Other I don’t think the X/8/8+ are selling spectacularly well

[44267547]

I think it’s human nature to predict based off our own interpretations and experiences though and analysts are just feeding off each other’s thoughts.

There is no real accurate measurement how analysts gather all their data, because there are so many sources out there. Many of them are bogus claims just for the sake of creating controversy. Aside from that, using our own anecdotal information based off what we see surrounding us is also very minuscule in theory, because we don't fully have a wide enough spectrum of how a particular product is doing.

As Far as Apple announcing their own sales figures, even if you want to believe that they are massaging their numbers, that's the only credible information we have to go off and or believe. There is no other source besides the source themselves.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

There is no real accurate measurement how analysts gather all their data, because there are so many sources out there. Many of them are bogus claims just for the sake of creating controversy. Aside from that, using our own anecdotal information based off what we see surrounding us is also very minuscule in theory, because we don't fully have a wide enough spectrum of how a particular product is doing.

As Far as Apple announcing their own sales figures, even if you want to believe that they are massaging their numbers, that's the only credible information we have to go off and or believe. There is no other source besides the source themselves.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see if all the articles prove correct. I really hope they do as the industry needs a shake up. Apple are taking the piss out of us and I’m hoping they’ll be brought down a peg or two so we can go back to having decent releases at a sensible price.

Anecdotal experience is fine for me right now personally. It’s s good indicator in my opinion compared to previous years. When I see articles saying what I am also thinking, I think it’s reasonable to consider there might be some truth in it. We’ll find out when the retailers and Apple release their figures next year.

 

[newellj]

X feels like a first attempt

Hell, I wish my first attempts could be that good.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Rumor Apple to cut iPhone prices in 2018.

https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/12/25/apple-inc-rumored-to-cut-iphone-prices-in-early-20.aspx

At this point it's just a rumor, but I'd say if they do cut prices that would signal demand is lower then expected. If it really is the best selling phone of all time like one person claimed in this thread there would be no reason to cut prices. In fact, if demand is higher then supply Apple should consider pricing the iPhone 11 (or whatever it's called) even higher then the $999 starting price of the X.

 

[boltjames]

At this point it's just a rumor, but I'd say if they do cut prices that would signal demand is lower then expected. If it really is the best selling phone of all time like one person claimed in this thread there would be no reason to cut prices. In fact, if demand is higher then supply Apple should consider pricing the iPhone 11 (or whatever it's called) even higher then the $999 starting price of the X.

No, those who know anything about business know that if you have a best-seller and want to increase market share even further you push back on your suppliers, get them to lower raw material and manufacturing costs, and allow you to lower the retails, sell more units, and maintain profitability. If the factories play ball, you lower retails. If they don't, you keep prices unchanged.

The fact that the iPhone X has sold 35 MILLION UNITS in under 8 weeks and generated $43 BILLION DOLLARS in revenue should be a clue that a thread about the X "not selling well" is not only hysterical it's also utterly embarrassing. Every company in America should have such problems, to have 1 SKU generate more revenue in two months than the entirety of Amazon.com does in a quarter. LOL.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Rumor Apple to cut iPhone prices in 2018.

https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/12/25/apple-inc-rumored-to-cut-iphone-prices-in-early-20.aspx

At this point it's just a rumor, but I'd say if they do cut prices that would signal demand is lower then expected. If it really is the best selling phone of all time like one person claimed in this thread there would be no reason to cut prices. In fact, if demand is higher then supply Apple should consider pricing the iPhone 11 (or whatever it's called) even higher then the $999 starting price of the X.

There’s no way the iPhone X is the best selling of all time, that’s bollocks. That claim was more than likely extracted from someone’s backside lol. I think sales this quarter have been propped up by the fact 3 iPhones were launched at the same time and currently on sale as well as older devices like the iPhone 7 and 6S appealing within the market.

It will be good to see prices come down to a reasonable level next year if that rumour is true. The market is so saturated with people keeping phones longer, a £1k smartphone is unsustainable beyond a test year.

 

[Adelphos33]

I think there is an easy fix to all of this in 2018 for Apple

1) Further refinement to FaceID
2) Upgraded iPhone SE
3) New $700 edge to edge iPhone with LCD
4) iPhone Xs and X+s
5) Price cuts on the X

#3 is the most important. Apple needs to make a desirable, more mass market phone. I think the 8 is basically the most refined iPhone ever made, but it is not exciting to the mass consumer or to the tech foreword consumer. They need to make the base iPhone exciting again

 

[boltjames]

a £1k smartphone is unsustainable beyond a test year.

