phone itself. The ‘record call’ was not working. about 30 minutes with two Apple agents - one of whom had to call me back because the fix required restarting the phone - and the problem is solved.
I’ve kept my 12 mini and will use it as an MP3/streaming music player while at the gym. It will also serve as a emergency backup phone while traveling.
We have had iphones for a very long time. Some we bought on line from apple, and some (including the last ones) we bought from AT&T. Never, ever had a problem with apple not helping is if we had an issue with the phone, either in the store or using the phone support. You can give them permission to access your phone remotely too. Apple support was very helpful. Once apple pointed the finger at at&t, and at&t pointed the finger at apple, but we finally did a carrier update on our phone and it fixed the problem.