What is the last thing you learned?
My brand new iPhone 16e isn’t good value. Last week, it was my birthday gift to myself. We went back to my roots, in Macquarie Centre. Dined at a Thai restaurant. The black 16e was the last one in store. They were clearing out old stock as Apple debuted fresh devices this week. That night, I looked at cases from Amazon. Settled on a blue genuine leather cover with an orange interior. Tough, it had next-day Prime delivery, and was well-rated. My previous cover is synthetic and green. Amazon and eBay lack true leather covers for most Android mobiles. Temu has long exited my menu. My iPhone 14 had a standard black canvas case purchased at Big W. Not as sturdy and a lint magnet.
Having card slots is imperative for me. My Opal card is on the cover. It’s handier than being in my wallet. This has been SOP since getting my first iPhone. RFID technology secures your plastic. However, tapping on and off is harder.
Faster
On the flip side, the new mobile features a much faster processor. Better camera. More reliable Face ID. For now, this marks the end of Touch ID on iPhones. Its predecessor, the 2022 iPhone SE, was the last shogun with the home button. After a year’s absence, I was back in the Apple ecosystem.
I’ve stored FlyBuys and Afterpay cards on my iPhone. I check the weather, showers this week. The display is on the small side. You’d shell out serious bucks for larger screens, better battery, more storage, and so on. The iPhone 17 has a 120hz display but is well over a grand. However, the budget Apple handset is better than its precursor, the SE. The 16e’s screen is like a giant compared to the SE. Like the 14, it used a lightning connector. The 16e utilises the more modern usb c. As usual, it doesn’t come with the charger, only the usb cable.
A whirlwind decision
I have buyer’s remorse. Like my prior leather wallet, my months-old Oppo Reno 13F 5G is still going strong. My latest buy was impulsive. A midrange phone with excellent specs. 120hz refresh rate over the iPhone’s 60hz. 5800mah battery versus 4005mah. Lasts a full day’s use, two days for light usage. A larger screen. On the downside, Face ID is hit and miss. Oppo has promised support for another four or five years. 256gb against 128gb though $300 cheaper. Major updates and more storage future proofs your phone. No need to rush.
In between my iPhone 14 and 16e, I used a Google Pixel 8a. Neither intuitive nor responsive. The AI features are overrated. For a premium phone, charging takes long. Not good value. The only pluses are being the first Androids for software updates. Seven years of OS upgrades and security patches. Like the 16e, they crimped on the screen. It was a lot less seamless than either the Oppo Reno or iPhones. Quite buggy to be honest. I’m not surprised that Oppo and Apple have bigger market shares than Google. The cheaper Oppo Reno is the smarter choice.
Ace Player
The iPhone is more than a mobile. It’s a wallet where you can store cards and pay merchants. A music player for recent hits and classic tunes. Even a portable telly, though I didn’t use it as such. For journaling. A mini computer for web based research. An eBook reader. Shopping cart. A smart camera. For banking. The 16e will get another five or six years’ support. Longer than the Reno 13F.
At this price point you’d expect 256gb. Even the reduced cost seems unfair. Had I waited, the latest version included 256gb on their base model. They upgraded to a faster chip. The ceramic construction is thrice as tough as the 16e. Cameras are much improved. The display, 4005 mah battery, and refresh rates were retained. MagSafe sweetens the deal. Starting at $999, another overpriced, superficial, and flashy iPhone.
Not everybody’s cup of tea
Recently, installing Facebook has drained the entry-level iPhone’s battery. I went back to the Reno, offloading the new phone. I don’t have FOMO on the latest release. Imagine spending one grand for a phone that’s too small with a subpar battery, and poor refresh rate.
Who would say no to a new iPhone? My decision was easy. Why stick with a premium branded mobile when you’re unhappy? It seems like a considerable waste of money. An expensive lesson that could’ve been avoided. A decision that required more thought. Maybe before opening the box, I could’ve read more about my new phone.
When premium ain’t always better
If you’re looking for a decent, budget-friendly smartphone with good specs, go for a midrange Android. You’ll save big bucks and won’t crimp on value. An iPhone means spending thrice as much for similar features. Their budget offerings will be insufficient and a disappointment for the average user. Some things in life are not worth the trade-off.
