Category Archives: iPhone

Cell phone vs. camera, iPhone, Photography, Uncategorized

Want To Upgrade From A Cell Phone Camera? Consider A Used DSLR Or Mirrorless Camera!

Are you interested in taking better photos?  Are you feeling the limitations of your cell phone’s camera?

High-end mirrorless cameras have become the standard for photography in 2026.  However, advanced models can be incredibly expensive, and their lenses can cost significantly more than the camera body itself. Fear not, there are high-quality, less expensive options if you know where to look.

This Canon R5 Mark II is an incredible camera, but it also comes at an incredible price: $3899 for the body only. Lenses for this camera can cost more than the body. Yes, any photographer would be thrilled to own an R5II, but the vast majority of amateur and professional photographers would do just fine with a used camera for pennies on the dollar.

This 70-200 mm lens has fantastic quality. But do you want to pay $2999 for a single “RF” mount lens that works with the camera shown above?

This 100-300 mm lens is a wildlife photographer’s dream, but for most, it will remain a dream at $10,599.

Cell phone limitations

Modern cell phones take excellent snapshots.  If you just want a photo to commemorate an event, or you want to text a friend an image of an item you’re considering purchasing, most cell phones will do the job.

You may wonder how they can take such pleasant pictures, given that phone image sensors are tiny.  Many of their abilities are due to the powerful microprocessors in phones, which are capable of doing computational photography. Additionally, some phones offer wide-angle and telephoto options, making them even more versatile.  

However, despite their technological prowess, cell phones are ultimately limited by the physical size of their tiny sensors and the lack of controls.  It is possible to go beyond a point-and-shoot experience with some phone cameras, but doing so can be awkward and clumsy. Controlling a phone camera for anything other than a standard shot can range from difficult to impossible.

Advantages of a dedicated interchangeable lens camera

The image sensor is the silicon chip that receives light from the lens and converts it into an electrical signal that the camera’s microprocessor can understand. The area of a full-frame camera sensor is over 50 times that of a cell phone sensor, and smaller camera-sensor sizes, such as APS-C (crop sensor) and Micro 4/3 (MFT), also have substantially larger sensor areas than a cell phone’s sensor. A larger sensor area can gather significantly more light than a tiny one, resulting in better low-light performance and a wider dynamic range, which is the ability to capture many tone gradations between light and dark areas of the image.  Additionally, larger sensors have physical characteristics that can create photo effects, such as a natural-looking background blur (bokeh) that pleasantly separates the subject from the background. Phone’s computer-created bokeh often looks synthetic, not natural.

Cameras are designed for one purpose only: to record images.  Because of this, they are very ergonomic for this function.

Pro-level and enthusiast cameras have many physical controls that let you adjust every aspect of image capture.  

Many cameras have robust weather sealing, making them usable under weather conditions that would destroy a cell phone.

Just about any aspect of picture taking can be easily controlled with a pro-level or enthusiast camera.

-Shutter speed can be increased to freeze a moving object.

-The lens opening (aperture) can be adjusted to make a background buttery soft or razor sharp.

-The sensor’s gain (ISO) can be altered to increase or decrease the camera’s sensitivity to light.  

Dedicated cameras can do photo-centric tasks such as taking multiple images at different exposures.  These photos can be combined in-camera or in software to create a high dynamic range (HDR) photo, preserving details in both bright and dark areas. As an example, if you take a photo of an interior with a brightly lit window, both the room and the window will be properly exposed. 

This HDR image of a kitchen remodel properly exposes both the kitchen and the windows. If this were a simple shot, the windows would be “blown out,” appearing as bright blobs of light.

Dedicated cameras make it easy to use accessories, such as an external flash or a tripod.

Cameras with interchangeable lenses open up enormous possibilities.  A wide-angle lens can capture expansive interior shots; a telephoto lens can magnify a tiny object, such as a bird in flight; and a macro lens can image a butterfly in detail. The possibilities are endless with a camera that lets you change lenses. Some lenses are “fast” as they let in a lot of light, making them ideal for shooting in dark places where a flash would be distracting and inappropriate, such as a church or a nightclub. Other lenses, called tilt-shift lenses, are designed to correct the proportional distortion that occurs when shooting tall buildings. There are other specialty lenses that are designed to perform other functions, too. Different lens types allow you to take photos that would be impossible with your cell phone camera.

