Other iPhones Aren't Worth More Than $600 (To Me)

[kargurin]

I realize this is simply my opinion only. Having used many different iPhone's over the years, and currently using the XS Max, I personally feel no iPhone is worth more than $600 at retail. I understand others love their iPhone's and paid a lot more than that for them. But having used the XS Max for almost a year now, I'm simply done with pricey iPhone's. I simply don't think they are worth it at that price point. I'm planning on trading in my XS Max to AT&T once it's half paid off and getting an 8 Plus which I believe will be $550 post-keynote this year. I will then hold onto it until it no longer functions properly. With the exception of a potential future folding iPhone, I see no reason to ever spend more than $600 ever again for an iPhone. The innovation in smartphones is simply no longer there.

Good for you. That's why the 8 Plus exists.....to give people choices and an acknowledgement that one size does not fit all. As for me I won't compromise since I use the phone so much. I plan to keep my Max another year as the fall model will not change things much.

 

[blairh]

If Apple do launch a new SE, based on the iPhone 8 with an A12 CPU, water resistant, stereo speakers, solid state Touch ID, wireless charging and the camera from the XR. Price it at 600 or less and it’ll fly off the shelf’s! The iPhone 8 has all these things bar the A12 CPU and XRs camera.

To me the 6S has always felt more of the future then my XR does. Mainly because of its really svelte design.

A 5.4" iPhone that is slightly larger than the SE will be coming in 2020.

 

[Thai]

You vastly underestimate how Chinese government can save Huawei at every turn possible. And no, even if nobody outside China stops buying Huawei, they will be fine just as before.
As of the rest of your points, I’d say they are just weird. And focusing on price alone? And why android Q is attempting to wall the garden? Because iOS walled garden approach looks super great in Google’s eyes. Now google wants to play catch-up.

Now Bloomberg has cited internal sources to report that the Shenzhen manufacturer “is preparing for a 40% to 60% drop in international smartphone shipments,” with “sales and marketing managers internally charting a drop in volumes of anywhere between 40 million to 60 million smartphones this year.”

Without US tech, Huawei is dead. They have already laid off bunch of folks in their USA branch I believe.

 

[Wide opeN]

What I’ve learned, in the tech world, you have to be objective to everything, and some are so partial to Apple, they’re blinded by any other manufacture and they won’t acknowledge them for the strengths they have over the iPhone. I only use Apple products, but I am still very much objective to all technology alike, realizing that competitors to Apple offer a lot more than just stability/iOS/resale value, ect.

There are some who believe there is no competition that exists to Apple, and that’s a delusional misconception. Competition is very much needed to Apple in every facet, that’s the only way they can strive and succeed to further change.

Yep, we need Samsung, One Plus, and Google to continue to push Apple. Surface, Chrome Books, Lenovo, Asus on the laptop front.

With that said, cohesion and full ownership is where Apple got it right from day 1!!!

 

[apolloa]

A 5.4" iPhone that is slightly larger than the SE will be coming in 2020.

We shall see.. but I bet it doesn’t have zoomed screen mode and costs a grand.

 

[Tsepz]

What I’ve learned, in the tech world, you have to be objective to everything, and some are so partial to Apple, they’re blinded by any other manufacture and they won’t acknowledge them for the strengths they have over the iPhone. I only use Apple products, but I am still very much objective to all technology alike, realizing that competitors to Apple offer a lot more than just stability/iOS/resale value, ect.

There are some who believe there is no competition that exists to Apple, and that’s a delusional misconception. Competition is very much needed to Apple in every facet, that’s the only way they can strive and succeed to further change.

Absolutely agreed. If there was no competition the iPhone would still probably be a 3.5inch Display Phone and iPad would probably not have any sort of proper stylus/“pencil” support, peripheral support or multi window multitasking. The thought of that is quite scary.

They all need each other. It’s been great watching them and trying each iteration of both OSs.

Yep, we need Samsung, One Plus, and Google to continue to push Apple. Surface, Chrome Books, Lenovo, Asus on the laptop front.

With that said, cohesion and full ownership is where Apple got it right from day 1!!!

Exactly, completely agree. As an enthusiast, I thoroughly appreciate Apples vertical integration and long support, it’s definitely created an incredibly cohesive experience.

On the other hand these other OEMs have come with some great hardware and OEMs like Samsung and Huawei have been a great influence on Google. Huawei have been putting Dark Mode in their phones for the longest time and we have been enjoying USB-OTG in Android for the longest time, FINALLY iOS gets these things.