LOL. 35 MILLION UNITS in 7 weeks. $43 BILLION DOLLARS in revenue in 7 weeks. On a single SKU.

What an awful test year! It's a failure! The notch turns people off! Face ID won't work! It's unsustainable! I'm so smart jumping to Android to avoid this POS!

Honestly, any Android fans going after the X on the grounds of "poor selling" needs to find another thread to troll. This one really isn't for you, we should change the thread title to reflect how Apple successfully abandoned the $0 smartphone segment, invented the plus-$1000 smartphone segment, and comes out of it an innovative hero, yet again.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

LOL. 35 MILLION UNITS in 7 weeks. $43 BILLION DOLLARS in revenue in 7 weeks. On a single SKU.

What an awful test year! It's a failure! The notch turns people off! Face ID won't work! It's unsustainable! I'm so smart jumping to Android to avoid this POS!

Honestly, any Android fans going after the X on the grounds of "poor selling" needs to find another thread to troll. This one really isn't for you, we should change the thread title to reflect how Apple successfully abandoned the $0 smartphone segment, invented the plus-$1000 smartphone segment, and comes out of it an innovative hero, yet again.

You keep referring to me as an ‘Android fan’ here and it’s getting tiresome. Wouldn’t I own an android phone if I liked them so much? Answer that mate!

This is my phone:

I paid up front for it like every other iPhone and it carries a monthly tariff over 24 months of £30. You have never been able to get an iPhone for free here and I’ve pointed that out on three previous occasions to you. Don’t accuse me of trolling when that is exactly what you are doing across multiple threads belittling people’s professions and mobile choices because you want others to think you are a cut above the rest. You’re trying to compensate for something lacking clearly.

 

[DakotaGuy]

No, those who know anything about business know that if you have a best-seller and want to increase market share even further you push back on your suppliers, get them to lower raw material and manufacturing costs, and allow you to lower the retails, sell more units, and maintain profitability. If the factories play ball, you lower retails. If they don't, you keep prices unchanged.

The fact that the iPhone X has sold 35 MILLION UNITS in under 8 weeks and generated $43 BILLION DOLLARS in revenue should be a clue that a thread about the X "not selling well" is not only hysterical it's also utterly embarrassing. Every company in America should have such problems, to have 1 SKU generate more revenue in two months than the entirety of Amazon.com does in a quarter. LOL.

If that's the case they really need to push prices higher on the next model to maximize profit. I mean if a brand can sustain record sales at these prices I believe they could easily push the starting price on the next generation to $1,299. When you have a brand name like this it seems the more expensive it gets the more people want it.

Apple execs hopefully will get a huge Christmas bonus this year. It sounds like they deserve it.

 

[Martyimac]

You keep referring to me as an ‘Android fan’ here and it’s getting tiresome. Wouldn’t I own an android phone if I liked them so much? Answer that mate!

This is my phone:

I paid up front for it like every other iPhone and it carries a monthly tariff over 24 months of £30. You have never been able to get an iPhone for free here and I’ve pointed that out on three previous occasions to you. Don’t accuse me of trolling when that is exactly what you are doing across multiple threads belittling people’s professions and mobile choices because you want others to think you are a cut above the rest. You’re trying to compensate for something lacking clearly.

The part I highlighted is why I now only read bj's post for a chuckle. Nothing he has to say contributes in a positive way to these threads. But he does get a smile out of me all the time, I have to give him that.

 

[boltjames]

If that's the case they really need to push prices higher on the next model to maximize profit. I mean if a brand can sustain record sales at these prices I believe they could easily push the starting price on the next generation to $1,299. When you have a brand name like this it seems the more expensive it gets the more people want it.

Apple execs hopefully will get a huge Christmas bonus this year. It sounds like they deserve it.

35 million units of the iPhone X in 7 weeks. $43.7 billion dollars in revenue from the iPhone X in 7 weeks.

As a point of comparison, the iPhone 6 sold 66 million units in Q4 of its first year. At $649 that's $42.3 billion dollars in revenue.

As if besting the best selling iPhone of all time is not impressive enough, the iPhone 6 was 100% in stock for the entirety of the 4th quarter of that year where the iPhone X launched with major shortages in November.