Many dedicated cameras are built to a rugged standard far beyond that of any phone. 

Pro-level vs enthusiast level

Many camera companies offer a line of cameras that range from casual to professional-level models.  Pro-level cameras are built to the highest standards and typically offer the best that a camera company has to offer.  Enthusiast-level cameras are one step down, offering many of the same capabilities as a pro-level camera, but with less robust components, slightly reduced specifications, and (sometimes) fewer control surfaces (knobs and dials). However, they can still be excellent and will deliver 90-95% of what a pro-level camera can. An enthusiast user may use their camera on a shoot three or four times a month, while a professional may use their camera “hard” every day.  An enthusiast-camera may not be as durable as a Pro-camera, but it will likely have less “mileage” on it, which, at times, can make it a better choice.

This Nikon D7200 is an enthusiast-level camera that is loaded with features. It has an APS-C-sized sensor and offers excellent image quality. On eBay this used camera was only $349.

Advantages of the RAW format

I usually shoot in the standard JPEG format, but I sometimes shoot in RAW when needed. All pro-level and enthusiast cameras can shoot in both JPEG and RAW. RAW is a data format that is converted to an actual image using photo software. The RAW format allows for much greater post-shot manipulation, including the use of noise-reduction software. I have taken images shot in dark environments that had a lot of digital noise and made them usable by running the RAW files through my photo editor’s noise-reduction software.

Types of cameras

DSLR 

SLR (Single Lens Reflex) film cameras were introduced in the 1930s and became the de facto standard for all cameras.  These cameras used a prism and a flipping mirror to bounce the image from the lens to an eyepiece. The mirror would snap out of the way when the shutter was pressed, exposing the shutter and film to light. The advantage of an SLR camera was that you could exactly view what the lens was seeing before you took the photo.

Digital SLR (DSLR) cameras are similar to SLR cameras but use a sensor chip and electronics instead of film.  The first professional DSLRs emerged in the 1990s, with Nikon introducing the first practical DSLR in 1999. Consumer-affordable DSLRs were introduced in the early 2000s, with the first sub-$1000 DSLR introduced in 2003 (the Canon Digital Rebel), making this technology available to hobby photographers.

I bought my first DSLR in 2003, a Canon 300D, known as a “Digital Rebel” in the US. It was the first sub-$1000 DSLR ever and had amazing capabilities for its time. However, its technology is now very dated, and this camera is not recommended for purchase.

Since DSLRs used the same form factor and controls as SLRs, it was easy for photographers to adapt to this new technology.  These cameras became the standard for professionals in the 2000s.

DSLRs are developed along model lines, with simpler, less expensive versions offered to consumers.  Pro models feature more durable construction, weather sealing, better controls, and more advanced specifications.  Pro models from as early as 2008 can still produce professional-quality images that could be printed in a magazine today.  However, every year cameras advance with ever-better autofocus, low-light performance, and dynamic range. Cameras have also increased their megapixel (MP) counts, with some super-resolution DSLRs reaching 40-50 MP.  However, excellent photos can be taken with MP counts as low as 12 MP using a pro camera like a Nikon D700 (introduced in 2008). Many consider 16 MP just fine for most any work, while most newer cameras sport a MP count between 20 and 30 MP.  

The Nikon D700 was introduced in 2008 and only has a 12 MP sensor. However, it is still loved and used professionally, especially by portrait photographers as it produces beautiful images that resemble film. This one was found on eBay for around $250. Its original price was $2999.00.

Sony produced a DSLR-like SLT (Single Lens Translucent) product line that was officially discontinued in 2021.  However, Sony heavily moved towards mirrorless cameras starting in 2013. Canon and Nikon abandoned the DSLR format around 2018-2019 in favor of professional mirrorless cameras, ending the DSLR era.  The only company that still makes DSLR cameras as of this writing is Pentax. Pentax makes good cameras, but they hold a tiny market share.

