i've still never bought a smartphone. to be frank, i couldn't imagine what anybody actually uses the thing for - it just strikes me as a waste of money. but, i don't have a landline right now, either - and fat chance i'm paying for that. so, i'll have to get something eventually - just so i have a phone.
although, fact is, i haven't had any phone at all in over five years, now. maybe i've just proven that i don't really need one.
but, generally, i wait until technology plateaus and pick up something they can't move at absolute discount. so, if the iphone 7 is coming out, i'd be looking at something like an iphone 3. the idea is that there's basically no loss of meaningful functionality - and that i'd refuse to pay more than $50 for it.
i wouldn't actually buy an apple product, i'd buy something non-proprietary. but, it seems like each new model is inferior to the previous one, which is going to act as a hold on people upgrading and throw a wrench in my careful plan.