Unsure why people stress so much over the cost of iPhones - I had a 12Pro from ATT that cost me maybe $200 out of pocket over two years - they then gave me $1000 credit toward a 14 Pro Max.
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Other How happy are you with Apple's iPhone direction?
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Just another post from someone not understanding how economics work.
Let’s see how well this thread ages.
My short opinion:
The reason for current product specs are the disparities between supply and demand.
We had rumours about ProMotion on the iPhone before the release the iPhone 11 (Pro). They surely would have liked to ship it, but they couldn’t, because they couldn’t source enough displays that met their standards.
Same with quality OLED panels in general, until the iPhone 12 the displays between the Pro, regular and entry models weren’t all basically on par and promotion was still just a fever dream until a year later.
The chip shortage still isn’t over, global trade ain’t “fixed” either, just look at China vs Taiwan, where TSMC is located at.
Apple’s supply chain is diversifying as China loses its position as the „sole“ source of many different parts.
The 14‘s have last years processor, because it’s still better than most competing SoC‘s, and sourcing newer models is so expensive, they are reserved for the more expensive phones for a lower price/cost imbalance.
This year ain’t next year, or the year after. Just wait and see how stuff turns out.
Once other parts of Asia apart from China become more relevant for Apple, and regular updates on new suppliers from India or increased production volume indicate that that will continue to happen, differences will, at least, plateau.
Bet.
Let’s see how well this thread ages.
My short opinion:
The reason for current product specs are the disparities between supply and demand.
We had rumours about ProMotion on the iPhone before the release the iPhone 11 (Pro). They surely would have liked to ship it, but they couldn’t, because they couldn’t source enough displays that met their standards.
Same with quality OLED panels in general, until the iPhone 12 the displays between the Pro, regular and entry models weren’t all basically on par and promotion was still just a fever dream until a year later.
The chip shortage still isn’t over, global trade ain’t “fixed” either, just look at China vs Taiwan, where TSMC is located at.
Apple’s supply chain is diversifying as China loses its position as the „sole“ source of many different parts.
The 14‘s have last years processor, because it’s still better than most competing SoC‘s, and sourcing newer models is so expensive, they are reserved for the more expensive phones for a lower price/cost imbalance.
This year ain’t next year, or the year after. Just wait and see how stuff turns out.
Once other parts of Asia apart from China become more relevant for Apple, and regular updates on new suppliers from India or increased production volume indicate that that will continue to happen, differences will, at least, plateau.
Bet.
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Maybe because not everyone has the same carrier or lives in the states?
I can’t bring myself to buy any iPhone until TouchID is back. I find FaceID inferior.
You're in for a long wait then...
Perhaps because not everyone (on US carriers) chases promos, especially those that require something of you that you are not willing to surrender. Also, perhaps because not everyone wants to trade in their old devices. I keep mine.
My carrier, T-Mobile, has had several promos since I joined that would have given me free phones. All I needed to do was open lines I didn't want, buy stuff I didn't need, abandon my grandfathered low price plan or swap carriers.
I value my plan (and it's pricing), my coverage and my service over any promo - especially those requiring trade ins. Price of phones/devices is where EIP (Equipment Installment Plan) comes into play.
I surrendered nothing except a two year old phone with diminishing battery Maximum Capacity, no new lines, no new plan. Cell carriers are a commodity now, which is why you should be chasing promos. I pay $35 a month on ATT for unlimited 5G plans for all our devices, not sure you can get any better than that.
I can't. But I do get stuff with my Simple Choice plan that those on all the Magenta branded plans don't. And while I did mention price that's simply because my SC plan costs less than the Magenta plans. Ultimately, I stay on my plan because of what it offers.
EDIT: I would just mention that I have an iPhone 3GS, a 4, a 4s, two iPhone 5's, a 6s+, a Google Pixel 3a XL and oh yeah, a 2009 HTC Touch Pro. And that's just one person (me) in a four person family. There are other phones in the house.
You traded in a two year old iPhone with a failing battery. Last year I replaced a battery on a (then) six year old iPhone 6s+. You surrendered nothing - neither did I.
EDIT2: I should mention, I have 10 lines, so my pricing is going to be very different than yours.
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I think you're overthinking things. If you liked something enough to buy it, why not keep it longer? Why look for something to replace it just one year later, especially if that next thing isn't exactly what you're looking for? I purchased an 11 Pro when it was first released because I really liked it. The 12/13/14 are nice, but not enough to replace the 11 Pro which I love. Do I wish that Apple would innovate more? Of course. But that doesn't mean I love my 11 Pro any less. It was a great product and still is, so I keep it.
As for the Pro vs Max vs regular line up. It means more choices. When I am ready to finally upgrade, I'd rather have more choices to pick from than less. Pro/Max/Ultra are just names which mean nothing once the purchase is made and you got your case. And even with that, it's still better than Sony's naming convention. I own a XBR-65X950G. The name sucks but the TV is still as great as the day I purchased it. I never think about the TV model name when I sit down to enjoy a show or pick up my phone. Fortunately, the model name isn't bolded in large text above or below the screen.