Mirrorless Cameras

Point-and-shoot mirrorless digital cameras have been around since the mid-1990s, but they were simple in design, had tiny sensors, and offered little customization. More serious mirrorless cameras were introduced around 2008, using an MFT-sized sensor. I had an early MFT camera, and it took fantastic photos, but it was more limited than a DSLR in that its sensor was less capable in low light, and its focusing system, called contrast detection, was slower than the systems on DSLR cameras (called phase detection).

This Olympus OMD10 IV is a mirrorless camera that uses the MFT format. It is tiny but very capable, and is a perfect travel camera. I found it on eBay for $447.

This Sony A6000 uses an APS-C sized sensor. It was introduced in 2014 but is still an excellent camera in 2026. It was listed on eBay for $399.

However, now all common sensor sizes are available in mirrorless designs, and advances in processing and sensor design have dramatically improved low-light performance and focusing in these cameras. Many now outperform traditional DSLRs.  Current high-end mirrorless cameras offer fantastic low-light performance, unbelievably fast autofocus, excellent displays, and great video performance.  However, they also come with a very high price tag, and the lenses for these cameras can sometimes exceed the cost of the camera itself. 

Lens mounts

Every camera brand uses its own lens mounting system, which is incompatible with other brands’.  The only exceptions are Olympus and Panasonic MFT cameras that use the same mounting system.  Within a brand, different systems use different mounts.  For instance, Canon DSLR cameras use the “EF” mount, while their new R mirrorless cameras use an “RF” mount. 

This Canon 24-70 mm lens is for Canon’s newer RF mirrorless cameras. It sells for an eye watering $2399. A 24-70 mm lens covers about 95% of shots a typical photographer takes, making it versatile.

Here is the same lens used, but for Canon’s DSLR or “EF” mount. It was only $597 on eBay. That is 1/4th the price!

About sensor size

Professional and enthusiast cameras typically come in three sensor sizes.  I’m excluding the fourth sensor size, medium format, because the vast majority of photographers don’t use it, as it can be extraordinarily expensive. 

-Full Frame.  This is the largest commonly used sensor size and the most expensive of the common three sensor sizes.  The sensor size is roughly the same as 35 mm film. Generally, this sensor size offers excellent low-light performance and dynamic range. The physics of this large sensor make it the best at producing a blurry background, a common practice when doing portrait photography.  Full-frame cameras tend to be the most expensive, and their lenses are also more expensive than those for other formats, since they require larger glass elements to accommodate larger sensors. This sensor size can be found in both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. 

This Sony A7 Mark II is a full-frame sensor mirrorless camera that was introduced in 2014 at a bargain price of $1700.00. It can be found on eBay for $440.

The Canon 5D Mark III was introduced in 2012 at $3499. It is a pro-level camera used by many professionals. Loved by all types of photographers from wedding to local paper sports shooters. I found this one on eBay for $403.

-APS-C (crop) sensors.  These sensors are about 2.5 times smaller than a full-frame sensor.  Yet, some perform nearly as well as a full-frame sensor.  They are less expensive to produce, and crop-sensor-specific lenses are also less expensive because the glass elements used are smaller. Crop sensor cameras have a smaller field of view, so images appear magnified. For this reason, they can be a better choice for shooting distant objects, such as birds in flight or sporting events from the sidelines. This sensor size can be found in both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. 

-MFT sensors.  Almost 4 times smaller than a full-frame sensor, these sensors can still offer outstanding image quality. They can have good low-light performance, but not as good as a full-frame or some APS-C sensors. However, their smaller size does have some advantages.  Camera bodies are smaller, as are lenses.  They have a larger cropping factor than even APS-C sensors, making images appear even more magnified.  Cameras with these size sensors are popular with bird photographers, vacationers, and nature photographers, and also have a place with some sports photographers, as their smaller size can be easily carried while offering great images and a higher perceived “magnification” at the same telephoto length compared to the other two formats. MFT sensors can only be found in mirrorless cameras.

