Get a 15 Pro or wait for a 16

[Herdfan]

Currently have a 14 Pro 256, but it has a big scuff on the screen that I was going to have fixed until I read the fine print that they will not guarantee it will remain waterproof, so no.

So I can either get a new 15 Pro or I can wait for the 16 Pro. I can wait the 3 or so weeks to order a 16 if it will be worth it.

So far I am reading about a slightly bigger screen, better processor and camera. Two of those mean nothing to me and the camera would be nice, but probably wouldn't miss it. Also battery capacity is supposed to be improved, but no one can say if it will mean longer battery life or just more power for some of the newer features.

What would you do?

 

[mr_roboto]

I would wait for the 16 launch either way, then if you decide you don't want a 16 Pro you can buy a 15 Pro on the Apple Refurbished page.

Certified Refurbished Products

Every Apple Certified Refurbished product includes savings up to 15%, and comes with a one-year warranty and full functional testing. Shop & save now.

www.apple.com

Seems like they don't have current-model phones available as refurbished but I bet that 15 Pro(Max) will start showing up as soon as 16 is launched.

By the way, who isn't guaranteeing it won't stay waterproof? Far as I know, if Apple does the service, it should be returned to factory-grade waterproofing.

 

[Herdfan]

By the way, who isn't guaranteeing it won't stay waterproof? Far as I know, if Apple does the service, it should be returned to factory-grade waterproofing.

Asurion which is Verizon's "warranty" company.

Edit: Digging further into it, it seems like is it more of a CYA thing than it really not being waterproof. But they don't have test chambers to verify if it is waterproof. Still not going to take the chance as I wash my phone at least once a month.

 

[Alli]

Currently have a 14 Pro 256, but it has a big scuff on the screen that I was going to have fixed until I read the fine print that they will not guarantee it will remain waterproof, so no.

Do they actually fix them? I know with iPads, they just send you a replacement.

 

[Roller]

I would wait for the 16 launch either way, then if you decide you don't want a 16 Pro you can buy a 15 Pro on the Apple Refurbished page.

Certified Refurbished Products

Every Apple Certified Refurbished product includes savings up to 15%, and comes with a one-year warranty and full functional testing. Shop & save now.

www.apple.com

Seems like they don't have current-model phones available as refurbished but I bet that 15 Pro(Max) will start showing up as soon as 16 is launched.

By the way, who isn't guaranteeing it won't stay waterproof? Far as I know, if Apple does the service, it should be returned to factory-grade waterproofing.

Absolutely agree with this advice. If you had to wait months for the 16, I'd say maybe don't wait. But with the release probably around 4 weeks away, it's worth seeing what the features and pricing will be.

 

[Eric]

Currently have a 14 Pro 256, but it has a big scuff on the screen that I was going to have fixed until I read the fine print that they will not guarantee it will remain waterproof, so no.

So I can either get a new 15 Pro or I can wait for the 16 Pro. I can wait the 3 or so weeks to order a 16 if it will be worth it.

So far I am reading about a slightly bigger screen, better processor and camera. Two of those mean nothing to me and the camera would be nice, but probably wouldn't miss it. Also battery capacity is supposed to be improved, but no one can say if it will mean longer battery life or just more power for some of the newer features.

What would you do?

The annual upgrades are incremental no matter how you look at it, I typically do it every 2 or 3 versions now just so I can see the difference. The 15 Pro was the first major camera upgrade in a while so I jumped on it (I think from the 13) but that will likely be it for me until the 17 and even then I would want to see the specs noticeably better.

 

[Herdfan]

Do they actually fix them? I know with iPads, they just send you a replacement.

Either is an option. Asurion has a store in Prescott that will replace a screen in an hour. Or I can send it off and get a refurb as a replacement.

 

[Herdfan]

The annual upgrades are incremental no matter how you look at it, I typically do it every 2 or 3 versions now just so I can see the difference.

Now they are. But I remember having to get a new one every year back in the 3-7 range just for new features I would actually use.

But at this point, adding a few MP's to the camera is not enough to entice me to get a new one. But as you noted, the camera on the 15 is a major upgrade over the 14.

