My first Apple product pre-dates the web; once I was in highschool, our household pc was one of many first Macs. Since then, I’ve owned practically each iPhone in addition to quite a few iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches, AirPods, AirTags, and a HomePod mini. I have been writing and/or podcasting about Apple merchandise since 2010, and I even labored a quick stint on the Apple Retailer.
So, sure, I am firmly ensconced in Apple’s walled backyard – however that does not imply I do not really feel some boredom with the iPhone’s lack of originality from yr to yr.
Standard, standard
The iPhone has seemed the identical for a number of years now, particularly the Professional fashions in probably the most impartial colours. And certain, perhaps you do not suppose kind issue is that vital, however the performance of those gadgets hasn’t modified a complete lot lately, both.
In 2024, Apple sought to drum up vital hype round Apple Intelligence so as to get individuals to improve to the iPhone 16, however its newest flagship gadget shipped with no Apple Intelligence options to talk of in any way. With every subsequent iOS replace, a couple of new software program options have been added, however Apple’s AI rollout continues to be behind the curve.
I notice that we have reached some extent the place telephones are fairly darn good, and we will now not count on dramatic updates on an annual foundation. However nonetheless, there is no denying that we’re seeing extra innovation from different cellular firms than we’re from Apple proper now. And I imply that by way of each {hardware} and software program. Permit me to elucidate.
The cameras query
The principle purpose I wish to get my palms on the newest iPhone mannequin (and the Professional model at that) is for its digital camera. Although, at this level, the technological enhancements are incremental, every year’s flagship mannequin tends to supply some sort of significant improve over the earlier one.
The iPhone 16 Professional, for instance, has 5X optical zoom. This degree of zoom was beforehand unique to the iPhone 15 Professional Max, which I did buy however discovered a bit massive for my palms. For me, getting 5X zoom on a smaller cellphone was sufficient of a purpose to improve this yr, although I can not say I would suggest that anybody else do the identical.
I say this as a result of there are most likely higher digital camera telephones on the market, and definitely there are cameras with extra superior options than the flagship iPhone. The Google Pixel 9 Professional, for instance, was chosen as our greatest cellphone of 2024, and its nice cameras and fully-formed AI software program had been an enormous a part of our awarding it that distinction.
I would actually wish to get my palms on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely, too, which I hear is like having an entire digital camera bag in your pocket (certainly, the Extremely options prominently on our present listing of the perfect digital camera telephones).
I used to be within the path of totality for the 2024 eclipse, and a bunch of us sat in our driveways to watch the phenomenon. My neighbor used her Android cellphone (I am unsure which one) to take eclipse pictures, whereas I used my iPhone 15 Professional Max. We each took pictures from our driveways and shared our greatest pictures with each other. My iPhone photograph is on the left, and my neighbor’s Android photograph is on the precise. I notice that my neighbor’s photograph concerned numerous post-capture AI processing, however nonetheless, it was a a lot better rendition of what I really noticed with my very own eyes than my iPhone photograph was. I felt let down by my iPhone.
The place’s your foldable, Apple?
One other key distinction between Apple and rival Android cellphone makers is their method to foldable telephones. Apple, for its half, appears uninterested.
I discover myself intrigued by the foldable kind issue. I like the thought of carrying a compact gadget that I can unfold to disclose a bigger display. Do I would like one? No, however I would nonetheless wish to have the choice of buying one from my model of alternative.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is our favourite Samsung cellphone general, and its display unfolds to the scale of a pill. I do not suppose I would want a pill in any respect if I had a cellphone like this, however Apple has thus far appeared reluctant to hitch the foldable market (a foldable iPhone has been rumored for a few years, nevertheless it’s by no means materialized and does not look doubtless to take action till not less than 2027).
So, why do I nonetheless have an iPhone?
So, if Apple’s AI software program is falling behind and there is no intriguing new iPhone design on the horizon, why do I proceed to stay by the Cupertino big? Properly, as I alluded to within the introduction to this piece, it is all in regards to the walled backyard.
Whereas I am positively intrigued by different telephones and a bit bored by the iPhone, there is no denying that the connection between my gadgets makes my life run extra easily. I like my Apple Watch 10 for its health and sleep monitoring capabilities, its handy notifications, and, ahem, its means to remind me the place I left my iPhone. With out the iPhone, there is no Apple Watch.
I additionally love my M2 MacBook Air, AirPods Professional 2, HomePod mini, AirTags, and iPad mini 6; nothing comparable from different firms tempts me in any respect, they usually all work collectively so seamlessly. Organising every gadget is simple, they usually all “speak” to one another to maintain every little thing in my life organized and synchronized.
So, sure, I will be sticking with Apple for a while but – I am simply hoping that the corporate surprises and delights me with subsequent yr’s iPhone fashions.