Never one to push the agenda that a 2021 premium phone (with self-replaced new batteries and new water seals) is any less capable less than 5 years later, I am not calling this an equipment downgrade. It’s a simpler way to live, with a mini phone cut back to the basics.
I also reflect on my experience using an iPhone 15 Pro Max as my main pocket camera since 2023. Sure I’d given up a lot of zoom and megapixels by bringing only the small one, but there’s something brilliant about relying on one sensor and one focal length. Simple and (to me) just the right amount of artistic constraint… It also takes photos faster by default, since Apple’s “pro” pipeline does too much post-processing for my liking.
Lastly, this new device is only two third the weight of the old one, more in line with the iPods I grew up with. This new phone will also be insulated from any of the other IT giants, not even storing a Google login in its cookies.
Ahh, and the blissful lack of Apple Intelligence :).
Yourong Frank Wang 
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