And really, why iPhone?
Why do people buy iPhone? Especially now, when it seems that other smartphone manufacturers are doing as well as Apple, and maybe even better in some ways. CNBC analysts conducted a survey among thousands of iPhone owners and found eight main reasons influencing consumer choice. Some reasons are obvious, but there are also extremely interesting positions.
Protection
The most important criterion, which is decisive for many, is a high level of protection of user data: from scanning the owner’s fingerprint to gaining access to personal information through a password-protected account. The iPhone, like no other smartphone, ensures the safety of the owner’s personal data. Any incoming and outgoing information is additionally encrypted, and competitors will need an expensive decryption device to crack it. Therefore, the iPhone is ideal for businessmen to avoid leakage of confidential information.
The system, closed from third-party interference, does not allow any malicious or even potentially dangerous software to pass through. Therefore, there is no need to bother installing antiviruses and similar applications. The manufacturer has already thought about everything - the buyer only has to turn on the iPhone, activate the necessary settings and use it, without fear of downloading, along with harmless ringtones or screensavers, a spy program that sends the owner’s personal data to scammers.
Many advanced users remove the factory lock on access to system files by jailbreaking, but it is unclear why then overpay for a gadget, the main advantage of which is protection from any third-party influence?
Are several third-party programs really worth such a risk, is such an upgrade really necessary and justified?
In fact, there are only a few users who really understand all the intricacies of the process; for the vast majority, the preinstalled capabilities are more than enough (and thank God). For them, the main thing is that the iPhone works stably and uninterruptedly, that applications do not crash and the system does not glitch - and in this “Apple phones” have no equal.
Flaws
Of course, the iPhone has its weaknesses. Therefore, before deciding whether to buy an iPhone, you need to disassemble them. Some of the disadvantages are controversial, but there are also serious disadvantages.
Price
The main disadvantage is the high cost. Its level is affected not only by the uniqueness of the technology and the device itself. Part of the price is an overpayment for the brand. Please note that not only the phone itself is expensive, but also its original accessories. To be fair, let’s say that competitors’ flagships with similar characteristics are not much inferior in price to iPhones.
Closed ecosystem
The closed nature of iOS gives rise to a number of restrictions that users do not like. Generally accepted standards such as Wi-Fi Direct or file transfer via Bluetooth are implemented with difficulty or do not appear at all. The lack of models with a second SIM or memory card forces potential customers to turn their attention to competitor smartphones. Here we note the difficulties that arise with copying files to a computer. In iOS, this can only be done using iTunes, which you will have to install on your PC. Reviews often include users' dissatisfaction with this program, which is overloaded with functionality.
App Store and paid content
A direct consequence of the first two points is unnecessary costs for applications and content. The program can only be installed from the official App Store, and media content is downloaded from the corresponding paid services. Most applications will also require additional expenses from the owner.
Interface and standard design
Apple is rightly proud of the interface it has developed. Simplicity and logic allow even a person far from computer technology to quickly understand it. However, at the same time, Apple does not allow it to be replaced. The ban on third-party changes to the shell with standard programs does not allow you to flexibly customize the interface for yourself. The paucity of additional settings (for example, fonts) causes inconvenience for users with poor vision. And in general, it seriously limits owners’ ability to customize their smartphone.
Charging cable
Apple smartphones are charged via the Lightning connector. This unique standard is used only for iPhone. So asking a friend with an Android smartphone for a charger if you forgot yours won’t work. So don't forget the accessories - most of them are not compatible with phones from other manufacturers.
Multitasking
It is worth saying a few words about the background mode. Programs in memory do not stop working, but they lose a lot of functionality. Essentially, there is no full-fledged multitasking in iOS, so applications in the background cannot, for example, send and receive data.
NFC
This item is for those who buy older iPhone models. Support for the technology was added only with the iPhone 6, so the previous lines do not have an NFC chip. Without it, the owner will not have access to Apple Pay contactless payment, as well as a number of other functionality.
Memory cards and nanoSIM
Let us once again mention the fact that iPhones do not provide expansion of the built-in memory. SD cards are not supported - you will have to rely only on the “native” drive or constantly upload information to the cloud.
