I have a fully functioning phone and recently ordered the iPhone 13 pro max. It comes in a month which got me thinking, would you get a phone or a VCA necklace / bracelet ?
The phone will depreciate with time and use. In maybe 4-5 years, it will be worth nothing. Your VCA will actually hold some of its value. Even if it’s not a slight after piece, it’s depreciation will never be zero.
Is spending $1100 on a phone going to really interfere with buying something at VCA? Prices on vintage Alhambra pieces start at around $2500 for a pendant or $4000 for a bracelet. So if those are not possible without eliminating the phone, I'd wait on the phone as long as you have a phone that's no more than 2-3 years old.