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27
Sep

Is The Newest iPhone Right For Your Business Needs? Here’s What You Should Know

In 2015, there were an estimated 190.5 million smartphone users in the United States. And, undoubtedly, Apple loyalists are some of the most intense tech-lovers in the land. Now that the newest iPhones are on the market, skeptics might be wondering whether they should drink the Apple Kool-Aid or whether their business needs would be better served by sticking with devices from another company. If you’re trying to decide between the iPhone X, the iPhone 8, or something else entirely, here’s what you should know.

The new iPhones aren’t quite as durable.

The iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X feature a design that’s made out of glass, rather than the metal of the previous generations. This makes them more fragile in general, meaning they may not stand up as well to daily wear and tear. But Samsung devices have these same glass features, so you won’t earn any points by opting for a non-Apple gadget in this case. Those who constantly rely on their phones for work tasks and need a device that can withstand a couple of knocks, it might be best to go for the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus and use a heavy-duty protective case (like the ones from Otterbox).

iPhones will cost you a pretty penny.

If you’re looking for cost-effective options, Apple probably shouldn’t be at the top of your list. The iPhone 8 ranges in price from $649 to $849, while the iPhone 8 Plus will set you back $799 to $949. The iPhone X is even pricier, starting at $999 and going up to $1,149. For some people, that might be worth it, especially if you rely on your device for both business and personal use and don’t use too many other devices (like tablets). But if you need a new phone for a less extravagant price tag, an iPhone 7 or Samsung device might do nicely.

The new iPhones offer interesting charging options.

When you rely on your phone to conduct business, you can’t afford to run out of juice. The good news is that the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X all come with the capability to charge your battery by 50% in just 30 minutes. But it does come with a price. You’ll need to fork over $49 for the new 29W USB-C power adapter and $25 for the USB-C-to-Lightning power cable to achieve those speeds. You’ll also need to purchase a $35 USB-C-to-Lightning cable if you want to use your MacBook to charge up your phone. This doesn’t mean the phones won’t be compatible with your other charging accessories, though. Like how USB 3.0 cables are compatible with USB 2.0 devices (but charge only at the 2.0 level), you can still use older cables to charge your new iPhone. However, if you want that lightning-fast speed, you’ll have to buy the new Apple-made cables to do it. Apple is also going to be offering a wireless charger, if you really want to splurge. But Android devices already offer faster charging times without those additional accessories. If you’re concerned about running low on battery and don’t want to pay extra on top of the iPhone’s cost, you might be smart to consider other choices on the market.

The iPhone has fancy features — but do you need them?

Apple’s newest generation of phones have portrait lighting, wide-angle lenses, face recognition, and Animoji (which allows you to make an emoji out of your own likeness). These features are fun, to be sure, but they may not be completely necessary for your business. If having the newest gadgets is of the utmost importance to you, by all means, but a lot of business professionals find that the Google Pixel or the Samsung Galaxy Note might provide components that are more usable in their work environment.

Ultimately, you’ll do well to do your research and compare models before making a final decision. If social media and photography are an integral part of your business, the iPhone might be the right choice. But if your priorities lie elsewhere, don’t buy it just because it’s shiny and new.

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