Here we’ll talk about the SIM card format - Apple uses nanoSIM. So you can insert it into devices with a different form factor only using an adapter.
Escort
The long-term after-sales service provided by the manufacturer is also captivating. So, within three months from the date of purchase, you can get a free consultation by phone (or other convenient way) on any issue regarding the operation of the smartphone. Many of the answers you are interested in can be found on the technical support website - apple.com/ru/support/iphone/, you can also send a request here, describing in detail the essence of the problem. In addition, throughout the year you can contact authorized service centers for service, and if the identified problem is a warranty case, all work will be performed free of charge.
Also, each client is guaranteed powerful technical support around the world. Even if you bought an iPhone abroad, you can get help from interregional service centers.
Consultants will contact you to find out the problems that are bothering you and offer you a convenient way to get help. There have been cases when company specialists sent couriers even to hard-to-reach regions to repair (or even replace a failed gadget).
And really, why?
The key to the popularity of the iPhone lies primarily in the brand. Where can you now meet a successful person without a smartphone with a “bitten apple” in his pocket? The magic of the brand is so great that buyers sometimes simply do not pay attention to the presence of more productive and functional gadgets with a lower price in neighboring windows.
The strength of the Apple brand is largely due to Apple's first marketer, Guy Kawasaki, who developed the concept of "evangelism" in marketing. Among the company's clients, such a strong brand loyalty was formed that people themselves became sources of advertising, because they advised each of their acquaintances to buy an iPhone and other Apple devices.
Status and functionality
Whatever spiteful critics may say, iPhones are, first of all, a certain status for the owner. For high build quality and materials used, simple setup and after-sales service, wealthy people are willing to shell out an amount that exceeds the price tags of competing models.
A stylish metal case, a bright and clear screen, and a highly secure closed operating system make iPhones the most attractive to businessmen and world stars. And who doesn’t want to have the same gadget as successful celebrities? Plus, he just looks cool, doesn't he?
No matter what anyone says, it just so happens that most professionals in the field of IT or mobile technology prefer Apple devices. Agree, there is something to think about. Why should knowledgeable people bother to use an inconvenient (weak, technologically outdated, etc.) device, as competitors write about it?
Indirectly, the phenomenal popularity of iPhones also contributes to the expansion of the market for accessories for them. You can find a lot of cases, headphones, protective films and other attributes for them - in any price range, designed for different ages and tastes of users - the choice is truly huge.
Smoothness after buying your first iPhone
It's no secret that developers of games, applications, and social networks first develop their programs for Apple gadgets, and then adapt them to Android products. Thus, the optimization of these programs on the iPhone is much better and smoother than on any other phones.
Android users themselves admit that their devices are still far from being optimized by Apple. For example, people often complain about using the social platform Instagram, where the black theme freezes and creates white defects. It is also worth noting that when you purchase an Apple gadget, you will immediately understand what a phone with a soul is. It is through its optimization that using iPhone becomes so pleasant that from the first day you will not want to part with it.
When buying an Apple device, first of all, you choose a progressive device - unique on the market. Therefore, no matter what iPhone model you choose, it will please you with its optimization
Additional services
Also, buying an iPhone automatically gives you access to the richest iTunes application store. Moreover, all offers presented in the store are carefully checked by Apple for performance and safety, which cannot be said about the content in the stores of other competing brands.
Any program downloaded from the resource is guaranteed to work on an iPhone. Many programs are offered completely free of charge, while some require payment (maps, translators, etc.), so users are not limited in choosing the applications that suit them.
In addition to access to the resources of the branded online store, customers also receive 25 GB of personal cloud storage on Apple servers, again, for free. Thanks to this, owners of 16 GB versions of phones can significantly expand their capabilities.
Why buy a used iPhone for a beginner in the world of Apple?
Apple announces a new iPhone model every year, so constantly buying a new Apple phone is pointless unless you fundamentally want to flaunt a new device. But for others, it is enough to simply use high-quality equipment that will fulfill basic needs. And as we know, Apple developers care about their consumers and their gadgets remain relevant for more than four years.
