iPhone X Have you seen anyone else with an X?

[daflake]

I too am yet to actually see one when out and about. I’ve never known a new iPhone be so illusive? Might be a UK thing...

Not here in Italy or in Germany either. I think that people in Europe are a lot more frugal overall. Heck, when I got my 7 they were very rare and still are. I see people with older phones all around and my friend stated she would use her old 6 until it dies. The only people I see running around with top end things like this are Americans.
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You can't have it both ways with the iPhone X, RD.

Either a) it's too expensive or b) anyone can afford one. You keep arguing both sides of the fence. You yourself have said numerous times that it's too expensive. So now it's affordable? Which one?

Being able to afford one and buying it are two very different things. Cars and phones are the worst investment you can make and Europeans are a lot more picky with how they spend their money in general. Also, most don't look at these items as a status symbol like Americans do. Keeping up with the Jones's is an American thing.

 

[cyclingplatypus]

It is too expensive for a mobile phone IMO. You don’t need to spend a grand to get a really capable smartphone. But I could afford it if I wanted it that badly, that was my point and that applies to a lot of people. Priorities and preferences. The price is a turn off.

I'd like to see the numbers of people who paid outright for the phone v. the people who bought on a payment plan through carriers v. those who are part of IUP.

People love to use the argument that it is $1000+ but I would venture a guess that the individuals who went in and paid that outright are the minority. It is way easier to justify the monthly payment of the various carriers or through IUP than it is just to walk in and drop a $1000. It isn't a $1000 to a lot of people, it is $50 a month (or less) with zero percent interest - I would even go further in saying that to most people who upgraded to the X it is justified by saying, it is only $xx more a month than my current phone.

 

[Shanghaichica]

You can't have it both ways with the iPhone X, RD.

Either a) it's too expensive or b) anyone can afford one. You keep arguing both sides of the fence. You yourself have said numerous times that it's too expensive. So now it's affordable? Which one?

I think he means that he can’t justify the cost of it not that he physically doesn’t have the money for it. I’m sure most people physically have the money to pay for it but many think it’s too expensive to justify actually buying it.

 

[44267547]

Being able to afford one and buying it are two very different things. Cars and phones are the worst investment you can make and Europeans are a lot more picky with how they spend their money in general. Also, most don't look at these items as a status symbol like Americans do. Keeping up with the Jones's is an American thing.

I never considered a smart Phone to be a status symbol at all. I don't think it shows what determines any type of wealth or placement in society. But I will say that Apple itself carries a status, because they do make expensive products that are not always within price point reach for everybody. I do agree that Americans like status symbol and want to have functionality and aesthetics.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I'd like to see the numbers of people who paid outright for the phone v. the people who bought on a payment plan through carriers v. those who are part of IUP.

People love to use the argument that it is $1000+ but I would venture a guess that the individuals who went in and paid that outright are the minority. It is way easier to justify the monthly payment of the various carriers or through IUP than it is just to walk in and drop a $1000. It isn't a $1000 to a lot of people, it is $50 a month (or less) with zero percent interest - I would even go further in saying that to most people who upgraded to the X it is justified by saying, it is only $xx more a month than my current phone.

I would imagine most people buy it on a contract. It’s still at least £60p/m with a significant upfront payment for the handset though and I personally can not justify that. Others have very different priorities I’m sure.

 

[daflake]

I never considered a smart Phone to be a status symbol at all. I don't think it shows what determines any type of wealth or placement in society. But I will say that Apple itself carries a status, because they do make expensive products that are not always within price point reach for everybody. I do agree that Americans like status symbol and want to have functionality and aesthetics.

I know many people in the USA who buy the latest phone just to "be ahead" of others. Phones and cars are the two biggies. I never subscribed to that school of thought.

 

[44267547]

I know many people in the USA who buy the latest phone just to "be ahead" of others.

I personally have an appreciation for sports cars and I can understand that in some respects. My opinion, But for a commodity such as a smart phone, there Is absolutely no one Ahead of anyone that owns a smart phone, even if it has an Apple logo on it.

 

[daflake]

I personally have an appreciation for sports cars and I can understand that in some respects. My opinion, But for a commodity such as a smart phone, there Is absolutely no one Ahead of anyone that owns a smart phone, even if it has an Apple logo on it.

Oh, I totally agree. Sadly this is not the case for many.

 

[Tigertecz]

Tonnes here in London

 

[imlovinit]

Haven’t noticed many X’s, I know quite a few people in town must own them as I’ve witnesses phone cases out of stock or low stock in multiple places around the holidays lol often I see 6/7/8s.

 

[russelljg]

On the tube in London I see iPhones outnumbering 'Androids' 3/4:1 however hardly any are X's

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Not here in Italy or in Germany either. I think that people in Europe are a lot more frugal overall. Heck, when I got my 7 they were very rare and still are. I see people with older phones all around and my friend stated she would use her old 6 until it dies. The only people I see running around with top end things like this are Americans.

A bit like Europe’s market for new cars at the moment, down 60%. People are keeping cars longer or buying pre 2017 to avoid the new emissions taxes.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I know many people in the USA who buy the latest phone just to "be ahead" of others. Phones and cars are the two biggies. I never subscribed to that school of thought.

I used to know people like that here in the UK too, but things have changed as prices have gone up. It’s more to do with justification than affordability I think.

 

[boltjames]

I personally have an appreciation for sports cars and I can understand that in some respects. My opinion, But for a commodity such as a smart phone, there Is absolutely no one Ahead of anyone that owns a smart phone, even if it has an Apple logo on it.

You feel that way because from 2008 to 2015 all smartphones on two year carrier contracts were so subsidized and so inexpensive that anyone could have a top-of-the-line iPhone or Samsung for $199 and anyone could have a the entry level iPhone for $0. Today the market is flooded with iPhones owned by people from all walks and classes, no question.

