iOS device lineup bloated?

[BillyMatt87]

Let's see...

iPad:
-----
iPad Air: $499 16GB, $599 32GB, $699 64GB, $799 128GB
iPad mini (Retina): $399 16GB, $499 32GB, $599 64GB, $699 128GB
iPad (4th gen): $399 16GB
iPad mini (1st gen): $299 16GB

iPhone:
--------
iPhone 5S: $199 16GB, $299 32GB, $399 64GB
iPhone 5C: $100 16GB, $200 32GB
iPhone 4S: Free 8GB

I think Apple really needs to streamline their iOS product lineup because it's starting to get a little bloated and convoluted. Steve Jobs would definitely not go for this as a bloated product lineup was a contributing factor to Apple's initial downfall.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Ignoring their capacities, each line essentially has a flagship, and an entry level version. Air -> 4, rMini -> mini, and 5s -> 5c, with the 4S as the free model. Not so convoluted when you think of it this way.

EDIT
And in response to the seemingly inexhaustible 'this would be different with Jobs' claim, the lineup worked exactly the same way when he was still around, with the exception of the mini.

 

[deluxeshredder]

Check out the Android lineup to see "bloated".

 

[A Hebrew]

It's not like they heavily advertise the outdated devices that they still sell. Who cares?

 

[rdowns]

Would never have happened if Steve Jobs were alive.

THeir lineup had as many devices the day Jobs died, except for iPad mini.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Moto X, Moto G, Moto E <-- That's bloated. All the same phones, but with different specs, and different price points.

All the iPhones are not only different in specs, but have different bodies. The 4S has the glass back, the 5C has the plastic shells, and the 5S has the scanner, and has a different finish.

 

[maflynn]

Steve Jobs would definitely not go for this as a bloated product lineup was a contributing factor to Apple's initial downfall.

You mean he would sell an iPhone that 32GB or 64, just a 16gb one :roll eyes:

The line up is not bloated.
3 iPhone models (5/c/s) and the c is a new model, but the non "S" and "S" models were around when Steve was running the show.

The same with the iPad, they had a current gen and a prior gen. The mini is the new wrinkle.

I do not see any lack of focus on Apple's part since Steve's time, and I don't think the different storage options on the iPhones constitute bloat.

 

[RawBert]

The OP forgot to list iPod Touch.

 

[cfedu]

Let's see...

iPad:
-----
iPad Air: $499 16GB, $599 32GB, $699 64GB, $799 128GB
iPad mini (Retina): $399 16GB, $499 32GB, $599 64GB, $699 128GB
iPad (4th gen): $399 16GB
iPad mini (1st gen): $299 16GB

iPhone:
--------
iPhone 5S: $199 16GB, $299 32GB, $399 64GB
iPhone 5C: $100 16GB, $200 32GB
iPhone 4S: Free 8GB

I think Apple really needs to streamline their iOS product lineup because it's starting to get a little bloated and convoluted. Steve Jobs would definitely not go for this as a bloated product lineup was a contributing factor to Apple's initial downfall.

Translation...

I don't want an iPhone bigger then 4"! Anyone who does not agree with me does not know what they want or what Steve wanted for them.

What is go bad about choice? It will only get worse once the iPhone 6 is released.

 

[the8thark]

I agree the line up is getting very bloated. And the OP didn't even add in the different colours of devices. That's even more SKUs. This is a very worrying trend. It reminds me of the 90's. The only difference is Apple have enough money to absorb a few bad decisions.

I really hope Apple does not start going down this bad path.

 

[hallux]

Check out the Android lineup to see "bloated".

Yes, there are a lot of choices in the Android space.

Moto X, Moto G, Moto E <-- That's bloated. All the same phones, but with different specs, and different price points.

So, they're all the same phones yet they're different? THEN THEY AREN'T THE SAME PHONE! Moto X is the Flagship (right now) with a 4.7" AMOLED screen, higher storage capacities, 4G (until the Moto G 4G drops), and all the software "goodies" like touchless control. Moto G is now the mid-range (think the 5C to the 5S) with a different (smaller) screen, different processor, lower storage capacity and none of the software "goodies". The Moto E brings a smaller screen, even LOWER storage capacity (4 GB standard vs. 8 GB on the G).

The 3 are FAR from "the same", they fit different price points much like Apple has with offering the 4S, 5C and 5S.