Jackson Herd
jdh003@marietta.edu
Decades ago it would have seemed impossible for a person to carry around a phone, a camera, a camcorder, and have overall access to the internet all in one device. Such a technological feat would have required a crew of people to transport. However, Apple has managed to place a piece of technology that does just that and more in user’s pockets—over 50 million pockets according to sales figures. On Sept. 9, Apple announced the next evolution of the iPhone, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which the company claims are the “biggest advancements in iPhone history”.
Since the release of the original iPhone seven years ago, Apple has consistently pushed their flagship smartphone to be faster, thinner, wider, sleeker, and, with the recent 5C edition, more colorful. However, the unveiling of the ninth and tenth versions of iPhone begs a very important question: Is it worth it?
The iPhone 6 features a multitude of new features including a larger screen, a “new dramatically thin and seamless design,” a retina display, superior gaming capabilities, and support for resolutions of 1334×750 and 1920×1080 for the 6 and 6 Plus, respectively. These resolutions are typical of most laptops and flat screen television displays, not to mention that they are triple the number of pixels in the iPhone 5.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, stated in a press release, “The iPhone is the most loved smartphone in the world with the highest customer satisfaction in the industry and we are making it much better in every way. Only Apple can combine the best hardware, software and services at this unprecedented level and we think customers are going to love it.”
Marietta College’s Dr. Mark Sibicky from the psychology department, an iPhone 3 owner, weighs in, stating, “Isn’t technology supposed to make life simpler?”
He raises a fair point. All of these leaps and advances in technology mean for many a user that it is time again to relearn or even learn how to use their devices again. There must be a certain consideration between the technological leap being made (or lack thereof) and the effort required to become efficient at said technology.
Sibicky also mentioned that the new smartphones are “too much tech,” and that he plans on switching to an older phone for both the simplicity and mechanical keyboard.
Marietta College Senior Angela Shrader, an iPhone 4 owner, says that an upgrade is not in her near future.
“My phone still works for what matters,” Shrader said. “I won’t upgrade for a while.”
Agreeing with her is MC sophomore Elyse Riendeau, who said that she “really only uses [her] phone,” an iPhone 5, “for surfing the web, phone calls, texting, and a few games.”
Features and statements aside, the new iPhones come in 16, 64, and 128GB models, with the iPhone 6 costing $199, $299, and $399, and the 6 Plus selling for $299, $399, $499. Plus a two-year contract, of course. This poses a significant issue for any financially struggling college students at Marietta.
Such price points are likely to cause diminishing interest in the phones. In fact, for Samsung owner Molly Mays, this greatly affects her interest.
“The cost deters me completely,” said Mays.
Another important issue must also be addressed with the consideration of the latest, greatest operating system for the phones, iOS 8. Those with older iPhone models (or older Apple products in general) know that their products eventually lack the importance to continue receiving regular updates. iOS 8 means that yet another generation of iPhones will permanently fall behind in terms of the operating system in addition to applications.
Shrader, as mentioned, uses an iPhone 4, the latest generation of iPhone to be dropped from support.
“I’m kinda upset that all my apps will just stop working,” she states.
While many popular apps, such as Facebook, Snapchat, and so on, will in all likelihood continue working, many apps made by independent people and companies, in addition to any to be released apps, will likely stop supporting iOS 7.
Despite the new technological features, few appear eager to carry the latest, greatest camera, phone, internet hybrid around with them. Many even outright dislike iPhones.
“Even if it was free I wouldn’t buy it,” an anonymous Droid user said. “They would have to pay me to use it.”
Overall, as with any piece of new technology, there are a plethora of factors that must be weighed before making such an expensive purchase.
