Which phone to upgrade to (currently have an iPhone 8)?

[DK82]

Greetings,

For me, a cell phone's main purpose is to take lots of pictures and videos of my kids.  I have an iPhone 8 Plus, which Google tells me has been out since 2017.  I've noticed lately the photo quality is taking a nosedive, so time for an upgrade.  As someone who cares very little about having the newest gadgets, I do not care about any current bells and whistles, but do want to stick with an iPhone of some variety.  I literally just need it to make calls, connect to the internet and have a high quality camera.  FWIW I have Verizon prepaid as my current provider -- I pay $38 per month for service and am not interested in increasing that but not at all opposed to switching service if it makes sense to get a newer phone. 

So, fellow frugal folks, can anyone recommend to me which of the seemingly 5,000 different iPhones would best suit my needs?  Thanks!

[lhamo]

i switched from Google Fi and a Pixel 4a to an Iphone SE on Mint in December 2021.  I got a discount on the phone (but not a huge discount) and two years of basic service (3gbdata/month, now upped to 5gb) for $7.50/month (basic rate is $15/month) as a Black Friday deal.  I've been happy with it, though I think the quality of the Iphone camera is lower than that of the Pixel.

If you know someone on mint you can both get a referral bonus if they refer you. I could be that person for you if you are interested -- PM me ;)

[uniwelder]

If your photo quality has gone down, could you have a smudge on the camera lens?  What would cause it otherwise?

[jnw]

Buy a used iPhone 12, a little over 1 year old for around $275.

[DK82]

If your photo quality has gone down, could you have a smudge on the camera lens?  What would cause it otherwise?

Old age and just general wear and tear, I guess.  Not sure, but figured I've got good value out of it so time for something newer. 

[zygote]

I have an iPhone SE and it's a good value iPhone, but the camera is definitely subpar compared to the newer flagship lines. Since the camera is what you're after, I'd go with a 12 or 13. Higher quality camera than the SE, cheaper than the newest 14's, but not so old that they'll stop being supported in the near future.

[Newday]

As someone who cares very little about having the newest gadgets, I do not care about any current bells and whistles, but do want to stick with an iPhone of some variety.  I literally just need it to make calls, connect to the internet and have a high quality camera. 

Can you tell me why only an iphone?

I've been an iphone user since iphone 4 and now I have an iphone SE. I'm at a point where I think its just a waste of money and not enough ROI. So, I am looking at moving to an Android phone like Google pixel or Samsung Galaxy for better battery and camera . And guess what? The exact reason for the change is because I too just need it to make calls, connect to the internet and have a high quality camera.

[jnw]

iPhone is much better ROI than android, a superior phone as well -- about twice as fast as a comparable android. Android/Samsung phones aren't as reliable either: Screen failures, burn in etc.

I buy a 1.5 year old iPhone for $250 and sell 1 year later for $150; rinse repeat.  Costing me just $100 for 1 year of use of a relatively new phone.  (I recently paid $250 for a 1.5 year old iPhone 11, I'll sell next year for $150 and buy a 1.5 year old iPhone 12 for $250, just $100 more; this way I never have to worry about battery slowing things down, not getting too far behind in tech, etc.. It's also nice paying so little for a phone because there is less risk if it gets broken or lost -- also less state sales tax paid.  $100 / 12 = $8.33 per month for a relatively new & reliable phone; or a little under $10 per month if you include the cost of a new case cover and screen protector.)  Btw, Apple is still selling the iPhone 12 as a new phone along with the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14.  These new iPhones 12 don't sell for much more than an older iPhone 12 and so you can get a great deal on them when they are only a little over 1 year old.

Also if someone runs a mac and ipad, it makes sense to get an iPhone since they all sync together in many useful ways.

I have a mac and ipad myself because I think they are superior to windows and android.  (I used windows for 20 years before switching to mac os.)

[rivendale]

Where do you buy the phones?

[jnw]

Where do you buy the phones?

Ebay.  I buy from normal sellers not dealers.  A person who is selling the only phone they had.  I then inquire when they bought it.  I ask enough people and find one that isn't too old.   I make sure to ask what the battery health percentage is as well.  Often they don't know what this means and then I instruct them where to find it.  I want a phone with 93% or better battery health.

I like eBay because if something goes wrong ebay always has your back and refunds you, after you challenge the seller if necessary.

I buy one that was well taken care of, kept in a case and with a screen protector, so there should hardly be a scratch on it.

I often use  "unlocked (mint, excellent)" as part of the search keywords.  I do a quick google search and try and find the exact model number for the factory unlocked version of the phone Apple sold.. then use that in the search keywords as well.

I also only buy phones which has several photos of the actual item for sale.

EDIT: I bought the iPhone 11 on Jan 12th, 2023 and actually and it was 1.25 years old when I bought it.  It cost me $255 and I think like $10 shipping.  Very nice shape and got it with 97% battery health.  The model number is MHC43LL/A. (Actually it's the verizon version but it was unlocked when I bought it. CDMA+GSM).  I am using it now with tello.com.

[monarda]

I also have an iphone 8 and am looking to upgrade. I buy mine with a similar strategy, but every two years, and I buy on Swappa.com

ETA: mint condition iphone12 on swappa are $350-400 now. I see one on eBay for $300

[monarda]

Posting to report that I just bought an iphone 12 mini (128 gb) from swappa.com
Under $300 including tax and shipping. 100% battery
looks like new!

[daverobev]

I replaced my iphone 6 with an SE 2nd gen, bought on ebay for I think it was £130 or something, so under $200 US. I specifically chose one in excellent condition, and it's basically as-new.

So far so good. It's basically the same phone form factor which is perfect for me, except the lack of headphone jack which I can't do anything about.

At the end of the day, it's a phone. There was nothing wrong with the phone it replaced except there were no more software updates and banking was basically unavailable.

[Newday]

iPhone is much better ROI than android, a superior phone as well -- about twice as fast as a comparable android. Android/Samsung phones aren't as reliable either: Screen failures, burn in etc.

I buy a 1.5 year old iPhone for $250 and sell 1 year later for $150; rinse repeat.  Costing me just $100 for 1 year of use of a relatively new phone.  (I recently paid $250 for a 1.5 year old iPhone 11, I'll sell next year for $150 and buy a 1.5 year old iPhone 12 for $250, just $100 more; this way I never have to worry about battery slowing things down, not getting too far behind in tech, etc.. It's also nice paying so little for a phone because there is less risk if it gets broken or lost -- also less state sales tax paid.  $100 / 12 = $8.33 per month for a relatively new & reliable phone; or a little under $10 per month if you include the cost of a new case cover and screen protector.)  Btw, Apple is still selling the iPhone 12 as a new phone along with the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14.  These new iPhones 12 don't sell for much more than an older iPhone 12 and so you can get a great deal on them when they are only a little over 1 year old.

Also if someone runs a mac and ipad, it makes sense to get an iPhone since they all sync together in many useful ways.

I have a mac and ipad myself because I think they are superior to windows and android.  (I used windows for 20 years before switching to mac os.)

Thanks for sharing that!