Apple’s Latest iPhone Upgrade: Is It Worth It?
Apple has recently launched a new webpage titled “Your iPhone vs. the latest,” with the aim of enticing owners of older iPhones to trade-in and upgrade to the iPhone 15. As a satisfied owner of an iPhone 12, I must admit that Apple’s attempt to persuade me to switch hasn’t quite hit the mark.
The tech giant’s first claim is that the iPhone 15 captures up to 4x the resolution of the iPhone 12, offering a new level of detail and color. While this may sound appealing, I find myself questioning whether I’ve been dissatisfied with the resolution of my iPhone 12’s camera. The same holds true for the next claim: “Save way more shots with 2x more storage than iPhone 12.” While more storage is always a welcome feature, I don’t believe I take enough photos to warrant concern over storage capacity.
Moving on to the camera features, Apple highlights the addition of a 2x Telephoto lens, likening it to having a third camera. While this may be useful for avid photographers, I can’t help but feel that the main use of a smartphone for the majority of users is still primarily photography. Similarly, Apple mentions the ability to quickly capture shots and turn them into portraits later, but questions remain whether this feature exclusively benefits those capturing people, dogs, and cats.
In terms of video, Apple introduces Action mode to stabilize shaky shots taken on the go. However, the frequency at which users find themselves in such situations may render this feature less persuasive. Cinematic mode, on the other hand, allows users to create movies with automatic focus shifting to the most important subjects in a scene. While I appreciate this feature to some extent, it’s important to acknowledge that the professional-quality shots seen in Apple’s marketing materials often involve additional lighting and professional film crews.
Apple also seeks to entice users with the adoption of USB-C for charging, instead of the traditional Lightning cable. However, wireless chargers have already addressed this concern for many users. The promise of a faster GPU and longer battery life, along with the inclusion of Dynamic Island for easier access to flight status and other notifications, are also presented as reasons to upgrade.
Ultimately, Apple ends its persuasive pitch with a side-by-side comparison of the displays of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 15, revealing their identical nature. This implies that true innovation in smartphones, especially in the realm of iPhones, may have slowed down over time.
Deciding whether to upgrade often involves a combination of specific features and an emotional connection to the new device. Some users may be swayed by a particular feature, while others may simply be in the mood for a change. As for me, despite Apple’s offer of up to $220 in credit for trading in my iPhone 12, I am content to wait for the next iPhone release, which typically occurs in the Fall.
In conclusion, while Apple’s claims regarding the iPhone 15 may hold some appeal, it seems that the incremental improvements offered may not be enough to sway existing iPhone 12 owners. The decision to upgrade ultimately depends on individual preferences and needs. As for the future of the industry, it will be interesting to see if Apple can truly impress consumers with their next iPhone release, offering innovative features that go beyond incremental updates.