Other Does anyone else feel like Apple have priced them out of their ecosystem?

[Falhófnir]

On the whole no. I'm not honestly that bothered on upgrading my phone often and £1,150 over 3 years is less than £850 over 2. There's a good balanced range of iPads, and even though I tend towards the more expensive 12.9" models, again I don't really care to upgrade it that often, so a high initial outlay works out not so bad over the long term.

Where I do have a bit of a gripe is the ridiculous inflated cost of 15" MacBook Pros (there not being a 15" Air at all). Not only has the price jumped significantly, but the storage tiers are stuck in 2012 despite this inflated price tag. The larger screen and 512GB+ storage (1TB would be preferable, but this is only available via BTO which is rigmarole I'm not wiling to entertain) are things I am not willing to compromise on, and to avoid BTO, the £2,799 model is the only option. Even keeping that over 5 years is a pretty awful deal when Dell can manage to offer an equivalently specced XPS 15 for £1,849 (nearly £1,000 less) or for £1,999 I could get the 1TB storage. For the most part I don't mind the higher initial outlay for Apple products that will last but this is a bitter pill to swallow considering so much of the cost is wasted on high power components that will largely sit idle for my use.

 

[Wide opeN]

The only defense against all of this is to keep the products longer.

That's my plan going forward, and I'm going to adopt accordingly.

I helped a guy today with a random Android bug, and it was a timely reminder why I'm not on Android. Just don't have time for tinkering and random issues. Windows 10 is nice, and their hardware from various vendors has improved steadily. But overall it still leaves a lot to be desired.

Just ordered my first MacBook EVER, can't wait to leave PC where it belongs in the dust. I will say I waited a very long time to be able to get this MacBook because of price so the OP'S point is not lost on me. However, to be able to have a better experience EVERY DAY on devices I use most is priceless, not to mention the support they receive.

In closing, keep the devices longer or until they break.

 

[AustinIllini]

In closing, keep the devices longer or until they break.

For now, you can get great value buying certified refurbished and keeping the device for a long time

 

[Wide opeN]

For now, you can get great value buying certified refurbished and keeping the device for a long time

Being I wasn't interested in the butterfly keyboard fiasco or thunderbolt 3, and desperately wanted the glowing Apple logo FOREVER, that's exactly what I did.

Wish I could of gotten it new, but I know it was discontinued a month or so ago. But with Apple, you could argue their refurbs are better than new. So with all that said I saved and ordered the 2017 macbook air with 256GB and the i5 processor. Saved $270 in the process and most definitely went with Apple Care for it.

Still can't believe it... I've been wanting a MacBook for nearly 10 years. Looking forward to learning it's individuality and advantages over PC. Still feels like a dream.

My ecosystem is now complete and there's no turning back, which is fine with me.

iPhone, Apple TV, Air Pods, Apple Watch and now MacBook. I'm set!!!

 

[44267547]

The only way I'd spend $1,000 on an iPhone again is if the screen folded. Otherwise no, not in its current configuration.

At one point, I thought Apple might actually release a foldable display, then I realized I don’t think that’s the future for the iPhone, AR glasses probably is and of course wearables. The iPhone will continue its segment, but where I am focusing my next iPhone will probably be the 5.4 inch iPhone variant for 2020, and just revert to my larger display devices everything I need for more viewing area. The price points really don’t affect me that much, it’s the annoyance of carrying such a large phone in my pocket that seems to be a chore more than anything.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Not really, I just choose to upgrade less often. I don't really have a problem with that. It's not like my older devices are suddenly bad. Like many, what does does irk me is the refusal to offer the storage capacity that most people would choose. 64GB is not enough, and 256GB is too much - effectively forcing buyers to spend more than necessary.

 

[Jimmy James]

Ummm no? Android high end is in the $900 ballpark now with Maybe LG being excluded ? The Sony Xperia 1 is $950 or so, the Samsung S10 is in that same ballpark around $900, the Pixel 3 is around the $800-$900 field, the Note 10 is $990-$1,000. So the iPhone is in the same field as what I just mentioned

I’ve long suspected that Apple has driven up pricing in the whole market. In laptops, too. I blame Apple for your examples.