Lens mounts

Every camera brand uses its own lens-mounting system, which is incompatible with other brands’.  The only exceptions are Olympus and Panasonic MFT cameras that use the same mounting system.  Within a brand, different systems use different mounts.  For instance, Canon DSLR cameras use the “EF” mount, while their newer R mirrorless cameras use the “RF” mount. 

Why consider a DSLR camera in 2026

Flagship DSLR cameras from as early as 2008-2009 can offer stunning images. Older pro-level DSLR cameras can hold their own for more static photography, such as wedding, portrait, architectural, and corporate photography. However, later versions of DSLRs have ever better autofocus, low-light performance, and dynamic range.  These newer DSLRs are perfect for fast-moving sports, low-light concert photography, and nature shots such as birds in flight. More recent pro-level DSLRs can be great choices for all types of photography, including fast-moving subjects. 

DSLRs offer the level of control and flexibility to shoot just about any subject, and pro models/enthusiast models are built to last and even withstand a bit of abuse. 

The Canon 7D II was introduced in 2014 as an APS-C format camera for fast action sports and wildlife shooting. It had an excellent focusing system and a fast burst rate. The original cost was around $1800, but it can be found on eBay for about $349 in 2026.

The Nikon D500 replaced the legendary Nikon D300 in 2016 with an original cost of $2000. The D500 is an all-rounder with an emphasis on shooting fast-moving subjects. This APS-C camera is currently being offered on eBay for $340.

The Nikon D750 is a full-frame DSLR that was introduced in 2014 as a pro-grade camera. It originally sold for $2300, but this copy can be had on eBay for $462.

The camera industry has shifted to mirrorless, so many photographers have ditched their DSLRs for the latest and greatest mirrorless options.  You can buy used pro-level or enthusiast DSLRs for a fraction of their original price. Additionally, their lenses are also being sold at fire-sale prices.  It is possible to put together a pro-level kit, including a top camera and a few nice lenses for less than the price of a new pro-level mirrorless camera body. 

This graph from mpb.com shows the decline of DSLR sales.

This is the Canon 5D Mark IV. It was introduced in 2016 for $3499 and can now be found on eBay for $700-$800. It is a pro-level camera that offers a full-frame sensor and a host of pro-features. This is the camera that I use for much of my professional work in 2026. It is a joy to use.

A kitchen remodel shot using the 5D Mark IV.

A corporate/portrait shot using the 5D Mark IV.

How about an older mirrorless camera?

Mirrorless cameras have become superstars over the last few generations, and their capabilities have exceeded those of DSLRs.  Early mirrorless cameras could take excellent photos, but their focusing performance was not on par with DSLRs. However, they were often much smaller as were their lenses, making them great travel companions.  Their images and capabilities were significantly better than phone cameras. 

I bought my first mirrorless camera in 2011, an Olympus EPL-2. It took fantastic photos. I had no complaints using this MFT-format camera, and I thought the focusing was good. However, its early contrast detection system could not compete with a DLSL phase-detection autofocus system. Newer MFT cameras have excellent auto-focus.

Mirrorless cameras from around 10 years ago offered better focusing, low-light performance, and more control surfaces. These cameras can be had at a good price, especially those that have MFT or APS-C sensors. You can find used MFT lenses at reasonable prices.  Some lenses from older APS-C mirrorless cameras can also be sensibly priced.

Newer mirrorless cameras are more like computers in a camera case, as they are so sophisticated. New lenses are very expensive, sometimes more than the camera body itself. New mirrorless cameras are fantastic, but most of us don’t need their super-high level of performance. 

But what about video?

Early digital cameras were primarily photography tools.  The first DSLR to record video was the Nikon D90, introduced in 2008, but it could only record a short 5 minutes of video at a fairly low resolution.  As time has gone on, the video capabilities of digital cameras have improved, with some new cameras offering amazing focus-tracking and up to 8K video. If you need strong video performance, you will need to buy a more recent camera.  Depending on your needs, you can still find used cameras that offer decent focusing and high-resolution video, even if they are several generations old.  Make sure that you check your camera’s specifications and watch a review before buying if you are primarily interested in using your camera for video work.

