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Comment by markbao | Hacker News Reader

> Iphones, which seem to get bigger, heavier, more expensive, and more complicated with every release, not to mention a complete lack of customization and control, are obviously off the table.

There are excellent reasons to not choose iPhone, but this one warrants a click on the back button.

Other than the iPhone 6 upgrade (the smaller one has a screen size of 4.7", the same as the phone the author ended up picking), they've been getting smaller, lighter, and thinner every release. (At the expense of using the space to increase battery life, which is what I'd really like to see improved.) There has been zero increase in cost since the first release. Complexity could be an open question, but after using iOS and Android, I've found iOS slightly more intuitive than Android, which is still too rough.

Lack of customization and control are good reasons, but the first bit is bafflingly misinformed.

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I don't think this is actually true.

The second iPhone model (iPhone 3G) was actually thicker than the original. When iPad mini went retina, it got 1mm thicker. iPhone 6S is slighter thicker and heavier than iPhone 6, which I find noticeable.

Also, maybe cost in the US hasn't changed (but that's disingenuous because iPhone was originally almost completely subsidised by your carrier), but in Australia, the base cost for latest gen iPhone used to be $799. Now, the iPhone 6S 16GB is $1079.

Of course, lots of things have happened for Apple to raise their prices in Australia - consumer protection laws changed (well, Apple started following them differently) significantly increasing the cost of providing a warranty. Also I'm sure the exchange rate has caused prices to change (though I'm not sure in which way - I think it's gotten worst though).

I'm pretty frustrated with Australia's Apple pricing - I wanted to upgrade my macbook air (~$1050 AUD when I purchased), only to be disappointed in the new $1500 AUD pricetag. Used to be the best ultrabook for it's price on the Aus market IMO.

Original unsubsidized price in the US was $400 (after the price drop). Current unsubsidized price is $650 (and that's been the base unsubsidized price since 2011).

That said, the AUD has gotten significantly weaker vs. the USD -- 5 years ago they were basically 1-1. Now $1.00 USD = $1.44 AUD.

You're right, I forgot that the 3G did get thicker, and the iPhone 6s does seem to be slightly thicker and heavier, by a hair. My mistake. I think the general trend still sticks, despite these exceptions, whereas the author argued that the general trend goes the other direction.

I think generally speaking, the major revisions get 'significantly' thinner, and then there's been a few instances of the 'S' revision (or however it works for iPads) of it getting a hair thicker.

Maybe because I have a bunch of stuff turned off (notifications, email push, no FaceBook etc.), my iPhone 6s plus is about a 3 - 4 day phone easily.

In fact, it's easily the best device of any kind I've ever owned. It is truly spectacular, as you might expect at the cost.

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