 

[Closingracer]

I’ve long suspected that Apple has driven up pricing in the whole market. In laptops, too. I blame Apple for your examples.

Lmao . Don’t blame apple. Samsung and them all can compete on price but they aren’t .... laptops aren’t that much different and priced the same for a while ... spec to spec tho you can find a windows laptop cheaper ...

 

[Hieveryone]

I think they have. I mean you go to the Apple store and everything is way expensive.

You want a laptop sure they have one for “cheap” which is the Air but you get a ridiculous 128GB SSD

Oh and don’t forget your overpriced dongles on the way out

I mean let’s be real, when they came out with a $999 STAND that’s when the cat was out of the bag.
[doublepost=1566232564][/doublepost]EDIT: that being said I’ll still buy their products because I prefer their software bc it’s easy to use and reliable but do I feel like I’m getting overcharged?

Heck yeah.

It’s like going to a 5 star restaurant with those tiny portions and overpriced drinks. That doesn’t mean you won’t go every now and then for the Instagram pic (lol) but I think most can agree it’s overpriced.

 

[pika2000]

I’ve long suspected that Apple has driven up pricing in the whole market. In laptops, too. I blame Apple for your examples.

Imo it was started by Samsung with their "more premium flagship" Galaxy Note series, on top of their flagship Galaxy S. The Note pushed the flagship price a bit up. Then Apple followed suit with the Plus iPhones.

 

[compwiz1202]

You have the £1000 iPhone X, which lets be honest you need to pay the extra for to get the 256GB version. I'd be happy with 128GB, but they obviously know that, so they stick with 64GB. Then you have the £700ish XR, which again you need to pay more fr the 128GB version, and while it's an okay phone, its too big and the screen is just okay.

Then I think where is the Mid Ranged phone? £700 is high end for Android, £1000 is ludicrous.... and all Apple can do for me is an iPhone 7 or 8 which are way overpriced for what they are. Why would I buy an Apple product at that price when Android offers so much more for less?

I used to be happy buying an iPhone for £500, it matched Android pretty much, simples....

However now when I come to my upgrade, I just think I'm going to buy an Android. It's not to say the iPhones are bad, I used to have an X, before realising I don't need to be spending that much and sending it back. I just think they're grossly overpriced now, which isn't something I would have said even 5 years ago.

Apple are going this way it seems, their new Macs are too expensive for the hardware inside them. When I used to use a work Mac in 2012, I didn't feel this way, but now Windows Laptops offer more for 1/4 of the price and have the build quality too.

I used to complain a lot about Apple products making weird decisions, like why would Apple make a HomePod that wasn't compatible with anything else? I would never buy a Speaker than was locked to Apple, give it Bluetooth support at the very least :/

However now we've entered an era where I cannot afford to buy their products any more. I mean I bought a Dell Laptop that is powerful enough for VR, it's made really well, I can easily upgrade it, it has a 120hr screen and it cost £600. Meanwhile on the MacBook you'll get nothing for that... maybe a refurb Air.

This was never Apple under the Steve Jobs era, yeah you had an underpowered MacBook, but it wasn't that underpowered, it could compete, and it was never that overpriced.

Cellphone prices in general with out of control when installment plans started, but I still didn't mind it too much until they started going quadruple digits, and monthly installments are higher than the plan for the line. Macs used to be at the point that seemed a little high, but I was at least weighing the option when my Lenovo ever dies, but after the last increase, there is no chance I will even entertain the option anymore.
[doublepost=1566240688][/doublepost]

Huh?

T-Mobile did away with subsidized contracts a long time ago. It's a big part of their whole 'Uncarrier' schtick. Verizon and AT&T followed. Sprint held out for quite a while, waffling back and forth, but finally ended subsidized phones about two years ago.

Where are you getting subsidies?