Why consider an older mirrorless camera in 2026

By going back a few camera generations, you can get a very high-quality camera for a fraction of the cost of a new mirrorless camera.   Very early mirrorless cameras will not offer the speedy focusing and low-light performance that you may want. However, many pro-level and enthusiast mirrorless cameras from around 10 years ago will.  Compared to mirrorless cameras, a pro-level DSLR from as far back as 2008 can deliver excellent images. Naturally, the more modern the camera, the better its specifications.

Conclusion

Cameras have been evolving, and every few years, there has been a leap in performance.  However, pro-level cameras from as early as 2008 can still produce stunning magazine-level images. 

Enthusiast-level cameras will be slightly less capable than a pro-body, but may have lower shutter counts. Some of these, like the Nikon 7200 (introduced in 2015) and the Canon 80D (introduced in 2016), are very capable cameras.

Shots that would be absolutely impossible to shoot with your cell phone are within reach of dedicated cameras. You don’t need to take out a second mortgage to buy a camera that will produce photos that are significantly better than your cell phone.  The cameras that photographers drooled over a few years ago are now available at a bargain price. 

When buying used gear, avoid cameras that look like they have been through a war.  Try to buy a camera with a relatively low shutter count, let’s say below 50K-75K actualization. However, even with higher shutter counts, a camera may still have years of service. High-end pro cameras have been known to have working shutters with 300K actualizations.  Avoid cameras with any signs of moisture intrusion or mold.  

When it comes to lenses, avoid cloudy or internally moldy lenses. If you are buying a zoom lens, it should extend smoothly. Light scratches on the outside lens element are usually OK, but avoid deep scratches. 

For both cameras and lenses, check all buttons and dials to the best of your ability.  If possible, take some test shots.  I have bought cameras from eBay with good results, but it is a bit riskier.  I always check the seller’s rating and avoid sellers who have listed only a few items. A good seller will accurately rate a camera, so read the description carefully. I have heard that people can get good deals on Facebook Marketplace, here too, ask questions, and test the camera if possible. Resellers like KEH and MPB inspect their cameras, provide reliable assessments, and offer a limited warranty.  You may pay a bit more, but you will have peace of mind if you go with a professional reseller.  If possible, ask if a seller will allow you to return a camera if it is not working properly within a few weeks after purchase.

For most, a pro-level or enthusiast DSLR offers the most value.  However, if a smaller size is important, one could consider an older-generation mirrorless camera, as they can also be had at a good price. With a bit of creativity and practice, an older camera can do just about anything a new one can. Practicing on an older camera will teach you everything you need to become a proficient photographer.  Remember, it is the photographer’s skill, not the camera’s newness, that matters. Don’t listen to influencers who are being paid to get you to buy cameras. Most professionals don’t change their cameras based on the latest and greatest; many are still using older cameras and churning out great work.  I was a guest at a wedding where the photographer was using two cameras: a Canon 5D, introduced in 2005, and a Canon 5D Mark III, introduced in 2012.  I saw his work, and it was stunning. He knew how to use his cameras!    

Images are mine, eBay sellers’, or various web pages, and are used for educational/entertainment purposes only.

Cell phone vs. camera, iPhone, technology

I Just Got An iPhone 16 Pro Max! My Impression? Meh

I remember when one of my training supervisors got a car phone.  He told me, “You wouldn’t believe how much time it saves me, Mike.  I return all my calls while I’m driving home!”  I was pretty stoked about the technology.  How amazing it would be not to have to hunt for a slimy public phone when I needed to return a page.  “When I get a real job, the first thing I’m going to do is have a car phone installed,”  I said to myself. 

That opportunity came during my first year as an attending physician. A Christmas bonus from my boss covered the high $2000 price, not for a car phone but for an even more fantastic phone I could carry.  