But the iPhone X changes that, it’s why it exists. It’s $1,250 plus tax plus Apple care, that’s $1,500 and if you have a family that’s $6,000+ right there. Crazy money. It’s why the X is the first status symbol smartphone.

A few years from now when all of those old iPhones have expired, the vast majority will leave Apple and head over to Android and Apple will be perceived in smartphones just as it is in notebooks; a premium maker of premium luxury products.
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I could afford it if I wanted it that badly, that was my point and that applies to a lot of people. Priorities and preferences. The price is a turn off.

Understood on your point of affordability, but understand that the fact that the price is a turn-off to many is a turn-on to many too. It’s the way it works with luxury items. How expensive they are is much of the motivation to own them.

 

[jettie1767]

I've seen them here in NY/NJ as well as when I was in Panama and Stockholm last month.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Understood on your point of affordability, but understand that the fact that the price is a turn-off to many is a turn-on to many too. It’s the way it works with luxury items. How expensive they are is much of the motivation to own them.

This must be cultural because a product costing £1k is not a status symbol where I am from. It would be a very cheap status symbol as status symbols go too. It’s an expensive smartphone but likely owned by many demographic who can justify the need.

I know you like to portray yourself here as a very wealthy senior executive. You claim to have a lawn boy, pool boy, maid, doorman, a $1.5M house, drive 3 BMW’s and earn a six figure salary with a new worth of $15M. However i’ll be honest I am always very sceptical of people who brag as more often than not it’s exaggerated significantly online. The internet is an anonymous playground for fantasy personas and I’ve seen more than I care to remember over the past 20 years. I don’t mean to offend here but that is my opinion and feeling from what I have seen. An iPhone X is not going to make anybody seem superior to anybody else IMO. That’s just a feeling the owner gets because they feel good about their purchase. We buy things to make ourselves feel better and certain products attract attention, but I don’t feel the X is on that category. More people would own them if that was the case.

 

[DNichter]

I haven’t seen one other person beside my girlfriend and I with an iPhone X. I don’t really notice other people’s phones though and my friends and coworkers aren’t very into tech stuff like that.

 

[44267547]

I was actually at work related training last night and I was relatively shocked how many iPhone 5's I observed others using. I did not see any iPhone X's, but I would say half were android and the half were iPhones that were older models.

 

[iMelhado]

I have not. I am mostly spotting iPhone 6s to iPhone 8s as well as the plus variant users.

 

[quietstormSD]

Only a 3 at work but I work for a software company and 2 of them were coworkers that got it that may have gotten some influence from me. Haven’t seen anyone else.

 

[tarsins]

Two in this house. Not seen any more though.

 

[_karrol]

I live in Vienna, Austria, and actually stopped counting the Xs I have seen so far a while ago. Maybe they are not a very common sight yet, but pretty popular already. What strikes me is that great majority of the ones I have seen was SG which makes me rather happy about having silver one
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A bit like Europe’s market for new cars at the moment, down 60%. People are keeping cars longer or buying pre 2017 to avoid the new emissions taxes.

Lol, where did you get this data from? European new car market was around 4% up in 2017
[doublepost=1516095702][/doublepost]

We buy things to make ourselves feel better and certain products attract attention, but I don’t feel the X is on that category. More people would own them if that was the case.

I beg to differ, I’ve had the X since the launch day and the amount of attention it attracted was simply ridiculous with strangers asking me about this phone on the tube or in the gym. Of course I bought it for me, but it was nice, yet funny experience.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I beg to differ, I’ve had the X since the launch day and the amount of attention it attracted was simply ridiculous with strangers asking me about this phone on the tube or in the gym. Of course I bought it for me, but it was nice, yet funny experience.

Being asked about your phone is very different to it be classed as a status symbol. What you say here sounds very unpleasant to me. I’d hate attention like that and would likely buy a case to disguise it. That’s just me though. Some here, not suggesting you, like to show off and convey the notion they are wealthy. I don’t need to do that and the X isn’t an example of that IMO.

 

[The Game 161]

I must admit I don't have my X out in public much. if I need to check things I will use my Apple Watch. End of the day thats a big reason why I love my Apple Watch. Not needing to use my phone out and about. certainly walking around town the amount of people who could bump into you and drop your phone. so many people walk with their phone and don't have a clue who is infront in you. very annoying.

 

[iosuser]

I'd like to see the numbers of people who paid outright for the phone v. the people who bought on a payment plan through carriers v. those who are part of IUP.

People love to use the argument that it is $1000+ but I would venture a guess that the individuals who went in and paid that outright are the minority. It is way easier to justify the monthly payment of the various carriers or through IUP than it is just to walk in and drop a $1000. It isn't a $1000 to a lot of people, it is $50 a month (or less) with zero percent interest - I would even go further in saying that to most people who upgraded to the X it is justified by saying, it is only $xx more a month than my current phone.

You are probably right. They love nothing more than to keep everyone on payment plans to keep a revenue stream. Even Apple is pitching as such comparing the cost to a daily latte. This is how they get some of the sales from people who otherwise cannot afford it.

When I stood in line for the X launch, everyone around me were going for payment plan. I paid full price. Unless there's incentive to be had to get on a payment plan, I always pay in full. My iPhone 7 from TMo has 8 more months to go, $8/mo after trading in a 5. Really bugs me to have it on a plan, but have no choice since the discount is in the form of a monthly credit.

Back on topic. I see many people with an X. Somewhat to my surprise, when I stood in line for the X launch, I did not see a single plus sized phone. All were regular sized iPhone 7 and perhaps 8.