Apple Users Are Keeping Their Devices for Longer as Upgrades Slow

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Longer Upgrade Cycles Across Devices

  • Many say this isn’t just Apple; all modern phones and computers last longer and feel “good enough” for more years.
  • Several users moved from 1–2 year cycles to 3–5+ years, often keeping phones until OS support ends or batteries are unusable.
  • Similar patterns reported for Android phones and PCs; recent hardware generations feel less transformative than older jumps.

Hardware Plateau & Diminishing Returns

  • Recent iPhones (11/12/13/14 vs 15) are perceived as iterations, not big leaps; for light use (messaging, web, travel apps), older models feel fine.
  • Camera improvements once felt dramatic; now images are “good enough” and further gains are less compelling.
  • M1 Macs are widely praised as “too good to replace,” with 3–4‑year‑old machines still feeling fast even for demanding work.

Money, Inflation, and Ecosystem Cost

  • Rising costs of essentials (housing, insurance, groceries, childcare) push tech upgrades down the priority list.
  • Full Apple stacks (phone, watch, Mac, iPad, TV, services) are seen as very expensive; some cap annual spend or drop categories (e.g., no watch/tablet).
  • Subscriptions like Apple One are viewed as adding to the ongoing cost burden.

Battery Life, Charging, and Throttling Debate

  • Careful charging (avoiding heat and fast/wireless charging) is said to extend battery life; others ignore this and just replace batteries.
  • Official Apple battery swaps are seen as cost‑effective vs new hardware, though some complain about parts access and repair hostility.
  • Strong debate over “Batterygate”:
    • One side: throttling was a safety/uptime measure tied to degraded batteries and now is documented and user‑controllable.
    • Other side: Apple hid it, effectively degrading user experience and nudging upgrades; class‑action settlements are cited.

Longevity vs Software and Product Fit

  • Hardware often outlasts OS and app support; older Macs and iOS devices run well but lose new OS features or app compatibility.
  • Some rely on Linux or custom ROMs on old hardware; others just retire devices.
  • A subset feels Apple no longer makes products they want (e.g., Touch ID iPhones, large iMacs), so they simply stop upgrading.