"The change between models is currently incremental, and there's little urgency to spend bug dollars on another contract and new handset without an urgent replacement need. We have reached the point of "good enough" and the quality of the handsets is so high, it doesn't have to be replaced each year like a leased car. In my book, that's a very good thing."
To find out if it's worth it for you, you'll need to try it yourself. And with the way things are going in many higher-education institutions, chances are if you don't choose this route, you'll be dragged into it anyway. Better to go willingly and get ahead of the curve, instead of kicking and screaming with the masses.