Spec me an Iphone

placeholder · 16 May 2020 at 09:23

Ive posted in a few threads about a number of apple products lately. I have an old iMac and a couple of MacBooks as well as an iPad. I needed new headphones recently and Ive decided to get AirPods and Im sorely tempted by the Apple Watch if I can get a good deal - primarily for exercise purposes.

The problem is I currently have a Samsung S9+. I am due an upgrade but there is really nothing out there that takes my fancy. The Samsung has been a great phone but the charging port is broken so I have to wireless charge which is fine but a bit restrictive. Anyway I digress...I just use the phone for the usual things, photos, browsing, social media etc. I like the large form of the phone but in truth maybe don't use it as I don't really watch films or anything on it - I have the iPad for that. I like having a nice phone but I don't suppose Im exactly what you would call a power user.

Given the above I thought I would look at returning to the iPhone. Im on the Apple website for comparison purposes and have the 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max as the selected phones. I wouldnt go less than 128gb as the Samsung has an SD card so Im used to large storage. I haven't a clue what to do. I don't want to spend too much money as I have a lot of other commitments but it seems counter intuitive to not go for the top phone when models move so quickly and most contracts are 3 years - I won't be buying outright. Common sense says just stick a SIM only deal in the Samsung but....

Moving from the Samsung what is the equivalent in the iPhone range? Any thoughts what you would do given my usage and my reasons for wanting to change?

Sorry for the long post and mods feel free to move to the generic iPhone thread if more appropriate.

Alpherah · 16 May 2020 at 11:48

Depends how much value you put on the oled display really. Your looking at either an 11 or Pro Max if you like the size of the s9+ but storage wise the 256gb pro Max (no 128gb option) is £1299 vs £779 for the 128GB 11.

I’m using the 11 myself and don’t look on with screen envy at my wife’s Xs max - but some people would have you believe it’s the worst display known to man so

MrRockliffe · 16 May 2020 at 11:52

If OLED is a must, then I’d go for a 11 Pro Max

Otherwise, the 11 represents really good value and the screen is great for IPS. Don’t think the resolution would be an issue.

I tried 90Hz on a OnePlus 7T, and I use an IPad Pro 11 - don’t have any problems switching between my XS Max and the iPad. The OLEDs on iPhones are excellent, and the higher touch sampling rates make it feel a lot smoother than it is. Not sure I’d take the trade off on battery from a higher refresh on OLED on a phone.

I wouldn’t have an issue going 11 Pro Max as long as the deal was right.

placeholder · 16 May 2020 at 13:03

Nothing is really a "must" if Im honest. I just wouldnt want to "upgrade" to something worse. that said my usage doesn't justify a £60 a month contract and the 11 can be had for around half that I think. In my situation maybe I would put more value on the Apple integration on a lesser phone and the money in my pocket rather than having a flagship phone at premium price. Maybe Im asking questions that only I can answer but Im interested in other opinions and experiences all the same

Daaaavvveee · 16 May 2020 at 13:22

placeholder said:
Nothing is really a "must" if Im honest. I just wouldnt want to "upgrade" to something worse. that said my usage doesn't justify a £60 a month contract and the 11 can be had for around half that I think. In my situation maybe I would put more value on the Apple integration on a lesser phone and the money in my pocket rather than having a flagship phone at premium price. Maybe Im asking questions that only I can answer but Im interested in other opinions and experiences all the same

iPhone SE?

placeholder · 16 May 2020 at 13:33

Daaaavvveee said:
iPhone SE?

Too much of a backwards step?

Daaaavvveee · 17 May 2020 at 11:24

placeholder said:
Too much of a backwards step?

Not sure, you stated you are not a power user, don't appear to fussed by a large form phone and you don't want to spend too much money....It could be perfect?

You could wait for the next range to come out, normally Sept time and see what changes then?

placeholder · 17 May 2020 at 13:48

Daaaavvveee said:
Not sure, you stated you are not a power user, don't appear to fussed by a large form phone and you don't want to spend too much money....It could be perfect?

You could wait for the next range to come out, normally Sept time and see what changes then?

Yeah I get you, it still sticks in the throat to go from the cutting edge S9+ (at the time) to the SE. You make a good point though

glenimp617 · 17 May 2020 at 20:57

Look for a good deal on the 11

placeholder · 18 May 2020 at 08:08

Yeah I think the 11 would do me fine. Might just sit tight for a bit and see if any deals pop up. Currently on O2 and they aren't hugely competitive

Alpherah · 18 May 2020 at 09:27

0% finance and sim only not an option?

placeholder · 18 May 2020 at 10:25

Alpherah said:
0% finance and sim only not an option?

Its not really any cheaper doing it that way. Its about £30 p/m for the phone then Id have the SIM only cost on top of that which Im guessing would be easily another £10-15 p/m.

Liquid_Entity · 18 May 2020 at 10:32

Sky Mobile doing 11 Pro for £43 a month on a 2gb SIM. I just checked apple directly and its £42.99 on 2yr finance so for me I am going via Sky Mobile.

james.miller · 18 May 2020 at 10:45

Liquid_Entity said:
Sky Mobile doing 11 Pro for £43 a month on a 2gb SIM. I just checked apple directly and its £42.99 on 2yr finance so for me I am going via Sky Mobile.

remember that's a 36 month contract with sky unless you want to tie yourself in to swap 24...

chroniclard · 18 May 2020 at 10:49

Probably barely notice a difference between an SE and the other iPhones. SE is the only iPhone worth the money.

Liquid_Entity · 18 May 2020 at 11:04

james.miller said:
remember that's a 36 month contract with sky unless you want to tie yourself in to swap 24...

Ahhh I see, wasn't clear from the website. What is swap24. Presumably early trade in for a new phone and contract extension?

Best go for the apple finance then. Problem I have then is my current SIM only. It's with Superdrug (I work for them so get 50% off) and it's a 4gb for £5 a month. I don't even use the data as I have a work SIM Unlimited data anyway. I use it solely to keep my personal number. The problem is both SIMs are using Three network and I have bad signal at home. Ideally need to move off Three for my personal sim.

placeholder · 18 May 2020 at 12:13

The swap24 thing on Sky is probably ok for me. My parents use it and have had no problems. In theory Id want to do the whole selling on of the phone etc but in reality Id probably rather the cheaper contract given I have a graveyard of old moles lying in drawers.

Fusion · 18 May 2020 at 12:21

Liquid_Entity said:
Ahhh I see, wasn't clear from the website. What is swap24. Presumably early trade in for a new phone and contract extension?

Best go for the apple finance then. Problem I have then is my current SIM only. It's with Superdrug (I work for them so get 50% off) and it's a 4gb for £5 a month. I don't even use the data as I have a work SIM Unlimited data anyway. I use it solely to keep my personal number. The problem is both SIMs are using Three network and I have bad signal at home. Ideally need to move off Three for my personal sim.

Can you use WiFi calling at home?

Liquid_Entity · 18 May 2020 at 15:44

Fusion said:
Can you use WiFi calling at home?

I do and that's fine but I mean it's terrible all over my hometown. I remember O2 being great when I last used them several years ago. My wife has a new XS on EE and even on WiFi calling she has dropouts

placeholder · 2 Jun 2020 at 07:37

Just got the Iphone 11 in the end. So far id say its not a step up from the Samsung but its just so bloody easy to get on with that its ideal for my usage. Im keeping the samsung just to have one foot still in the Android platform but for day to day use having everything Apple is a definite advantage for me.

Just the Pencil and the watch to go which is impressive as thats a phone, AirPods and a second hand iMac Ive added since lockdown started!