Has Apple lost its cool to Samsung?

[bnmcj1]

First of all. My country is a total iPhone country and I am a heavy Apple user, but this is maybe changing in terms of phones.

For many years, carriers said that 9/10 buys was iPhone. I see people in stores now and everyone is looking at Samsung. And that is even before the new model S5. The carriers also tell people that the percentage of defects are very low on Samsungs products compared to iPhones (some have their own repair shop).

Today I went to see the Galaxy S5 and people were all over it - iPhone place empty as always in the last 6 months. People go play with the impressive S5, Gear Fit and Gear 2 watch, and I must admit - it looks like some next step thing Apple could (read SHOULD) have made. They slept. Go see for yourself in store. Those AMOLED displays are amazing in the new edition. Especially the curved one in Gear fit. Black is BLACK on those displays. I know they have their limitations in terms of color correction, but... For the first time, I really hated my small screen iPhone 5S. It made me wanna buy the S5 and Gear Fit immediately. Why didn't I? See, I have MacBook Air, Apple TV, iPad Mini Retina, Thunderbolt Display and Libratone Zipp Airplay Speaker which I use a lot. But of all these things, AirPlay is the only thing holding me back now. The cloud syncing is all Google Services anyways. Beaming can be through iPad, but with AirPlay I like to pick up the iPhone from my pocket and play).

I previously owned S4 and Note 3 to try out Android and Samsung, but the only thing I missed was... Airplay. Thinking of jumping ship and just use Airplay from iPad - I just don't have that in my pocket. Samsung's devices seem superior with the big amoled screen and possibilities. I am not saying that Samsung is better in everyday practical use, but for someone tech interested they are just so much more inviting and forward thinking.

The next big thing for you? S5 or iPhone 6?

 

[MacDawg]

Has Apple lost its cool to Samsung?

In my opinion, no

 

[rhinosrcool]

Yes, my Note 3 is proof. However, if there is two new large screen iPhones with an improved iOS coming, then, they will get a lot of it back. Hopefully, Samsung responds in kind (not just bigger phones).

Also, a retina 12" macbook air wouldn't hurt.

 

[The Game 161]

Have a feeling this thread won't end well...

For the record though apple are still great but Samsung and the note line are better for my needs.

 

[MRU]

People are fickle.... (Not a criticsm, but an acknowledgment of human behaviour).

The iPhone 6 4.7" will likely be the best selling iPhone Apple has ever released as the demand for it is quite evident, and I'm sure Apple's fitness tracker / smart watch will be equally if not more successful than Samsung's.

Arguably response to the S5 has been good but seen as incremental this year (like the 's' in iPhone range) and whilst I'm sure it will be very successful, I suspect a lot of folks are more keen / keener than ever to see a dramatically bigger iPhone this year (4.7 & 5.5") and that may be seen as more exciting & enticing than any of the android flagships to be released this year.

We wait and see....



There are still a number of phones that could steal the limelight from both Samsung & Apple

The Lumia 1020 successor
The Moto X successor
The LG G3 / G3 Pro


Either way more competition / better handsets are win win for consumers. Apple seem to be listening (finally) so let's see what Q4 brings this year...

 

[bnmcj1]

Yes, my Note 3 is proof. However, if there is two new large screen iPhones with an improved iOS coming, then, they will get a lot of it back. Hopefully, Samsung responds in kind (not just bigger phones).

Also, a retina 12" macbook air wouldn't hurt.

Note 3 is the best phone ever in my opinion. Unfortunately, it is just a tad too big for me. Had it for a few days, but I have been missing the functionality and feel of it ever since.

 

[rhinosrcool]

Note 3 is the best phone ever in my opinion. Unfortunately, it is just a tad too big for me. Had it for a few days, but I have been missing the functionality and feel of it ever since.

After a short while, you really do get used to the size. With Apple's new phones (assuming 4.7 and 5.5), this will be many people's responses; they will find the 5.5 too big and go to the 4.7. However, with Apple, they'll probably do vice versa, as well. Also, the Note 4 should be a big (pun intended) hit. It will be interesting (right now, I'm keeping my Note 3 and am not intending to upgrade until Note 5) we'll see...

 

[bnmcj1]

After a short while, you really do get used to the size. With Apple's new phones (assuming 4.7 and 5.5), this will be many people's responses; they will find the 5.5 too big and go to the 4.7. However, with Apple, they'll probably do vice versa, as well. Also, the Note 4 should be a big (pun intended) hit. It will be interesting (right now, I'm keeping my Note 3 and am not intending to upgrade until Note 5) we'll see...

The size in my hand is just fine. It is just that my pockets aren't big enough in any of my pants. It can fit in the pocket, but I cycle a lot and when bending the phone is uncomfortable. But yeah, there is really nowhere to go from the Note line. I have not seen better than that.

 

[Black Magic]

First of all. My country is a total iPhone country and I am a heavy Apple user, but this is maybe changing in terms of phones.

