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

[Azathoth123]

If Apple stepped away from the profit margin approach a little with a less greedy outlook, they’d see significantly less consumers are using their cutting edge devices. From a design perspective you want to brag about your technology reaching as many people as possible. The sad thing is the majority of consumers see the price and settle for older or cheaper models. That might be fine for profits, but it’s sad for innovation.

Apple is a publicly held company, and like all publicly held companies, has a fiduciary legal obligation to maximize returns to shareholders consistent with the market and their business plan. Otherwise people would not invest in these companies. The phone market is currently pretty saturated, and I see that saturation as more of an impediment than prices.

As far as pricing goes, a MSRP of twice the manufacturing cost is common, and Apple seems to be in this ballpark. If the flagship is too expensive, there are multiple other viable options, the oft-mentioned XR being a great one, a friend’s wife got one last fall and is thrilled with it. 7, 8, X, XR, all are quality products. I don’t really understand what people are complaining about.

 

[ZeitGeist]

Hence why I'll probably get an 8 Plus this fall instead of an XR.

good, much better choice than the XR.

 

[Techman82]

There's no doubt iPhones and top android phones are overpriced, I've still got the 8 plus and it's got the glass build that's on all decent phones and works just as good, well I know it's dated from the front now but the price of upgrading is really putting off and makes you question why, and is there need to get what is really an incremental update, that's the way it's been with a bit and that's the way from now on.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Apple is a publicly held company, and like all publicly held companies, has a fiduciary legal obligation to maximize returns to shareholders consistent with the market and their business plan. Otherwise people would not invest in these companies. The phone market is currently pretty saturated, and I see that saturation as more of an impediment than prices.

As far as pricing goes, a MSRP of twice the manufacturing cost is common, and Apple seems to be in this ballpark. If the flagship is too expensive, there are multiple other viable options, the oft-mentioned XR being a great one, a friend’s wife got one last fall and is thrilled with it. 7, 8, X, XR, all are quality products. I don’t really understand what people are complaining about.

You’ve written that like you think I don’t already know any of it? Of course I know there are better cheaper options offered by Apple. Last September I bought the 8+ as my upgrade because I felt £999 for the XS was excessive. I could have afforded it though. Like me, nearly everybody I know in the last year has either bought an iPhone 8 or the XR too.

The market is saturated with less people upgrading but there are still plenty of people upgrading. You’ve got to admit that price must be playing a key part otherwise we’d all be buying Apples flagship iPhones instead. So why are they not as desirable in your opinion if it’s not about price?

 

[44267547]

The only real way smart phones will continue to keep selling, is through the carriers. They need [trade-ins/incentives/promotions] to draw the customer in, convince them _why_ they would want to trade into their current smart phone and it has to be affordable for the consumer to want to upgrade to the latest model. If none of those ingredients match, then that’s what’s hurting smart phones in general, is the price points are too expensive, on top of an already expensive carrier monthly bill.

 

[thedeske]

Big fan of buying older models and staying away from big carriers. There is a way to stay cheap and have 90% of what you want. Micro upgrades at 100s more is chasing the new shiny IMO.
Buying the latest is fun though. Did it for years

 

[ZeitGeist]

Big fan of buying older models and staying away from big carriers. There is a way to stay cheap and have 90% of what you want. Micro upgrades at 100s more is chasing the new shiny IMO.
Buying the latest is fun though. Did it for years

Good policy - initially when the upgrades brought actionable features, yearly upgrades made more sense.

Then, the ‘S’ models made the most sense, and that’s when I upgraded every 2 years.

Lately, since iPhone 6S, Apple hasn’t really provided any compelling reason to upgrade to newer models - granted, I have the iPhone 7 and now iPhone 8, but I did that to upgrade the capacity (with the 7, and I admit, I really wanted the Jet Black model), and the 8 because I needed something after I returned the POS iPhone XR (and I really wanted the [RED] iPhone 8) - honestly, at this point, I would be just as happy with the iPhone 6S or the 7, as the 8 brings little to the table.

The X series models, IMO, are crap because they are android phones, not iPhones - but that’s a different discussion.

 

[dweb619_2]

I’m with you on the price there is no way a phone is worth more than $600. But you are forgetting one big thing.

1. Steve Job’s reality distortion field is real.

To me when I bought my XS Max last year I hated the price. But when I got my phone and felt the hardware and seen the software work together flawlessly the price was justified in my mind.

 

[blairh]

To me when I bought my XS Max last year I hated the price. But when I got my phone and felt the hardware and seen the software work together flawlessly the price was justified in my mind.

