Is getting the latest iPhone from the US a good idea?

khamosh

khamosh

Forerunner
I have a strict budget of ₹1L and I'm confused about whether to stay with Android or switch back to iPhone. Whether to get a new S24U for ₹94k or a new 16 Pro for ₹1.05L or just get a used 15 Pro Max.

Now I'm thinking of getting a 16 Pro Max from the US through a FB group or forum.
Would it be wise to get the iPhone 16 Pro Max from the US through these groups?

On a second note, can I put up a WTB post for a 16 Pro Max, mentioning that someone traveling from the US should respond to it, or is this against forum rules?

Also, if any of your friends or relatives are traveling from the US, could they bring me this phone? [I can pay extra]

I would greatly appreciate any assistance or recommendations you may have.
 
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As a general rule, if the options are weighted equally in your situation, then the less restrictive option is the better buy (Android).

Choose iPhone only if app store purchases are holding you hostage.

Don't buy used previous gen in this price range, used needs to be closer to 60% of launch price for it to be worth it and your budget far exceeds that.
 
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khamosh said:
On a second note, can I put up a WTB post for a 16 Pro Max, mentioning that someone traveling from the US should respond to it, or is this against forum rules?

Also, if any of your friends or relatives are traveling from the US, could they bring me this phone? [I can pay extra]
Click to expand...
I don't think posting on WTB will bring you USA members.
But you can make a thread asking under general if anyone is coming from USA and can they bring iPhone.
 
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rsaeon said:
Choose iPhone only if app store purchases are holding you hostage.
Click to expand...
I was using iPhone as my primary device until the fall of 2022. I currently use a macbook and iPad, which is the reason for my dilemma.
My whole family uses iPhones.
S24U is great (ordered it from amazon, to be delivered on Thursday), but a new generation will be launched in 2-3 months and the battery life of the S24U is not that great.

Edit: Dropping the idea of getting S24U, as the S25U will be a significant upgrade in terms of performance and power efficiency with Snapdragon elite 8.
 
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Long time Apple user here (since 2008). I was deep into Apple's ecosystem - owned Macbooks, iPad, iPhone, Apple watch, magic mouse etc. and used them on a daily basis. I switched to Android last year. The only thing I miss is the seamless integration of iPhone with Macbook (clipboard, airdrop, OTP autofill, screen mirroring etc.). My advise to you is to stick with Android unless you use Macs and other apple products on a daily basis!
 
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Pat said:
Long time Apple user here (since 2008). I was deep into Apple's ecosystem - owned Macbooks, iPad, iPhone, Apple watch, magic mouse etc. and used them on a daily basis. I switched to Android last year. The only thing I miss is the seamless integration of iPhone with Macbook (clipboard, airdrop, OTP autofill, screen mirroring etc.). My advise to you is to stick with Android unless you use Macs and other apple products on a daily basis!
Click to expand...
Would it be better to wait for the new gen launch in January, or should I just get the S24U and be done with it?
I will use the device for at least 3 years.
 
khamosh said:
I was using iPhone as my primary device until the fall of 2022. I currently use a macbook and iPad, which is the reason for my dilemma.
S24U is great (ordered it from amazon, to be delivered on Thursday), but a new generation will be launched in 2-3 months and the battery life of the S24U is not that great.
Click to expand...
As you have iPad and MacBook, iPhone is easy choice. Getting from Dubai is even better as it is cheaper there. iPhones in USA does not come with SIM card and both are eSIMs. Hope you are aware of this.
I would go with S24U only and only if I have no interest in using handoff, continuity and other features. This also gives you option to move out of Apple MacBook as well in the future as windows laptops are getting much better.
 
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Never try to save money with Apple products. Just get whatever you can easily afford without thinking too much. Once you get in you have to keep spending money anyway. You are looking at maximising value for money which is the wrong mindset to have in the Apple ecosystem and you will regret it whenever you have to buy something, like airpods vs cheap android buds options.
 
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roadrash99 said:
Never try to save money with Apple products. Just get whatever you can easily afford without thinking too much. Once you get in you have to keep spending money anyway. You are looking at maximising value for money which is the wrong mindset to have in the Apple ecosystem and you will regret it whenever you have to buy something, like airpods vs cheap android buds options.
Click to expand...
So, what are you suggesting?
The new iPhone 16 Pro?

I'm not going to use Apple Watches. My wrists are thin. I only used a smartwatch once and that was the Moto 360 2nd gen with chain straps back in 2015 [not using, cracked glass, but still works]
I use OnePlus Buds Pro for now, but I'll switch to AirPods Pro in the near future.

Yes, as I said, I'm using an iPad and an older MacBook Pro. My family members use iPhones, so that's why I'm leaning toward an iPhone.
The only reason I opted out in the past was because tap to pay feature wasn't enabled, but I can see that coming in the near future. Also, availability of RuPay UPI cards somewhat reduces this usage for me.

Thinking of getting something more valuable for a set price isn't a bad thing in my opinion.
 
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khamosh said:
Thinking of getting something more valuable for a set price isn't a bad thing in my opinion.
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I agree but it has to be relatively low effort. I would advice you to get whatever is available in Diwali sales as that's a pretty good price usually. If you have any trusted people who are traveling abroad, get it from them. If you have to jump through hoops like getting random people on Facebook to do it, then in my opinion you should just accept that the product is out of your budget.
 
roadrash99 said:
If you have to jump through hoops like getting random people on Facebook to do it, then in my opinion you should just accept that the product is out of your budget.
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Just like TE classifieds, people with no relatives or friends traveling from abroad use FB groups [I'm aware of one] to get items.
Currently, yes, the Indian variant 16pm is out of my budget, but that does not limit my ability to seek options.
Maybe someone from TE sees this and can arrange one for me, who knows.
I posted this because I trust the people here.
 
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Pat said:
Long time Apple user here (since 2008). I was deep into Apple's ecosystem - owned Macbooks, iPad, iPhone, Apple watch, magic mouse etc. and used them on a daily basis. I switched to Android last year. The only thing I miss is the seamless integration of iPhone with Macbook (clipboard, airdrop, OTP autofill, screen mirroring etc.). My advise to you is to stick with Android unless you use Macs and other apple products on a daily basis!
Click to expand...
why did you switched then??
 
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khamosh said:
Would it be better to wait for the new gen launch in January, or should I just get the S24U and be done with it?
I will use the device for at least 3 years.
Click to expand...
I would certainly wait and see how big of a jump S25U introduces. If nothing, S24U prices will come down once 25U launches and you might land a better deal to buy then.
hellblazer33 said:
why did you switched then??
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I was bored of iPhone to be honest - and with yet another boring launch in the form of iPhone 15 last year, I just jumped ship to Android. Happy with my S23Ultra but do miss the tight integration of iPhone <> Macs.
 
Pat said:
I would certainly wait and see how big of a jump S25U introduces. If nothing, S24U prices will come down once 25U launches and you might land a better deal to buy then.
Click to expand...
Qualcomm announced it yesterday. 8 gen 4 is around 40% faster and also better in power efficiency than 8 gen 3.
So, I cancelled my S24U order. I am considering three options: purchasing a used 15 pro max, buying a new 16 pro now, or waiting for the launch of S25U
 
I think Android vs iPhone is a personal preference.

If going iPhone, I prefer USA models as they are the only ones with mmwave, which may be worth it whenever Indian carriers start deploying those bands. This could also have the added benefit of higher resale value in the future. However, note that you will be forgoing a physically sim slot if that is important.
 
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