Could Apple really lose the race?

[BugBytes]

I actually have been experiencing some discouraging thoughts about Apple products recently. Although I will never give up my 4S (until the 5 or 6 comes out) I am a little discouraged at how Apple products are becoming more and more geared toward "Apple fixes everything." I still cannot think of giving up my iPhone (now that I have it- I used to want a Droid) and I can't imagine giving up the Apple laptops which are so far better than Microsoft laptops, but it does discourage me that iFixit rated these products on a scale of one to ten, with ten being the most user serviceable and 1 being the least:

The newest iPod Shuffle: 2
The newest iPod Nano: 5
The newest iPod Touch: 4
The newest iPhone: 6
The newest iPod Classic: not rated
The newest Apple TV: 8
The newest Macbook Air (13 and 11): not rated
The newest Macbook Pro 13: not rated
The newest Macbook Pro 15 (without Retina): 7
The newest Macbook Pro 15 (with Retina): 1
The newest Mac Mini: 8
One of the newest 21'' iMacs: 7
Other iMacs: couldn't find more ratings
The newest Mac Pro: not rated
The newest iPad 4G: 2
The newest iPad Wifi: not rated

Out of the Apple products I found ratings for, the average was a 5 out of 10 for user serviceability. I personally can't get enough of Apple's design and ease of use, but I like to repair things myself so this trend of everything-is-so-hard-to-replace-so-let-us-do-it-for-you is probably the worst thing I have against them right now.

That and the fact they won't ship me a free iPad for all the times I've stood up for them in technological debates

 

[gpatrick15]

Apple's dominance will continue, but you can't deny that many consumers are picking other options. In the US, the iPhone was an AT&T exclusive until Verizon got the 4. They were the only choice, and people left their carriers in droves to get it. There were some, like me, who didn't want to leave a carrier for a phone. But now that the top 3 carriers have it, and a few regional carriers too, it's a big seller but people are still going to Android and, to a far less extent, WP7.

I got Android with the G1 because T-Mobile didn't offer the iPhone and it was the best available at the time. I left T-Mobile, got the iPhone 4, and then after 8 months sold it and went back to Android. There are other options, and people are finally realizing that. Even though their carrier offers it, they are stil picking other options. Having said that, the iPhone is still the market leader and the largest seller on all the networks it's offered on.

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If you are gong by the rumors, and you actually pay attention to them, they all go back to one, single source.....

It's not a one deal by any stretch of the imagination.

All signs point to the screen being lengthened to 4". You can play conspiracy theorist all you want, but you're just setting your self up for initial disappointment, then it'll grow on you, then you'll get it and wonder how you ever got on with a 3.5" screen and that 4" is the "sweet spot."

 

[Tones2]

If you are gong by the rumors, and you actually pay attention to them, they all go back to one, single source.....

It's not a one deal by any stretch of the imagination.

Jeez. Come on, wake up. It's like a 90% chance we know that the phone will be a 4" taller phone. These kind of leak are always almost 100% correct. It's called historical evidence. Care to place a wager?

 

[BaldiMac]

There are other options, and people are finally realizing that.

Your entire post makes it seem like the iPhone is losing market share in the US when it is actually gaining market share! A smaller percentage of people are choosing other options every year.

 

[LeandrodaFL]

Unless Apple decide to release multiple diferent designs of the iphone, they will keep losing the smartphone race, as most people get a phone based on its design rather then OS. After all, its functionallity are the same for most common users, make and receive calls is flawless on android.

I prefer to get like 7 diferent Samsung models before an iphone. They might be copy cat, but they are very good copycat!!! Samsung Ace Duos and Galaxy S3, these are beautiful!!

In the tablet market, the ipad is crushing, this is a place where the OS makes a diference, and lets be hones, the iPad design is quite superior to android tablets. The phone market is where apple may be 2nd place

 

[gpatrick15]

Your entire post makes it seem like the iPhone is losing market share in the US when it is actually gaining market share! A smaller percentage of people are choosing other options every year.

Then explain why, each quarter, Android's market share (profit margin be damned) increases, just as iOS, while the others are dropping. Each is increasing at the detriment of other OS', not each other. Android may not have the profit margins of Apple, but they do have the market share, and it's steadily increasing.

 

[Geckotek]

The Note may look stupid in practice,

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!

but everyone I know with one loves it. And most people I see with it are women. Go figure.

Because they can put it in their purse.

Samsung has sold in excess of 10 million of these phones in the year that it has been out. Apple is feeling some kind of pressure by these Android manufacturers,

Apple sold 1.7 Million in a weekend. 17.1 Million iPhone 4Ss in Q4. 37 Million iPhones in Q1 2012..... How exactly are they feeling pressure?

One size does not fit all for everyone anymore

Sure, and Apple seems willing to let other manufacturers take those other sizes and run with them.