For many years, carriers said that 9/10 buys was iPhone. I see people in stores now and everyone is looking at Samsung. And that is even before the new model S5. The carriers also tell people that the percentage of defects are very low on Samsungs products compared to iPhones (some have their own repair shop).

Today I went to see the Galaxy S5 and people were all over it - iPhone place empty as always in the last 6 months. People go play with the impressive S5, Gear Fit and Gear 2 watch, and I must admit - it looks like some next step thing Apple could (read SHOULD) have made. They slept. Go see for yourself in store. Those AMOLED displays are amazing in the new edition. Especially the curved one in Gear fit. Black is BLACK on those displays. I know they have their limitations in terms of color correction, but... For the first time, I really hated my small screen iPhone 5S. It made me wanna buy the S5 and Gear Fit immediately. Why didn't I? See, I have MacBook Air, Apple TV, iPad Mini Retina, Thunderbolt Display and Libratone Zipp Airplay Speaker which I use a lot. But of all these things, AirPlay is the only thing holding me back now. The cloud syncing is all Google Services anyways. Beaming can be through iPad, but with AirPlay I like to pick up the iPhone from my pocket and play).

I previously owned S4 and Note 3 to try out Android and Samsung, but the only thing I missed was... Airplay. Thinking of jumping ship and just use Airplay from iPad - I just don't have that in my pocket. Samsung's devices seem superior with the big amoled screen and possibilities. I am not saying that Samsung is better in everyday practical use, but for someone tech interested they are just so much more inviting and forward thinking.

The next big thing for you? S5 or iPhone 6?

Nice first post! Couple days after the S5 launch no less. Anyways, it all comes down to marketing. You coming in here saying that Apple is losing its touch doesn't make it so. Apple is going strong and when you see former powerhouses like Microsoft scrambling to get their software on iOS, that should let you know there is a new sheriff in town. They go where the consumers are.

I actually have an article up in another tab about court documents in the Apple vs Samsung case that show how Samsung lies about numbers of product sold to its own investors as well research companies like IDC. Those companies actually are participating in criminal behavior trying to manipulate the market with deception. Why folks would want to spend their hard earned cash on a company that has no moral compass is beyond me?

Samsung knows that people are mostly stupid and need to be told what's the best. They invest tons in marketing and it is paying off. Most folks can't or don't know how to tell what the best product is so they have to be told. How many S5 reviews have you read that states the following:

1. Fingerprint reader not good as Apple's.
2. Heart Rate Sensor works 50% of the time and 3rd party Apps on competitor phone do just as good without a dedicated sensor.
3. Touchwiz still introduces lag on the S5.
4. Materials still lacking with HTC One looking more attractive and well built.
5. Benchmarks have been engineered to look better than normal usage.
6. Multiple versions of texting, email, browsing apps installed day one. How does a new user navigate through the clutter?

The Samsung Gear was universally slammed so not much else to be said there.

It's funny how many times I run into a person running some version of Android and they complain about it running slow. They often will uninstall apps or do a complete reset. Not saying that iOS doesn't have its issues but you really see it on the Android phones.

Anyways, to pull it all together and wrap it up, Apple is doing just fine. The Apple stores are always packed and their rumors alone have generated fantastic websites. Samsung makes good phones as well and have their following and a strong marketing push to try to level the playing field. It's all marketing though and Apple is winning by a large margin.

Samsung wants to be Apple and have Apple's sales figures, not the other way around.

 

[scott craft]

I don't think Apple has lost it's cool, but I think they are aware of market trends and they want to keep their insane profit margin.

 

[maflynn]

Yes, my Note 3 is proof.

Having another company produce a great product does in no way infer that Apple lost its cool, it just means that another company produced a great product pure and simple.

I will say that Apple cannot sit on the sidelines too much longer, with other companies producing wearables, updates to their video streaming services and other products like google glass that seem to be really pushing the boundaries.

I mean if they're concept of innovation is to give us a thinner iPhone then that will be disappointing.

Tim Cook has been promising that apple will be rolling out some pretty innovative products these past two years and with the exception of the Mac Pro there hasn't been much new stuff coming from them

 

[S.B.G]

Has Apple lost its cool to Samsung?

I suppose that like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is "coolness." Personally, I don't really view companies with an eye of a "coolness factor." Rather, for me, I look at them to see if what they offer fulfills a need or want of mine and does it well.

I'm not one for the age-old arguments of Apple vs. Samsung, Ford vs. Chevy or Coke vs. Pepsi. Get what you like, be happy with it and don't get down on others for their choice.

 

[Sincci]

5. Benchmarks have been engineered to look better than normal usage.

This btw is no longer true with Galaxy S5, but is true with HTC One M8.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

The size in my hand is just fine. It is just that my pockets aren't big enough in any of my pants. It can fit in the pocket, but I cycle a lot and when bending the phone is uncomfortable. But yeah, there is really nowhere to go from the Note line. I have not seen better than that.

