Simple Green: Don't UpgradeYes, we're talking about the iPhone 3GS

Simple Green: Don't Upgrade
Yes, we're talking about the iPhone 3GS

AHhhh!! .... Letting off a little steam.This whole iPhone 3GS thing is driving us a little batty this week. Maybe this is happening to you as well? Or worse (gasp!) you've been caught up in it too — but we're watching as many of our friends with perfectly good cell phones (some with perfectly good iPhones) plop down $99 for the newest version of the iPhone. "It's better. And it's such a steal," they shout. We aren't buying it ... literally.

This whole culture of upgrading for the sake of upgrading has got to go. It's sort of like what we said last week about living with what you've got. We're not talking about living without, or living a life of constant self-denial and unhappiness, we're just talking about conquering that little voice that tells us that we need the new brighter, shinnier thing, when the thing we have is actually still quite bright and shiny in its own right.

Are we making sense? Do you agree? How do you feel about this whole iPhone thing and upgrading in general?

Besides ... we hear that the new iPhone isn't so great — nice, but not a "must have."

(Image: Flickr member jedisthem licensed for use under Creative Commons)

Comments (8)

totally agree! i just bought an iphone last summer, installed the newest software upgrade last week, and am not letting myself pay attention to the 3GS buzz to avoid being tempted by its supposed awesometasticness. we're always being lured by planned obsolescence and cheaper/shinier-is-better... at least the reuse/resell/takeback options are a lot more prevalent in the industry and eBay etc.

posted by elementarian on June 26th 2009 at 10:12am
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I'm not upgrading my original iPhone until I'm forced to--I've still got the $20/month data plan.

posted by Joan A. on June 26th 2009 at 10:49am
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I don't have an iPhone (refuse to get one) but I do have an iPod - the 5th generation iPod video. I use it every day, I've had to change the battery once and the headphone jack/lock switch unit twice, but I have no desier to upgrade. It's crazy to me that people will upgrade when what they have is perfectly fine or easily repairable. Not only is it not "green" but also a waste of money.

posted by MCBfly on June 26th 2009 at 11:52am
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My boyfriend just got a new one--I think it's definitely interesting--the video is great, the compass is great and the photo quality is better. He got this so he could play games and for the qualities mentioned above. How is he affording each upgrade? Hacking the iPhone and selling it on Craigslist for $500.... I totally agree with working with what you have for the most part, but I am not gonna poop on folks for getting the new iphone. I think it's cool.

posted by flixbix on June 26th 2009 at 12:42pm
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Upgrading the phone's only the tip of the iceberg. Giganto TVs, computers, monitors and electronic storage that's constantly being outdated (anybody want a Zip drive?) ... I'm frustrated even when I *have* to upgrade because it seems like nothing lasts anymore.

posted by whytephoenix on June 26th 2009 at 3:57pm
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Use it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or do without.

Something like that...

posted by boulderorganic on June 30th 2009 at 4:23am
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For the most part, I agree with you.
However, I do know that sometimes new software or hardware sometimes improves the security or function of the old. For example, I just upgraded my geneology software for the first time in ten years, because the new software has a far more efficient interface, updated backup capability, and new functions that I had been looking for.

posted by eaevansmd on June 30th 2009 at 3:10pm
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Totally agree. I have had the same phone for a couple of years and only because the last one fell to its death. Do you really need a new phone, and remember, you can never just get the phone, you have to get a new charger, etc., which is all extra (and why is there no universal charger for cell phones anyway??? Never had an i-phone and most likely, never will. A phone is for talking (when you are not supposed to be driving and you are not in the bookstore annoying others with your loud conversations) and a computer is for all the other stuff. Do we have to have all these things on hand out in the street? Do people ever interact with actual live human beings anymore? (ok, I'm done).

posted by cliokitty on September 9th 2009 at 2:20pm
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