Opinion published today, March 11, 2023
https://www.phonearena.com/news/new-yellow-iphone-14-mind-game-millions-to-fall-for-hottest-but-worst-apple-deal-in-history_id146066
New yellow iPhone 14 is a mind game: Millions to fall for hottest but worst Apple deal in history?
Cupertino's "spring color" tradition dates back to 2020 when the iPhone 12 series of phones were joined by a bright purple iPhone (many loved this
one). Then, in the spring of 2022, the iPhone 13 lineup was extended thanks
to the addition of a dark green model, and it's now time for the biggest
Minion fans to rejoice, as they get a bright yellow iPhone that jumps a
season, looking like summer itself!
Everyone gets it - Apple wants to sell more iPhones, and adding a new color
to the lineup is just another attempt at attracting more potential
customers. It's a business. Money rules the world. Whatever. But don't let Apple's expert marketing get to you.
According to insiders, Apple held a secretive, closed-circle event in New
York to let certain members of the tech world take a look at the yellow
iPhone 14 (yes, as if it's a new phone). It's also worth noting that unlike previous years, there isn't a new iPhone Pro color. It would've been nice
to see the iPhone 14 Pro in matte yellow.
But whether it's purple, green, yellow, or rainbow, nothing changes the
fact that the iPhone 14 might be the worst iPhone upgrade not just in
recent Apple history but... ever. Granted, that's a topic for a different
story (coming soon), but this iPhone refresh is timed perfectly for Apple
and terribly for those looking to get the best value...
See, I don't need a yellow iPhone. No one does. In fact, no one needs a
black, white, purple, red, or blue iPhone either - 95% of us keep our
phones in cases. But when I saw the yellow iPhone, it... spoke to me. It's
so new, yellow... So... unnecessarily fresh-looking!
Yes, I'm ashamed to admit that for a split second even I, the tech nerd
(who's supposed to be immune to marketing games), thought of getting the
new yellow iPhone!
Of course, I quickly remembered I already have an iPhone 13 (red, not
yellow). And then I instantly thought of the iPhone 15, which comes out in
six months from now, and that the same iPhone 15 is shaping up to be a far better buy than the iPhone 14, which might be actually Apple's worst
upgrade ever (a different story on that is in the works).
But for now, here's why you should be a bit more careful when it comes to Apple's colorful mind games. Also, I'm throwing in some practical advice
(from personal experience) on how to keep your old iPhone looking fresh
without having to spend another $800 for a yellow paint job - if you're
that crazy.
Fast forward to today, the yellow iPhone 14 is the hottest topic on tech Twitter. Like the 13, the new iPhone 14 is the same phone with a new paint
job, and yet it seems to get people talking. And since the tech world is
now talking about the new-old iPhone 14, it'd take a couple of weeks before Apple's marketing machine reaches "normal people" who might be on the
lookout for a new iPhone. Billboards, posters, stores, YouTube ads, TV ads
- we all know what's to come and as Chris Martin said, "it's all yellow".
Three big reasons prove it's the absolute worst time to buy a new (yellow) iPhone 14 and they are iPhone 13, iPhone 15, and iPhone SE 4
Launching in about a year from now, the iPhone SE 4 is rumored to be what's basically an iPhone 14. The price should be close to $500.
However, if a yellow iPhone's always been your dream, who am I to stop you? Heck, even I wish my iPhone 13 mini was yellow right now (and that's
possible; keep reading).
iPhone 13 is a much better buy than the iPhone 14 for those in desperate
need of an upgrade; it's 95% the same phone - check out our iPhone 13 vs
iPhone 14 comparison
iPhone 15 is only six months away, promising to bring the iPhone 14 Pro's Dynamic Island to the most affordable model; a new body with subtle curves,
an additional 2x camera lens (achieved via software), and most importantly, USB-C - the biggest change to charging since Lightning
Fresh leaks about the upcoming iPhone SE 4, expected in about a year from
now (spring 2024) hint at a budget phone that's basically an iPhone 14 but
at a price of around $500; if you can wait until next year - this one's a
no brainer
Buying an iPhone 14 when the iPhone 15 is six months away from release
might be the worst tech purchase decision one could make. If you happen to break your current phone, just buy an affordable device until the new
iPhone is out, or use an old phone you might have in your drawer.
You want the new yellow iPhone 14? You don't have to pay Apple $800! Get a
new case or dress your current phone in a skin that gives it a fresh new
look
Getting you to buy an iPhone 14 now when the iPhone 15 is around the corner
is a big win for Apple. That means you're likely to get your next upgrade
much sooner but also - once you see the new iPhone 15, you might even be willing to ditch your new iPhone 14, which would be even more profitable
for Tim Cook & Co.
Now, let's say you're weak (like me) and after seeing the yellow iPhone you really want a mellow-yellow one for yourself - but you also want to avoid getting caught into Apple's sneaky mind games... Well, you can always
refresh the look of your phone by doing something very simple that (believe
it or not) not everyone thinks about when they "get bored" with their
existing phone.
Buying a new case for your phone instead of shelling out $800 for a new one
is probably the easiest, cheapest, and quickest way of making sure you
don't get bored with your current iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11, or any phone, really.
Funny enough, I recall buying the original yellow case for my Huawei P30
Pro about two years ago, which certainly gave it a brand new look (and
feel). I guess I do like yellow.
But if you really want a yellow iPhone (or pretty much any other color),
and you make up the minority of people who carry their expensive phone
without a case (I can't relate), then a company like dbrand might be your
best friend. No, we aren't sponsored by dbrand (which makes me wonder why),
but as long as you have $25-30 to spare, the Canadian brand will ship an
iPhone (or Android) skin across the world to help you get a fresh new look
for your existing phone in no time. As dbrand's cheeky marketing team says, they are "literally everywhere".
Of course, a phone skin is far less protective than a case, but it's also
far better than going phone-naked, which when you think about it, is the
only way to show off your new yellow iPhone 14 (if you were to buy one).
I'm rocking dbrand's Black Camo skin on my iPhone 8 to cover up its broken back, and it looks and feels fantastic.
I don't know if you can tell, but unlike other articles where I try to make sense of the market, this story was just me trying to convince the average person to resist the newly-developed hype around the yellow iPhone 14 -
because there are much better alternatives coming up.
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