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iPhone X Do we need an iPhone release every year?
- Thread starter AdonisSMU
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It's good that Apple continues to push the envelope with the hardware. But I don't think upgrading to the newest iPhone every year is really necessary (even though I've usually done that).
Waiting 2-3 years between upgrades will make it feel much more significant.
Waiting 2-3 years between upgrades will make it feel much more significant.
Apple makes billions in revenue every year from new iPhone buyers. They absolutely need it. The stock would shoot down if they stopped.
Do consumers need it? Of course not. But I also don't think incremental updates are bad. I'd rather have a halfway step one year then need to buy a 0 step that's a year old.
Do consumers need it? Of course not. But I also don't think incremental updates are bad. I'd rather have a halfway step one year then need to buy a 0 step that's a year old.
The annual upgrade is the only reason half the people on this forum have to live. 
Don’t get why it’s only an issue when Apple does it. Every phone company releases a new phone every year and as far as I know they’re not drastically different each year.
I don't think we need Apple to slow down releases, as their yearly upgrades are marginal anyways + technology should be refreshed & kept as up to date as possible. I just think the majority of consumers would be smarter to upgrade less often, as I am doing, because most do not need those yearly marginal hardware upgrades.
It used to be I religiously upgraded every other year (when carrier subsidies made it a no-brainer), but with my 6S+ I've kept it for 3 years and may wait out another full year. I'm just not compelled to spend $1300 for a marginally better camera, when that's about the only important hardware I'm concerned about.
It used to be I religiously upgraded every other year (when carrier subsidies made it a no-brainer), but with my 6S+ I've kept it for 3 years and may wait out another full year. I'm just not compelled to spend $1300 for a marginally better camera, when that's about the only important hardware I'm concerned about.
Yes, because I like having the option of upgrading annually through my employer and carrier. It’s the one advantage being how much I appreciate tech and not to mention, it is Apple’s primary source of income in terms of hardware offered. And, it should be necessary for them to compete against other smart phone manufacturers that also have annual phone releases as well.
What is left to wow? The iPhone is a great little phone computer, whereby a person can get a lot of things accomplished via the iPhone.
if I need to do serious work or do something a little more involved, I got to my iMac. I don't expect my iPhone to change the axis of the earth's rotation.
You don't need an iPhone release every year, I don't need an iPhone release every year. Apple does, though.
There are many users who are using older devices and having yearly iPhones makes some of them upgrade. If Apple stops releasing yearly iPhone updates then the people will talk about how Apple is doomed and is out of ideas, if they release they talk about how Apple is doomed and lacks innovation ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I was thinking about this last night. Consideirng iphones a year old can still run everything and still are faster than most or all phones out there, I don’t think a yearly release is necessary. I mean, we didn’t used to have every year, it was every 2, thats why the 2-year upgrade pay-off framework exists in the firstplace.
I think we have to be honest with each other and say that no, it isn’t necessary, as fun as it may be. Also, from an ecological standpoint, it has to save tons of room in the landfills and rare earth elements etc to go back to a 2-year schedule. I guarantee we won’t miss out on much.
I think we have to be honest with each other and say that no, it isn’t necessary, as fun as it may be. Also, from an ecological standpoint, it has to save tons of room in the landfills and rare earth elements etc to go back to a 2-year schedule. I guarantee we won’t miss out on much.
Why did I have to scroll THIS far down to find the answer to the thread. Good lord.
Nothings making you buy an iPhone every year...skip one and the two year upgrade will be more substantial to you.
My time between upgrades and the life expectancy of my phone is not dependent upon Apple's release schedule.
Just sayin'.
1) You asking we need an iPhone release every year (I'd say yes) and then asking in the poll if Apple should do biannual releases (I'd say no) is confusing.
2) I stand by the annual released. Not everyone upgrades at the same time and a new phone every year guarantees someone gets an up-to-date phone when they need to upgrade. Also, while the differences every year may be marginal, they add up over time, and each update is significant in the long run.
2) I stand by the annual released. Not everyone upgrades at the same time and a new phone every year guarantees someone gets an up-to-date phone when they need to upgrade. Also, while the differences every year may be marginal, they add up over time, and each update is significant in the long run.
It's not a question of what consumers need, it's what Apple deems as the optimal interval to maximize profits. iPhone isn't a public good.
Problem is if we stretched out releases, we would still get basically the same upgrade we get now on an annual basis...just on a two year basis.
Look at the MBP, there was a time where for years they did major upgrades every 8 months with incremental speed bumps every 4, now we are seeing stretches of close to a year and a half with basically "whatever" level updates.
Look at the MBP, there was a time where for years they did major upgrades every 8 months with incremental speed bumps every 4, now we are seeing stretches of close to a year and a half with basically "whatever" level updates.
If they do that they lose money from the real fans that upgrade yearly. I doubt they will do that
From a consumer standpoint, no.
From a "capitalism is a house of cards built on shareholder demands for infinite growth" standpoint, yes. The company would crater in value if Apple announced a pivot from yearly updates tomorrow.
From a "capitalism is a house of cards built on shareholder demands for infinite growth" standpoint, yes. The company would crater in value if Apple announced a pivot from yearly updates tomorrow.
they need to make money as much as they can to put smiles on shareholders