3.5" won't cut it.

Wait, did you just say one size does not fit all for everyone? So who's to say 3.5" doesn't cut it....unless I missed something and your name is everyone?

I think it's pretty clear that a vast percentage of the masses would prefer a larger screen. For me, the 4.65" screen on my nexus is perfectly fine. Your mileage may vary.

I don't think it's clear at all. In fact, I think the sales figures you and I have both quoted have shown the 3.5" screen size to NOT be a limiting factor where sales is concerned. You may draw other conclusions from that if you like.

 

[Tones2]

The joke is the lump in your pants. Lol. Who cares if it fits but you look like a tool and can't move around because you have this bulky flat device in your pocket.

Have YOU personally ever tried to put a Galaxy S3 in your pocket for an EXTENDED period of time? If you haven't, you do not know what you are talking about. If you have, then there is no way you would be saying this. The S3 feel way lighter and thinner in my pocket. It doesn't even feel like I have a phone in there - I had to put a case on it to make me feel like it was there so I wasn't always feeling in my pocket to see it if slipped out. The iPhone 4S feels like a brick by comparison. This is totally true. The slightly larger dimension makes absolutely NO difference in my pocket. None whatsoever. It doesn't even fill up a fourth of a normal sized pocket.

If you HAVE put an S3 in your pocket and still say what you said, then you are either lyiing to make a point or are 5' tall or less AND always wear extemely tight jeans.

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Whatever anyone says in any of these threads, the plain fact is there is a NON-insignificant portion of people with iPhone that WANT a 4.3"+ phones. We can argue what percentage that is, but it's there and it's noticeable. Apple chooses to ignore this percentage as they feel that with the marketing / fanboy / and ecosystem advantages, they can. And the want to because it's cheaper for them to have only one new model and like they always do, they want to hold back to have a feature for the NEXT phone after iPhone 5.

So it gets very frustrating for those non-insignificant percentage of iPhone owners who feel stuck with the Apple ecosystem (because it's expensive to switch and they have other devices like an iPad or AppleTV that they share apps / movies / TV shows with) but want a 4.3"+ phone. Thus all the clamor on places like this forum. Some of us have the money and time to switch platforms (and it takes both), but many don't but still want a larger screen.

Apple really should make 2 new phones to satisfy their full customer base, like other phone manufacturers have done, but of course, being Apple, they never will.

 

[gpatrick15]

I'm by no means a Samsung fanboy. Outside of my Galaxy Nexus, I haven't owned any Samsung phone since ~2006. And I hate Touchwiz. But you can't dispute the fact that people are buying Samsung smartphones in droves. So apparently they're doing something right, because they are the most successful of the numerous Android manufacturers. The sales may not be in the Apple range, but they are certainly high enough for Apple to notice. The consumer doesn't look at Android as a joke anymore (they shouldn't have to begin with, it's all in phone choice) and they are seeing it as a viable alternative to iOS. Even a few people around here see it. You can be fine with your phone choice, no one is saying you made the right or wrong choice. It's all subjective. But if apple keeps coming with piecemeal upgrades and keeping the same designs for two years, the people who vote with their wallets will take notice. Android has innovated more lately than Apple. But that's only because they were playing from behind. Now that they're near the top, I doubt they stand pat like Apple seems to be doing.

 

[BaldiMac]

Then explain why, each quarter, Android's market share (profit margin be damned) increases, just as iOS, while the others are dropping. Each is increasing at the detriment of other OS', not each other. Android may not have the profit margins of Apple, but they do have the market share, and it's steadily increasing.

I'm not sure what you want me to explain. Android and iOS market share are both on the rise in the US. A rising market share necessarily means that a smaller percentage of the market is choosing other options.

 

[IJBrekke]

I think it's simple: If Apple puts out an amazing product the rest of the market will improve.

The quality of phone has gone up significantly since the first iPhone. Apple is fully capable of making an incredible new iPhone that once again challenges all competitors, and those competitors will be forced to improve their products to compensate.

A better iPhone means better Android, better Windows phone, better everything in mobile technology. Please Apple, continue to set the bar high.

 

[Wrathwitch]

<snip>

We'll see. Odds are I am preordering the next iPhone, but if the keynote is as predictable and lame as some are expecting, I may be doing the unthinkable and going Android. For someone as Apple-crazed as I am, it should worry Apple that someone like me feels this way.

I did get the S3, don't regret it a bit. I needed and was open minded enough for a change. Maybe come back to iPhone in a couple of years. Time will tell.

This is definitely the very first year that I've seen so many people both switching or thinking about it. Yet Apple set a stock market capitalization value record yesterday and had their all time highest stock price, so go figure.

I certainly don't think Apple's in any short term trouble - the iPhone 5 will sell like hotcakes - but if they don't start to get more timely with modern cell phone features, they could be in for trouble on the phone side in a few years. They'll probably have switched focus to TV by then, though.

