If you get a new Iphone, something to know

[vito]

I was getting tired of the issues I was having with my Iphone8, and my wife's Iphone7 was even more dated. So yesterday we upgraded to two new Iphone12. It is a very impressive phone. Not all that different, but it does have some nice features and a better camera (one of the features I like is facial recognition to unlock the phone). But I found out something I was not expecting.

The charging cord for the 12 looks just like the cord and end piece that Iphone has used for the last several generations of the phone. But it is not the same, and my charging cords for both my 8 and my wife's 7 are now useless to me except for charging my Ipad. The phones come with a new cord, but not the piece that plugs into the wall. And rather than using a USB connector, the cord for the 12 has a new unique Apple designed end, so new wall connectors are needed. And of course the size of the phone is just a tad different than was my 8, so a new protective case was needed for our two new phone. I added a third 12 for my son as a birthday gift. So be aware that its not just the cost of the new phone (Verizon has all sorts of promotional offers so the cost to me was less than it might otherwise have been) but that you will need all new accessories, including car chargers. All these extras, plus the glass screen covers, added a few hundred dollars to my cost right at the start.

 

[Captain America]

You are correct, I have a MagSafe iPhone, an Apple Watch, and AirPods so I use the super expensive but really nice Belkin 3 in 1 charger. My new phones always get a case and a screen protector within minutes of setup. As far as the charger the $19 Apple UCB-C 20w charger is the way to go if you want to plug in, it will charge your phone for 0 to 50% in minutes while protecting your battery.

Charge Brick
https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MHJA3AM/A

Belkin Charger
https://store.apple.com/xc/product/HPG02ZM/A

 

[gramps]

I have an iPhone 6. I am NOT A FAN of facial recognition. I would probably upgrade, but so far the only one that has my attention is the SE. same size as the 6.
gramps

 

[Captain America]

I have an iPhone 6. I am NOT A FAN of facial recognition. I would probably upgrade, but so far the only one that has my attention is the SE. same size as the 6.
gramps

The biggest advantage of Face ID is for people that work with their hands or have skin conditions. The Touch ID on the SE is far superior to that of your 6, that being said the 6 still gets some security updates but the SE would be an enormous step forward for you. Remember you will be losing the headphone jack but everything about the SE is light years better than the 6, I gave my 6 to my niece in 2017 and she replaced it with an SE last fall because she likes that design. Unfortunately the case from your 6 will not work on the SE.

 

[Johnnu2]

Flip phone here....... Got rid of my first one after ten years and now have a brand new one that should last another ten years (and I can still use the same charger(s)).

IMHO,

J

 

[Kevin]

And rather than using a USB connector, the cord for the 12 has a new unique Apple designed end, so new wall connectors are needed.

Do you mean USB-C?

I have the iphone 11, my wife upgraded to the 12 a while back, but I didn't really pay much attention to the cables. Wireless charges are really nice, but they are sensitive as to the position of how you place your phone on it. At least mine is, but it could just be that it's old.

+1 on the screen protectors. They are definitely necessary and keep the screen from cracking if the phone is accidentally dropped. Plus they aren't very expensive on Amazon. I put them on everything now, even one on the screen in my truck.

 

[Watchman]

I find it hilarious that people would speak about the "security advantages" of ANY modern "smart phone".

You might as well broadcast everything you think, know or believe for all to see. Plus your physical image, so it seems.

 

[wheelgun1958]

I've drop kicked my android more times than I can count. Sat on it, good it soaked and it still works. No cracked screen either. Must be a Timex.

 

[Kevin]

I find it hilarious that people would speak about the "security advantages" of ANY modern "smart phone".

You might as well broadcast everything you think, know or believe for all to see. Plus your physical image, so it seems.

Actually, the one thing Apple is noted for is security. There are many news stories about the police not being able to get into someone’s phone and find evidence. The facial recognition is stored on the local phone, not some server elsewhere. And as far as hacking into a phone, I’m not a tech expert, but believe Apple is harder to hack than other phones.

Lose a flip phone, and whoever finds it has all the contacts and phone history. Not so easy with an Apple device.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Still using the iPhone 8. Was all set to upgrade (discounts are nice :wink: ) but not a fan of not having the fingerprint unlock. Not totally against the facial recognition thing but it's not always an easily used feature.

 

[Johnnu2]

There's no 'history' on my flip phone Kevin; I don't text....Don't know if it even can access the internet. I only use it to call my wife. I do have a few contacts, but they are OLD too and would appreciate a call from anyone who might find my phone. It's GOOD to be OLD.

J.

 

[vito]

I use a six digit security code to unlock my phone, so I really like the facial recognition feature which makes it unnecessary to enter six digits everytime I open the phone. If I am not looking at the screen when I tap the phone to open it, then I have to enter the code. I appreciate the security that Iphones offer over Android. Other advantages, and why I gave up on Android include the reality that with the Android phone I was having a frozen screen fairly often, needing a hard reset to get it back into use. I have never had a screen freeze on my Iphones. Apps from the Apple App Store have been approved by Apple for safety, unlike the open system that operates for the comparable site for Android phones. I don't worry about inadvertently downloading malware through an app when I add such to my Iphone.

I should also mention that the camera on this model 12 is pretty amazing. Noticeably better than what I had on my old Iphone 8. The "wide angle" feature is really nice to have. I long ago stopped using a "real" camera, even when traveling on vacation. It seems so dated to have a heavy camera hanging on my neck everywhere that I go. The Iphone in my shirt pocket is much easier to live with.

