Other Did Apple kill the goose that laid the golden eggs?

[Azathoth123]

I was just being silly....

Yeah I know lol. You can’t talk Yogi and not be silly, that’s the fun part!
[doublepost=1541368703][/doublepost]

So true. Equally, Apple are trapped: they can't sell them cheaper or they lose their 'premium' cachet. Same goes for their Macs. But so long as we keep buying enough to sustain 'sufficient' market share their business model works.

One advantage of the higher prices/ASP is that year-old Apple hardware sells for really amazing prices for cellphones. You can sell a nice condition X and upgrade to XS for not that much money. You aren’t paying the full price of a new phone every 1-2 years unless you’re talking about other brands.

 

[burgman]

This is the first year ever that iPhones haven't gone out stock within hours after the pre-orders started. But maybe it wasn’t that iPhones didn’t sell well, maybe it was that Apple was not selling iPhones anymore.

The new models may share the same name, and OS, but are in so many ways different. Different displays, different focus(maybe the first time phones are not thinner and lighter), different authentication l(FaceID vs TouchID), different UX(swipe up vs button), stagnant design, no longer selling last uear’s model, different marketing(for the first time we have excsessive high-end and low-end), different release dates, and most of all different price points.

In many ways 8+ was the last of the iPhones.

Apple seems to be in confusion, making consumers confused and sales numbers show that. They are still doing well in profit, but stock market noticed that something is not going well with the Goose.

How many ways can the same “Apple is doomed” be asked? At least it gives the same group of posters the opportunity to post the same lines over and over in agreement. By the way, the 8+ didn’t sell out at launch, the last iPhone yeah right.

 

[jtrue28]

We won’t upgrade again for 3-4 years. No reason to at this point.

 

[now i see it]

Declining sales of units (iPhones) offset by increased prices is hardly an encouraging sign. No wonder their stock dropped like a rock. Then to top it off by stating they'll no longer report units sold? It doesn't take a financial wizard to feel pessimistic for the future of the iPhone.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

This is the first year ever that iPhones haven't gone out stock within hours after the pre-orders started. But maybe it wasn’t that iPhones didn’t sell well, maybe it was that Apple was not selling iPhones anymore.

The new models may share the same name, and OS, but are in so many ways different. Different displays, different focus(maybe the first time phones are not thinner and lighter), different authentication l(FaceID vs TouchID), different UX(swipe up vs button), stagnant design, no longer selling last uear’s model, different marketing(for the first time we have excsessive high-end and low-end), different release dates, and most of all different price points.

In many ways 8+ was the last of the iPhones.

Apple seems to be in confusion, making consumers confused and sales numbers show that. They are still doing well in profit, but stock market noticed that something is not going well with the Goose.

I don't think Apple is confused, they're just greedy, and they are monetizing on their Apple brand as far as they can.

The iPhone 6,7, and 8 are the models I see most out on the streets. Though the X is one-year old and it's siblings XS/XS Max just released, I don't think these models will sell like the 6,7, and 8. The price point is not attainable for many. Now for the XR, that's a different story and I predict it will do better.

I was at Apple the release of the XR, and no lines to be seen. There were more Apple geniuses (is that what the sales floor people are called?) standing around than customers.

I remember with previous models, I couldn't get my hands on any of them until early December. This year, I got an XS Max a month after release.

 

[sevoneone]

I think the situation is pretty clear. The consumer upgrade cycle on phones has shifted from an every two years average to 4, and sometimes even more, years. Apple is pushing up the average price to compensate and keep their revenue up and keeping the number of units sold to protect themselves from people making broad speculations.

A lot of their innovation is in materials these days. Seems like every year they are inventing new alloys, grades of materials and processes for their products. Also, they're making their own chips, the benefits of which I think the consumer hasn't fully experienced yet. I'm not saying that excuses the lack of feature updates or price hikes, but that's kind of work isn't cheap and Apple is more than happy to let you use your device longer if it means they can make up the difference later.

 

[Technarchy]

Very soon, the planned throttling will be activated again...so all current iPhones will be next to unusable...beginning of the super cycle again...gravy train keeps moving

Get a new battery installed. Problem fixed.

I’m skipping 2018 because the cost of annual upgrades has exceeded the benefits.

 

[cornerexit]

Apple, I don’t want no phablet phone. I’m not a millennial and my life doesn’t revolve around a phone. Make a new version that’s isn’t a phablet and I will buy.