Buying a used iPhone is beneficial, as you have already realized, because it will save you money. However, you need to be able to distinguish a good, high-quality used gadget from defective junk, which you will get rid of after a month of use, along with your own finances.
So, the best solution for a newcomer to the world of Apple will undoubtedly be the iPhone used. You can also take advantage of Apple's annual sale of new iPhone models and purchase the previous used version for much less. This way you will get the current iPhone at a reduced price.
Possibilities
Your iPhone can successfully replace a lot of additional devices for you: a computer (tablet), watch, music player, compass, navigator, thermometer, barometer, router, photo and video camera, answering machine, remote control, game console, fingerprint scanner, payment card and even scales.
Of course, many of the listed features are also present in smartphones from other manufacturers, but the stability of their operation cannot be compared with iPhones. Applications optimized specifically for them function flawlessly.
If you own other Apple devices, your overall capabilities also expand. This way you can answer calls from any device that is currently at hand. You can also set up automatic synchronization and continue working on your iPhone after you started it on your Mac (iPad) or vice versa, without unnecessary movements . And for this you do not need a cable to connect the devices, there is no need for a long pairing with data exchange . It is very convenient, especially if you are a journalist (active blogger, traveler, athlete) and do not sit still for a long time. In fact, you may not need a tablet at all, since the iPhone 6, and especially its phablet version with a large diagonal, allows you to type texts or view web pages quite comfortably.
So is the iPhone worth buying, or is it just a tribute to fashion?
iPhone is worth the money. Purchasing a smartphone is the same situation when “the miser pays twice.” If you are choosing between an iPhone and a cheaper Android device, you don’t need to chase immediate benefits. An Apple device serves faithfully for many years, while, according to reviews, the Android operating system becomes clogged after 1.5-2 years to such an extent that using the gadget turns into torture. Therefore, at the price of the iPhone, it is reasonable to compare not with one, but with several devices on Android or Windows.
Camera
Apple was often reproached for being in no hurry to expand the camera capabilities of iPhones, saying that many competitors have long been offering models with twice the expansion.
It’s paradoxical, but the supposedly “weak” cameras of Apple smartphones show results no worse than their multi-pixel competitors. It has long been known that the company has set a course not to conquer quantitative hardware indicators; what is much more important is how productively these indicators will be used by the owners, and how useful they will be to them. The emphasis was placed on refining the existing parameters - in terms of interaction with other blocks and the smartphone system, this is how high quality shooting and overall performance are achieved. Fantastically beautiful photos and videos, even when shaking while driving or walking, are the best proof of this (the 6 Plus version has advanced optical stabilization for this). The overall picture on the iPhone is often better than that of most flagships from other manufacturers.
Simplicity
iPhones are, without a doubt, one of the most technologically advanced smartphones in the world, if not the best in this regard. But every year, receiving more and more functions and capabilities, they remain easy to use. When purchasing a new iPhone, people do not have to worry about the smartphone being unusual or inconvenient to use.
On the other hand, iPhones are not boring. This means that the difference between two different generations of iPhone, which may be similar in appearance, will really be felt. Apple achieves this through comprehensive software and hardware improvements.
Siri
Siri is not just a familiar voice assistant - it is a full-fledged intelligent assistant. Its capabilities are expanding every day, with every new request from the iPhone owner.
Siri gradually collects information about the user's daily routine, movements and preferences. Thanks to this, the area is narrowed and the search for information of interest is significantly accelerated. The system provides recommendations that make a person’s life easier. It will be especially useful for motorists: it will indicate the right path, plotting the optimal route, calculate travel time and approximate fuel costs at different speed limits. It is enough to ask her any question out loud, and she will start searching for data on the Internet, you don’t even need to click anything to do this.
For some, it has also become a kind of fun, since sometimes the answers are given in a humorous manner - the programmers tried to make the service as interesting as possible for users.
Touch ID scanner when buying a used iPhone
This is another important detail that you definitely need to pay attention to when buying a used iPhone of the following models: 6, 7, 8, SE, SE (second generation). Nowadays, even the simplest Android models have a fingerprint scanner, because it makes life so much easier that it can’t be described in words, I think each of you will understand what I’m talking about. Of course, if for unknown reasons this function does not work on the iPhone, you can still use it, but it will be much more difficult than with its presence.