As if that's not impressive enough, the iPhone 6 had no competition within Apple to speak of whereas the iPhone X was up against a simultaneous release of the iPhone 8 with both 7's SE's available as well.

Bonus? They should be building the iPhone X team a statue in front of the new Apple Campus in Cupertino.

 

[DakotaGuy]

35 million units of the iPhone X in 7 weeks. $43.7 billion dollars in revenue from the iPhone X in 7 weeks.

As a point of comparison, the iPhone 6 sold 66 million units in Q4 of its first year. At $649 that's $42.3 billion dollars in revenue.

As if besting the best selling iPhone of all time is not impressive enough, the iPhone 6 was 100% in stock for the entirety of the 4th quarter of that year where the iPhone X launched with major shortages in November.

As if that's not impressive enough, the iPhone 6 had no competition within Apple to speak of whereas the iPhone X was up against a simultaneous release of the iPhone 8 with both 7's SE's available as well.

Bonus? They should be building the iPhone X team a statue in front of the new Apple Campus in Cupertino.

I'm not seeing any solid numbers where they have already sold 35 million of them. All I see is a projection of selling that many in the holiday quarter. If they sold 66 million iPhone 6s in the 4th quarter when it launched wouldn't that mean that the X is not selling as well as the 6?

http://bgr.com/2017/12/22/iphone-x-sales-35-million-holiday-quarter/

I'd be curious where you got that information because all I can find is projections of a 30-35 million 4th quarter. I can't seem to find anything about 35 million units already sold in 7 weeks. If that's the case they should have a 75-80 million 4th quarter.

 

[boltjames]

I'm not seeing any solid numbers where they have already sold 35 million of them. All I see is a projection of selling that many in the holiday quarter. If they sold 66 million iPhone 6s in the 4th quarter when it launched wouldn't that mean that the X is not selling as well as the 6?

I'd be curious where you got that information because all I can find is projections of a 30-35 million 4th quarter. I can't seem to find anything about 35 million units already sold in 7 weeks. If that's the case they should have a 75-80 million 4th quarter.

The link to the projection is here on MR:

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/12/22/iphone-x-sales-not-as-strong-as-expected/

The iPhone 6 at launch was $649 and the iPhone X is $1250. The X could sell 48% fewer units and equal the revenue of the record-shattering iPhone 6. And don't forget the iPhone 8 at $699 launched at the same time and the iPhone SE at $349. Add it all up, Apple is going to rock this 4th quarter.

The iPhone 6 people (raises hand) didn't see the value in the iPhone 7 and didn't upgrade. When the 8 was announced simultaneous to the X, the 6 people had two choices. Some chose the 8, some chose the X, add 'em up, it's going to be mammoth. I wouldn't worry about Apple's revenues on iPhone.

 

[DakotaGuy]

The link to the projection is here on MR:

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/12/22/iphone-x-sales-not-as-strong-as-expected/

The iPhone 6 at launch was $649 and the iPhone X is $1250. The X could sell 48% fewer units and equal the revenue of the record-shattering iPhone 6. And don't forget the iPhone 8 at $699 launched at the same time and the iPhone SE at $349. Add it all up, Apple is going to rock this 4th quarter.

The iPhone 6 people (raises hand) didn't see the value in the iPhone 7 and didn't upgrade. When the 8 was announced simultaneous to the X, the 6 people had two choices. Some chose the 8, some chose the X, add 'em up, it's going to be mammoth. I wouldn't worry about Apple's revenues on iPhone.

Oh Apple will make a lot of cash this quarter. No doubt about that. It doesn't really improve my life, but hopefully it will improve the lives of their largest investors and executives. The new GOP tax cuts should also help them improve profits in 2018. I agree... they will be just fine.

 

[JackieInCo]

The link to the projection is here on MR:

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/12/22/iphone-x-sales-not-as-strong-as-expected/

The iPhone 6 at launch was $649 and the iPhone X is $1250. The X could sell 48% fewer units and equal the revenue of the record-shattering iPhone 6. And don't forget the iPhone 8 at $699 launched at the same time and the iPhone SE at $349. Add it all up, Apple is going to rock this 4th quarter.

The iPhone 6 people (raises hand) didn't see the value in the iPhone 7 and didn't upgrade. When the 8 was announced simultaneous to the X, the 6 people had two choices. Some chose the 8, some chose the X, add 'em up, it's going to be mammoth. I wouldn't worry about Apple's revenues on iPhone.

