Buying an iphone on release vs buying one around black friday?

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munkle

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Normally I buy Pixels but Google has a meh pixel this year, and my pixel 3's battery isn't great. With the pixel, you never buy launch because a month later google drops the price a ton (like $100) for black Friday.

I don't buy iphones normally so I don't know if this same thing holds out. I'm planning on picking up an iphone 12 this year to see if I like it. I can wait if its going to have a better deal around christmas time but my general idea of apple products is that they don't really have huge discounts. I'd be buying it unlocked full price so no carrier deals either. Is it worth waiting for the holiday specials or should I just get one at launch?
 
Carriers are generally the only ones trying to sweeten the pot when it comes to the holidays - and even then they're competing with themselves over launch hype. Since you said you're going unlocked, there's nothing to really offer.

I'd say go with availability - if you can snag one during launch, sure. If not, wait for the (inevitable) resupply. Given the quantity these devices are manufactured, the post-launch runs generally fix any early (rushed) production issues that crop up, so that's something to think about too.

I'm in a similar situation - I'm still rocking a 7, but I'm unsure if I have a need for a fully unlocked device, given I'm on a grandfathered VZW unlimited plan (the one before they went stupid with the different "flavors" of "unlimited").
 
I say, get it on launch, pick the config/color you want and start enjoying it.

Unfortunately Apple products will hardly go on sale. When they do, is usually for the older models or when phone service providers are bundling it with some new promo they got going on for switching. The thing that Apple is trying to avoid is seasonal buying pattern. If they continue to introduce deals at certain times of the year, they will likely see more people not spending as often during the other times of the year.

Now, if you're a student, there might be deals for you. For example, the iPad Pro had some sort of a student bundle deal where you can get Airpods. That happened a few months after it was released.
 
I agree and disagree with some of the points in this thread. But they are right that most of the deals will be from carriers - which can be substantial. The deals intensify as the year goes on, so you're basically always balancing do you want the latest and greatest for the longest period of time or do you want to spend less, closer to the upgrade cycle? And that's more or less the same thinking as on any device.

For me, I generally don't buy at launch. Not because of cost, but generally because I hate lines and I'm not interested in refreshing websites. I'd rather be patient and wait a month or two and just be able to go in and buy what I want or order a phone without doing anything special. All that said, I would probably just buy on Apple's website if you're interested in a launch device and let your phone come when it comes up in the queue. It might be a month after launch if you're not quick, but to me that's a good balance between waiting and frustration.

I hope you enjoy your iPhone. They're not for everyone though. It will be incredibly fast and do more or less any task you want it to do quickly and efficiently. But it's also much less customizable than Android and it definitely will make you do things the Apple way, which for some is annoying to unacceptable. For me, I care about security, speed, and a device that just works that I basically don't have to manage at all (it also generally has the best cameras, fastest processors, and near the top in terms of battery life). If you're interested in a device like that, then the iPhone will be a good fit for you. But if your phone is a hobby and you want to mess with boot loaders, you side load a lot, and you want to customize every aspect of your phone, then you'll likely have less of an enjoyable experience.
 
UnknownSouljer said:
But if your phone is a hobby and you want to mess with boot loaders, you side load a lot, and you want to customize every aspect of your phone, then you'll likely have less of an enjoyable experience.
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Android customization is more or less dead with safety net. Any changes worth doing break safety net and bunch of apps won't work if safety net isn't working. I used to use roms but so many apps don't work now on roms that it just isn't worth it.
 
munkle said:
Android customization is more or less dead with safety net. Any changes worth doing break safety net and bunch of apps won't work if safety net isn't working. I used to use roms but so many apps don't work now on roms that it just isn't worth it.
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That’s just one item. Here’s a list of common iOS complaints generally from Android users:

Inability to place icons anywhere they want them
Lack of themes or icon packs
Lack of any app you want to open things
Lack of drag and drop file system
Lack of back button
Limited widget support
Notification system “not as good”
 
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There is no difference the you buy the iPhone money wise. If you can't wait, try to buy at launch. But if you hate crowds (in real or on th internet) wait a few months and you can buy it without any stress.
 
Actually I have a funny story about iPhones and buying on launch day-

I can't find the date w/o Google but it was the Friday that the 8/8+ was available, and the wifey and I had decided we were *not* going to get the newest iPhones. But of course for some reason the home buttons on BOTH of our 6's were starting to become... flaky. And so there we are, standing at the Apple Store, that Friday afternoon, looking at the huge line. The "bouncers" at the door noticed us and said if we wanted the iPhone, that, yes, the line is there.

I answered, "well we don't want the new iPhones, can we go in?"

The bouncers looked at each other and just shrugged, and let us in.

The moment we get past the glass doors, we're approached by one of the employees - and I say "yes, we're interested in replacing our iPhone 6," and I take it out of my pocket. I swear, I could feel the DEATH GAZE from the people waiting in line, who did not understand how two people just cruised up to the door and were let in, and then are seemingly getting an employee to help them... purchase new iPhones.

Meanwhile I'm explaining to the employee, no not the 8 or the X, but yes what do you have? 7? With 128GB? Fine.

We're done in about ten minutes, holding our new phones (which are identical to 8's or even X at a distance), and the employee hands us an Apple bag with the two boxes for the phones and we exit the store. The people who were at the front of the line were still there, eyes burning into us like lasers.
 
Well I bought one but I'll be returning it. Car play is really buggy with my car, doesn't work half the time. I could probably live with that but face id doesn't really work for me because I'm pretty blind. I have to hold the phone to my face really close to read but it's too close for face id and that means I have to move it back to get it to work. It's a first world problem but it's pretty annoying when an app needs to use face id.

Other than that ios has gotten a lot better. It's pretty on par with Android now days. I like car play interface better just wish it worked better with my car.

Googles apps are better on iOS which is really sad for Google.
 
munkle thanks for your impressions. I'm a longtime Android user, and was looking at the 12 mini vs the Pixel 4a I have right now (at double the price though). Not sure I'll switch this year, but maybe one day I'll look into it.
 
kirbyrj said:
munkle thanks for your impressions. I'm a longtime Android user, and was looking at the 12 mini vs the Pixel 4a I have right now (at double the price though). Not sure I'll switch this year, but maybe one day I'll look into it.
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It sounds like there are a few issues specific to him more than anything, which bodes well.

I'll say this: the Pixel 4a is a great value, and I wouldn't rush to replace it if you're happy. However, the iPhone 12 mini will definitely run rings around it in key respects. You can expect better performance, a stronger overall camera setup, more storage options and a more resilient build.
 
If you want a deal on an iPhone, buy last year's or the year before that year's model. They're basically the same thing. All that you will miss out on is a slightly improved camera, screen and possibly battery life. The experience will be basically the same. "Holiday Special" does not apply to an unlocked new model iPhone.
 
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