Should I Replace My Current iPhone? How to Know When It’s Time to Upgrade

When the new iPhone 6s was announced, many were left questioning if they should replace their current iPhone or not. You might not be concerned with getting the newest phone released and that’s completely normal. With proper knowledge, you might be tempted to consider replacing your older iPhone with an iPhone 6 or even an iPhone 5s.

When a new iPhone lineup is released (including this year’s 6s and the 6s Plus), older versions drop in price. If you don’t need all of the flashiest new features like 3D Touch or Live Photos, older iPhone models could be a great option and still save you a ton of money.

But how do you decide which phone to buy or when? If you are still using an iPhone 4 or 4s, it’s definitely time to upgrade, as these phones are too small and too slow by today’s standards. Any user can benefit from the faster processors and larger displays found on later iPhone models.

If you have an iPhone 5 or higher, your phone likely still has enough modern functionality to hang on to it. It’s important to think about your needs in a phone when deciding which iPhone model may be right for you.  Here are some questions you can ask yourself to see if you need an upgrade, and what you should be looking for in your upgrade. The current phones on the market for comparison are the iPhone 5s, 6, 6 Plus, 6s, and 6s Plus.

Can you afford a new phone?

A large portion of the decision-making process regarding whether or not to buy a new phone is usually cost associated. Many phone carriers offer monthly payment plans without a contract, the option to buy the phone at a reduced price with a two-year contract, or the phone can be bought outright at retail price. Check out pricing options from your carrier, or the new iPhone leasing program from Apple.

Does your iPhone have enough memory? 

Another reason many may need to buy a new iPhone is for memory space. Once you run out of space on the iPhone, you’ll know your next one will need to have a higher GB capacity. All of the iPhones currently on the market have a minimum of 16 GB. A 5s can also be bought at 32 GB, while the 6 and 6 Plus can be bought at 64 GB or 128 GB if more space is necessary. The newest iPhone 6s and 6s Plus also boast the option to hold up to 128 GB of data.

Does your iPhone take great pictures?

Today, most consumers are using their phones to capture all of their photos. With that being said, the camera is an essential everyday piece of iPhone equipment, and should be treated with high-importance during your iPhone buying decision process.

There are few differences in camera quality between the iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus. However, the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus have superior cameras on both the front and back of the phone. The megapixel count is greater on the new iPhone, and extra features have been built-in like “deep trench isolation” to provide more detail and more accurate color reproduction.

Is your iPhone too big or too small?

A huge difference between the current iPhone generations on the market are the physical sizes of the phones. For consumers that may use the phone almost as much as they would a computer or tablet, the 6 Plus or 6s Plus would likely be the best choice because they provide the biggest iPhone screen yet, at 5.5 inches diagonally.

The 6 and 6s provide a 4.7 inch diagonal screen, while the 5s only has a 4 inch diagonal screen. The 5s, however, is also the lightest iPhone.

Comparing and contrasting the iPhone models currently available is easily accomplished by asking yourself the aforementioned questions. If you have an iPhone 4s and you believe it takes decent photos, isn’t too big, and are on a budget, the iPhone 5s might be a perfect option for you as it improves on all of the iPhone 4s’ qualities, at a low price.

The rest of the iPhone models are slightly larger and come in at higher prices, but depending on your needs, these phones could be well worth the cost.

Which iPhone are you leaning towards? Are you waiting for the 6s or 6s Plus?