Last year, I skipped the iPhone 7 and kept using my 6S+ and 6S instead, plus, I got some Android phones. This year, I didn't feel the 8+ was a worthy upgrade and I wasn't even interested in the X so I bought a 256GB iPhone 7+ this month.

Next year, I'll probably buy the 8+ but I'll do it like I did the 7+, while I can still buy the 256GB model at a $200 discount, I will. I used the savings to buy AirPods this year.

 

[boltjames]

Oh Apple will make a lot of cash this quarter. No doubt about that. It doesn't really improve my life, but hopefully it will improve the lives of their largest investors and executives. The new GOP tax cuts should also help them improve profits in 2018. I agree... they will be just fine.

Definitely. I don't think anyone thought that a $1250 iPhone could eclipse the unit sales of the iPhone 6. Smart people would think that the X plus the 8 could equal the 6 on the unit line but both would blow away the 6 on the revenue/profit line. That's why a slump on Apple's stock price is really foolish. Again, the opinion's of two investment bankers doesn't trump the opinions in this forum or the opinion of 30,000,000 iPhone X owners, we are just as informed as they are truth be told.
[doublepost=1514308811][/doublepost]

Last year, I skipped the iPhone 7 and kept using my 6S+ and 6S instead, plus, I got some Android phones. This year, I didn't feel the 8+ was a worthy upgrade and I wasn't even interested in the X so I bought a 256GB iPhone 7+ this month.

Next year, I'll probably buy the 8+ but I'll do it like I did the 7+, while I can still buy the 256GB model at a $200 discount, I will. I used the savings to buy AirPods this year.

Makes sense. The only thing I'll tell you is that as someone who thought I didn't need wireless charging and that Face ID was a step back from Touch ID it turns out that these innovations are indeed game-changers. It's cool to just lie down your phone and have it charge without worrying about cords and Face ID is ridiculously better than Touch ID, to the point where you don't even know your phone is secured. You just pick it up, swipe up, and off you go.

 

[JackieInCo]

Definitely. I don't think anyone thought that a $1250 iPhone could eclipse the unit sales of the iPhone 6. Smart people would think that the X plus the 8 could equal the 6 on the unit line but both would blow away the 6 on the revenue/profit line. That's why a slump on Apple's stock price is really foolish. Again, the opinion's of two investment bankers doesn't trump the opinions in this forum or the opinion of 30,000,000 iPhone X owners, we are just as informed as they are truth be told.
[doublepost=1514308811][/doublepost]

Makes sense. The only thing I'll tell you is that as someone who thought I didn't need wireless charging and that Face ID was a step back from Touch ID it turns out that these innovations are indeed game-changers. It's cool to just lie down your phone and have it charge without worrying about cords and Face ID is ridiculously better than Touch ID, to the point where you don't even know your phone is secured. You just pick it up, swipe up, and off you go.

I do know how convenient wireless charging can be. I have owned several S7 Edge phones, a Note 8 and a S8+. There are times though where I simply plug in my S8+ or Note 8 because I want the phone to charge faster. I even have two Samsung Wireless chargers sitting here because I got them free from Samsung. I just get annoyed sometimes because they charge slower then plugging a cord in.

The above is why I didn't even feel the need to have an iPhone with wireless charging. I don't mind plugging in my iPhone to charge it.

 

[boltjames]

I do know how convenient wireless charging can be. I have owned several S7 Edge phones, a Note 8 and a S8+. There are times though where I simply plug in my S8+ or Note 8 because I want the phone to charge faster. I even have two Samsung Wireless chargers sitting here because I got them free from Samsung. I just get annoyed sometimes because they charge slower then plugging a cord in.

The above is why I didn't even feel the need to have an iPhone with wireless charging. I don't mind plugging in my iPhone to charge it.

Fair enough, the X was my first experience with wireless charging and I really like it. The battery life on the X is so good that it rare that you come across someone who actually needs to fast-charge it by wire in the middle of the day. I usually get home from work at 81% remaining and go to bed 5 hours later with 75% remaining so an overnight wireless charge is all I need.

Face ID is really, really good. And I'm someone who really, really hated on it before I used it, I was a massive Touch ID fan. Remember what your iPhone was like in 2007 without a passcode or any security at all? Just swipe and go? It's just like that. I've made it through full days without even remembering there was any security on my phone. It is a great feature executed just marvelously.