Contactless payment
Last year, lucky owners of iPhones also got the opportunity to make contactless payments through the unique proprietary Apple Pay service. Now, to make a payment for the selected product in the store, you will only need an iPhone. Just bring it to a special terminal, with a special mark, scan your fingerprint via Touch ID as confirmation of the operation. After which the system itself will transfer funds.
At the same time, complete confidentiality is maintained, because the store consultant sees only the encrypted transaction code, and no names, secret codes, etc. This indirectly reduces the risks of unauthorized debiting of funds by unscrupulous sellers. In this case, the device does not need to go online, since the operating principle of Apple Pay is based on near-field communications - NFC. They are currently used only for payments, but the prospect of using them for wirelessly connecting a headset or quickly transferring files is quite real.
In order to add current accounts of the payment cards you use to the service, you need to fill out a one-time registration form in a special section and take a photo of the card itself with your iPhone camera - as additional confirmation that you are its owner.
Although this service is not yet very widespread, the impeccable reputation of the developer and the rapidly growing number of partners supporting this type of payment promise its total distribution. It is definitely needed by all involved entities and has brilliant prospects.
Checking documents when buying a used iPhone
When you buy a used iPhone, it may look like it's in perfect condition, but it may be refurbished. And there is nothing wrong with this, since such phones are actually no different from new ones, but they are sold much cheaper, and if you buy a used refurbished iPhone, then in this case it should cost you little. If the seller sells you a used refurbished iPhone at the price of a used new one, then turn around and walk away from such a scammer who wants to defraud you of money.
Therefore, secondly, immediately check the documentation, namely the entire purchase history of this gadget: where it was purchased, by whom, and all that... And this should be evidenced by the presence of a receipt and box.
We do not recommend buying an iPhone without a package, because there is a very high risk of running into a scammer. Many of them try to sell the device itself without the packaging (box), arguing that they simply lost it. Sometimes you may be quite lucky and a conscientious person has lost the box and really wants to sell you a high-quality gadget, but this is usually what scammers do, so it’s not worth risking your own money.
You should also remember to check the serial number located on the back of the box. Because the box itself may also be fake. To do this, you just need to write the serial number to the iPhone verification site (this is what you write in the search engine of your browser) and make sure that this iPhone is in the Apple database. Also there you will find information about all the manipulations carried out with it: whether it was recovered and is not wanted at all, as stolen.
You also need to check the serial number on the box with the serial number on the phone itself. To do this, you need to go to the “basic” settings of the iPhone, click “about this device”, scroll down, where you will notice the IMEI - this is the serial number of this phone. Check the numbers with those indicated on the box and do not be deceived.
The second way to find out the iPhone serial number is complex, but no less important. For it you need to get a SIM tray with this number on it using a scraper. If it does not match the one indicated on the box, this means that the tray itself has been changed or the phone does not completely match the serial number indicated on the box.
"A spoon of tar"
If you are an advanced user and like to customize your smartphone by installing the necessary applications, an iPhone is not exactly the gadget you need. The only way out in this case is to perform a jailbreak, an operation to remove software restrictions set by the manufacturer. However, after using jailbreak, the whole point of using an iPhone is lost. Why modify something that works almost perfectly and provides the highest possible protection and convenience in all aspects of use?
To summarize, it is worth saying that an iPhone is needed, first of all, by those people who value reliability, long uninterrupted service, full support for all stages of operation and long-term software support even for outdated models.
This is an ideal option for business and corporate clients - no one can yet offer such a high degree of protection against hacking. Even if the top flagship models are quite expensive, it makes sense to purchase previous versions that are not too inferior in functionality. But they give users full access to all the manufacturer’s resources, so why overpay?
Games for smartphones
Many users recognize the iPhone as the best smartphone for gaming. This is because the iPhone's touch screen responds better and smoother to touch, including when comparing the old iPhone 6s and the new Samsung Galaxy S10+. In addition to the system, iPhone applications are also well optimized, which is why their performance is an order of magnitude higher than that of Android competitors and does not require a large RAM capacity. Android devices need a decent amount of RAM to run games effectively in multitasking mode.