If it was, THEN I WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM. 😜
As for the Pro vs Max vs regular line up. It means more choices. When I am ready to finally upgrade, I'd rather have more choices to pick from than less. Pro/Max/Ultra are just names which mean nothing once the purchase is made and you got your case. And even with that, it's still better than Sony's naming convention. I own a XBR-65X950G. The name sucks but the TV is still as great as the day I purchased it. I never think about the TV model name when I sit down to enjoy a show or pick up my phone. Fortunately, the model name isn't bolded in large text above or below the screen.
If it was, THEN I WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM. 😜
so what is it about your face that makes it a bad experience for you? I seldom wear my glasses, have no facial hair, and Face ID is quick and reliable. Even in the mask days, My watch opened the phone quickly and reliably. It is awesome how apps open with Face ID without even touching anything. So is it a beard, heavy glasses (yes you need to look at phone (it is not like windows, open with a picture), or maybe you need to recalibrate?
anyway, each to their own I guess, for me FaceID is awesome
Yah, I know right, apple charges competitive prices for the quality of product you get, Samsung gives their flagship phones away. Oh wait, I just checked, they are also about the same prices as the Apples. hmmm, what was I thinking?
Now OK, it does look like storage is priced to high, wish they would charge less, but I don't upgrade just go with base, USE THE CLOUD LUKE!
<chuckle>
I have a 2TB iCloud sub with Apple…and my 11 Pro Max is 512GB and my 6s+ is 128GB. 🤔
Those of us on the dark side of Android welcome you!
All batteries fail eventually, can't see how to rationalize putting money into a six year old phone. FYI we have nine lines, so probably not that much different.
I rationalize replacing the battery simply because 'I wanted to'. 'Because I want to' is the only justification or rationalization I need for anything.
My 6s+ is used on a secondary line and I take it when I go out walking or when I suspect my 11 Pro Max (my primary phone) could be damaged by whatever activity I will be doing.
A few weeks ago I finally made the switch back from Android/Pixel 6 Pro to iOS via an iPhone 12 I bought in mint condition on Swappa. It has 100% battery capacity and was a really good price. It has pretty much all of the features I could ask for in a smartphone and the camera is decent enough for me to take closeups of my daughter, which is really all I need. When the 15 comes out I may buy one if it has USB-C since I have so many chargers from my Android phone, but otherwise I could stand to hold on to this phone for a while. I usually get a new phone every 2.5-3 years but the 6 Pro was just bad for me, constantly stuttering, awful modem, etc. I had already bought an iPad Mini 6 a few months ago and have loved how well it works, so decided that I wanted an iPhone too.
I think it would be cool if Apple had just two new phones at release time. Take out the word Pro and just sell an iPhone # and iPhone # Max/Ultra. It seems like the 14 Plus isn't selling that well, if what I've read is accurate. The Pro and Pro max are the hot sellers so just sell both of those and it'll be much easier to follow what options there are to buy. That's one thing I appreciate about the Pixels is that the 6/6Pro, 7/7Pro aren't much different and there's only the 2, with the s model coming later as a cheaper option.
I think it would be cool if Apple had just two new phones at release time. Take out the word Pro and just sell an iPhone # and iPhone # Max/Ultra. It seems like the 14 Plus isn't selling that well, if what I've read is accurate. The Pro and Pro max are the hot sellers so just sell both of those and it'll be much easier to follow what options there are to buy. That's one thing I appreciate about the Pixels is that the 6/6Pro, 7/7Pro aren't much different and there's only the 2, with the s model coming later as a cheaper option.
My problem with the direction is not so much hardware but the creeping inclusion of subscription services to the wearables. So the satellite SOS feature will be subscription in two years. The Oceanic app is supposedly going to be subscription (I don’t have the watch so correct me if I’m wrong). So you buy the overpriced production smartphone presumably for the better software and end up subscribing for services on the watch or phone.
What’s next? Processors are so good they will last way longer for future updates - solution - subscribe for future updates after two or three years and keep the same phone.
You all know there is a grain of truth here…
What’s next? Processors are so good they will last way longer for future updates - solution - subscribe for future updates after two or three years and keep the same phone.
You all know there is a grain of truth here…
There is, indeed. Apple products tend to last longer retaining good performance and customers don't need to buy a new device as often as other brands' customers need to. And this can be a problem, that's why, I think, Apple has been trying to get more money from services over the last few years.
I also kept my 6s. I use it as an iPod Touch for loading music for my car.
Generally, 13 PM is relatively better for the bigger size and Promotion screen, unless you want a smaller sized smartphone.
There's relatively hardly much difference, as it's been commented on and reported in many online reviews and comment boards, including MR.
For some people, having a physical SIM slot matters, that's another reason to keep the 13 PM.
The thing I'm not happy about is the discontinuation of the mini line or in fact any "small" phone option with decent specs for the foreseeable future...