iPhone X how is the iphone x a status symbol if 29 million have it?

[IvanEd747]

Statements, arguably [about being a ‘liberal creative professional’ traditionally, and nowadays more a ‘trendy businessperson’ or ‘student’ ] I think status symbols are genuinely exclusive things, like £250,000 cars, £1,000,000+ properties, £50,000 watches, private jets, an art collection, antique family heirloom jewellery, hundreds of acres of land, a title... ok we’re getting into the intangible with that but the point stands...

It’s also the details like the Lacoste polo shirts and the iPhones.

 

[Vermifuge]

Wow... talk about elitist....

he's not wrong

 

[jav6454]

he's not wrong

I can give you several examples of pieces of Apple design junk/garbage. Furthermore, several of Samsung appliances are top notch.

 

[BeeGood]

Your straw man is implying that any decision making is based solely on this data point. It would be one of many observations people make on a daily basis. This isn't magic or make believe. Everyone does it to some degree... from choosing who to sit next to on the bus to who or who hire after a job interview. I once saw a candidate get passed over because of his choice in tie color. So yes, when people are observing the whole package things like premium accessories do get factored in.

We’re talking about status here. Not people’s preferences. I’m guessing that your guy didn’t get passed over because his tie signaled lower status.

So no, it’s not a straw man. A phone, in no way, signals that one has higher status than another.

 

[Vermifuge]

I can give you several examples of pieces of Apple design junk/garbage...

That's besides the point. When you are talking about Apple as a brand those things are not what come to mind for the average consumer.

 

[akash.nu]

Yeah but the galaxy doesn’t carry the brand Apple carries.

Samsung makes cars, construction equipment and fridges... not very glamorous.

Apple, on the other hand, makes almost every design worthy of being in a museum.

We’re talking about 2 different business models here. Samsung owns a military of their own. That doesn’t change the fact that their smartphone sector of the business has really geared up at least in terms of aesthetically pleasing designs.

And I don’t know if any tech design is worthy of being in a museum when the device is going to be thrown away in a few years anyway.

 

[IvanEd747]

A Note 8 and an iPhone X cost the same and are equally easy to get.

Even if you believe that the iPhone X comes form a better brand, how does ones choice to get one over the other imply status?

Status is a perception.

Additionally, yes, while many people have $1000 no everyone has $1000 to spare on a phone. Not even $400 extra. It’s about priorities and disposable income.

This being a techy forum I can understand how unbelievable this can be. Some of us spend big bucks on tech because it’s our hobby or our passion. Others just need something with whatsapp. For this people, iPhone is extra money.

 

[MacDawg]

I don't doubt that some small minority of individuals perceive Apple/iPhone as a status symbol or prestige
But those individuals have a skewed world view on most everything else as well

I can say unequivocally that I have never looked at someone else's phone and been envious or impressed by either the phone or the individual because of the phone

 

[jav6454]

That's besides the point. When you are talking about Apple as a brand those things are not what come to mind for the average consumer.

It's exactly the point. Samsung makes great appliances, that is somethig people know. Each brand carriers itself differently and Apple is not meant for status symbols.

 

[Vermifuge]

It's exactly the point. Samsung makes great appliances, that is somethig people know. Each brand carriers itself differently and Apple is not meant for status symbols.

When I think Samsung appliances; I think exploding washing machines and batteries. I think my airline captain is once again reminding me the Note 7 isn't allowed on this flight.

 

[jav6454]

When I think Samsung appliances; I think exploding washing machines and batteries. I think my airline captain is once again reminding me the Note 7 isn't allowed on this flight.

When I think Apple I think of bendable phones that aren't supposed to bend. Of Antenna issues on a breakthrough antenna design.

 

[TC_GoldRush]

It's like there being 29 million bugattis..just say'n

It's a phone that costs over $1,000! It is a status symbol, like any other new flagship iPhone.

 

[ucfgrad93]

LOL! I really don't care if my iPhone X is considered a "status symbol" or an item of which to be jealous....I didn't buy it for other people's appreciation, consideration and possible envy, I bought it for my own use and enjoyment. I love the thing, it is just great, fitting into my lifestyle very well and doing what I need it to do. End of story......

Well said. I buy stuff because it does what I need it to do, not to try and impress anyone.

 

[eyoungren]

I once saw a woman with a child begging for money just outside of a Walmart. I went in and purchased whatever I was purchasing. I was leaving at the end of her day and saw her walk across the lot, hop into a Mercedes (no joke) and drive away.

My wife and I used to work nights and on the way home we would drop by Food4Less around 2AM or so. Had this lady and her daughter there once and my wife had some cash so since they were asking she gave a bit to them.

Next night, same people. My wife says no and we move along.

THIRD night, same people and my wife says, "Hey, this is the third night you've been here". Lady gets an "OH CRAP" look on her fact and hurries off.

Never saw them again after that.

Each night the lady had approached us like she'd never seen us before.

