I’m an iPhone 14 Pro Max user, and it’s taken me what feels like an eternity to own an iPhone. That’s because my first purchase was the iPhone 14 Pro Max just months before Apple was expected to launch the next-gen iPhone 15 series. And the iPhone has been around for over 15 years now, so you can imagine why it felt like an eternity.
The primary reason behind my switch to iOS was the need for a smartphone that lasts and works well for a few years. My OnePlus Nord was acting up, making an iPhone purchase necessary, especially looking at happy iPhone users around. But the real question is whether I’d jump on the iPhone 15 bandwagon despite having the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The short answer is no; let’s dive in detail to see why.
First, can you spot the difference between an iPhone 14 Pro Max and an iPhone 15 Pro Max if they both wore a case? Probably not. Sure, there’s the titanium frame, which makes it lighter, but in terms of appearance, there needs to be more to differentiate, like 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island on the front. The new frame definitely makes the phone much better to hold, but that alone doesn’t convince me. I don’t mind the solid feel of my 15 Pro Max, and it’s more durable, as per the durability tests we’ve seen so far.
Look back at the iPhone 11, 12, and 13 – once you slap on a case, telling them apart becomes challenging. And since the iPhone 13, not much has changed on the outside. Whether it’s the iPhone 14 or 15, the camera placement and external design don’t make a significant difference.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the USB-C port. Apple finally made the switch, albeit reluctantly. While the idea is to reduce electronic waste with one cable to rule them all, what about all my existing Lightning accessories? Once I switch to an iPhone 15 with a USB-C port, my Lightning cables become obsolete, and I’d need a new one even for my AirPods Pro.
Is this really eco-friendly, or is it just creating more waste? I understand we have to start somewhere, but the accessories I own will become expensive junk.
Apple’s iPhone 15 models are now compatible with the widely adopted universal Power Delivery standard, but there needs to be a word on enhanced charging speeds. They’re still limited to 20 watts. For me, this change wasn’t compelling enough.
Let’s talk about those camera upgrades and the A17 Pro chip. Sure, the iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts exceptional zoom capabilities, but my iPhone 14 Pro Max already takes excellent photos, and I’m not a pro photographer. Do these upgrades justify the purchase? Not necessarily, for a casual user like me.
The A17 Pro chip offers improved performance and the highest level of mobile processing, but it’s not a game-changer for someone like me who isn’t a heavy gamer. Especially when the A16 Bionic on my current iPhone is a beast in itself. For a regular user, or even for a gamer, the A16 Bionic can do practically everything with high efficiency that the A17 Pro does.
Apple is consistent with long-term software updates on its devices. My iPhone 14 Pro Max is still going strong, and I expect it to receive updates for years. While I may not keep my first-ever iPhone forever, upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro Max seems like something other than the upgrade I really need.
I would have been more convinced if it had a new design, faster charging speeds, longer battery life, or a massive upgrade in camera or display. Also, keeping it a bit longer feels like a small step towards reducing electronic waste, and I’m proud of that.
So, for now, I’m sticking to my trusty iPhone 14 Pro Max and eagerly awaiting a compelling reason to leap to the next generation. Maybe!
Image Credits – Shutterstock
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