 

[ZeitGeist]

This is the dangerous game Apple is playing, its profits on iPhones are from the price up, not the sales numbers!and I can’t see this being sustainable for long.

Ding! Ding! Dimg! Winner!
Most of us capable of understanding math have figured that out, while the hopeless fanbois keep pretending to not see this.

 

[ZeitGeist]

The closer we get to the unveil, the more I believe Apple hasn't learned any lessons. I genuinely think they think we'll be so excited for whatever they introduce, that'll we'll just lap it up.

I'm more than happy and willing to prove them wrong.

You and me both.

Though, I also do think they know that the 2019 iPhones are lackluster offerings, which is why all these ‘rumors’ about 2020 and 2021 iPhones have been allowed to ‘leak’.

The 2019 models are still Jony Ive influenced models (iow, that he’s done nothing about), and Apple couldn’t pivot fast enough to influence this year, after his departure.

I feel that 2019 will be the worst year for iPhone sales and profits - and while its a dangerous game, I also trust that they know they HAVE to deliver in 2020, and they will start. Bringing (rumored) TouchID back (and hopefully a virtual Home Button), and an iPhone SE style form factor will be steps in the right direction.

 

[Shirasaki]

Now Bloomberg has cited internal sources to report that the Shenzhen manufacturer “is preparing for a 40% to 60% drop in international smartphone shipments,” with “sales and marketing managers internally charting a drop in volumes of anywhere between 40 million to 60 million smartphones this year.”

Without US tech, Huawei is dead. They have already laid off bunch of folks in their USA branch I believe.

That simply shows Bloomberg guys have no idea how China works. With the strong political power, Chinese government will save Huawei at all costs. And Huawei smartphone or computer department is like nothing compared to its telecommunication department. And, losing global market does not mean Huawei is dead. That can only mean it is unable to penetrate global market to expand its influence and company.

 

[thadoggfather]

I almost feel like apple is being incredibly lazy design wise keeping the same
Prices likely this year knowing it will sell plenty anyways but
Probably underperform prior years

Who knows tho watch it’s the best selling iPhone this year , of any iPhone lol

 

[Shirasaki]

As I suspect, the post is deleted.
You are picking the fight in a wrong place.
Don’t question those things and bother about the underlying reasons. Just look at the history.
Again, I admire your patriotism and nationalism.
[doublepost=1565702270][/doublepost]

I almost feel like apple is being incredibly lazy design wise keeping the same
Prices likely this year knowing it will sell plenty anyways but
Probably underperform prior years

Who knows tho watch it’s the best selling iPhone this year , of any iPhone lol

Without Steve Jobs, and now Johnny Ive, I don’t think Apple will spend a lot on pushing a new design. The driving force nowadays is merely new designs from android counterparts, rather than self-driven innovation lust. Look back iphone 4 and 4s, way ahead of the time design wise, even though wireless charging was not a thing back in 2010. iPhone X takes that design and apply it to iPhone X frame. So yeah. Lazy.

 

[bushman4]

If people wouldn’t pay $1000 for an iPhone then Apple would have to sell them at a cheaper price
Bottom Line: Apple tried and the customer caved and here we are at a $1000 iPhone

 

[rui no onna]

If people wouldn’t pay $1000 for an iPhone then Apple would have to sell them at a cheaper price
Bottom Line: Apple tried and the customer caved and here we are at a $1000 iPhone

I actually wonder if it's sustainable.

I mean, it was the 10th anniversary iPhone so I was prepared to pay $1200 for it as a one-time splurge if the device managed to wow me. However, it's not really something I'd do on a regular basis.

 

[Shirasaki]

I actually wonder if it's sustainable.

I mean, it was the 10th anniversary iPhone so I was prepared to pay $1200 for it as a one-time splurge if the device managed to wow me. However, it's not really something I'd do on a regular basis.

Sustainable or not, they got the money. Short term profit gain guaranteed.

Seriously, who cares about sustainability anyway in 2019? This concept sounds so 2000. /s

 

[rui no onna]

Sustainable or not, they got the money. Short term profit gain guaranteed.

Seriously, who cares about sustainability anyway in 2019? This concept sounds so 2000. /s

I was wondering in terms of future iPhone models and pricing.

Sure, the X was a success in 2017, hence, we saw them double down on the high end with the XS and XS Max last year. I do wonder if/when they'll see a pushback due to pricing.

