Do you plan to switch from iPhone to Android? (2016)

[FFR]

I was suspicious at first too but have come to your way of thinking. Apple really can't hide the phone if it sucks, and at this point they've already made god knows how much on preorders anyway. I think Apple is just trying to get the phone into the hands of influencers on social media because the tech bloggers only reach a limited audience. Who is more likely to generate interest in the product: some dork at The Verge or Mindy Kaling?

Right. That’s the thing.
14 day return window. There literally is no point to it.

Or the little kid on Ellen.

 

[FFR]

I think it is more along the lines of Apple controlling the media and who gets to report and what they are going to say. They are controlling the message....and the messengers.
They can pretty much ensure the first reports are positive reviews this way.....

Apple controlling the media for a whole two days and then anyone can post a review, what’s the point.

 

[widgeteer]

I think it is more along the lines of Apple controlling the media and who gets to report and what they are going to say. They are controlling the message....and the messengers.
They can pretty much ensure the first reports are positive reviews this way.....

I don't see it. And it doesn't matter. Unless there was a Note 7 type disastrous flaw, this phone is going to sell an ungodly amount. People don't tend to read tech reviews. And there is too much noise out there for Apple to control much of anything.

Look at it this way: say the usual suspects all had the phone for a week. The reviews wouldn't have been published any earlier than Tuesday or Wednesday of this week, which means the vast VAST majority of iPhone purchases for the next month have already been made due to the preorders. If they were afraid of word of mouth hurting sales down the line, that equation doesn't change if reviews come out a week later. All those folks with all those preorders and all those folks thinking about making orders would still see these reviews long before they pay for and receive a device that now has a 5-6 week delivery schedule.

 

[jamezr]

I don't see it. And it doesn't matter. Unless there was a Note 7 type disastrous flaw, this phone is going to sell an ungodly amount. People don't tend to read tech reviews. And there is too much noise out there for Apple to control much of anything.

Look at it this way: say the usual suspects all had the phone for a week. The reviews wouldn't have been published any earlier than Tuesday or Wednesday of this week, which means the vast VAST majority of iPhone purchases for the next month have already been made due to the preorders. If they were afraid of word of mouth hurting sales down the line, that equation doesn't change if reviews come out a week later. All those folks with all those preorders and all those folks thinking about making orders would still see these reviews long before they pay for and receive a device that now has a 5-6 week delivery schedule.

But then look at it this way.....most people and reviewers cannot get a full grasp of a product just after 24 hours.
You and i both know this after buying and using a lot of phones. The first 24 hours is the honeymoon period.

I don't think this has anything do do with the sales volume....I think it will sell extremely well!

While the everyday guy probably doesn't read tech reviews per se....they read...watch.... listen.... to headlines where the reviewers are quoted....
Control the initial message and control public perception.

 

[epicrayban]

Plus they're quoting some of these publications that have only had 24 hours with the device. Not exactly fair game?


In unusual step, Apple touts positive comments from early iPhone X reviews
https://9to5mac.com/2017/11/01/apple-iphone-x-reviews/

Unprecedented behavior from Apple.

 

[AustinIllini]

It is a little weird for Apple to feel the need to have to justify iPhone X with reviews.

This whole process was weird, as though the thing is going to fail even though we know it won't

 

[Zaft]

Plus they're quoting some of these publications that have only had 24 hours with the device:


In unusual step, Apple touts positive comments from early iPhone X reviews
https://9to5mac.com/2017/11/01/apple-iphone-x-reviews/

Unprecedented behavior from Apple.

I think they are trying to remind people there is another iPhone coming out after the 8.
Seems Apple is really excited about the X.

 

[widgeteer]

But then look at it this way.....most people and reviewers cannot get a full grasp of a product just after 24 hours.
You and i both know this after buying and using a lot of phones. The first 24 hours is the honeymoon period.

I don't think this has anything do do with the sales volume....I think it will sell extremely well!

While the everyday guy probably doesn't read tech reviews per se....they read...watch.... listen.... to headlines where the reviewers are quoted....
Control the initial message and control public perception.

I hear you but again: the time frame doesn't change for those buyers. The device isn't available for another 5-6 weeks unless you got your order in. This makes sense when you're trying to affect a movie's opening weekend but the iPhone's opening weekend was already guaranteed. So what is accomplished?

Again, I think they're just changing tactic to grab as many eyeballs as possible. I think the ROI on tech bloggers is probably nil so they don't feel the need to cater to them.

 

[tbayrgs]

Plus they're quoting some of these publications that have only had 24 hours with the device:


In unusual step, Apple touts positive comments from early iPhone X reviews
https://9to5mac.com/2017/11/01/apple-iphone-x-reviews/

Unprecedented behavior from Apple.

