Today would normally see me poised over the Apple website on my Mac and the Apple Store app on my phone ready to seen which goes live first so I can finalize my order for a shiny new iPhone.
This year is an exception, and although that’s partly for personal reasons, it’s mostly because I’m just not seeing any good reason to want the iPhone 17 Pro Max over last year’s model …
I haven’t always upgraded my iPhone each year. Indeed, in 2016, I technically downgraded, although I didn’t personally see it as such. The iPhone X was, of course, an irresistible upgrade back in 2017, and since then the company has always managed to give me enough reason to upgrade each year:
- iPhone X Diary
- iPhone 11 Diary
- iPhone 12 Diary
- iPhone 13 Diary
- iPhone 14 Diary
- iPhone 15 Diary
- iPhone 16 Diary
It was in 2021 that I said I was resigned to buying a new iPhone every year, and that was always for the camera improvements, either for still photos, video, or both.
iPhone cameras have improved so dramatically over the past few years that the iPhone is now undeniably my primary camera – and that makes it a way more important device.
By 2023, I’d stopped using ‘iPhone n Diary’ names and just switched to iPhone Diary. This year, however, Apple hasn’t sold me on upgrading.
Admittedly, this is in part a philosophical decision. For many years, I was a minimalist. While for some that is merely an aesthetic choice, for me it was more than that. It was about a very intentional use of three things: space in my home, time, and money. A test I found useful for discretionary use of any of these things is that the decision must either be a “hell, yes!” or default to a no.
While I’ve continued to live a more minimalist existence than many people, there are personal reasons why that fell off somewhat in recent years. During that time I’ve always been able to justify an annual upgrade on the basis that a new phone requires no more space or time than my old one, and I’d receive back a significant proportion of the original cost on selling it. This year, I’m returning to my more minimalist roots, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max fails the “hell, yes!” test in my case.
But that’s actually a rather minor factor, because for me it’s not even a mild yes due to the new camera features not being ones I need.
For the avoidance of doubt, as lawyers would say, that is absolutely not the same as saying it couldn’t pass the HY test for other people. The new Fusion 4x/8x telephoto lens will be a big deal for some people. I can definitely see content creators and others appreciating the new Center Stage selfie camera. And for more serious videographers than me, ProRes RAW is a huge deal, alongside genlock for for professional multicam use. Apple certainly can’t be accused of holding back on the camera front!
However, for me personally, none of these upgrades were really relevant. I rarely use the telephoto lens, switching between standard, wide angle and 2x for the vast majority of both photography and video. Similarly, I almost never take selfies, so Center Stage was also irrelevant to me. ProRes RAW and genlock are both beyond my needs on the iPhone.
Top comment by WhereâsJimmy
I have a 13 Pro Max that’s still in excellent condition and I came VERY close to either getting one of the new iPhone 17 Pro Maxes. I also looked into some Apple Refurb’ed and Amazon Renewed 15 PM’s and 16 PM’s but after running the numbers, I just couldn’t justify $1100+ for a 17 PM and definitely not $850-$1000 for a refurb’ed/renewed 15 or 16 PM.
I ended up just ordering a battery self fix kit from iFixit for $45 since that’s literally the only thing that’s “deficient” on my phone.
I’m honestly just not seeing that much of an upgrade since my iPhone came out that I need to spend so much money to upgrade. It’s way more than adequate for what I do and hopefully will last me another 2-3 years or until Apple deems it “unsupported”. 😕
The most serious I ever get with iPhone video is using it for B-roll footage to mix in with my Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K video. Given that I’m shooting on different occasions, in different places, in different light, then the ability to shoot RAW to match the look in grading is not something I personally need.
So my iPhone 16 Pro Max lives for another year.
Next year is a whole other question! The iPhone Fold is a very appealing idea to me, combining relative pocketability with a much larger screen. I’ll need to see just how eye-watering the price turns out to be, and what compromises might be involved in the design, but I do think there’s a good chance this could pass the HY test for me.
Perhaps I’ll be grateful that I haven’t spent any money on a new iPhone this year …
Highlighted accessories
- Official Apple Store on Amazon
- Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter for iPhone 17
- Official Apple iPhone Air cases and bumpers
- iPhone Air MagSafe Battery
- Official iPhone 17 cases
- Official iPhone 17 Pro cases and Pro Max cases
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