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

[noobinator]

Agreed, but here’s another point of view:

When you show up to work in a $60,000 car wearing a $3,000 suit while sporting a $20,000 watch you sort of have no choice but to throw down a $1,200 iPhone X.

It would look gauche to be seen with an iPhone 6 or 8, you’d immediately be labeled a poseur.

The CEO of my company (fortune 100, 20k+ employees, makes $10M year + bonus) has an iPhone 5C and drives a Camry.

 

[boltjames]

The CEO of my company (fortune 100, 20k+ employees, makes $10M year + bonus) has an iPhone 5C and drives a Camry.

Yeah, but he does that to manipulate you into thinking “he’s just a regular guy like me” which is not only a form of extreme status symbolism but is also completely disingenuous.

Seems to have worked on you though.

 

[noobinator]

Yeah, but he does that to manipulate you into thinking “he’s just a regular guy like me” which is not only a form of extreme status symbolism but is also completely disingenuous.

Seems to have worked on you though.

False.

 

[boltjames]

Think you have bigger problems in life if you’re buying something to impress others.

Why the judgement? What if some of us enjoy our possessions and the way they are admired by others? Isn't that the point of owning a great painting or posting photos of a vacation?

 

[jav6454]

Why the judgement? What if some of us enjoy our possessions and the way they are admired by others? Isn't that the point of owning a great painting or posting photos of a vacation?

You are free to enjoy your purchase, there is no arguing that point. However, if you think your purchase defines you as a human, nay as an individual in a society's socio-economic status, then you really need to re-evaluate how the world works and your life.

 

[boltjames]

You are free to enjoy your purchase, there is no arguing that point. However, if you think your purchase defines you as a human, nay as an individual in a society's socio-economic status, then you really need to re-evaluate how the world works and your life.

Why the judgement? It’s 2018 not 1988. We live in a world of social media where we are judged by how many Facebook followers we have and how many Instagram likes we get, how often we see each other’s wives yoga photos and kids sports trophy photos and exotic vacation pics.

Status symbolism and materialism has never been more in style. The iPhone X fits in perfectly. It’s the avatar of an entire look-at-me generation defined by the smartphone.

 

[MacDawg]

Agreed, but here’s another point of view:

When you show up to work in a $60,000 car wearing a $3,000 suit while sporting a $20,000 watch you sort of have no choice but to throw down a $1,200 iPhone X.

It would look gauche to be seen with an iPhone 6 or 8, you’d immediately be labeled a poseur.

I hate when that happens
[doublepost=1516838807][/doublepost]

Why the judgement? It’s 2018 not 1988. We live in a world of social media where we are judged by how many Facebook followers we have and how many Instagram likes we get, how often we see each other’s wives yoga photos and kids sports trophy photos and exotic vacation pics.

Status symbolism and materialism has never been more in style. The iPhone X fits in perfectly. It’s the avatar of an entire look-at-me generation defined by the smartphone.

LOL, must be exhausting to be so pretentious and keep up appropriate appearances in that world

 

[newellj]

Agreed, but here’s another point of view:

When you show up to work in a $60,000 car wearing a $3,000 suit while sporting a $20,000 watch you sort of have no choice but to throw down a $1,200 iPhone X.

It would look gauche to be seen with an iPhone 6 or 8, you’d immediately be labeled a poseur.

Nice Daytona. But shouldn't I be looking at a Paul Newman??? I think it would actually be amusing to throw down a 2005 LG flip phone. Keep 'em guessing.

 

[C DM]

Yeah, but he does that to manipulate you into thinking “he’s just a regular guy like me” which is not only a form of extreme status symbolism but is also completely disingenuous.

Seems to have worked on you though.

Nah, he is simply actually rich and doesn't even think, let alone care, about something like that.

 

[Applefan4]

Lol at caring what people on Fakebook think

 

[Deeds500]

I beg to differ.

If you have a circle of friends that use iOS especially if you're attracted to your sexual preference then yes that WILL matter.

Status Symbol is in the pricing:
over $1000 retail anywhere in the first few months means you have the financial stability to purchase it without affecting your daily lifestyle. For those seeking a life long mate ... financial stability IS a HUGE check box that is sought after, and ranks higher than phsyical attributes and up there with personality.

Sad I know because financial stability can change for a LOT of people over a short period of time. But that's the world we've been living in since the 1990's ... or longer. Smartphones, Cars, and your home is usually a better view than jewelry which is easily faked.

So a bloke who owns 4 houses outright and owns/uses an iphone SE is considered less desirable to women than the bloke who owns/uses an iphone X and who rents?

 

[Ralfi]

Was gonna say how silly threads always attract the most replies.

