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Actually, when I see people with expensive things (cars, houses, etc.) I don't immediately think they are wealthy
Honestly, the first thought that comes to me is that they are deep in debt and leveraged to max (true or not)
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
You're using your thought process to generalize everyone. Trust me, the general population doesn't think like this. Our society puts lots of thought into material items.
 
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You're using your thought process to generalize everyone. Trust me, the general population doesn't think like this. Our society puts lots of thought into material items.

Maybe you are the one who is generalizing everyone
I didn't speak for anyone but me :)
Notice I said "when I see", "I don't immediately think", "first thought that comes to me"

Regardless... we can both argue that most people think one way or the other because there is no data to prove either
 
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Samsung had amoled, face unlocking, 16mp cam, and ip 67 rating, in the samsung galaxy s6, released april 2015

Apple is rarely the first to do something but more often than not it’s the first to do something in any meaningful way. No one here will argue that Qi charging is a new technology... however suddenly accessory makers are interested in making qi certified accessories.
 
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I don't get that feeling when looking at the displays of my 8 and X; both are good.

Agreed. It's hard for me to see any difference in the displays of my 8 and X. The X has darker blacks but I think my 8 has a little better contrast.
 
The iPhone X I'm afraid is nothing like a Bugatti.

A BMW, Mercedes, or Audi maybe. People see these as status symbols when they're cheap compared to say that Bugatti ;)

Like those brands mentioned they are offering more than a name. They are offering an experience. Apple sells an experience, the hardware is arguably nothing new.
 
It's not necessarily financial stability when a good portion of that 29 million probably got their iPhone X for ~$40-50/mo for 2 years.

No ... but it's the appearance/perception of financial stability. Remember this world is lived in by those with exorbitant ready wealth (they RUN the world, not simply live in it), it's lived in by the use of Credit ... which as you've explained is mostly the case with those upgrading phones. It's the perception that you have good credit to quickly and readily maneouver about that causes the allure. Do you know more than 5 family's that paid for their house (acquired in the last 10 yrs in N. America) all in cash or the equivalent in their bank account, no mortgage/loan? I sure don't but you can setup a meeting ;)

Walking into an event or upscale bar, as a single man wearing a nice suit is not enough ... it needs to be "fitted" or tailored to get the best single/available woman ;) Hey who can blame them for wanting the best of the best. Appearance to a woman still exists but it's on a whole different level.
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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?

All in presentation, how he carries himself, attire, grooming, attitude etc.
To a bloke that owns 4 houses ... how is he to prove that? Is he dumb enough to state that to any woman he meets, and how would you expect any woman to readily believe him just at that face value? You cannot take the houses with you to an event. I'm saying the typical meetup it's what can be readily seen an assessed quickly in the western world gets the eye focused. Just something I noticed from where I've gone out to, your perceptions/findings have fully been different. And no I don't agree this should be how it is, nor do I personally subscribe to it - although I'd love to have more wealth (financial security not to worry) yet just how this world works.
 
No ... but it's the appearance/perception of financial stability. Remember this world is lived in by those with exorbitant ready wealth (they RUN the world, not simply live in it), it's lived in by the use of Credit ... which as you've explained is mostly the case with those upgrading phones. It's the perception that you have good credit to quickly and readily maneouver about that causes the allure. Do you know more than 5 family's that paid for their house (acquired in the last 10 yrs in N. America) all in cash or the equivalent in their bank account, no mortgage/loan? I sure don't but you can setup a meeting ;)
I work with cheapskates. :p

I've actually got one coworker who looks like a homeless person but had $3M invested in stocks alone. Doesn't have a cellphone, drives a car that's older than me.
 
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No ... but it's the appearance/perception of financial stability. Remember this world is lived in by those with exorbitant ready wealth (they RUN the world, not simply live in it), it's lived in by the use of Credit ... which as you've explained is mostly the case with those upgrading phones. It's the perception that you have good credit to quickly and readily maneouver about that causes the allure. Do you know more than 5 family's that paid for their house (acquired in the last 10 yrs in N. America) all in cash or the equivalent in their bank account, no mortgage/loan? I sure don't but you can setup a meeting ;)

Walking into an event or upscale bar, as a single man wearing a nice suit is not enough ... it needs to be "fitted" or tailored to get the best single/available woman ;) Hey who can blame them for wanting the best of the best. Appearance to a woman still exists but it's on a whole different level.
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All in presentation, how he carries himself, attire, grooming, attitude etc.
To a bloke that owns 4 houses ... how is he to prove that? Is he dumb enough to state that to any woman he meets, and how would you expect any woman to readily believe him just at that face value? You cannot take the houses with you to an event. I'm saying the typical meetup it's what can be readily seen an assessed quickly in the western world gets the eye focused. Just something I noticed from where I've gone out to, your perceptions/findings have fully been different. And no I don't agree this should be how it is, nor do I personally subscribe to it - although I'd love to have more wealth (financial security not to worry) yet just how this world works.


Okay, let me rephrase, two blokes, both well dressed, well groomed, similar looks, similar age, similar personalities, both nice guys, one has 4 houses and an SE, the other owns no houses and an X. Everything else is cerris paribus.

One takes his X to a party, the other takes his 4 ownership papers to a party (that's how you prove it?).or alternatively, the guy with the SE shows the girls all the photos of his 4 houses on his SE.

