In recent years, the interest in flagship smartphones has changed significantly. While every new model used to be seen as a necessity for technology enthusiasts, over time it has been realized that the innovations offered by these phones have become limited and expensive.
Is buying a flagship phone a mistake?
While phones with price tags of $ 1,000 and above used to offer significant technological advances, today these phones make less of a difference and their prices do not seem fair to most users.
Especially after the introduction of the iPhone 11 Pro in 2019, flagship phones have taken a step forward. This phone significantly improved low-light photography with innovations such as night mode, and also offered significant differences compared to other models with its triple camera system and long battery life.
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At that time, mid-segment phones were limited in terms of design and performance, and for users who really wanted high performance, there were not many options other than flagship models. However, the situation has changed in 2025.
The innovations brought by the iPhone 16 Pro were very small compared to the iPhone 15 Pro. Camera improvements and performance gains are noticeably lower, and battery life is almost the same. On the other hand, mid-range phones offer OLED screens, quality cameras, and fast performance. And they are much more affordable than flagship models.
There was a time when phone manufacturers made it a requirement to change phones every year or two. This idea was reinforced by carrier trade-in opportunities and manufacturers’ big launch events.
But the truth is, most of the time, the innovations are just small and narrow improvements. In previous years, for example, the transition from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone X was only meaningful when it offered significant innovations like the OLED screen and Face ID.
But now we are in a period where the iPhone 16 Pro doesn’t really make much of a difference when put side by side with the 14 Pro. A fast processor and slightly better cameras don’t justify a higher price tag of $1,000.
As a result, flagship phones have become a mere pursuit of prestige. While mid-range phones offer everything we need at a more affordable price, expensive models are loaded with extra features but they don’t make much of a difference in daily use.
So what do you think about this? You can share your views with us in the comments section below.