Yea only some businesses can have contracts anymore. If anything they are enabling by expanding the installment months. But you are still paying the same amount in the end, and if anything, it is less convenient if you still want to upgrade yearly because you have to pay a big catch up payment to trade in and upgrade, it the plans even allow it anymore. It's the same trend as the auto industry with their 84+ month terms.

 

[compwiz1202]

I’ve long suspected that Apple has driven up pricing in the whole market. In laptops, too. I blame Apple for your examples.

Exactly, they ride Apple's draft. Just because it is cheaper than Apple, people buy it, even if it isn't close to worth what it costs.

 

[s15119]

Nope, not even close. I am a proud owner of the XS Max (best phone I have ever owned), Apple TV, 2018 Mac Mini, a couple of iPads and an aging MacBook Air. All tremendous devices, that work amazing well together. Apples products are not cheap, but they are high quality and they have the best customer service in the business. The gadgets last for ages. I'm thrilled to be in the Apple ecosystem and I feel like I've paid a very fair price. Your mileage may differ.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Nope, not even close. I am a proud owner of the XS Max (best phone I have ever owned), Apple TV, 2018 Mac Mini, a couple of iPads and an aging MacBook Air. All tremendous devices, that work amazing well together. Apples products are not cheap, but they are high quality and they have the best customer service in the business. The gadgets last for ages. I'm thrilled to be in the Apple ecosystem and I feel like I've paid a very fair price. Your mileage may differ.

That could be a Trust Pilot review right there lol.

 

[Kebabselector]

I used to be happy buying an iPhone for £500, it matched Android pretty much, simples....

Which iPhone was £500?
[doublepost=1566245855][/doublepost]

In closing, keep the devices longer or until they break.

Nothing wrong with this suggestion, i'm still on my iPhone 6. Might upgrade to an iPhone 8 later in the year though (but 5 years is reasonable time for phone ownership)

 

[timeconsumer]

Interesting discussion here. I’m at the point where my devices are starting to need to be replaced: phone, computer, Apple TV and watch.

Aside from smartphones I keep my devices for a long time. My Apple watch is 3 years old, computer 6 years old and my Apple TV is about 6-7 years old.

I want my phone to be an extension of my computer so if I want to remain on an iPhone I will be choosing a Mac. The only bad thing with that is I usually custom build my computers and can build them for way less than half of an equivalent spec Mac. My biggest thing is that I want to be able to message from my computer. Since most people I know use iMessage the only way to do this is on a Mac. But I’m on my computer more than I’m on my phone when I’m at home.

Tough decision due to the costs involved. But Apple products (at least in my experience) seem to last a long time. Definitely something I’ll think about more once I see what both the iPhone 11 and Pixel 4 offer.

 

[compwiz1202]

Looked up prices, and the lowest model from 3G to 7 other than C and SE were retail $649. Then 8 went to $699 which seems reasonable for it not ever changing for so long, but X went up by $300 to $999!

 

[Shanghaichica]

The only defense against all of this is to keep the products longer.

That's my plan going forward, and I'm going to adopt accordingly.

I helped a guy today with a random Android bug, and it was a timely reminder why I'm not on Android. Just don't have time for tinkering and random issues. Windows 10 is nice, and their hardware from various vendors has improved steadily. But overall it still leaves a lot to be desired.

Just ordered my first MacBook EVER, can't wait to leave PC where it belongs in the dust. I will say I waited a very long time to be able to get this MacBook because of price so the OP'S point is not lost on me. However, to be able to have a better experience EVERY DAY on devices I use most is priceless, not to mention the support they receive.

In closing, keep the devices longer or until they break.

Welcome to pain free computing. I moved from windows to Mac in 2015 and I can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner.

 

[HobbesInVA]

Apple and Samsung are luxury brands they value profit over units sold (Walmart model). There are smartphone models making up the economy and mid-tier levels who have taken the Walmart model.

