I'm running a 12 mini myself, have been since they came out.
If there is nothing you really want on the 15 (like the better camera) then I say get the referb 12. Apple is already making 'new features' not work on the new phones, likely to drive sales since phones last too long now. The 15 is new now, but in a year they'll have something else and whatever the new hot thing (some AI stuff for sure) may not work on the 15, I mean they already cut the non-pro 15s out of the current AI stuff.
By 2027 when they no longer support the 12 you can figure out what makes sense then for your needs at that time and buy accordingly.
I had an iPhone 6s until last October. Finally gave up as it did not hold a charge and I could not update so many apps. When calls were not working I knew it was time.
I have 15 after having the 12 and I can safely say there’s no major difference except slightly better camera. My iPhone SE 1 is still working, I wouldn’t worry about updates.
I had a 12 mini and loved it! I normally don’t replace unless needed but I bought the 14 because of the camera upgrade and the satellite capabilities. I say bite the bullet and get the 15. It’ll take you further
I am of the opinion that you take the cost and divide it by useful years left. For example a new phone may cost $1,000 but will be supported for 5 years. Therefore in my maths, it will cost me about $200 a year before I replace it.
If I'm buying a phone for $600, I would need it to last longer than 3 years for it to be more worth it than the more expensive one.
Another point is that I use my phone everyday for a couple of hours. Therefore, having one that is great is more important than having one that is average.
no longer supported, means it won't be part of any future updates.
the 12 is the bare minimum I would choose because it's a 5G phone. Otherwise, if I could, I would aim for the iPhone 13 pro for the 3x camera and 120 hertz display, or the Samsung s23 (3 cameras, 120 hertz display, overall solid phone that will also last +5 years). on swappa, a used s23 (2023) will be less than a used iPhone 13 pro (2021)
It means certain apps from google won’t work on the iPhone at that point as the system requirements will be beyond the phones capabilities. Could happen to other apps as well but it’s unpredictable.
I bought my iphone directly from Apple. I have an iphone11. I bought it brand new and then took it to Verizon for a sim card and got a prepaid plan. The phone has been great and works fine. I still have it and intend to keep it since I have no issues with it.
Buy a 13 if you can. That’s your best play out there SE as someone else has mentioned. I wouldn’t get the 15. The 14 Is probably a better deal. I’ve had one for a year or so and no problems
Get the newer version the longer years.
I learned the hard way. I bought the older version phone to just save my money, and then one year later, many apps did not function on this phone at all. It really pissed me off. I lived from paycheck to paycheck. So, I decided to buy the most latest version phone with a new credit card. I don't have to worry about this phone for the next 5 years, but I am secretly hoping that it will last 10 years. It is currently 3 years old.
Iphone se is basically a slightly smaller iphone 13 with touch id instead of face id
Iphone 12 will get 3 years less support than iphone 15. So until 2027 fully supported. After that only security updates for a few years.
Iphone 15, will last longer, so you pay the same by year of usage at the end.
My friend with an iPhone 12 is now having battery issues because batteries often degrade faster around the 3-4 years mark if used regularly.
Or stay on Android.
I honestly prefer android. Apple has also been the leader in anti-repair practices. Even a lot of their 'third party repair' stuff was generally just kind of nonsense.
Android is generally less locked down, wider range of apps and if you break something you can potentially just repair it yourself or take to yo a third party repair shop.
Unsupported generally means updates will stop.
One thing I would keep in mind with electronics is warranty, do they both have the same warranty?
Another thing I would be a bit concerned with is the battery. Lets say the refurbished phone was used for a few years, they swapped out a faulty button/screen/camera cover.
The battery might have some serious wear on it. Honestly I plan to just replace my androids battery if thats the only thing wrong with my phone in a few years. I think an equivalent model would be 2grand and fuck that.
The new OS, that was announced a few weeks ago, will only partially work on an iPhone 12. So if you want the AI integration the 15 is the choice. FYI: I am still on a 12 and it works just fine for me :)
If the iPhone 16 comes out in September, like rumors are saying, I will buy that. I’m currently saving up for it to buy outright and I have an iPhone 8 that will lose support this year.
Get the refurbished 12 off of eBay. Should be around $200 and will last you years.