Right now, the current line-up (at least for latest gen) are:

6.1" XR: $750
5.8" XS: $1000
6.5" XS Max: $1100

This year, Apple will likely drop the iPhone 7/7+ from their line up and I expect the same goes for the 8/8+ next year. I find the XR uncomfortably large and I do wonder if Apple will release a smaller version of the XR to replace the 4.7" iPhone 7/8 at a more reasonable price point or if they're gonna limit size options to $1K+ phones.

 

[Shirasaki]

I was wondering in terms of future iPhone models and pricing.

Sure, the X was a success in 2017, hence, we saw them double down on the high end with the XS and XS Max last year. I do wonder if/when they'll see a pushback due to pricing.

Right now, the current line-up (at least for latest gen) are:

6.1" XR: $750
5.8" XS: $1000
6.5" XS Max: $1100

This year, Apple will likely drop the iPhone 7/7+ from their line up and I expect the same goes for the 8/8+ next year. I find the XR uncomfortably large and I do wonder if Apple will release a smaller version of the XR to replace the 4.7" iPhone 7/8 at a more reasonable price point or if they're gonna limit size options to $1K+ phones.

Ok. I get it.
All I can hope is enough customer incentives to not buy latest and greatest with absurd $1000 price tag.
As for the size, I think Apple will more likely shrink down XS size than XR, just like what rumours say. Maybe at some point, people will have a $800 iPhone that has similar size as iPhone SE but with flagship phone features.

 

[blairh]

I find the XR uncomfortably large and I do wonder if Apple will release a smaller version of the XR to replace the 4.7" iPhone 7/8 at a more reasonable price point or if they're gonna limit size options to $1K+ phones.

No size changes this fall. A 5.4" iPhone is coming in 2020.

 

[rillrill]

Don’t pay retail prices on iPhones. You are not wrong in that they aren’t worth the msrp. You can get an xs for about $700 used in mint condition now. That’s what I did when I needed a new iPhone. No taxes either. Apple”s real problem is competition with the used market.

 

[Wide opeN]

Don’t pay retail prices on iPhones. You are not wrong in that they aren’t worth the msrp. You can get an xs for about $700 used in mint condition now. That’s what I did when I needed a new iPhone. No taxes either. Apple”s real problem is competition with the used market.

This makes all the sense in the world!!!

My OCD with phones, at least for my daily driver would never let me buy used though. DEFINITELY not trying to be a snob, but this is how I am with my personal electronics.

 

[apolloa]

No size changes this fall. A 5.4" iPhone is coming in 2020.

The rumour mill seems split on that though, some still claim it’ll be 5.8” so I wouldn’t bet on it becoming reality just yet.

 

[blairh]

The rumour mill seems split on that though, some still claim it’ll be 5.8” so I wouldn’t bet on it becoming reality just yet.

Ming-Chi reported it. So I’m confident it will happen.

 

[The Game 161]

This makes all the sense in the world!!!

My OCD with phones, at least for my daily driver would never let me buy used though. DEFINITELY not trying to be a snob, but this is how I am with my personal electronics.

Same and sadly I don’t trust people who sell things these days..too many scam artists

 

[blairh]

Same and sadly I don’t trust people who sell things these days..too many scam artists

Someone with a series of 5 star reviews sold me a water damaged iPhone on Swappa. It was a PITA to get my money back via PayPal. I would not purchase used anymore just from that experience.

 

[44267547]

If people wouldn’t pay $1000 for an iPhone then Apple would have to sell them at a cheaper price
Bottom Line: Apple tried and the customer caved and here we are at a $1000 iPhone

Your post is partially incorrect. The carriers are enabler‘s, _they_ are the ones that are making it easier for consumers to pay these prices with monthly payments. If the carriers were not allowing subsidized payments versus paying the device off, then Apple would even have a more difficult time selling these phones at the given price. Without carrier support for allowing installed payments, Apple would have to completely re-strategize how they would sell these phones at that price.

 

[Wide opeN]

Your post is partially incorrect. The carriers are enabler‘s, _they_ are the ones that are making it easier for consumers to pay these prices with monthly payments. If the carriers were not allowing subsidized payments versus paying the device off, then Apple would even have a more difficult time selling these phones at the given price. Without carrier support for allowing installed payments, Apple would have to completely re-strategize how they would sell these phones at that price.

I wonder (like what we were touching on yesterday), will Apple take steps to evolve the iPhone trade in/financing game this year!?