PS. Got a new one a few months back. Outside Walmart and get hit up by a lady asking for a handout. Entirely different scam though. She wanted me and my son to turn around, go back in the store with her and buy her all the groceries she "needed".

She got PISSED at ME when I said no!

 

[boltjames]

how is the iPhone X a status symbol if 29 million have it?

Because you don’t.

 

[BeeGood]

Status is a perception.

Additionally, yes, while many people have $1000 no everyone has $1000 to spare on a phone. Not even $400 extra. It’s about priorities and disposable income.

This being a techy forum I can understand how unbelievable this can be. Some of us spend big bucks on tech because it’s our hobby or our passion. Others just need something with whatsapp. For this people, iPhone is extra money.

But if we’re talking about a status symbol, doesn’t it need to be universally accepted to some extent? If a small handful of people believe iPhone ownership = status, I don’t think it’s necessarily true just because they believe it.

I mean, I guess you could say that it has status in this tiny segment of society, but like others have said, who cares?

When I think of a status symbol, I think of something that is difficult to acquire. Something that is more expensive relative to its alternatives or something that is exclusive. The iPhone X is neither.

 

[noobinator]

7.6 billion people on Earth and only 29 million have it. The X are in the top 0.38%. They are elite!

 

[IvanEd747]

We’re talking about 2 different business models here. Samsung owns a military of their own. That doesn’t change the fact that their smartphone sector of the business has really geared up at least in terms of aesthetically pleasing designs.

And I don’t know if any tech design is worthy of being in a museum when the device is going to be thrown away in a few years anyway.

Please refer to the second iMac design, the one that looks like a lamp.

 

[eyoungren]

7.6 billion people on Earth and only 29 million have it. The X are in the top 0.38%. They are elite!

That's pretty cool!

As time goes on I will get eliter and eliter as my 4s, my 5 and my 6s+ age! Awesome!

 

[BeeGood]

That's pretty cool!

As time goes on I will get eliter and eliter as my 4s, my 5 and my 6s+ age! Awesome!

I’m going to go out and buy one of those Amazon Fire phones that sold like 87 units so I can be the most elite of them all!

 

[IvanEd747]

It's exactly the point. Samsung makes great appliances, that is somethig people know. Each brand carriers itself differently and Apple is not meant for status symbols.

When I think about Samsung I think about a curved TV (great colors nonetheless), washing machine, air conditioners... the brand is too diverse. Branding matters. It’s what makes a Lexus a Lexus and not a top of the line Toyota. Samsung has to fight against itself to be perceived as luxurious in the smartphone sector.

Apple has always had a reputation of being overpriced -like luxury items. It also has a reputation of great design -like luxury items. In fact, Jonny Ive is well known. You won’t find the Samsung Galaxy designer making headlines. Finally, since the iMac they have always stood out for their selection and use of materials. Always interesting.

Also, factor in accessories. Anything made specifically for Apple devices carries a premium. It solidifies the notion that Apple is priced above the rest, even though that pricing is artificial for the most part -like many luxury items.

 

[rmoliv]

It's not a status symbol. Anyone can have with a two-year contract, bank loan, credit card...

 

[eyoungren]

When I think about Samsung I think about a curved TV (great colors nonetheless), washing machine, air conditioners... the brand is too diverse. Branding matters. It’s what makes a Lexus a Lexus and not a top of the line Toyota. Samsung has to fight against itself to be perceived as luxurious in the smartphone sector.

Apple has always had a reputation of being overpriced -like luxury items. It also has a reputation of great design -like luxury items. In fact, Jonny Ive is well known. You won’t find the Samsung Galaxy designer making headlines. Finally, since the iMac they have always stood out for their selection and use of materials. Always interesting.

Also, factor in accessories. Anything made specifically for Apple devices carries a premium. It solidifies the notion that Apple is priced above the rest, even though that pricing is artificial for the most part -like many luxury items.

Not arguing for or against, just wanted to point one thing out about branding. It can change.

When Acura launched in North America one of their top sellers was the Integra. Acura differentiated itself as a luxury brand. Made by Honda of course.

Much later on down the road the Acura Integra is now known as the Honda Integra. It's no longer an 'Acura'. Bye-bye Acura branding…

 

[jav6454]

Not arguing for or against, just wanted to point one thing out about branding. It can change.

When Acura launched in North America one of their top sellers was the Integra. Acura differentiated itself as a luxury brand. Made by Honda of course.

Much later on down the road the Acura Integra is now known as the Honda Integra. It's no longer an 'Acura'. Bye-bye Acura branding…

I was thinking similarly. See Mercury, Ford and Lincoln.

 

[Vermifuge]

Not arguing for or against, just wanted to point one thing out about branding. It can change.

When Acura launched in North America one of their top sellers was the Integra. Acura differentiated itself as a luxury brand. Made by Honda of course.

Much later on down the road the Acura Integra is now known as the Honda Integra. It's no longer an 'Acura'. Bye-bye Acura branding…

I get your point but I think its a bad example. Branding of the Integra varied by region. In NA, I don't belier it was known by anything other than an Acura Integra