What am I missing about the iPhone 17?

Posted by ExoticPlankton8287@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 29 comments

It’s my birthday soon, and last week I dropped my phone- a year old Samsung. I’m not really into phones, it did what I needed and I have booked a repair for my day off on Wednesday. The one I had before that I had for five years and only replaced when it literally died. My dad just came round unexpectedly with my early birthday/Christmas present- an iPhone 17. Obviously I am very happy and grateful for such a generous gift. However, to say my husband and weirdly, my friend have lost their shit over it is no exaggeration. My husband instantly went out and ordered the Max version because he was due an upgrade and apparently he can’t possibly have a phone that is, somehow, “not as good” as mine. My friend I was arranging to meet on Wednesday, I messaged her to say I don’t need to go to the repair place now so we can go elsewhere, told her I had a new one, she asked what, told her, she said “Wow. That’s some upgrade.” Like I say, not ungrateful, I just don’t understand what the big deal is? I’ve never had an iPhone so have I been missing out?

Reply to Post

29 Comments

[-]

Rough-Sprinkles2343@reddit

Haha your husband is a man child. I have the 17. Is nice but nothing to shout about. I don’t rate the camera that much for example

[-]

ExoticPlankton8287@reddit (OP)

Yup.

[-]

Elongulation420@reddit

I’d be a little concerned by your husband’s reaction 🫤

[-]

ExoticPlankton8287@reddit (OP)

Oh, he’s a twat when it comes to things like this. His dad was the same.

[-]

Rastapopolos-III@reddit

It's okay. She's probably already well aware he has a tiny penis.

[-]

Elongulation420@reddit

Maybe more of an SE than a Pro Max?

[-]

_Ghost_07@reddit

Yeah, this screams insecurity, over a phone which is ridiculous

[-]

Extension-Card-1324@reddit

Er right I thought I was the only one. Can he really not cope with his wife having something "better" than him?

[-]

AskUK-ModTeam@reddit

AskUK is a "catch-all" subreddit for questions about the UK life and culture, but this does not mean we accept any and all questions or answers. We are liable to remove posts or comments which are best discussed in more specialised subreddits, or are simply not desired here because of the problems they bring. We explicitly do not allow questions or answers on or including: - politics (r/askukpolitics, r/unitedkingdom, r/ukpolitics) - legal advice (r/LegalAdviceUK) - financial advice (r/UKPersonalFinance) - technology (r/techsupport, r/technology) - relationships (r/relationships, r/relationship_advice) - DIY (r/diyuk) - university/education (r/sixthform, r/uniuk) - visas/citizenship (r/ukvisa) - [medical advice](https://111.nhs.uk/) (including [mental health](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/)) (r/mentalhealthuk) - ranting/venting (r/britishproblems) - surveys (r/samplesize) - advertising/solicitation (including the mention of **brands** which could be perceived as marketing) - repetitive/seen-often (just search the sub) - "does anybody else" type vent posts (as yes, someone does, be more specific or use r/britishproblems). - questions based on protected characteristics, such as race, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, etc. subject to moderator discretion. ...and we may remove others if we believe they are liable to introduce problems for the subreddit. In some circumstances, a more appropriate subreddit may be available. Check the sidebar for other subreddits to have these discussions. Also see r/unitedkingdom's extensive list of subreddits; https://www.reddit.com/r/unitedkingdom/wiki/british_subreddits

[-]

AcreCryPious@reddit

I mean it's a phone that costs £800 if bought as a stand alone phone so it's a pretty generous gift.

[-]

ExoticPlankton8287@reddit (OP)

I’m not saying it’s not generous. I just don’t get the reaction?

[-]

nathderbyshire@reddit

Latest iPhone is seen as some statue symbol to them I guess? The 17 is a very good bargain for what you get and can easily last a few years if treated well. £800 unfortunately isn't absurd for a new phone these days. Not everyone wants refurb and it's a present out of your control. If no one bought new ones, there wouldn't be a healthy second hand market for those who want to save the most

[-]

HorrorAccomplished78@reddit

I just ordered a secondhand refurbished iPhone 12. It has almost the same operating system as the 17 and is roughly the same size. I m not into iPhone hysteria. They’re all made in China for about $ 50.

