Apple announced all their new gear a couple of weeks ago. Our team talked about the new iPhone 8 and iPhone X. We’ll also talked about Apple TV and Apple Watch. Watch below or listen at the bottom of this post.
Apple Products Pricing and Availability
- Apple iPhone 8 and 8 Plus – starting at $699 and $799
- Apple Watch Series 3 – starting at $329 or $399 with LTE
- 4K Apple TV – $179 with 32GB or $199 with 64GB
- Apple iPhone X – preorders go live on October 31 and ship November 3 for $999
Should You Upgrade?
Should you upgrade? That’s the big question that people should answer. Here what our team recommends.
From LaRosa Johnson…
Upgrade only if you can afford to buy it outright and your current phone is no longer working.
From Wes Allen…
If your phone is still functioning and allowing your workflow without getting in the way then, there is no need to upgrade. If you want to push the limits and want to pass on an older phone to someone while it’s still useful, then an upgrade can be a good idea.
I have a 4K tv and am not getting the new unit. Also, I’m very happy with my 6s plus
From Rick Mansfield…
I can only speak for myself. I won’t upgrade to the new AppleTV because I don’t have a 4K television. If my current gen 1 Apple Watch ever gets lost or if the battery does not last the full day for multiple days in a week, I will get the new one with LTE. I’m getting the iPhone X because I’m in the Apple Upgrade program (so why not?), and I can legitimately write it off on my taxes because I use it for work extensively.
From Mark Allison (the new guy) …
I had an Apple Watch Series 1 and liked it a lot, but sold it to buy a Garmin Fenix 3, that was a more capable watch for the things I like to do – hiking, mountain biking and other outdoor activities. The new Apple Watch includes an altimeter, which means it can record elevation accurately. It’s also water-resistant, a feature added in the last version of the watch, which makes it a more compelling upgrade for outdoor enthusiasts. I’m not happy about paying $10/month for the LTE version. Paying $120 a year for a watch adds up. Still, it’s nice to be able to make a call without a phone, and the call quality is supposed to be excellent.
I have an iPhone 7, and I’m not planning on upgrading. iPhone 8 doesn’t have enough compelling features (in my mind). The iPhone X looks nice, but I’m more inclined to wait a year until they have all the kinks worked out. That’s saying a lot, because I typically get any new phone that Apple introduces. I guess I’m just happy with the iPhone 7 and don’t feel a strong compulsion to spend the money for features I’m not excited about.
I have the original AppleTV and the newer one too (not the 4K version). I don’t have a 4K television, so it wouldn’t make much sense for me. If I had a 4K TV (and when I purchase one, it will have HDR, which I’m more excited about than 4K) I’d certainly get the latest version of the AppleTV.
Here’s my take. I love the latest greatest and am often upgrading faster than I ever need to, but the iPhone 8 is so boring an upgrade that I have no interest in it. I’ll stick with my iPhone 7 Plus. The iPhone X is a terrible design. I hate the “notch” and think it’s a ridiculous mistake. It’s a rip off of the Samsung Galaxy S8+ with the Apple logo and all the cachet that goes with that. For some, they want the latest greatest Apple phone and can afford it. That’s Rick’s stance above. For most of us we should probably not upgrade if we’re being frugal and good money managers. LaRosa said only get it if you can pay outright for it. At $1,000 for the X and $700 or higher for the 8, that’s few people.
As for the Apple Watch, only get one if you’re an iPhone user and want a smartwatch and don’t already own the earlier generations of Apple Watch. Same for the Apple TV.
Remember that if you have an old device, sell it yourself on eBay, Craigslist or Facebook. Don’t sell to the device trade-in services like Gazelle. Selling yourself is a pain, but you’ll get more money. You’ll often get enough to buy the new phone for half or even one-third the cost using the money from the sale of your old device.
