I Need a "New" iPhone....suggestions??

kristenrice · Feb 28, 2015

I have an iPhone 4S 16GB and I love it. I have kept it in a Lifeproof case since the day I bought it and I use it (extensively) every day. It is in great condition and I have no desire to depart with it. The problem is that I have used up ALL of the memory. I have some apps, music and photos, none of which I am willing to part with, but I don't even have enough memory to upgrade to the latest iOS.

I'm looking at phones in eBay since I don't want to shell out a ton of money for a new one. I am eligible for an upgrade from Sprint, but they do not have anything more than a 16GB in the 4S, no 32GB 5/5S and the 64GB 5S are >$200! I'm looking in the $100-$150 range on eBay and I am finding both 4S and 5S with 32-64GB capacities that fall within my price range.

Here are some of my random thoughts...
1) I already shelled out $80 for a new Lifeproof case for my 4S (about 3 months ago) as well as an armband for running (another $30) so that pushes me towards a 4S...
2) A 5S is a "newer", 4G-capable phone...but I'd have to spring for a new case ($80) and armband ($30)
3) Sprint has almost non-existent 4G LTE service in my area...for now...but when it improves, it would be nice to have access to it on my phone so that pushes me towards the 5S

So...WWYD? What should I look for? Should I go for the 4S or 5S? 32GB or 64GB? And what kind of price differential should I consider? Like, is it reasonable to spend an extra $50 to get a 5S? Or an extra $50 to go from 32 to 64GB? I'm so confused :scared:

supersnoop · Feb 28, 2015

The 5 added LTE, and the 5S added fingerprint recognition. If you have to use a long passcode, the fingerprint reader is incredibly useful.

Personally, my first iPhone was the 5. I wouldn't get one before that because they lacked the LTE band. So that was very important to me. Both my iPhone's have been 64gb because I have a lot of music. If you have LTE coverage and an unlimited data plan, you might be able to get away with less storage by streaming music and videos.

scrapquitler · Feb 28, 2015

How about just moving some of your photos off the phone and onto your laptop (or just the cloud). Ditto for apps and music.

Consider posting your "I am looking to buy a Sprint iphone 4S or 5" on Facebook so all your Facebook friends can see it. There is a very good chance that one of your friends/family has one in their drawer somewhere after having recently upgraded to a 6 or 6plus. When I smashed my iphone4 screen and was debating just buying a used phone vs. upgrading with a new contract, I posted a similar plea on my Facebook page and within a few hours I had several people respond that they were willing to sell me theirs/let me borrow it.

I actually looked at the Sprint Website, and (after putting in my zip code) I saw a 5c with 32gig of memory for $29.99 with a new two year contract. Look at their website, and don't forget to look for one at places like Best Buy, Target and Walmart, as well as Amazon.

ktlm · Feb 28, 2015

I would go for the 5S with 64gb even though it costs more. It will last longer for you and will be worth it if you keep it for any length of time. As the operating systems change, they will support the 5S longer than the 4. Also, we have found that as phones age and become more outdated, there are less apps that can be downloaded or used on them- getting the newer phone will allow you to download those types of things longer. We have found that apps tend to take up more storage now, and the 64 GB will give you enough memory for quite a while. In the long run, I think it is definitely worth the difference in money.

I have that phone right now and I love it. I upgraded to it when my 4S' 16 gb operating system became too outdated because I had not been updating it, and there was not enough room on the phone to install the current update. I didn't think I would like the 5s as it was a little different than the 4s, and to my surprise it found it to be a whole lot above the 4S in a lot of ways. I put off updating a long time, and was sorry I did once I got used to my 5S. The quality of the camera on mine is a ton better, than it was on my 4S. DH has a 5S too, he looked at the 6, and found it was just too big for his pocket, so he stuck with the 5S. I would not buy a phone as outdated as the 4S at this point.

havaneselover · Feb 28, 2015

I have a 4. When I upgrade I'm going to a 6. With the 4 you can't upgrade to ios 8. I don't want ios 8, but I can't get some apps without it (American Airlines), for example. My guess is the 4s will be in the same predicament next year.

ibob52 · Feb 28, 2015

Are there going to be some ... Sprint iphones 5s 32GB ... in stock later.

APPLE still sells the iphone 5s 32GB ... so I would think Sprint should be able to get one.

*we bought our original iphone via ebay* (gazelle.com) <== Good Reputation/Feedback/etc

We have always had replacement insurance. (I have a non contract plan/Gophone)

Just this week we got another insurance/replacement phone (it had a bad battery/had to be sent back)

You are taking a chance with buying a used phone. (most used phones = no warranty)

Good Luck ... BTW we have had ... 16-32-64 GB ... my teen is happy with 32GB/no complaints.

manning · Feb 28, 2015

havaneselover said:
I have a 4. When I upgrade I'm going to a 6. With the 4 you can't upgrade to ios 8. I don't want ios 8, but I can't get some apps without it (American Airlines), for example. My guess is the 4s will be in the same predicament next year.

Update it through your computer and you are good to go.

havaneselover · Mar 1, 2015

manning said:
Update it through your computer and you are good to go.

