If there’s one thing the world can count on this week, it's a new iPhone. Apple watchers are perplexed as to exactly what the new model will be called — iPhone 13 or iPhone XIII — but they’re solidly shoulder to shoulder in the expectation that its camera will have higher-resolution video, a video bokeh effect, battery life improvements, and “smarter” filters to give effects-focused users more ways to produce eye candy.
Based on his research, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman’s takeaway is that the camera enhancements might be the biggest highlight for the iPhone fanbase. “Beyond the camera enhancements, the new iPhones will get relatively modest upgrades,” Gurman said. He added that, on the technical side of things, these new iPhones “will include a faster A15 chip and a smaller notch, also known as the display cutout, in addition to new screen technology that could enable a faster refresh rate for smoother scrolling.”
Is the iPhone the only new thing Apple’s bringing to the table?
When Apple announces an event, they rarely let the cat out of the bag as to what all it will entail. But rumormongers have predicted, if Apple does have anything else up their sleeves, everything from a redesigned iPad mini to new AirPods.
And, maybe, a new Apple watch. Maybe ...
“Apple introduces new Apple Watch models on a yearly basis, and this year, we're expecting an updated design for the first time in several years,” predicted MacRumors’ Juli Clover. “The Apple Watch is expected to feature smaller bezels and a flat-edged design that could be similar to the design of the iPhone 12. The new Apple Watch models will come in new 41mm and 45mm size options, and no new health features are expected, though it will get a faster chip and new wireless capabilities.”
However, the big "maybe" is that production of the Apple Watch is reportedly facing delays because of its complicated design.
How good is Apple’s warranty service these days?
If you’re spending close to $1,000 on a new iPhone, you’ll be facing a serious conundrum: Should you buy AppleCare+, Apple’s top-shelf warranty program, to protect your investment?
In looking for answers, ConsumerAffairs came away with this: Either take care of your phone like your life depends on it or pony up the $79 to $269 necessary to cover any drop, spill, or loss that might come up.
“So AppleCare+ could be what makes an iPhone unaffordable now, or equally it could be what makes repairing a broken one possible later. Either way, it's not a casual purchase to add on — or to ignore,” said AppleInsider’s William Gallagher.
“If you never claim on AppleCare+ then it would appear to be wasted because you got no benefit from the fee. Equally, if you have one incident then under most circumstances, the total cost of repair is less if you have AppleCare+. That would mean that if you're likely to have more than two incidents of damage in the first two years after buying an iPhone, AppleCare+ is worth it.”
If you asked Melad of California about their AppleCare+ service, they would probably say its wasn’t worth the money. “I paid AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss Program for a new iPhone replacement from Apple Store and when I bought it on December 2019, I paid AppleCare+ insurance charging $14.99 a month ever since 2019 until now July 2021 and I still pay every month. I lost my iPhone and I never lost it before, they never sent me a replacement even though I lost it with proof of losing it. It's not worth it to pay insurance after having to make 3 claims and each one got declined,” Melad wrote in a review on ConsumerAffairs.
Melad suggests that if you do get AppleCare+, you would be smart to keep all your documents in case there’s any question about when you purchased the added protection.
“They will not send another iPhone if you lose it. They don't take care about their customers. You just waste your money and time with them. It's the first time I lost my iPhone! After the third, claim, they mentioned that it was declined because I didn't have insurance at the time I lost my iPhone, even though I was paying each month! I still have insurance and they were lying. They are just stealing your money. Later they told me I still have insurance after I lost my iPhone. How's that possible? They are finding reasons not to give you an iPhone. Very poor service. Not respectful at all.”