Obviously you wouldn't tell any girl you meet you own 4 houses, but if you wanted to slam down the guy with the X in the symbol takes, you'd take out your 4 ownershio papers, if that makes you look like you're big noting, you start talking about teal estate and you show them your house photos on your SE. The guy can keep flashing his X around and showing the girls how face id works, but most likely the girls will want to be talking to the guy with the SE. The guy with the X can bring his lease contract with him to the party if he likes, but I don't think it's gonna help him much.

And what about if there are attractive women at the party who also own 4 houses? You think they're gonna be more interested in the X or the other 4 houses?

Real estate is far more a status symbol that a smartphone will ever be.
 
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Okay, let me rephrase, two blokes, both well dressed, well groomed, similar looks, similar age, similar personalities, both nice guys, one has 4 houses and an SE, the other owns no houses and an X. Everything else is cerris paribus.

One takes his X to a party, the other takes his 4 ownership papers to a party (that's how you prove it?).or alternatively, the guy with the SE shows the girls all the photos of his 4 houses on his SE.

Obviously you wouldn't tell any girl you meet you own 4 houses, but if you wanted to slam down the guy with the X in the symbol takes, you'd take out your 4 ownershio papers, if that makes you look like you're big noting, you start talking about teal estate and you show them your house photos on your SE. The guy can keep flashing his X around and showing the girls how face id works, but most likely the girls will want to be talking to the guy with the SE. The guy with the X can bring his lease contract with him to the party if he likes, but I don't think it's gonna help him much.

And what about if there are attractive women at the party who also own 4 houses? You think they're gonna be more interested in the X or the other 4 houses?

Real estate is far more a status symbol that a smartphone will ever be.

Any sensible bloke will keep his wealth a secret and charm a lady based on his personality and wit. Unless he wants some shallow money grabbing moron that is. If wealth needs to be used to impress, it’s not a good start is it?
 
iPhones, cars, expensive watches doesn't define wealth in society. For some it does, but the True definition of wealth is achieved through hard work and success living to a comfortable lifestyle that One Does not need to boast on. Everyone just chooses to excerise their wealth differently, but some just are really good actors/actresses.
 
Any sensible bloke will keep his wealth a secret and charm a lady based on his personality and wit. Unless he wants some shallow money grabbing moron that is. If wealth needs to be used to impress, it’s not a good start is it?

Of course, but if it's a pissing contest about status, 4 houses > an iphone x. My whole point is, i don't think a premium iphone in this day and agen is a status symbol. There's sven hate for the iphone from android users.
 
I don’t think iPhone X is a status symbol and people who use stuff like gadgets, sneakers, clothes for that are usually what is called “Hood Rich”.
 
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"Status symbols" are for the immature folks that are defined by what others think of them. Rise above.
 
I would be impressed if no one in this discussion (Those rejecting status symbols) owned nothing name brand. Chances are, on examination one would find the same Levi’s jeans, North face jackets, Nike shoes, Dr. martens boots watches, hats, graphic t-shirts etc.

You may argue you only buy items that suit your comfort or environment... but the truth is though intentional or not all of these items say something about you and reflect status and your position in society.

And even if you lived a spartan lifestyle and made your own garments living like a monk that also would reflect your status and beliefs. So yes, that iPhone in your pocket speaks heaps about who you are and people make judgments on you regardless of if that is your intent or not.
 
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I wouldn't be impressed by someone flaunting their X or any other status symbol, but when I see someone using a phone with a broken screen, my first thought is that they can't afford to get it replaced.
 
Hit the nail on the head right here. It’s just a smart phone. A good one, an expensive one. But at the end of the day it’s a smart phone. And one that can be made in installments by just about anyone with a pulse and a credit score over 600 lol

iPhone X is only a status symbol to Apple fanatics.

You don't have to be wealthy to own an X. You just have to have good credit.

Any sensible bloke will keep his wealth a secret and charm a lady based on his personality and wit. Unless he wants some shallow money grabbing moron that is. If wealth needs to be used to impress, it’s not a good start is it?

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

For those of you arguing against acquisitions and status why do you choose to list all your accumulated Apple gear in your signature? One might argue it has an impact on your ability to support other forum members or for trouble shooting ETC. However, plenty of other forum members get by without listing all their things and belongings.
 
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For those of you arguing against acquisitions and status why do you choose to list all your accumulated Apple gear in your signature? One might argue it has an impact on your ability to support other forum members or for trouble shooting ETC. However, plenty of other forum members get by without listing all their things and belongings.

lol I list a non retina Mac from 2012 and a original iPad Air. Yeah I’m really showing off my Apple status with those gems
 
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For those of you arguing against acquisitions and status why do you choose to list all your accumulated Apple gear in your signature? One might argue it has an impact on your ability to support other forum members or for trouble shooting ETC.

This is precisely why. Although after reading this thread I'm reconsidering. Actually I've already reconsidered.

For the record, I actually have nothing at all against buying (expensive) stuff and enjoying it. In terms of identity, though, I would like to imagine there are more interesting things to flaunt than the tech one happens to own. If not, then that's also something to reflect upon.
 
For those of you arguing against acquisitions and status why do you choose to list all your accumulated Apple gear in your signature? One might argue it has an impact on your ability to support other forum members or for trouble shooting ETC. However, plenty of other forum members get by without listing all their things and belongings.

Be sure to check out my signature below
 
For those of you arguing against acquisitions and status why do you choose to list all your accumulated Apple gear in your signature? One might argue it has an impact on your ability to support other forum members or for trouble shooting ETC. However, plenty of other forum members get by without listing all their things and belongings.

I list what Apple products I own, because I'm not an Apple Kool-aid drinker, so I sometimes get accused of being an Apple hater.

To shut the fanatics up, I list what Apple products I own.
 
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