The app? I'll have to give that a try. I'm one of those people that doesn't sync often

Swimalie · Mar 1, 2015

manning said:
Update it through your computer and you are good to go.

I agree. I have the 4s and have iOS 8 on my phone. Did it through the computer.

kristenrice · Mar 1, 2015

Thanks everyone!

I talked to DH today and I think we've decided to wait until April when I get my longevity bonus from work. Then, I will decide to either get the 64GB 5S ($249) or, as he suggested, spend the extra $50 and get the 64GB 6 ($299). I can get either one of them directly from Sprint. Since I'd have to get a new case either way, and I'm already spending "that kind of money", DH said I should get the newest model so that I'm good for a few more years.

jrmasm · Mar 1, 2015

kristenrice said:
Thanks everyone!

I talked to DH today and I think we've decided to wait until April when I get my longevity bonus from work. Then, I will decide to either get the 64GB 5S ($249) or, as he suggested, spend the extra $50 and get the 64GB 6 ($299). I can get either one of them directly from Sprint. Since I'd have to get a new case either way, and I'm already spending "that kind of money", DH said I should get the newest model so that I'm good for a few more years.

I think your husband is right.

greentea · Mar 1, 2015

kristenrice said:
Thanks everyone!

I talked to DH today and I think we've decided to wait until April when I get my longevity bonus from work. Then, I will decide to either get the 64GB 5S ($249) or, as he suggested, spend the extra $50 and get the 64GB 6 ($299). I can get either one of them directly from Sprint. Since I'd have to get a new case either way, and I'm already spending "that kind of money", DH said I should get the newest model so that I'm good for a few more years.

I think that sounds like the way to go! You don't want to stick with an older model and start having problems with it not being supported later. Hope you enjoy the new phone and the extra space! I'd probably go with the 6 if you can swing it, but I have the 5s and it's been just fine. But the 6 is bigger and newer. Check them both out in the store in April!

staceyeileen · Mar 1, 2015

You can't just keep storing your photos on your phone indefinitely, even with a 64gb phone you'll eventually run out. Aren't they backed up to iCloud?

kristenrice · Mar 1, 2015

staceyeileen said:
You can't just keep storing your photos on your phone indefinitely, even with a 64gb phone you'll eventually run out. Aren't they backed up to iCloud?

I think so...but I can't figure out how to access the cloud. When I sign on, it doesn't give me an option to see my photos. Is this something I access through iTunes?? I'm not real savvy with the whole cloud thing...

staceyeileen · Mar 1, 2015

kristenrice said:
I think so...but I can't figure out how to access the cloud. When I sign on, it doesn't give me an option to see my photos. Is this something I access through iTunes?? I'm not real savvy with the whole cloud thing...

Do you know how much photo storage you'd need? Go to Settings > General > Usage and see how much space the Photo app is consuming.

Here's an article about how to use Apple's photo backup service. They only give you 5GB of free storage, though; above that there is a fee. There are tons of other cloud storage solutions (Box, Google, OneDrive, etc. etc.) but for iPhone users Apple's solutions is probably the most seamless ( but definitely not the cheapest)

http://mobilesyrup.com/2015/02/28/h...ut-deleting-photos-with-icloud-photo-library/

havaneselover · Mar 1, 2015

kristenrice said:
Thanks everyone!

I talked to DH today and I think we've decided to wait until April when I get my longevity bonus from work. Then, I will decide to either get the 64GB 5S ($249) or, as he suggested, spend the extra $50 and get the 64GB 6 ($299). I can get either one of them directly from Sprint. Since I'd have to get a new case either way, and I'm already spending "that kind of money", DH said I should get the newest model so that I'm good for a few more years.

I agree with your DH. You'll likely get another year out of a 6 over a 5s.

pesto78749 · Mar 1, 2015

I could have written your post about a month ago! The only difference is i'm on At and T. I got the 6 and at and t gave me 80.00 without turning in my old phone, my monthly bill went down by 14.00 and I got an additional GB on my plan. So I encourage you to head to the sprint store and see what they will offer you.

lost*in*cyberspace · Mar 1, 2015

manning said:
Update it through your computer and you are good to go.

lost*in*cyberspace · Mar 1, 2015

manning said:
Update it through your computer and you are good to go.

Yes, this is the way to update your operating system if you have too little memory available to update using your phone.

If you do get a new iPhone, get the latest phone, not an iPhone 5.

hsmamato2 · Mar 2, 2015

Why don't you load your photos to another source to keep them, there are many online photo places,like shutterfly...flickr,etc.and even better, you can get some printed also. you can also get cd's made with your photos as another backup in addition to digital,it's cheap and easy. Photos take up a LOT of space. Then delete the copies from your phone and WOW you will probably have plenty of room to update your ios. I know a person who NEVER deletes any photos,etc. ever. Just buys new devices,and keeps on loading them up over the years. I just don't get that. As far as music goes, if your phone is great, you could always buys an ipod fairly cheap,and back up a LOT of music on that,in case you still run out of space. And keep your music files accessible thru the cloud/ipod backup etc. I have an adorable iphone4 with limited space. I just recently had to send/backup my precious pics elsewhere,and clear out space in my phone,I take a lot of pictures.

I Need a "New" iPhone....suggestions??

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