You are correct. Apple won't "lose". They have a loyal customer base and one thing that any of the Android manufacturers can't provide. Customer Service. Believe it or not, that IS important.

have you heard the latest Apple news ... 660+ billion dollars

Apple is not worried that you feel the way you do ... for the majority of cell phone users, an iPhone is overkill anyways.

IMO ... Apple has nothing to worry about and I believe the upcoming iPhone will be their biggest seller ever

It most likely will. Luckily there aren't as narrow visioned people leading it as was RIM. Or rather RIP. This bears thought though.

I think you may be slightly missing the main appeal of Apple products. As someone working in the IT industry for the last 8 years, what drove me to Apple products was not an impressively long feature list.

It was the simplicity, the unparalleled build quality, the way each feature was carefully thought out and usually worked exactly as expected. Coming from a PC background, it was a breath of fresh air for me to have a computer and a phone that - and I hate to use an advertising slogan, but here goes anyway - just worked. I may not have the absolute latest or the absolute greatest technically, but what I do have works, is good quality and causes me no stresses whatsoever.

<snip>

THIS is why I still recommend peers or parents into the Apple world. For new and first time users, or people who highly desire simplicity in a device. Apple ROCKS!

They'll start to lose the 'race' as soon as people stop being excited about their 2 year re-design phone cycle. Will this happen anytime soon? Who knows. Apple could lose money for the next 10 years and still be in the race.

I agree.

Ironically, I think Apple is as trapped in their ecosystem as their customers are. Imagine having the developers have to actually change the apps to reflect different resolutions on their devices, or to create support for iPhones that are no longer powerful enough to use certain apps. Or to design apps for iPads, iPhones and iMacs... hmmm

 

[zbarvian]

No. Period.

 

[Geckotek]

I think it's simple: If Apple puts out an amazing product the rest of the market will improve.

The quality of phone has gone up significantly since the first iPhone. Apple is fully capable of making an incredible new iPhone that once again challenges all competitors, and those competitors will be forced to improve their products to compensate.

A better iPhone means better Android, better Windows phone, better everything in mobile technology. Please Apple, continue to set the bar high.

Once you set the bar that high in the first place, I don't think you can expect a big jump in each iteration thereafter. It's just not possible and I think the expectation of a lot of people in this forum is unrealistic. For Apple to make a big splash, like the original iPhone, it will have to be in a new product category.

They can continue to push the mobile phone market, but the blistering pace of any device growth will always eventually slow down.

I think the biggest splash they could make now is to update the UI of iOS 6.

 

[jsbaugh]

I jumped to the GS3 a couple of months ago and have no regrets. It's a great phone. I thought I would have a hard time leaving the Apple ecosystem but Android has most of the Apps I need. All of $1 games I had on my iphone I didnt really need any way.
It is also a lot easier now to sync Android to itunes etc.. so the switch was pretty easy.

Such a night and day difference with the larger screen on the GS3. I can't stand looking at the iphone any longer

 

[pdutta2000]

Apple's not going to lose the race with the iPhone. They've already won. The iPhone has outperformed every prediction. It's set the company up financially to explore areas and create products that they normally wouldn't (TV). The consumer has won because Android and Windows 8 are better products because of the iPhone.

Apple has already lost as well but they won't mind. Android will be the market leader in this segment. They will sell more phones everyday and have more devices. Apple will be content to be #2 and make money but just like the iPod, iPhone sales will decline in the future as a newer technology overtakes it. In 5 years we may all be wearing glasses and using them as phones. Technology moves forward and the smartphone experience can only go so far.

Right now all smartphone makers are starting to run out of ideas. A breakthrough will come that will radically change the segment again and Apple will be poised to do battle.

 

[mjpearce023]

I will switch from the iPhone to another phone as soon as there is something out that is better in every category. Right now you have good phones out there but each has a big drawback that makes me stay with the iPhone. I liked the HTC One X but it didn't have enough storage and I hated not having a home button. I didn't get the S3 but the time I spent with it in the store the screen didn't impress me. It was too dark unless you maxed the brightness out and it still couldn't get anywhere near the brightness of the 4/4s and the One X. If I could combine the One X and S3 into one phone then I would switch. My guess would be by next year the S4 will have a goon enough screen where it will be a tough call between the iPhone 6 and the S4. The S3 is very impressive but right now I just can't see taking a step backwards in screen quality to get the S3 even if it is a lot bigger.

 

[Breezygirl]

I've had IPhones since 2008, 3g, 3gs, 4 and 4s but lately was getting sick of the restrictions apple and iTunes has, and the boring OS. The iPhone can do so much more than Apple allows us to do. Every so often they update the OS and give us a few of the things that jailbreak has done for years. OS6, yawn....