I recall the excitement that I felt when I purchased it in 1988.  It was a Panasonic and roughly the size of a box of cigars.  The phone had a separate handset and was powered by a lead acid camcorder battery.  It was so heavy that its strap would hurt my shoulder if I had to carry it more than a block, and its only abilities were making and receiving phone calls.  Yet, people would stop me on the street and ask, “Is that a phone?”  When I nodded, they sometimes gasped and uttered, “Wow,” under their breath.  It was incredible, and I felt cool having it.

I thought I was pretty cook carrying around my Panasonic “mobile phone.”

After a few years of breaking my back, it was time to upgrade, but I can’t remember to what. I’m sure it was one of those candy bar-style phones, as they were much smaller and lighter. Sometime during the mid-1990s, I got a Motorola StarTec flip phone, one of the skinny ones that easily could slip into my pants pocket. I felt that I was riding on the cutting edge of technology.

This flip phone was state-of-the-art when I bought it in the late ’90s. Mine was a cool “putty” color.

I had a few other phones in the 2000s, but their memory has faded. 

During that same period, I used electronic organizers called PDAs (Pocket Digital Assistants) and went through a series of them, including several from Sharp. I eventually landed on a Handspring Visor that used the Palm operating system. That device was terrific, as it easily synced to my computer and could run useful programs, many of which were free. What would it be like to combine the features of my PDA with a phone in one little box? I pondered. Others obviously thought the same thing, and a few years later, smartphones hit the market. 

I had a few Sharp PDA-style organizers. They looked pretty cool, but you lost all of your data if the battery went dead. Plus, they were a pain to backup on a computer.
One of the doctors I knew told me about his Palm Pilot, and I bought a Handspring Visor, which ran Palm OS. Wow, that was a great device. It was small, efficient, could run programs, and had a matching app for my computer. I enjoyed using it.

You may think Apple invented the smartphone, but that is untrue. Apple was late to the game, introducing its first iPhone in 2007. Before that time, most smartphones had physical keyboards, and Apple’s keyboardless design was so unique that then-CEO of Microsoft Steve Ballmer ridiculed it, saying, “There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share.” He was obviously wrong.

I had a primitive and clunky Windows CE smartphone and then an early Android phone from HTC. The latter would spontaneously reboot itself right during a phone call. The HTC was so terrible that I started to refer to it as a dumbphone. 

I had a Windows CE Smartphone similar to this one. It looked cool, but its software was super clunky. I thought the phone used a light version of Windows, but that was in name only. It ran its own OS which was pretty terrible.
I upgraded to this HTC phone, which used an early version of Android. I researched the phone, and its initial reviews were great. However, it had hardware problems and would constantly crash, often in the middle of a phone conversation.

Patients would come into my office and show me their new iPhones.  They were as proud as if they were telling me about a fabulous trip abroad or their new Mercedes.  Even the early iterations of the iPhone were spectacular.  Where my dumbphone took grainy photos, their iPhones did a decent job.  Things we now take for granted, like watching a YouTube video on a phone, were utterly unique and impressive. During that time, Apple had an ad campaign emphasizing what an iPhone could do.  For every problem, there’s an app for that, the commercials said.  Many other smartphones of the day seemed to be works in progress, but the iPhone had its act together.  It was a next-generation device. 

People were so proud of their new iPhones that they would pull them out and show them to me.

I eventually gave up on my dumbphone and bought an iPhone.  I can’t remember which version, possibly an iPhone 3 or 4.  I was already using a Mac, and purchasing an iPhone solidly transformed me into an Apple fanboy. I followed iPhone news and rumors the way that some follow sports teams. I was not alone, as people would wait overnight in line to get their hands on the latest model.  It seemed like every version was more impressive than the last.

My first iPhone looked something like this.

I joined with the others, buying a new phone every 2-4 years, and each time, I was amazed at the model’s meaningful advances. I’m a photographer, and the cameras got better and better.  Newer phones worked on updated cell frequencies, allowing me to call from more remote places. The phones seamlessly integrated with my Mac, permitting me to start a project on one device and finish it on another.  The phones had ever-improving GPS to get me to my destination despite my poor sense of direction.  Video calling was available on other devices, but it was pretty awful.  Apple’s FaceTime worked well. An iPhone could record excellent video, so I could leave my camcorder behind when attending my kids’ events. The advantages continued; I felt like I was carrying a miracle in my pocket. 