I think of the smartphone industry in terms of auto manufacturers. 85% of the consumer market won't buy new Apple products or Mercedes; they will buy new Moto Smartphones or Toyotas. There will be a segment of the market that will buy used Apple products or used Mercedes; that's fine.

 

[Falhófnir]

Apple and Samsung are luxury brands so they so value profit over units sold (Walmart model). There are smartphone models making up the economy and mid-tier levels who have taken the Walmart model.

I think of the smartphone industry in terms of auto manufacturers. 85% of the consumer market won't buy new Apple products or Mercedes; they will buy new Moto Smartphones or Toyotas. There will be a segment of the market that will buy used Apple products or used Mercedes; that's fine.

*premium brands. Luxury brands would be Vertu in the mobile space, or Bentley, Rolls Royce in the car space, Patek Phillipe or Breguet for watches etc. The difference is your average Joe can afford an iPhone, any iPhone, even the 512GB XS Max. Ditto the watch. He can't afford an £250,000 Breguet or Bentley no matter how much he wants one.

 

[myscrnnm]

Um, no? You don't have to buy the high-end Apple products to stay within the ecosystem. That's actually what makes it so accessible; as long as you have a device that's recent enough to still be supported by firmware updates (and even some that aren't), you still have the same integration between different devices. For those who can't get the Xs Max, there's still the XR, or even older iPhones like the iPhone 7. The MacBook Air is still as affordable as ever, and the last upgrade was huge. When you compare Apple devices to similar offerings on Android and Windows, the value is quite good for the design and quality that you get. Samsung Galaxies and Microsoft Surface computers (Apple's closest competitors in those respective markets) are typically priced similarly.

Ultimately, I think Apple has been more than fair with their pricing and what consumers are willing to pay, considering their tightly-integrated ecosystem is a feature that no other company out there is able to match. This is a huge advantage and Apple could easily factor that selling point into their pricing, but it doesn't seem that they do (which of course also makes sense because the appeal of the ecosystem alone will drive people to buy their other products).

 

[HobbesInVA]

*premium brands. Luxury brands would be Vertu in the mobile space, or Bentley, Rolls Royce in the car space, Patek Phillipe or Breguet for watches etc. The difference is your average Joe can afford an iPhone, any iPhone, even the 512GB XS Max. Ditto the watch. He can't afford an £250,000 Breguet or Bentley no matter how much he wants one.

Afford is subjective. The average person can "afford" the iPhone using a payment plan, i.e. iPhone upgrade or a credit card. However, to come up with $700+ at once for an iPhone can be challenging. Afford with debt - yes.

https://qz.com/1450916/how-much-every-apple-iphone-costs-today/

 

[Shanghaichica]

Being I wasn't interested in the butterfly keyboard fiasco or thunderbolt 3, and desperately wanted the glowing Apple logo FOREVER, that's exactly what I did.

Wish I could of gotten it new, but I know it was discontinued a month or so ago. But with Apple, you could argue their refurbs are better than new. So with all that said I saved and ordered the 2017 macbook air with 256GB and the i5 processor. Saved $270 in the process and most definitely went with Apple Care for it.

Still can't believe it... I've been wanting a MacBook for nearly 10 years. Looking forward to learning it's individuality and advantages over PC. Still feels like a dream.

My ecosystem is now complete and there's no turning back, which is fine with me.

iPhone, Apple TV, Air Pods, Apple Watch and now MacBook. I'm set!!!

No you aren’t set until you get an iPad and a HomePod

 

[LordeOurMother]

I buy used, so I can do just fine to stay in the ecosystem.

I'm keeping my SE unless they release another similarly small iPhone.

 

[Azathoth123]

No, like @eyoungren said, iPhones are not necessities - how can anyone complain about the price of something that they don’t need? Almost all tech is dirt cheap compared to the other non-necessities like:

Motorcycles
Nice cars (vs basic transportation)
Nice dinners on occasion
Good whiskey (no wait, that’s a necessity )
Fountain pens
Nice watches
Good clothing
A latte a day
And so many more to list