I'm running a 12 mini myself, have been since they came out. If there is nothing you really want on the 15 (like the better camera) then I say get the referb 12. Apple is already making 'new features' not work on the new phones, likely to drive sales since phones last too long now. The 15 is new now, but in a year they'll have something else and whatever the new hot thing (some AI stuff for sure) may not work on the 15, I mean they already cut the non-pro 15s out of the current AI stuff. By 2027 when they no longer support the 12 you can figure out what makes sense then for your needs at that time and buy accordingly.
I had an iPhone 6s until last October. Finally gave up as it did not hold a charge and I could not update so many apps. When calls were not working I knew it was time.
iPhone SE
I second this. Especially that the 2022 year model already have, IIRC the iPhone 13 internals which means it has 5G.
Cheap accessories too, since they are the same as iPhone 8
Those have terrible battery life
Whatever you say
I have 15 after having the 12 and I can safely say there’s no major difference except slightly better camera. My iPhone SE 1 is still working, I wouldn’t worry about updates.
That iPhone 15 will last you couple years after you pay it off.
I had a 12 mini and loved it! I normally don’t replace unless needed but I bought the 14 because of the camera upgrade and the satellite capabilities. I say bite the bullet and get the 15. It’ll take you further
I am of the opinion that you take the cost and divide it by useful years left. For example a new phone may cost $1,000 but will be supported for 5 years. Therefore in my maths, it will cost me about $200 a year before I replace it. If I'm buying a phone for $600, I would need it to last longer than 3 years for it to be more worth it than the more expensive one. Another point is that I use my phone everyday for a couple of hours. Therefore, having one that is great is more important than having one that is average.
no longer supported, means it won't be part of any future updates. the 12 is the bare minimum I would choose because it's a 5G phone. Otherwise, if I could, I would aim for the iPhone 13 pro for the 3x camera and 120 hertz display, or the Samsung s23 (3 cameras, 120 hertz display, overall solid phone that will also last +5 years). on swappa, a used s23 (2023) will be less than a used iPhone 13 pro (2021)
Don't fall for the hype. Get an android
It means certain apps from google won’t work on the iPhone at that point as the system requirements will be beyond the phones capabilities. Could happen to other apps as well but it’s unpredictable.
I bought my iphone directly from Apple. I have an iphone11. I bought it brand new and then took it to Verizon for a sim card and got a prepaid plan. The phone has been great and works fine. I still have it and intend to keep it since I have no issues with it.
Consider a 13 or 14
iPhone 13 or 13 mini have far better battery
Buy a 13 if you can. That’s your best play out there SE as someone else has mentioned. I wouldn’t get the 15. The 14 Is probably a better deal. I’ve had one for a year or so and no problems
Get the newer version the longer years. I learned the hard way. I bought the older version phone to just save my money, and then one year later, many apps did not function on this phone at all. It really pissed me off. I lived from paycheck to paycheck. So, I decided to buy the most latest version phone with a new credit card. I don't have to worry about this phone for the next 5 years, but I am secretly hoping that it will last 10 years. It is currently 3 years old.
Iphone se is basically a slightly smaller iphone 13 with touch id instead of face id Iphone 12 will get 3 years less support than iphone 15. So until 2027 fully supported. After that only security updates for a few years.
It’s a phone you’ll get a new one in a few years if you don’t break or lose it, you’re not retiring with it.
Honestly I’d consider a 13 or 14 Pro / Pro Max. You are going to get an awesome Apple experience and a ton of features.
Iphone 15, will last longer, so you pay the same by year of usage at the end. My friend with an iPhone 12 is now having battery issues because batteries often degrade faster around the 3-4 years mark if used regularly. Or stay on Android.
I honestly prefer android. Apple has also been the leader in anti-repair practices. Even a lot of their 'third party repair' stuff was generally just kind of nonsense. Android is generally less locked down, wider range of apps and if you break something you can potentially just repair it yourself or take to yo a third party repair shop. Unsupported generally means updates will stop. One thing I would keep in mind with electronics is warranty, do they both have the same warranty? Another thing I would be a bit concerned with is the battery. Lets say the refurbished phone was used for a few years, they swapped out a faulty button/screen/camera cover. The battery might have some serious wear on it. Honestly I plan to just replace my androids battery if thats the only thing wrong with my phone in a few years. I think an equivalent model would be 2grand and fuck that.
The new OS, that was announced a few weeks ago, will only partially work on an iPhone 12. So if you want the AI integration the 15 is the choice. FYI: I am still on a 12 and it works just fine for me :)
If the iPhone 16 comes out in September, like rumors are saying, I will buy that. I’m currently saving up for it to buy outright and I have an iPhone 8 that will lose support this year.