Although many of the advances were software-based, they were fueled by ever more powerful and sophisticated hardware.

I traded in my iPhone 10 for an iPhone 12 Pro Max. The new phone had three rear cameras, giving me regular, wide-angle, and telephoto lenses. That flexibility allowed me to leave my pro camera behind, even when traveling. It was a significant advancement.  However, there was something concerning about that phone. It was of a lower build quality than my previous iPhones. At one point, the battery swelled for no reason and cracked the screen. Then, the lightning connector failed, causing me to upgrade to an iPhone 14 Pro Max. A phone that I have used until last week. The iPhone 14 also had significant improvements over previous versions.  Notably, It could connect to satellite emergency services if it was out of cell coverage range.  I travel to remote places that lack cell coverage, making that feature highly desirable. 

I did not intend to replace my iPhone 14 Pro Max; however, I noticed its lightning connector was starting to fail. I was also aware that my battery was degrading faster than the batteries on previous models. I pondered if Apple was practicing a little planned obsolescence. 

My 14 Pro Max had an excellent trade-in value, so I decided to upgrade my phone before the port worsened or other things started to break, as they would lessen the amount of trade-in cash I would get. I now have an iPhone 16 Pro Max. Is it the game-changer that previous generations were? I would say no.  This phone is two generations beyond my last phone; it is more advanced on paper. It has better hardware, a bigger screen, extra buttons, and Apple Intelligence.  The camera is also different, and the faster processor allows for a few more software tricks.  However, with this iteration, the advancements don’t translate into performance differences that impact me in any way.  Additionally, the software changes, like Apple Intelligence, seem more like novelties I had already used via other AI outlets. I’m sure that at some point in the future, Apple Intelligence will be the bomb, but by then, my 16 Pro Max will be outdated. 

My new iPhone works great, but its new features don’t wow me like past versions of iPhones.

In the US, around 60% of phone users have an iPhone.  Yes, new iPhones continue to offer new capabilities, but for most, they are unnecessary or unwanted. We generally text, call, FaceTime, use GPS, take photos, and do other things that have been available for generations of phones.  

I don’t need AI to summarize a three-sentence text message or make a more adorable emoji, and having an extra camera button won’t improve my life.  I don’t think I’m alone in my apathy.  When was the last time you saw a news report of people waiting all night for the Apple store to open so they could be the first to get a new iPhone?  

I’m sure Apple knows this reality, so they have moved towards subscription services. Now, you can rent your news, music, health app, TV shows, and cloud storage by paying Apple’s never-ending monthly subscriptions.  

I wonder if they are cheaping on their parts, as my last two phones had major failures within a few years.  That would be a shame, as one of Apple’s hallmarks is the quality of its products. Android phones are now very sophisticated, and decent Android phones can be bought at reasonable prices.  Switching to Android would be inconvenient, but it would hardly be impossible.

With all of the above, you have probably guessed that my opinion of my upgrade is “Meh.”  I’m sure that there are things that I will eventually appreciate, like changing the Lightning port to USB C, and I may even like Apple Intelligence if it can subsequently improve Siri’s responses. However, it offered nothing that my old phone couldn’t deliver. 

Should you update your old iPhone for a new one?  If you are happy with the functionality of your old phone, no.  If it isn’t holding a charge, you may want to consider replacing the battery to give it new life.  Phones are expensive, and now that they have become commonplace, there is no longer any status to have the latest one on the block. Will all of this impact Apple’s market share?  I don’t know, and I’m not too concerned. I’m sure Tim Cook is working on options for Apple. Monthly subscription to rent your iPhone?  Oh wait, that is already being done; it is called a cell phone plan.

Peace

Mike

Images from various websites are being used for educational purposes only.  The above post is my personal opinion.