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Not even exclusively for work. If I'm away from my desk for any reason, be it in my vehicle, in the server room, at a friend's place, and I need to urgently kno

Not even exclusively for work. If I'm away from my desk for any reason, be it in my vehicle, in the server room, at a friend's place, and I need to urgently know something I always reach for my phone. My phone has my passwords and credit card numbers. My phone gets me connected to all my friends, near and far, for whatever reason. I have access to my email and most critical documents. I use the cameras and microphone to document my life, my projects, and special moments to me. And let's not be glib about it, it's a great tool for passing time between when I'm doing useful and fun things. I can browse Reddit while waiting for my wife to get her hair done. I find it odd how people will happily pull their wallets out for a PC they will spend a ton of time on, but then balk at the idea of spending half that on a device that lives in your pocket and can help you do practically anything that comes to mind, even if all that comes to mind is entertain you for a few moments. Is it just down to the physical size of the device?

2muchcoffeeman 7y ago
I think because phones are largely still changed on a 2 year cycle in sync with contracts. I’ve been handing down my iPhones since day one. All of them have got 6 years minimum use.
- FussyZeus 7y ago
  I mean, my gaming PC has roughly the same cycle, though I suppose that's only for given parts, not the entire thing each time. I dunno, for all the uses and advantages my phone gives me, I'm happy to pay. My last one was an X and it's served me extremely well since I bought it at launch. I passed on the XS, but the 11 is tempting.
s17n 7y ago
Most people buy cheap PC's, too.
- Someone 7y ago
  Do “most people” even buy PCs, nowadays? I think most do, but also think it won’t take a decade for that to change. You may “need” one when you’re at school or university, but i would think many people can easily do without a PC, after that.
basch 7y ago
I agree with you, that as one of your most used electronics, if youre constantly using it, that the little features add up at times when youre not expecting it. But none of what you described explains why you would need a Pro instead of the standard. Its nice to have, but the base model isnt nerfed to a point that makes it unusable.
- FussyZeus 7y ago
  Frankly when it comes to phones at least (and often times any electronics) I just get the most powerful option available. Do I need it? Probably not. But in my experience: 1) They age better, and oftentimes are more not just useable, but actually a joy yo use, for a longer time 2) The price difference just isn't that much to justify taking a lower power device. Sure, the iPhone 11 would probably be just fine compared to an iPhone 11 Pro. But when you're talking about phones in that price caliber, honestly what's an extra $200? And I've never had a phone in my hand wishing it was less capable, so why chance wanting to replace it earlier? Like I said, I bought the X at launch and that was to replace, in turn, a 6 Plus which was still very usable so I'm far from an every year upgrader, and I think that has to do with the fact that I always get the biggest and best, and then just age out a few cycles instead of continuously upgrading. My 0.02.
  - ajonit 7y ago
    This strategy has served me well. My cycle is 4 years though. 2010 most powerful blackberry -> 2014 iPhone 5s -> 2018 iPhone X
    - FussyZeus 7y ago
      Yep. I wouldn't even say I necessarily have a cycle, I just upgrade when I wanted to. I passed on the 7 and 8 because they didn't have anything overly compelling. The X had FaceID, more gesture control which I like, and the better camera so I jumped on that one. Now I'm debating the 11 Pro just because that new camera also has my interest, and I really like the Midnight Green color, but I'm not sold just yet. I think I'll wait and see how long it takes Apple to start shifting units before I decide for sure.

2muchcoffeeman 7y ago

I think because phones are largely still changed on a 2 year cycle in sync with contracts. I’ve been handing down my iPhones since day one. All of them have got 6 years minimum use.

FussyZeus 7y ago
I mean, my gaming PC has roughly the same cycle, though I suppose that's only for given parts, not the entire thing each time. I dunno, for all the uses and advantages my phone gives me, I'm happy to pay. My last one was an X and it's served me extremely well since I bought it at launch. I passed on the XS, but the 11 is tempting.

s17n 7y ago

Most people buy cheap PC's, too.

Someone 7y ago
Do “most people” even buy PCs, nowadays? I think most do, but also think it won’t take a decade for that to change. You may “need” one when you’re at school or university, but i would think many people can easily do without a PC, after that.

basch 7y ago

I agree with you, that as one of your most used electronics, if youre constantly using it, that the little features add up at times when youre not expecting it. But none of what you described explains why you would need a Pro instead of the standard. Its nice to have, but the base model isnt nerfed to a point that makes it unusable.

FussyZeus 7y ago
Frankly when it comes to phones at least (and often times any electronics) I just get the most powerful option available. Do I need it? Probably not. But in my experience: 1) They age better, and oftentimes are more not just useable, but actually a joy yo use, for a longer time 2) The price difference just isn't that much to justify taking a lower power device. Sure, the iPhone 11 would probably be just fine compared to an iPhone 11 Pro. But when you're talking about phones in that price caliber, honestly what's an extra $200? And I've never had a phone in my hand wishing it was less capable, so why chance wanting to replace it earlier? Like I said, I bought the X at launch and that was to replace, in turn, a 6 Plus which was still very usable so I'm far from an every year upgrader, and I think that has to do with the fact that I always get the biggest and best, and then just age out a few cycles instead of continuously upgrading. My 0.02.
- ajonit 7y ago
  This strategy has served me well. My cycle is 4 years though. 2010 most powerful blackberry -> 2014 iPhone 5s -> 2018 iPhone X
  - FussyZeus 7y ago
    Yep. I wouldn't even say I necessarily have a cycle, I just upgrade when I wanted to. I passed on the 7 and 8 because they didn't have anything overly compelling. The X had FaceID, more gesture control which I like, and the better camera so I jumped on that one. Now I'm debating the 11 Pro just because that new camera also has my interest, and I really like the Midnight Green color, but I'm not sold just yet. I think I'll wait and see how long it takes Apple to start shifting units before I decide for sure.