iPhone Suggestions: I gave my last smart phone, an iPhone back to the company when I retired in 2014. I may have accidentally dropped it on the ground and stomped on it. I hated that...

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I gave my last smart phone, an iPhone back to the company when I retired in 2014. I may have accidentally dropped it on the ground and stomped on it. I hated that thing. I had Android based phones prior to that last one. Anyway, for the past 7yrs I have had an ATT 3G dumb phone, but, ATT 3G service is ending next year. Finally accepted the inevitable and bought an iPhone12 since my wife has an iPhoneX and can give me tips. One problem. There are so many apps that I get a headache just looking through them. I would like some suggestions as far as the ones you find most useful for photography, such as remote camera control of my Canons, etc. I don't use social media so those are of no interest. Wait, I lie! I opened a Facebook page about 10yr ago for a class reunion but I haven't visited it in probably 9yrs. I don't even remember the password to log on.
I am actually starting to enjoy this new phone. Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

bw79st Loc: New York City

My wife and I just switched from iPhone SE (1st Gen) to iPhone 12 Mini. It takes some getting used to but I have the hang of it now and like the new phone very much! Something useful to know is how to reset it if it gets a bit hinky. Press Vol up once, then Vol down once, then hold down the left side button until you get an Apple Logo.

ELNikkor

If you can get a phone-holder that will attach to a tripod, or a phone tripod and some night-sky apps that tell you where the dark areas are and where & when what will rise or set, that phone can do some excellent astrophotography.

Xanadu Loc: Clay County FL

Two none photo apps that I find useful.
1. FIND MY - an app that lets me track my wife's location (with her permission). It actually tracks the location of her phone. She is a terrible driver and 78 yrs old. She an I are both very comfortable with this app.
2. TILE - an app that relies on a "tile" that can be attached to car keys, luggage, etc. When the item is misplaced, you activate the app and an alarm is triggered from the tile. Thus, allowing you to track it down by sound.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

We used to pay Verizon $167 a month for two phones. Six years ago, we switched to TracFone. At first, we brought our own phones with us to TracFone. Then we bought phones from them. My son and I got Samsung Galaxy phones for around $50 - new. The phones they sell are so cheap that I got a spare Motorola. You buy usage as you need it, and I have averaged $10/mo, and my son has averaged $20/mo. I use my phone lightly every day, but my son uses his eighteen hours a day. I'm not sure if those figures include the several phones we have bought.

TracFone uses Verizon towers.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

LFingar wrote:

I gave my last smart phone, an iPhone back to the ... (show quote)

You have listed a number of reasons I do not use iPhone. The big one being, IT IS NOT INTUITIVE!!!!! (You did not directly say that, but it is imbedded in what you did say) All this crap about Apple being intuitive drives me crazy!!!! Even people I know who are long time iPhone users say they L O V E it, but then have trouble finding apps, switching between apps, having their screens crack, etc..... And adjusting to iOS changes.... Don't get me started about how they struggle!
And finding out they have lost photos because they did not upgrade their icloud account and they could not figure out how to download the images to their computer because.....well Apple does not want THAT to be easy!!!
I just do not get the iPhone fanboy sickness.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

dsmeltz wrote:

You have listed a number of reasons I do not use i... (show quote)

You get no disagreement from me.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'll add one more suggestion. When you get a new phone, try to find one that lets you change the battery yourself.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

jerryc41 wrote:

I'll add one more suggestion. When you get a new phone, try to find one that lets you change the battery yourself.

THEY STILL MAKE THOSE!!!!

wow

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

dsmeltz wrote:

THEY STILL MAKE THOSE!!!!

wow

Fewer and fewer. Each battery change by a customer is a loss of income for the company. Either you pay a lot of money to have them replace the battery, or you buy a new phone. Apple started the "unrepairable" process, and other companies are jumping on the bandwagon.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

jerryc41 wrote:

I'll add one more suggestion. When you get a new phone, try to find one that lets you change the battery yourself.

I accept the premise that, all other things being equal, it would be better if one could change the battery one's self. However, the underlying thought is that battery changing is the highest priority. That idea is arguable.

I would argue that it's not the highest priority. I just changed the battery on my 6s with an iFixit kit. It was not easy but it was certainly feasible. I did the same a few years ago with my "4". The battery on my 6s lasted a few years, as long as any battery of that chemistry can be expected to last. My cost was under $40.

Would it be easier to simply open the back and swap out a battery? Yes, of course. Is the iPhone "better" than the others in many ways? Many people obviously think so. I am among them.

I will quote a corporate-trainer/psychologist whose "wisdom" I was once forced to hear for 3 days. Whether you like it or whether you don't, some things are more important than others. He was pointing out that one should make that decision deliberately.

OK, I now have my fire-proof suit on; flame away.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

LFingar wrote:

I gave my last smart phone, an iPhone back to the ... (show quote)

I suggest starting with the apps which come with the phone. When you identify a want/need then do internet searches to find out which apps might be the right ones for you. The camera app on the phone is pretty good already. I do have some 3rd party camera apps on mine.

There are many uses for a good smart phone and potentially many more if you use an iPad and/or a Mac since Apple's integrated environment is an advantage.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

jerryc41 wrote:

Fewer and fewer. Each battery change by a customer is a loss of income for the company. Either you pay a lot of money to have them replace the battery, or you buy a new phone. Apple started the "unrepairable" process, and other companies are jumping on the bandwagon.

I brought my iPhone 12 Pro to Batteries Plus and they put in a new battery, very reasonable.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

bw79st wrote:

My wife and I just switched from iPhone SE (1st Gen) to iPhone 12 Mini. It takes some getting used to but I have the hang of it now and like the new phone very much! Something useful to know is how to reset it if it gets a bit hinky. Press Vol up once, then Vol down once, then hold down the left side button until you get an Apple Logo.

Thanks for the tip!

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

ELNikkor wrote:

If you can get a phone-holder that will attach to a tripod, or a phone tripod and some night-sky apps that tell you where the dark areas are and where & when what will rise or set, that phone can do some excellent astrophotography.

Thanks! Good to know.