This is Apple simply trying to control as much of the message as they can. Any business with this much influence likely does exactly the same thing. Not justifying it either, just simply stating it as it appears. And it's not unprecedented---Apple has given their favorites priority access for years. And there are non Apple cronies with review units. MKBHD openly admits his preference for Android and Mr. Mobile has little love for Apple and the iPhone. Both reach pretty sizeable audiences too.

I do find it a bit confusing though considering early impressions can't have any impact on launch sales and everyone can post comprehensive reviews shortly after launch using their own devices.

 

[convergent]

If someone picks up your phone and you have raise to wake, they won't see the content of the messages. That's pretty useful. And the tech is cool as hell.

Are we still doing this thing where people insist their preferences are features and other people's preferences are gimmicks? You do realize most of the value add of the S-Pen can be defined as "4 different ways of cropping a screen shot", right?

I'm not "doing this thing", I'm questioning the value in something everyone seems excited about. What is the value of showing empty notifications at all? That was my question. Why not just show the actual notifications when the phone is unlocked instead of showing a page of nothing first? The example shown to tout this was a page of a dozen Twitter notifications that were all blank. I see no value in that at all. As a point of contrast, I just mentioned that the AOD tells me I have notifications in a cleaner way than a big page full of nothing, and I don't even have to pick it up to see it. Am I missing something here? Serious questions... just trying to understand what I'm missing.

As for the S-Pen, I ask a questions about X notifications and you respond with bashing a completely unrelated feature. In my case you are completely wrong. The value of the S-Pen to me is that I heavily use OneNote with pen based input on my Surface Pro, and with the S-Pen I can not only create similar, but I can edit what I did on my Surface Pro on the Note 8 and vice versa. That has real value to anyone using a pen for input. Since Apple has decided that its customers can't have a pen on the Mac or the iPhone, I can understand why you might not see value in it.

I think they are trying to remind people there is another iPhone coming out after the 8.
Seems Apple is really excited about the X.

Yeh, seems Apple is REALLY excited about the X. They should be. It will be very profitable for them at the price point they are selling it.

 

[Zaft]

I'm not "doing this thing", I'm questioning the value in something everyone seems excited about. What is the value of showing empty notifications at all? That was my question. Why not just show the actual notifications when the phone is unlocked instead of showing a page of nothing first? The example shown to tout this was a page of a dozen Twitter notifications that were all blank. I see no value in that at all. As a point of contrast, I just mentioned that the AOD tells me I have notifications in a cleaner way than a big page full of nothing, and I don't even have to pick it up to see it. Am I missing something here? Serious questions... just trying to understand what I'm missing.

As for the S-Pen, I ask a questions about X notifications and you respond with bashing a completely unrelated feature. In my case you are completely wrong. The value of the S-Pen to me is that I heavily use OneNote with pen based input on my Surface Pro, and with the S-Pen I can not only create similar, but I can edit what I did on my Surface Pro on the Note 8 and vice versa. That has real value to anyone using a pen for input. Since Apple has decided that its customers can't have a pen on the Mac or the iPhone, I can understand why you might not see value in it.



Yeh, seems Apple is REALLY excited about the X. They should be. It will be very profitable for them at the price point they are selling it.

Considering its more expensive to make, Apple is most likely making similar margins to previous iPhones.

 

[jamezr]

Plus they're quoting some of these publications that have only had 24 hours with the device. Not exactly fair game?


In unusual step, Apple touts positive comments from early iPhone X reviews
https://9to5mac.com/2017/11/01/apple-iphone-x-reviews/

Unprecedented behavior from Apple.

This was exactly what they were after.......

 

[tbayrgs]

Considering its more expensive to make, Apple is most likely making similar margins to previous iPhones.

This I doubt. Where is the extra $300 in materials cost vs. the 8 on the X?

I don’t doubt it costs more but i doubt the additional front facing sensors, OLED and a bit more battery add $300 to the cost to make the phone. IIRC, previous model’s estimated materials costs are around $225-250 per phone.

 

[Zaft]

This I doubt. Where is the extra $300 in materials cost vs. the 8 on the X?

I don’t doubt it costs more but i doubt the additional front facing sensors, OLED and a bit more battery add $300 to the cost to make the phone. IIRC, previous model’s estimated materials costs are around $225-250 per phone.

You are correct, according to this source it costs apple $105 more.
https://www.thestreet.com/story/14342176/1/why-the-apple-iphone-x-costs-so-much.html

 

[Puddled]

Considering its more expensive to make, Apple is most likely making similar margins to previous iPhones.

Nah.

No hp jack and dac. No fp scanner. No home button. No fast charge capable usb-c cable. No adaptive fast charger. No earphones. No sim pin.

Aside from all the other things apple monetise, The X is a cash cow and a very expensive one at that.

 

[epicrayban]

If you, like me, thought it was weird that Apple was releasing two flagship devices in the same year, well...

The iPhone X was originally planned for 2018
https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/1/...nal-plan-moved-up-schedule-fingerprint-sensor

The iPhone 8 would've been the "flagship" this year if they stuck with their plans. Would reviews have been different then?