 

[Martyimac]

Since this thread is about the X/8/8+ not selling very well I'll just post this here.
I bought an 8 on 5 Dec. and returned it 10 days later.
The reasons are
1. Don't like the haptic feedback home button. In fact, I don't like haptic period.
2. Fear of breaking the glass which causes one to encase a beautiful phone in a protective case.
3. This is the big one, 4 "Butt" dials while carrying the phone in a belt holster. Yes that is four (4). That told me that particular phone had some issues. My 6S nor my SE have ever butt dialed.
But it also made me re-examine what I use my phone for and it came down to not worth the price I paid. While iOS 11 on my 6S does have some lag issues, I don't believe it's battery induced since I am at 92% health.

As others have mentioned, cell phones are now ubiquitous. They are now just an appliance we carry with us. Yes they provide a measure of security and communication capabilities but doesn't mean I need the latest and greatest.
[doublepost=1514309989][/doublepost]

The link to the projection is here on MR:

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/12/22/iphone-x-sales-not-as-strong-as-expected/

The iPhone 6 at launch was $649 and the iPhone X is $1250. The X could sell 48% fewer units and equal the revenue of the record-shattering iPhone 6. And don't forget the iPhone 8 at $699 launched at the same time and the iPhone SE at $349. Add it all up, Apple is going to rock this 4th quarter.

The iPhone 6 people (raises hand) didn't see the value in the iPhone 7 and didn't upgrade. When the 8 was announced simultaneous to the X, the 6 people had two choices. Some chose the 8, some chose the X, add 'em up, it's going to be mammoth. I wouldn't worry about Apple's revenues on iPhone.

And via the same website (wink) there is this projection. https://www.macrumors.com/2017/12/26/analysts-downgrade-iphone-x-forecasts/
It's all smoke and mirrors, and guessing, at this point.

 

[macfacts]

LOL. 35 MILLION UNITS in 7 weeks. $43 BILLION DOLLARS in revenue in 7 weeks. On a single SKU.

Where are you getting your numbers from? Apple doesn't break out sales numbers based on iPhone models. They group all SKUs together.

 

[boltjames]

Where are you getting your numbers from? Apple doesn't break out sales numbers based on iPhone models. They group all SKUs together.

Estimates from Wall Street analysts which is the only go-by at present.

 

[kargurin]

APPL down over 2.5% today so far due to a rather large cut in sales forecast. The market is just barely down.

 

[Adelphos33]

The link to the projection is here on MR:

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/12/22/iphone-x-sales-not-as-strong-as-expected/

The iPhone 6 at launch was $649 and the iPhone X is $1250. The X could sell 48% fewer units and equal the revenue of the record-shattering iPhone 6. And don't forget the iPhone 8 at $699 launched at the same time and the iPhone SE at $349. Add it all up, Apple is going to rock this 4th quarter.

The iPhone 6 people (raises hand) didn't see the value in the iPhone 7 and didn't upgrade. When the 8 was announced simultaneous to the X, the 6 people had two choices. Some chose the 8, some chose the X, add 'em up, it's going to be mammoth. I wouldn't worry about Apple's revenues on iPhone.

Notice I didn’t say the phones were a flop or selling poorly - my title says that I don’t think they are selling “spectacularly well.”

If total iPhone sales don’t grow as much as expected, the 8 may be as much to “blame” as the X - I think the point is that Apple may need to alter its pricing and innovation strategy a bit.

 

[boltjames]

Notice I didn’t say the phones were a flop or selling poorly - my title says that I don’t think they are selling “spectacularly well.”

You said in Post #1 that the iPhone was not a strong seller and the price needed to be almost cut in half. Early read is that is not the case on either.

If total iPhone sales don’t grow as much as expected, the 8 may be as much to “blame” as the X - I think the point is that Apple may need to alter its pricing and innovation strategy a bit.

For most of us who chose the larger capacity model, the iPhone 3GS cost $99, the iPhone 4 cost $99, the iPhone 5 cost $99, the iPhone 6 cost $199, and the iPhone X costs $1,250.

If I were an analyst in this space I'd have never forecast iPhone unit sales to increase over last year; I'd have looked at the audience, the pricing, and the offerings and forecast unit sales down X% but revenues nicely up Y% and profitability up a staggering Z%.

Problem is, too many of you only want to talk in unit sales when it's revenues and profitability that drive corporate success.