I was going to wait to see what the new iPhone would be like and then perhaps instead get the SG3. But then after seeing so many others doing the same thing, I thought it maybe hard to get a SG3 when the new iPhone comes out with so many seeming to be disappointed and talking about switching.

I bought the SG3 about a month ago and thought I'd try it out until the 5 comes out and so far I really like it. It's pretty amazing and I haven't even looked at my 4s since. The "only" thing I think the iPhone is better at is predictive text and corrections but SwiftKey fixes that.

I'm still waiting for when the new iPhone comes out to make a final decision, but I think the meantime I'm loving my SG3 and might just keep it.

 

[nuckinfutz]

I've had IPhones since 2008, 3g, 3gs, 4 and 4s but lately was getting sick of the restrictions apple and iTunes has, and the boring OS
.

OS aren't boring. Only people are. What restrictions do you speak of?

 

[Bobby Corwen]

This thread is hilarious. It's like asking: "can the Beatles still fail?"

 

[Breezygirl]

The restrictions I mean are things like the lack of customization and tweaks. Look at the thousands of jailbreak options that are out that Apple does not let us do to our phones, when they are capable. To me that's pretty restrictive, and especially since almost any basic phone has many of the tweaks that we have to jailbreak to do the same on the latest iPhone.

iTunes is also restrictive, you can't add songs or media at another computer without iTunes wanting to remove all your apps, songs..... I could go on and on about what a pain being tied to iTunes is but just reading the threads here are enough to show that.

 

[Vegastouch]

I've had IPhones since 2008, 3g, 3gs, 4 and 4s but lately was getting sick of the restrictions apple and iTunes has, and the boring OS. The iPhone can do so much more than Apple allows us to do. Every so often they update the OS and give us a few of the things that jailbreak has done for years. OS6, yawn....

I was going to wait to see what the new iPhone would be like and then perhaps instead get the SG3. But then after seeing so many others doing the same thing, I thought it maybe hard to get a SG3 when the new iPhone comes out with so many seeming to be disappointed and talking about switching.

I bought the SG3 about a month ago and thought I'd try it out until the 5 comes out and so far I really like it. It's pretty amazing and I haven't even looked at my 4s since. The "only" thing I think the iPhone is better at is predictive text and corrections but SwiftKey fixes that.

I'm still waiting for when the new iPhone comes out to make a final decision, but I think the meantime I'm loving my SG3 and might just keep it.

The restrictions I mean are things like the lack of customization and tweaks. Look at the thousands of jailbreak options that are out that Apple does not let us do to our phones, when they are capable. To me that's pretty restrictive, and especially since almost any basic phone has many of the tweaks that we have to jailbreak to do the same on the latest iPhone.

iTunes is also restrictive, you can't add songs or media at another computer without iTunes wanting to remove all your apps, songs..... I could go on and on about what a pain being tied to iTunes is but just reading the threads here are enough to show that.

Dont know what decision you need to wait on to make. You will get the same phone but a 1/2" taller....which has the same restrictions and the same crappy iTunes that i grew to hate.

 

[Breezygirl]

Sigh, I know. I keep hoping Apple does something to wow us. Lol

 

[nuckinfutz]

The restrictions I mean are things like the lack of customization and tweaks. Look at the thousands of jailbreak options that are out that Apple does not let us do to our phones, when they are capable. To me that's pretty restrictive, and especially since almost any basic phone has many of the tweaks that we have to jailbreak to do the same on the latest iPhone.

iTunes is also restrictive, you can't add songs or media at another computer without iTunes wanting to remove all your apps, songs..... I could go on and on about what a pain being tied to iTunes is but just reading the threads here are enough to show that.

I think the Jailbreak community is important to Apple yet they won't admit it. They have hired from the JB community before and will again. That being said I do realize Apple's target market isn't going to be people fond of JB.

I got around the itunes library thing by doing iTunes match. Now I can upload or manage music from multiple computers. I'd be willing to be the next version of iTunes de-emphasises syncing and moves towards media discovery.

Despite iOS appearing boring I do realize that the capability in iOS continues to improve for those creative types. That being said I don't expect much Wow features in software. I think iOS 7 may usher in larger software changes.

Mountain Lion and iOS 6 seem to be about polish and cleanup. Fine with me. I suspect the iPhones will continue to grow in size over the next few years eliminating one source of contention. My aging eyes are struggling a bit more with text.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

For recent converts to the Galaxy S3...have you been turned off by the cheap plasticy feel and hideous carrier logos?

While I'd love to have a screen that big, I'm not sure I'd be able to get over the build quality issues that would make it feel like a cheap iPhone knockoff (even if it is a lot bigger with some different bells and whistles). Not to mention the horrid colors aside from white --- no black?

If I went Andorid, I'd probably go the Nexus route, but the current model is already dated and isn't available on AT&T LTE (I don't think).