I don't think there's any denying that the competition has changed Apple and their plans. For the better, I hope.

 

[Zaft]

If you, like me, thought it was weird that Apple was releasing two flagship devices in the same year, well...

The iPhone X was originally planned for 2018
https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/1/...nal-plan-moved-up-schedule-fingerprint-sensor

The iPhone 8 would've been the "flagship" this year if they stuck with their plans. Would reviews have been different then?

I don't think there's any denying that the competition has changed Apple and their plans. For the better, I hope.

Competition pushed the date up for sure. Apple would have been criticized heavily if the 8 was all they had this year.
The 8 is basically a 3 year old design even though its really nice IMO with the glass back.

 

[widgeteer]

I'm not "doing this thing", I'm questioning the value in something everyone seems excited about. What is the value of showing empty notifications at all? That was my question. Why not just show the actual notifications when the phone is unlocked instead of showing a page of nothing first? The example shown to tout this was a page of a dozen Twitter notifications that were all blank. I see no value in that at all. As a point of contrast, I just mentioned that the AOD tells me I have notifications in a cleaner way than a big page full of nothing, and I don't even have to pick it up to see it. Am I missing something here? Serious questions... just trying to understand what I'm missing.

AOD is doing the same thing as Apple's notifications, just in a different manner. They're both alerting the user that a specific app has a message. One uses an icon, one allows all the messages to open up once the intended user accesses the device. The value in each delivery method is dependent precisely on preference.

You want me to justify to you a device you're not interested in based on your preferences. I can't help you with that. I already explained, twice now, the advantage as I see it. If you're still not sure of the value, I guess it's fortunate you already have a phone you like.

As for the S-Pen, I ask a questions about X notifications and you respond with bashing a completely unrelated feature.

Incorrect. I didn't bash anything, I was demonstrating to you how someone who doesn't see value in a given feature would describe the S-pen thusly. Y'know, as in "Gee, my Samsung device does things this way and I like it. This other device doesn't do things this way, tell me why I should like it too?"

In my case you are completely wrong. The value of the S-Pen to me is that I heavily use OneNote with pen based input on my Surface Pro, and with the S-Pen I can not only create similar, but I can edit what I did on my Surface Pro on the Note 8 and vice versa. That has real value to anyone using a pen for input. Since Apple has decided that its customers can't have a pen on the Mac or the iPhone, I can understand why you might not see value in it.

Congratulations! I'm happy you're happy with your phone and why it does things in a manner that you prefer. Good stuff!

 

[epicrayban]

Competition pushed the date up for sure. Apple would have been criticized heavily if the 8 was all they had this year.
The 8 is basically a 3 year old design even though its really nice IMO with the glass back.

I think the 8 is the best iteration of the iPhone 6 design language. I call it the "final form," if you will. And with the inclusion of wireless charging and the upgraded camera, it's a solid iPhone.

But yes, design-wise, it's a three year old design asking to go into a fourth year. "Flagship."

 

[AustinIllini]

I think the 8 is the best iteration of the iPhone 6 design language. I call it the "final form," if you will. And with the inclusion of wireless charging and the upgraded camera, it's a solid iPhone.

But yes, design-wise, it's a three year old design asking to go into a fourth year. "Flagship."

The crazy thing is when the next iPhone launches that design style will be four years old.

 

[Puddled]

I think the 8 is the best iteration of the iPhone 6 design language.

I think its the worst. 7 was its peak.
They have bolted on wireless charging to the 8 to use up displays and remaining 7 bits and bobs, but in doing so they made the 8 glass back irreparable.
They have also overstretched the design life of the 6 far too long. The huge chins and bezels have no place in todays market.

Thats bad design.

But iphone demand is strangely immune to poor hardware design so sales are not affected.

 

[tbayrgs]

Mashable brought 2 sets of twins in to see if FaceID would differentiate between the two.

Spoiler Alert:

It didn’t in either case.

 

[mib1800]

Mashable brought 2 sets of twins in to see if FaceID would differentiate between the two.

Spoiler Alert:

It didn’t in either case.

Does it mean the FaceID 3D scan/algo does not have precision but just empirical estimation?
So the Apple marketing that faceID is more secure than touchID is bollocks. At the very least touchID can differentiate the fp of twins.

 

[epicrayban]

Anyone notice the Razer phone? I know there's a thread but it kind of deserves more attention:

First smartphone for 120hz screen. Lots of other nice things, including running Nova Prime as its stock launcher. Pretty expensive though.

Anyway, worth a look.

 

[AustinIllini]

Anyone notice the Razer phone? I know there's a thread but it kind of deserves more attention:

First smartphone for 120hz screen. Lots of other nice things, including running Nova Prime as its stock launcher. Pretty expensive though.

Anyway, worth a look.

The design and price are a little off, but it's good to see another manufacturer break new ground (120hz screen). I could do with the phone being a little more rounded as those corners look like a crack waiting to happen.