Should you trade in your old phone for the iPhone 15?

iPhone enthusiasts don’t have long to wait – every year Apple introduces a new iPhone (this time the iPhone 15) in September or October. The actual unveiling of the new device typically occurs in the month of September.

So even if the phones themselves don’t reach South African shores in the same month, fans will know what new features to expect.

But should you trade in your current phone (whether Apple or Android) for the new iPhone 15? Is it worth it? And what can you do with your old device once you upgrade?

Here we look at the pros and cons of giving in the Apple hype.

Design and aesthetics

The iPhone 15 will no doubt boast a sleek and modern design, with a refined build and a variety of colour options to choose from. However, if you currently own an iPhone 14 or even an iPhone 13, the physical differences between models may be minimal. While Apple has introduced minor design improvements, the decision to upgrade based solely on aesthetics may not be enough to warrant the switch.

Performance, processing power, and pricing

One of the reasons to consider upgrading to the iPhone 15 is its enhanced performance. Equipped with Apple’s latest chip, the new iPhone will no doubt offer faster processing speeds, improved graphics, and enhanced machine-learning capabilities. If you heavily rely on resource-intensive apps or play graphics-intensive games, the iPhone 15’s boosted performance could enhance your user experience.

‘When it comes to the features, we should expect a faster chip and a camera to rival Samsung on the higher-end models. There is likely to be a shift from lightning ports to USB C ports due to pressure from the EU, but this may be limited to phones sold in the EU,’ says Lynette Hundermark Co-founder & Chief Product Officer, Useful & Beautiful.

Rumors abound that the 15 will have similar pricing to the 14, but there’s no guarantee of this. Hundermark adds: ‘Pricing is likely to be the same as the 14 for standard models but will definitely increase for the PRO models.’

Battery life and charging

Battery life is an important consideration for any smartphone user. No doubt, the iPhone 15 will come with improved battery efficiency and optimization, promising extended usage times compared to its predecessors. If battery longevity and faster charging matter to you, the iPhone 15’s improvements could be worth considering.

Hundermark says: ‘The only real reason to upgrade is if your battery is significantly poor, and you need to charge your device multiple times in the day. However, since the pandemic, work travel has significantly reduced and with working from home, people have access to charging mechanisms, unless there’s load-shedding of course.’

Cost of living

Before you trade in your old device for an iPhone 15, the impact on your finances should be considered. The world is currently in the grips of a cost-of-living crisis. Inflation has slowed a bit in South Africa, but it is still high, and upgrading your phone in such an environment is more a “want” than a “need” or necessity.

‘With the rising cost of living, upgrading to the latest phone doesn’t offer much significant change to what you have. Upgrading now is pure luxury because it is not a FOMO (fear of missing out) expense as it used to be. unless someone comes up with a battery that used to perform like the Nokia 3310 – the unveiling of new phones is honestly not as exciting as it used to be.’

Offsetting the upgrade cost

One way to offset the cost of your upgrade is to sell your old phone and not shove it in a draw to be forgotten like previous generations that you’ve discarded.
‘You can sell it, but bear in mind that phones depreciate worse than cars.
The best place to sell them would be on a third-party marketplace rather than a trade-in unless there are specific deals offered to incentivize people to trade up. Usually, private sales do result in a better trading price.  Just remember to do a factory reset on your phone before selling. People who may consider purchasing your old iPhone are those wanting to upgrade to an iPhone or software companies looking for test devices.’

To upgrade or not?

Upgrading to an iPhone 15 will really depend on your individual preferences and needs. If you value enhanced performance, improved photography capabilities, and extended battery life, the iPhone 15 could be a consideration. However, if you own a recent iPhone model that meets your current needs and budget constraints, the decision may not be as urgent.

Ultimately, carefully evaluate your usage patterns and evaluate whether an upgrade and the added features are worth the money. Don’t forget to consider other associated costs like insurance as these can all add up.