This is the exact problem I have. My phone stays in my jeans pocket when I'm sitting at my desk, riding on the bus, etc., and large phones are uncomfortable in my pocket. I'm not going to change the style of pants I wear for a phone.

 

[rhinosrcool]

Having another company produce a great product does in no way infer that Apple lost its cool, it just means that another company produced a great product pure and simple.

I will say that Apple cannot sit on the sidelines too much longer, with other companies producing wearables, updates to their video streaming services and other products like google glass that seem to be really pushing the boundaries.

I mean if they're concept of innovation is to give us a thinner iPhone then that will be disappointing.

Tim Cook has been promising that apple will be rolling out some pretty innovative products these past two years and with the exception of the Mac Pro there hasn't been much new stuff coming from them

Of course, the Note 3 isn't indicative of their diminished coolness. However, to get back a lot of customers or to keep a lot of customers, they are going to produce larger phones (pretty sure). Also, by listening to their customers, it will help them. Not only that, iOS needs improvements.

Though, just to be clear, the Note 3 is pretty darn cool!

 

[Switchback666]

This is the exact problem I have. My phone stays in my jeans pocket when I'm sitting at my desk, riding on the bus, etc., and large phones are uncomfortable in my pocket. I'm not going to change the style of pants I wear for a phone.

I have a note 3 and in some pants it can stick out lol but I'm liking the phone a lot.

 

[Lloydbm41]

People are fickle.... (Not a criticsm, but an acknowledgment of human behaviour).

"The mob is fickle brother... it'll be forgotten in a month."

 

[mantan]

It's not a matter of 'cool' as much as a matter of Apple becoming a bit stale. The iPhone has only changed incrementally over the past few years and it's natural for people to start wondering 'what else' is out there.

Samsung is doing a great job of 'scratching that itch.' I agree with the post above that a significantly larger screen will sell a LOT of units this fall. Though it's really more of Apple finally giving the market what they've wanted for the last couple of years.

The bigger challenge for both companies will be finding ways to continue to innovate. The last real big leap was iPhone 4. Better cameras, faster processors and 'thinner and lighter' units don't move the needle as much anymore.

 

[JoeG4]

I've been using Apple products a long time, and don't really get how that makes your life miserable if you decide to get an Android phone.

It doesn't. It really doesn't. This ecosystem stuff is slightly overhyped. In my daily use, I switch it up a lot between Android stuff, iOS stuff, Windows stuff, and Mac stuff. Everything works fairly seamlessly together for me.

Sure, you won't be able to use airplay from an android phone to your tv, but .. yeah whatever.

I don't know about the cool factor. Most of the people I'm around never used Apple phones in the first place. The ones that did, still do. Maybe what you're seeing in the stores is because everyone already knows what an iPhone looks like, and how they work.

You probably shouldn't take a store salesperson's word for it either, my Note 2 had way more issues than the HTC G2 it replaced. One of those was an annoying software/hardware(?) issue where the sound would completely stop working after a few days of being used without a reset. The last 4.1x update also ruined battery life, something that I ended up fixing by using CyanogenMod (which is funny, because CM isn't really known for being conservative on battery life).

Some people see Samsung's funky features as cool, but most probably just turn those off. After a while it's just bloatware you can't delete off the phone. Granted, once things have been made smooth and quick enough, there isn't much more for Apple to do, while Samsung can keep piling on silly gimmicks.

 

[Vegastouch]

The 4.7" iPhone 6 will be cool but im not interested in a "cool" factor. Im more interested in fuctuality that works best for me. The screens now for the iPhones are , and have been just too small so it will peak my interest a bit but the OS will still be limited and is what will probably send me to a GS5 eventually.

Or not, i currently have a Nexus 5 and it works great. I do miss some things about the SS Galaxy phones. I dont care about the Samsung gear and have no interest in the watch and wont be interested in Apples either even if i had iPhone.

 

[eddiec312]

I'm not an apple fan boy by any means, but I'm glad Samsung is doing what it's doing because competition only benefits the consumer. Each company is going to out do the other one every time and we benefit!

 

[Vegastouch]

One big factor i like better about my Nexus 5 is i can see the screen in the sunlight. I couldnt see my screen at all on my GS3 on the AMOLED display. Thats the only thing i didnt like about the screen. Loved the colors otherwise but ill have to consider the sunlight factor.

 

[blackhand1001]

One big factor i like better about my Nexus 5 is i can see the screen in the sunlight. I couldnt see my screen at all on my GS3 on the AMOLED display. Thats the only thing i didnt like about the screen. Loved the colors otherwise but ill have to consider the sunlight factor.

Fortunately the newer Amoled screens like the one in the Moto X are much brighter and perfectly visible in the sun.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

There are still a number of phones that could steal the limelight from both Samsung & Apple

The Lumia 1020 successor

Given that Windows Phone is DOA, I highly doubt it.

 

[The Game 161]

Apple are great

Samsung are great

Why does it need to be who's better? There is no right or wrong answer. It's what's better for Your needs!! That's what it comes to