iPhone 16: is this where it ends?

With the iPhone 16 leaks giving us a pretty clear idea of what to expect from Apple in late 2024, it got me thinking whether I really should do what I had planned. My plan was to upgrade from my iPhone 15 Plus to the iPhone 16 Pro Max when it comes out.

The thing is, I'm not one of those people who just buys the latest phone every year, not that there's anything wrong with that – you do you. But me personally, I really want buying a new phone to feel like a big, meaningful upgrade, not like simply adding an extra number at the end of its name.

And while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will definitely feature some great internal upgrades, and is technically a good leap ahead of my non-Pro model from a year ago, it doesn't seem to me that Apple is trying much to attract my kind of user.

You know – the one who seeks innovation and significant, visible upgrades.

But another company does, and it's been messing with my head, in a good way (I think).

Apple is just going through the motions, while Samsung is forced to innovate

So, for the last many months, I've been using both the iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. I'd describe them as "the safe and convenient phone" and "the cool, exciting, fun phone" respectively.

Obviously there's a time for each. When I have Viber conversations with my lawyer, I need to autofill a PDF file quickly, or jump into a FaceTime call with my girlfriend – the iPhone won't let me down. It's all quick and painless.

However, when I'm on vacation, or simply out at the nearby beach for the full day, I'd rather bring my Galaxy Z Fold 5, as it has noticeably more reliable battery life, a bigger display for watching YouTube videos and reading stuff on the go, and is just plain fun to use. To this day people have things to say and questions to ask, when they see it.

Now, Apple has every reason to play it as safe as possible – it works, and most people just want that simple and perfectly functional iPhone. The healthy-fruit-logo company didn't rise to a market cap of over 3 trillion dollars by taking many risks, or messing with its tried and tested formula.

I get it. I get why the new iPhone 16 series won't change much, considering the iPhone has been pretty much a perfectly well-rounded phone for most users, and for a while now. In terms of both its software and hardware.

Taking a risk with something new, like foldable iPhones, means potentially losing money, losing that good thing Apple has going on, and confusing its users with needless options that could end up disappointing them, thus tarnishing the iPhone's perfect image.

However, Samsung is willing to take those risks, and is pretty much forced to do it, in order to compete with the big A; to attract Apple users to itself, and to Android. And I really appreciate its efforts.

There's been rumors for years now, that Apple is also secretly trying out foldable iPhone designs, but that iPhone keeps not coming out – not a single announcement or teaser.

It better happen soon…

It's about time for that foldable iPhone; if we don't get at least a teaser this year – it's too late

I believe 2024 needs to be the year Apple finally has the guts to make the fabled folding iPhone official, but the latest rumors claim 2026 at best.

I've been deep into the Apple ecosystem for a long time; all I needed is this one little straw to stay inside, and not permanently run away into the exciting, yet seemingly less convenient and familiar hands of Samsung.

Like I said, I've been alternating between the iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold for a while now. It's hard to pick one. Neither seems perfectly satisfying to me, yet both have lots of strengths.

Deep down, I know I want a foldable phone, and Apple is taking its sweet time before risking to release it; meanwhile Samsung is now on its 6th generation of foldables.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6, and most other book-like foldable Android phones for that matter, offer the form factor that I really want to be using full-time.

But again – I'm in the Apple ecosystem – I have the Apple Watch, the AirPods, MacBook, iPads, I use FaceTime… My iPhone is the epitome of simple and reliable convenience in many ways. Switching to Android permanently would render a lot of those things that I use on the daily unusable.

Obviously a Galaxy Z Fold-like iPhone (or more accurately, a wider Oppo Find N2-like iPhone) would immediately solve my dilemma, and satisfy my needs for a more versatile and unique phone. A phone that's also a tablet in my pocket, yet still has all the ecosystem features I use.

But here's the other problem – even if Apple was to announce a folding iPhone this year – it would likely not be akin to the Z Fold, but instead a Galaxy Z Flip 6-like flip phone. Because that's the trendy folding phone, that the small percent of folding phone enthusiasts seem to prefer over the bigger, book-like Z Fold.

And with all that in mind, and looking at the iPhone 16 series, I'm starting to think there's nothing "Apple" for me to upgrade to anymore.

The iPhone 16 won't feel like a meaningful upgrade over my iPhone 15, and there isn't, and will likely never be an iPhone Fold for me to look forward to.

So… is it time for me to finally take the L and start transitioning to Android – meaning new smartwatches, earbuds, apps, the new Galaxy Z Fold 6 and all?

Is the iPhone 16 Pro Max actually worth it for me – or is it time to give the Galaxy Z Fold another chance?

As a phone enthusiast who goes out of his way to import a Surface Duo, just so I can own every unique phone that ever was, my current iPhone 15 doesn't really do it for me anymore, and it's clear that the iPhone 16 series won't either.

The iPhone 16 series will be fantastic for most users, don't get me wrong; no doubt about that.

The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro Max will be a predictable refinement on an already excellent flagship – with smaller screen bezels, an even more powerful A18 processor, on-device generative AI, a new Capture Button for quick actions, and better cameras.

But that's not enough for me, and traditionally – I'm willing to admit the problem is me. It's time to sell my Apple Watch and AirPods, sell my iPhone (iPads and MacBook still up for debate), and start dipping more seriously into Samsung's ecosystem.

Samsung's newly-released Galaxy Watch Ultra looks sick. I know its square-ish body with a circular screen is the kind of design you either love or you hate, but it works for me – I like it. It's rather unique.

Samsung's new Galaxy Buds 3 Pro might look like shameless AirPod knock-offs (just like the Galaxy Watch Ultra looks like an Apple Watch Ultra knock-off, to be fair), but they sound phenomenal nonetheless, and their little light strips give them a bit of flair. Just the kind of thing I want.

I should go for it, and I will.

So yeah, that's my story of how the upcoming, far-too-safe-and-by-the-books iPhone 16 series, plus lack of a folding iPhone got me to finally make the switch to Android. If I have any long-term regrets, you'll be the first to know.

But for now, I love my Galaxy Z Fold, and am excited to start using Samsung's other new devices also. They all look very appealing for a guy starving to try something new and fresh. It'll take some adjustments, sure, but ultimately, it should be worth it.

What are your thoughts on the iPhone 16 series? Excited? Meh? Do you wish there'd be an iPhone 16 Flip or an iPhone 16 Fold?

Are you on team Android, and are you planning to make a similar switch soon? If so – what made you do it?

Let us know in the comments section below!