 

[Eric]

Now they are. But I remember having to get a new one every year back in the 3-7 range just for new features I would actually use.

But at this point, adding a few MP's to the camera is not enough to entice me to get a new one. But as you noted, the camera on the 15 is a major upgrade over the 14.

Right and that's fair, I'm really into photography and use it all the time for shoots, I've even used it for clients because it's that good. But for people who aren't into that it's hard to justify. Wasn't the 14 the one with the major camera upgrade anyway?

 

[Katbel]

Right and that's fair, I'm really into photography and use it all the time for shoots, I've even used it for clients because it's that good. But for people who aren't into that it's hard to justify. Wasn't the 14 the one with the major camera upgrade anyway?

I switched to the 15 Pro sometime ago from a 12 Pro but I don't find it so much different.
It's probably just me because I had higher expectations than what it actually offers.

 

[Eric]

I switched to the 15 Pro sometime ago from a 12 Pro but I don't find it so much different.
It's probably just me because I had higher expectations than what it actually offers.

The camera upgrade was the most significant for me, since I do a lot of low light photography it's made all the difference.

 

[Herdfan]

Right and that's fair, I'm really into photography and use it all the time for shoots, I've even used it for clients because it's that good. But for people who aren't into that it's hard to justify. Wasn't the 14 the one with the major camera upgrade anyway?

The 14 Pro got the big MP jump from 12 to 48. But the Night Mode on the 15 is unbelievable. We went on a night ride Saturday and my buddy just got a new 15 Pro. He took this picture and it was actually dark. But from the pic, it looked like dusk.

 

[Herdfan]

Absolutely agree with this advice. If you had to wait months for the 16, I'd say maybe don't wait. But with the release probably around 4 weeks away, it's worth seeing what the features and pricing will be.

Yes, maybe a month or so. I have no idea how Verizon determines how and when lines are upgrade eligible, but right now I can get a 15 Pro for $7.49/mo or a 15 Pro Max for $10.49/mo by trading in my old phone. I will have to "upgrade" to their new Ultimate Unlimited plan but that will actually save me $4/mo.

No idea if those deals will be available on the 16's or even the 15's once the 16 is available.

Side question. Does anyone use any of the mobile carriers for home internet? Right now I am on a WISP and while the service and connection are solid, it is slow (tops at around 28) and expensive ($150). No wired solutions for me here, so it was WISP, Hughesnet or Starlink. But the 5G UW in town is blazing fast I think it hit in the low 600's. So it will make it out here soon. Coverage map shows me in the 5G UW area, but my address doesn't qualify.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with it even though many of you are techies who probably have fiber.

 

[Roller]

Yes, maybe a month or so. I have no idea how Verizon determines how and when lines are upgrade eligible, but right now I can get a 15 Pro for $7.49/mo or a 15 Pro Max for $10.49/mo by trading in my old phone. I will have to "upgrade" to their new Ultimate Unlimited plan but that will actually save me $4/mo.

No idea if those deals will be available on the 16's or even the 15's once the 16 is available.

Side question. Does anyone use any of the mobile carriers for home internet? Right now I am on a WISP and while the service and connection are solid, it is slow (tops at around 28) and expensive ($150). No wired solutions for me here, so it was WISP, Hughesnet or Starlink. But the 5G UW in town is blazing fast I think it hit in the low 600's. So it will make it out here soon. Coverage map shows me in the 5G UW area, but my address doesn't qualify.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with it even though many of you are techies who probably have fiber.

The people I know who use "5G" internet are mostly happy with the service. I use Comcast. Despite their abysmal customer service reputation, I've had good luck with them. I routinely get 2300 Mbps down and 350 Mbps up. I think I'm eligible for Quantum fiber, which offers symmetrical speeds of 910 Mbps, but I'd rather keep the higher download speed for now.

 

[Katbel]

The camera upgrade was the most significant for me, since I do a lot of low light photography it's made all the difference.

The 14 Pro got the big MP jump from 12 to 48. But the Night Mode on the 15 is unbelievable. We went on a night ride Saturday and my buddy just got a new 15 Pro. He took this picture and it was actually dark. But from the pic, it looked like dusk.

Ok, I didn't try Night mode yet, thanks for the heads up!