[-]

Due_Figure6451@reddit

It’s a great phone but the camera is shite.

[-]

baljeetd@reddit

It's the status symbol phone. It does nothing of major significance more than a phone a third of its price. Slightly better than most of the competition, but at a huge cost premium. Your dad is a blessing, but your hubby is waving a red flag.

[-]

oompaloompagrandma@reddit

I really do not understand why some people are so obsessed with the "status" shite when it comes to phones. These weirdos who think that having an iPhone makes them part of some kind of exclusive club, and that makes them better than mere mortals with their androids. I remember a date a few years ago where I pulled my phone out to look something up and she literally sneered at the fact that I didn't have an iPhone. I stood up, thanked her for her time and walked out.

[-]

baljeetd@reddit

That's how status symbols work - right? But smartphones play an increasingly large role in our daily lives. So the attraction is amplified, and it's ubiquitous. And if they seem high-tech & confusing, people too often lean into "reassuringly expensive"... Don't get me wrong - iPhones - for the most part, do provide a superior user experience, thanks to the care taken in designing the software and hardware and the integration of the two. But the improvements are marginal, while the markups are enormous. Ironically, in this regard, the flagship competitors (like Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel), are arguably worse value - similar in price, but for a slightly inferior experience. Virtually all phones at all price-points can do "everything" very well. I bet that the date of yours would struggle to explain how an iPhone is materially or functionally better than even a cheap Chinese phone... You did well to pass on ignorance and snobbishness.

[-]

Coconutpieplates@reddit

I went the other way. A previous partner insisted I use an iPhone because he insisted there's no better phones. I liked it fine. Used it until it died. Bought a Samsung because the phone outlasted him. And have never bought anything other than Samsung since. Current one is 5 years old and works perfectly. I don't like how apple products need apple only components and watching him arrange repairs looked costly and time-consuming.

[-]

oompaloompagrandma@reddit

[-]

sampoo92@reddit

With all due respect, what a beautiful example of materialistic consumerism world…. Im on iPhone 12 and have been for 4 years. Before I had iPhone 6 for six years. To have a new powerful gadget is a nice feeling for sure, but I get this excited and have the urge to buy it just because someone else has it is beyond me.

[-]

ExoticPlankton8287@reddit (OP)

Exactly that. Thank you, I thought it was just me.

[-]

Wishmaster891@reddit

Iphone 11 still going strong here. I imagine the 17 has a slightly better camera and is a bit quicker.

[-]

Full-Seaweed-5116@reddit

If you've had an Iphone 6, you've had an iphone 17. They are so boring

[-]

Extension-Card-1324@reddit

I don't even know what version mine is. I only replace my iPhone when the last one breaks

[-]

Scared-Room-9962@reddit

All phones are boring now. No matter the ecosystem, it's just the same as your last phone.

[-]

OperationMission8254@reddit

As well as being an excellent phone, it's a middle class status symbol. Since we compare ourselves to our immediate peers, now everyone close to you is going to feel their own phones suddenly seem not good enough. (Even though they were perfectly fine with them yesterday.)

[-]

racsssss@reddit

Its mostly just the apple logo. If you've always used android then that will probably be better for you, the same if you've always used apple. In terms of features and speed and such apple do some things better and android do others better. I hate apple because I'm not used to it, everything is in the wrong place and there's no back button. Its just annoying to use for me

[-]

Apprehensive_Ring666@reddit

it is the first iphone since the 11 that really changed things up, basically they've made the iphone 17 into a normal "pro" and then the "pro" this year is only sensible for videographers really. its wildy popular, people are buying the 17 over all the previous pro models.

[-]

AutoModerator@reddit

**Please help keep AskUK welcoming!** - When replying to submission/post please **make genuine efforts to answer the question given**. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. - **Don't be a dick** to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on. - This is a strictly **no-politics** subreddit! Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*