 

[Honza1]

Actually, Apple seems to be changing business model to match market changes. For example, our family is running 4 lines - 5S, 6S, 7, and now XR (each bought soon after release). All are on iOS 12 and everyone seems happy with their technology. They are "good enough" at least. With this length of use I have no problem paying higher price for the phones, when we finally decide to replace it. I pay more, but I know the iOS upgrades and repairs will be provided for relatively long time.
Mobile phone market is saturated, technology is mature. There is no way Apple (or Android manufacturers) can continue to be dramatically growing the total number of sales. They can steal sales from each other, at best.
So did they kill the "goose" - yes. But it was the phone industry in general. Same as every gadget industry before, which matured and saturated market. Radios, tape players, TVs - you name it. Did not buy new TV for 5+ years now...
Eventually gadgets get good enough and long lasting - selling of new ones simply plateaus to "replacement" level. To survive and keep making profit, manufacturers must adopt or change/dramatically improve the gadget.

 

[mib1800]

Get a new battery installed. Problem fixed.

I’m skipping 2018 because the cost of annual upgrades has exceeded the benefits.

The battery thing, it just an excuse apple came out with after being caught throttling after denying any such doing for years before.

Offering to change battering at lower cost is another revenue for money making. Now when your phone becomes slower, everyone goes and change the battery.

To me battery just excuse reason. You throttle CPU when it becomes hot. A worn battery just hold less charge therefore depletes faster. Most of the time CPU is not even running at full speed. Even a reduced capacity battery can power that. But there is still overall slowdown. Only make sense is that it is purposely done for planned obsolescence and has nothing to do with battery.

 

[C DM]

The battery thing, it just an excuse apple came out with after being caught throttling after denying any such doing for years before.

Offering to change battering at lower cost is another revenue for money making. Now when your phone becomes slower, everyone goes and change the battery.

To me battery just excuse reason. You throttle CPU when it becomes hot. A worn battery just hold less charge therefore depletes faster. Most of the time CPU is not even running at full speed. Even a reduced capacity battery can power that. But there is still overall slowdown. Only make sense is that it is purposely done for planned obsolescence and has nothing to do with battery.

Seems like for a planned obsolescence conspiracy a phone that just randomly shuts down would be a better thing to have out there than a slower one.

Also, https://www.macrumors.com/2018/11/01/smartphone-battery-life-test-year-over-year-decline/

 

[Caspavio]

Sure, XR starts at $750 but what you get is the “poor man’s” iPhone.

Until 2016 People could get the latest/greatest iPhone for $650. Your choice was mainly large display vs smaller factor.

Apple now segregates it’s consumers to “rich” and “poor”.

it's a matter of perspective. i understand where you are coming from, but the reviews and sentiments on this forum doesnt seem to agree that much with you. honestly, if you compare it to pixel 3, it is comparable in every way except the screen and maybe night photography. but even then, they are adequate for normal users, so for people who are already into iOS, XR is still an attractive option.

 

[MyMacintosh]

People don't need a new phone every year. People can't afford a $1200 phone every year.

I agree, even though I think it's funny how last year I thought the X was too expensive and told myself i'd never drop that kinda money on a phone, then the next year proceeded to drop that amount of money + an extra $200 for the Max lol. I can only justify it because I will most likely be keeping this for 3 years, maybe even 4. Otherwise, there is no way in hell i'm dropping $1249 every year for a phone. Apple can kick rocks with that bs lol

 

[mib1800]

Seems like for a planned obsolescence conspiracy a phone that just randomly shuts down would be a better thing to have out there than a slower one.

Also, https://www.macrumors.com/2018/11/01/smartphone-battery-life-test-year-over-year-decline/

Another Apple excuse to cover their lie. Randomly shutdown - that's for really worn out or defective battery. With such battery, slowing down cpu won't help either as the battery cannot even maintain the minimum voltage to keep phone up. But for majority of aged battery doesnt cause such sudden shutdown.

 

[PeytonT123]

People don't need a new phone every year. People can't afford a $1200 phone every year.

This.

I think the OP is a little bit dramatic, no offense. I do think more people would upgrade more often if the old price model was still in effect, having a pretty reasonable price with a new 2 year contract with your carrier. Since they switched to having to either pay a much larger price in full upfront or pay monthly for around 2 years, people have been less eager to upgrade.