 

[Captain America]

Actually, the one thing Apple is noted for is security. There are many news stories about the police not being able to get into someone’s phone and find evidence. The facial recognition is stored on the local phone, not some server elsewhere. And as far as hacking into a phone, I’m not a tech expert, but believe Apple is harder to hack than other phones.

Lose a flip phone, and whoever finds it has all the contacts and phone history. Not so easy with an Apple device.

Correct, Apple had a standing offer of 1 million dollars to anyone that could hack an iPhone on the current IOS, about a year ago they upped it to 1.5 million and it’s never been done. The FBI can’t even get passed the Lock Screen and they’ll never access iCloud without learning the proper passcodes and 2 factor authentication. Most flip phones have had smart phone features since 2013 with virtually no security, your location is easily tracked by phone records, with an iPhone you even have a way around that.

 

[Captain America]

Still using the iPhone 8. Was all set to upgrade (discounts are nice :wink: ) but not a fan of not having the fingerprint unlock. Not totally against the facial recognition thing but it's not always an easily used feature.

The 8 is a great phone and will be for several more years, unless your concern about Face ID is because of masks I would suggest you find a friend with the phone you’re interested in and try Face ID, when combined with raise to wake it’s great. Because of working with my hands Face ID was a real blessing to me.

 

[sceva]

I stay the flip phone route too. Grandfathered into T-Mobiles old pay as you go so if I buy minutes they're good for a year. I spend less than $50.00 a year for minutes and less than $25.00 on my wifes. They stay turned off most of the time; hers gets turned on when she needs to make a call (seldom) then gets turned off. Mine only goes into my pocket when I go out and goes back on the shelf when I'm home. We have a land line for everything else and the ringers turned off on it. People know to start talking after the message and if we know them we'll pick up or will call back.

I don't text, play games and don't need Apps

 

[Fox Mike]

As far as chargers go, it seem the manufacturer changes the plugs with each new model. I carry a three-way cord in my car that works with every item I have so far seen. My wife's phone and mine use different style plugs so we can plug the cord into the USB port and charge both at the same time if needed.

 

[Johnnu2]

I stay the flip phone route too. Grandfathered into T-Mobiles old pay as you go so if I buy minutes they're good for a year. I spend less than $50.00 a year for minutes and less than $25.00 on my wifes. They stay turned off most of the time; hers gets turned on when she needs to make a call (seldom) then gets turned off. Mine only goes into my pocket when I go out and goes back on the shelf when I'm home. We have a land line for everything else and the ringers turned off on it. People know to start talking after the message and if we know them we'll pick up or will call back.

I don't text, play games and don't need Apps

We must be related Sceva......
I always figured that since I never answer a landline, why would I want to answer a cell phone. Only time I turn it on is if I have to make an outgoing call..... You can imagine when the last time I did that...
It's GOOD being OLD
J.

 

[mbsr]

I to just purchased a new iPhone 12 mini and now looking for a phone holder for my truck as I don’t like looking down and taking my eyes off the road. Well I don’t have any idea which one to buy. I don’t want to spend a lot of money on this thing so I need some suggestions please.

 

[Captain America]

I to just purchased a new iPhone 12 mini and now looking for a phone holder for my truck as I don’t like looking down and taking my eyes off the road. Well I don’t have any idea which one to buy. I don’t want to spend a lot of money on this thing so I need some suggestions please.

I use one of these...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006BIQBMQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_NEV96TXZV5T9M5HKZWWN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

...works good, not expensive.

 

[vito]

A cup holder phone holder makes you look down, way down, and I think is dangerous. I tried one and it was useless for navigation programs, which was the main reason that I wanted a car phone holder. I’ve since gone back to one that uses a suction cup on the windshield so that I can position the phone right below the rear view mirror.

 

[P89DC]

I'm still working and having a smartphone is expected in the workplace. A flip phone will not cover what I'm expected to have. I'm expected to respond to text messages and emails from my coworkers. A smartphone app is required to log into the workplace network using a laptop they assigned me. I had to upgrade my home network and internet service to support Zoom and Avaya communication. Thankfully my ancient SE iPhone is able to handle my needs. If I'm unable to conform to modern ubiquitous communication requirements there's no jobs available to me especially under covid. My ATT service cost me $45 per month and internet is $80 per month.

 

[powder smoke]

Got my FIRST smart phone just a few weeks ago. It's a Samsung from Verizon.
It's a newer version I must admit I like it but still figuring the thing out. From a flip
phone to that is a major technology jump. I'm getting use to it bit by bit lol. ps

 

[Captain America]

Got my FIRST smart phone just a few weeks ago. It's a Samsung from Verizon.
It's a newer version I must admit I like it but still figuring the thing out. From a flip
phone to that is a major technology jump. I'm getting use to it bit by bit lol. ps

That's the way to do it, one thing at a time after initial setup and you'll get there. How do you eat an elephant...one bite at a time.

 

[wiz1997]

I have my phone set up so I can access it in three different ways.
First was a pass code.
Then I added facial recognition, that worked until the mask mandates started.
So then I added the fingerprint method, which requires clean fingers or no cuts on your finger.
So if I'm at work wearing a mask, with dirty hands at least I can use the pass code method.
Have a charger from a previous phone, with cables that fit the new phone.
Problem there is charging takes 5 hours using that charger, the new phone charger takes a little over an hour.