But this thread has risen from the ashes, all thanks to boltjames' contribution.

 

[44267547]

its all marketing , apple makes you believe its a status symbol, but really its 3-4 year old hardware with an apple logo.

I agree Apple has a very powerful marketing tactic with their product line. And there is the status symbol with Apple partly because of its heritage. But your assertion about being 3 to 4-year-old hardware is not exactly accurate referencing the X. The chassis/form factor, Face ID sensors/camera and OLED display is new.

 

[Makayla]

Lol, how can anything cost only a thousand dollars be a status symbol? What kind of status are we talking about here? Lol

 

[44267547]

Lol, how can anything cost only a thousand dollars be a status symbol? What kind of status are we talking about here? Lol

I think in general, electronics don't hold a status symbol. Who really cares how big of a TV someone has or which of the latest smart phones are they using or which laptop they have. I do think Apple as a company is the status symbol, but it doesn't show someone's status in society.

 

[Makayla]

I think in general, electronics don't hold a status symbol. Who really cares how big of a TV someone has or which of the latest smart phones are they using or which laptop they have. I do think Apple as a company is the status symbol, but it doesn't show someone's status in society.

I agree electronics are not really associated with status.

As for Apple I personally think Mac kind of has a cool factor (too bad I am a Windows girl and decidedly not cool, lol) but I really haven't associated iPhones with anything lately. Last time iPhone was cool was like 2009, Lol

 

[Ralfi]

Last time iPhone was cool was like 2009, Lol

Over to you, boltjames...

 

[The Game 161]

I agree Apple has a very powerful marketing tactic with their product line. And there is the status symbol with Apple partly because of its heritage. But your assertion about being 3 to 4-year-old hardware is not exactly accurate referencing the X. The chassis/form factor, Face ID sensors/camera and OLED display is new.

Agreed, the X is very much a 2018 product

Foolish to think it’s a 3-4 years behind.

 

[boltjames]

Last time iPhone was cool was like 2009, Lol

A status symbol has nothing to do with being “cool”. It has everything to do with projecting wealth.

There is nothing particularly cool about a mechanical wristwatch, in fact most would say they’re decidedly uncool in the era of the smart watch. But when I enter a boardroom with my $20,000 Rolex peeking out of my sleeve people immediately know who they’re dealing with.

The iPhone X is the most exclusive and expensive smartphone offered by the worlds top luxury mobile device company. Of course it’s a status symbol.

 

[Ffosse]

I don't think the X is a status symbol; I believe few people are too concerned about this.

My doctor (who earns a good living, much more so than I) still uses an iPhone 4s which works fine for her.

 

[MacDawg]

But when I enter a boardroom with my $20,000 Rolex peeking out of my sleeve people immediately know who they’re dealing with.

LOL, I bet they do know EXACTLY who they are dealing with ツ

FWIW, the only people who care if you are wearing a Rolex are the others who are wearing them too
The rest of us Plebians don't know a Rolex from a Timex... and can barely distinguish an Apple Watch from a FitBit

This isn't any different from being that guy who is sizing up the competition and where he ranks when he is in the public men's room

 

[Blaze4G]

Perhaps a girl would care, but women? I haven't seen it.

Not sure where you live, but the women I know care more about the fact I own more than 5 detached properties in the most expensive city in Canada.

And how is a random woman walking by on the street suppose to know that?

It's a subconscious thing that I think most people do. They see you have an X, there perception of you changes a bit. It's not only the X though. If they see that you're dressed fashionably or the shoes you wear, etc.

I think alot of people here are denying the X is a 'status symbol' because they don't want to think people bought it for that reason. I am not saying this is the sole reason, but it is a factor.

Look at jewelry, I know when it comes to watches, some men generally just love watches. However, some buy the expensive ones as a status symbol.

Both cases can be evident when people post pictures on instagram where you can clearly see their watch and the brand or their new phone.
Havent you seen where someone posted on fb or twitter trying to seem enthusiastic about an iPhone X but just want to mention it in a post so their followers / friends know they have an X or whatever product it may be.
It is shallow but it is what it is.

 

[tarsins]

I personally don't see how anything that is available on a relatively affordable monthly payment plan can be a status symbol. Here, a pack of 20 cigarettes is around £10, so if you smoke a pack per day that's about £300 per month, way more than cost of an X.

 

[Ffosse]

Or just buying it outright.

 

[akash.nu]

If a £1000 is seen as a status symbol then I’m not sure at what level I’ll be. Is there a category called - Hyper rich?!

Ps.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/876570254184390656

https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/26/16365424/bill-gates-android-phone-switch