Also, last year might've killed momentum a bit. If you wanted a new phone, you'd either have to get the 8...which was the same design as the 6 and 7 with minor improvements.... or go for the X, which was a hefty $1000 dollars. I personally held off because, although I would've loved the X, 1k was just too much for me. And I didn't want the 8 bc I didn't want to buy a new phone that was so similar to the ones I had had for the previous 3 years. It was definitely the least easy year to upgrade.

This year they've thankfully added the XR, which has much more appeal....but since we are on an "S" year, people might want to just wait til next year. Also, I think the XR being marketed as the "value" phone might've hurt things a bit initially. Also, the size might turn people off who don't want a "Plus" sized phone. Once the great reviews get around though and people realize it's not "value" quality at all, I think it will have longevity in sales.

 

[DJ_Smith]

iPhone XS Max has to be my last on launch purchase. I’m done with Apple’s aggressive pricing. I will keep it for another 2-3 years.

 

[bushman4]

Apple updating internals of the iPhone and putting out a larger size iPhone is not enough to keep people updating their iPhone yearly or bi-yearly
What Apple needs is a foldable iPhone
Give us something new and fresh and most people will pay the price but not for the same old same old
I’m surprised with Apple getting all those patents and taking so long to do so

 

[C DM]

Another Apple excuse to cover their lie. Randomly shutdown - that's for really worn out or defective battery. With such battery, slowing down cpu won't help either as the battery cannot even maintain the minimum voltage to keep phone up. But for majority of aged battery doesnt cause such sudden shutdown.

Or in reality of the actual peak draws from the hardware it actually happened for some.

 

[Squeak825]

Or in reality of the actual peak draws from the hardware it actually happened for some.

Yep. Literally had to replace my son's 6S battery today at the Apple store because it would continue to randomly shutdown at levels way above 0% (like at 35 or 40%) -- especially in the cold. Battery life said 88%, but indicated that the phone had shutdown due to spike issues in performance and battery levels.

 

[mib1800]

Yep. Literally had to replace my son's 6S battery today at the Apple store because it would continue to randomly shutdown at levels way above 0% (like at 35 or 40%) -- especially in the cold. Battery life said 88%, but indicated that the phone had shutdown due to spike issues in performance and battery levels.

Well, your phone still shutdown with throttling So throttling doesn't solve the random shutdown.

Then throttling is to for other purpose (I.e to make you buy new phone)

 

[sunking101]

Get a new battery installed. Problem fixed.

The battery thing was their excuse when rumbled. My old iPhone 4 turned into a paperweight after iOS7 installed and I had just put a new battery in it. Apple definitely do something dodgy (*or they used to) to slow phones down and/or slay their battery life making you think about an upgrade.

 

[C DM]

Well, your phone still shutdown with throttling So throttling doesn't solve the random shutdown.

Then throttling is to for other purpose (I.e to make you buy new phone)

Except that a phone shutting down on its own at random and unexpected times would be more of an incentive for someone to look into getting a new one compared to a phone that might be slower that many typical users won't even really notice/realize. Logic doesn't quite hold up there.

 

[Black Magic]

Apple updating internals of the iPhone and putting out a larger size iPhone is not enough to keep people updating their iPhone yearly or bi-yearly
What Apple needs is a foldable iPhone
Give us something new and fresh and most people will pay the price but not for the same old same old
I’m surprised with Apple getting all those patents and taking so long to do so

Do you hear yourself? You want Apple to come out with something new and fresh when they just did with the iPhone X. All the competitors copied the design. Now you want a foldable phone? Because screen cracks is something desirable for all.... Any competitors doing that right now or you just hearing rumors of it? I think you are losing track of what a phone is and what we want a phone to do. It appears that you are the classic consumer that wants to run out and buy the next shiny thing without bothering to wonder if you need it or if it makes things better for you.

 

[StarShot]

Apple is offering $525 on my X. Makes even Max "just" $700.

Should be able to get nearly $700 on Swappa aor Ebay.

 

[x-evil-x]

I agree with most of the comments and sentiments here, last year I bought a Android phone (LG V30). It is really a good piece of hardware, the OS is good too. BUT. Apple is such a tightly integrated system from software to hardware one must place a value on it. Has Apple become too greedy? Yes I believe so. However, the integration of the hardware and software is why they can charge an "apple premium" price structure.

Will I get an iPhone again? Maybe.

Well not entirely. All the same features with the ecosystem where there when the phones where cheaper. Nothing has changed ecosystem wise since The Apple Watch launch which was what? 2015? Prices have just increased a LOT across the board