iPhone 14 vs 17?

[supton]

Daughter (who's in college) managed to kill her iPhone. No idea why but it won't power on. I guess the wife has been thinking it was time for a new phone anyhow? but now the phone has forced the issue. Anyhow, wife found a refurb 14 on Amazon for $460 and apparently a new 17e is $600. I know next to nothing about these phones but I'm thinking it's best to go new. Warranty and most likely to last longer (maybe). Thoughts? The daughter isn't hard on things--but has the worst luck with electronics (stuff just quits working).

On a side question, how do these electronic SIM cards get switched between phones? Do you have to go to whatever Apple uses for a web portal? My iPhone has a tray for the SIM and IIRC I was able to switch to a nano SIM last time I changed phones, but I guess next time I upgrade I'll have to understand this a bit more.

 

[melk]

I can’t remember ever touching a SIM card on any iPhone. My upgrade path is go to ATT store, pickup the new phone, they activate it and I sign into iCloud. Go home with both and once iCloud is done syncing (typically a few hours) I just return the old phone (if <2 years old) or for the times I keep it longer than 2 years and its paid off in full I just keep the old phone, no return necessary.

 

[Rob_Roy]

I recently got my wife a barely used iPhone 14 Pro, had to call the carrier to get the e-sim swapped over.

 

[Hall]

I wouldn't touch those "refurbished" models on Amazon (eBay, etc). That can mean they cleaned it with an alcohol wipe and reset it to factory defaults. That battery could be ~3 years old and garbage. Even the carriers do this. Unless it's refurbished and sold directly by Apple, run away.

The SIM "swap" is handled by your carrier, not Apple.

 

[tah8436]

I have no qualms with buying a refurb (both of my last iphones were refurbs), but I wouldn't go for the 14. That one's known to be a weak entry into the iPhone lineup.

Also, the 17e will have 3 extra years of software/security updates compared to the 14.

 

[JavierH19]

i'd get a new one if it's not an apple certified refurb unit.

 

[supton]

I've done a couple of battery swaps on iPhones and it's usually a pain but it wasn't too bad. Unlike my iPad which was harder. Next time the iPad needs a battery I plan to just trade it in / replace altogether, as the last couple of times it had slowed down drastically at the same time (4 years old?). As to refurbs we've done a couple and it was ok. I think the batteries did have to be replaced in short order though.

Anyhow, wife seems to have decided and wants me to pick up a 17e tomorrow. So I'll have to swing into the Apple store and pick that up, and she can figure out how to get it onto Tracfone.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Ultimately, eSIM handling, whether conversion of the old SIM card, transfers, and such, are determined by what the carrier supports.

Apple has championed the switch to eSIMs, and tries to make it simple for users, but in the end, it will depend on how the carrier handles them.

Tracfone appears to have an online portal to make it more self-serve.

 

[Hall]

Tracfone appears to have an online portal to make it more self-serve.

VZW is self-service as well

 

[Pew]

VZW is self-service as well

Can confirm, I did a few of our company's last year via vz's website. I think I only needed the imei of the phone.

 

[Hall]

Can confirm, I did a few of our company's last year via vz's website. I think I only needed the imei of the phone.

For consumer level, specifically if you're UPGRADING a device on an existing line, it's even simpler. When you call, their automated system prompts you with "are you ready to activate your new phone?" or something similar to that. You basically hit "1" for "yes" and it takes care of the rest.

 

[supton]

I'll see what the wife complains about. Not the first time she's switched phones so I'm guessing she is familiar. I don't remember what it took to switch last time as my SE has a nano sim in it.