I feel the opposite. Nothing about using my XS Max justifies the price, and in fact made me realize what a waste of money this premium price point is for any smartphone. (IMO)

 

[44267547]

I’m with you on the price there is no way a phone is worth more than $600. But you are forgetting one big thing.

1. Steve Job’s reality distortion field is real.

To me when I bought my XS Max last year I hated the price. But when I got my phone and felt the hardware and seen the software work together flawlessly the price was justified in my mind.

Steve Jobs reality distortion field is a ‘dated’ state of mind. Smart phones are only what someone values out of it, but they’re made so durable today with software longevity, they’re not needed to be upgraded every year like they used to be, when they were actually cheaper then.

 

[Wide opeN]

To be honest, I never see the Max much in public. Usually the smaller 5.8 Xs. But either way, I don’t think the Max really proves that you’re a ‘nerd or want the best’, I just think it’s for those really want a larger display for having the extra ‘view-ability’. I mean, that’s why it smart phones have grown so popular over the years, because larger displays [with incorporating larger batteries] allow for more content when viewing photos/videos/media/gaming, etc.

To be sure, the screen size is part of the allure for the Max. But you don't pay $1100 + "just" for screen size.
[doublepost=1565283906][/doublepost]

As a previous 6S Plus user, I got the Max because I missed the wider screen after using the X for a year. At this point my eyes just strongly prefer a larger screen, and I really enjoy typing with two hands versus one. Hence why I'll probably get an 8 Plus this fall instead of an XR. (And why I'd love a potential future foldout iPhone.)

So let me understand, you're going from Xs Max to 8 Plus!? So confused...

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

To be sure, the screen size is part of the allure for the Max. But you don't pay $1100 + "just" for screen size.

Given the Max is the exact same phone as the regular XS aside from a larger screen, what else do you feel one is gaining?

 

[Wide opeN]

Given the Max is the exact same phone as the regular XS aside from a larger screen, what else do you feel one is gaining?

Great question... Basically, being able to say that you have the biggest top spec'd iPhone available. Or the inverse, knowing there isn't anything better than what you have.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Great question... Basically, being able to say that you have the biggest top spec'd iPhone available. Or the inverse, knowing there isn't anything better than what you have.

On that note, and off topic, I remember the frustration (for smaller phone users) back in the day when the 'plus' version would always have some sort of advantage(s) over the smaller 4.7" device. I am almost surprised that Apple did not continue this trend to further encourage people to pay the extra money for the larger device. For me, it's not about being able to say I have the largest, newest phone. I desire the extra width the Max brings and that is the only reason I go with it over the 5.8" option.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Great question... Basically, being able to say that you have the biggest top spec'd iPhone available. Or the inverse, knowing there isn't anything better than what you have.

Is that really a thing any more though? Smartphones are so mature I don’t know anybody who brags about stuff like that. I think that’s perhaps a techy thing maybe?

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Is that really a thing any more though? Smartphones are so mature I don’t know anybody who brags about stuff like that. I think that’s perhaps a techy thing maybe?

I certainly don't think it is a thing anymore. I see far more 8/8 Plus and prior generation phones than I do X/XS/XR versions not only in regular life, but at my corporate office. We are a Fortune 50 company so I don't assume a lack of financial means is the reason these people don't have the newer phone. I just don't think many see it as a status symbol the way they may have years ago.

 

[blairh]

To be sure, the screen size is part of the allure for the Max. But you don't pay $1100 + "just" for screen size.
[doublepost=1565283906][/doublepost]

So let me understand, you're going from Xs Max to 8 Plus!? So confused...

Yes. I'll be trading in my XS Max for the 8 Plus post-keynote. I believe the 8 Plus will be $569 post-keynote. That is essentially the same price as paying off the rest of my XS Max.

No, I don't see this as a massive downgrade. In a way it's an upgrade. My eyes prefer the iPhone LCD over current OLED panels. I also look forward to having a static battery percentage icon once again.

Yes there are downsides too like the superior speakers of the Max and the ability to switch apps with a swipe. I'm willing to accept those changes.

I will also have a 2 year warranty on the Plus moving forward. (I'm gonna get AC+.) My Max is out of warranty next month.

 

[Wide opeN]

Is that really a thing any more though? Smartphones are so mature I don’t know anybody who brags about stuff like that. I think that’s perhaps a techy thing maybe?

It is... as when I do upgrade I have to have the top model available.
[doublepost=1565291684][/doublepost]

Yes. I'll be trading in my XS Max for the 8 Plus post-keynote. I believe the 8 Plus will be $569 post-keynote. That is essentially the same price as paying off the rest of my XS Max.

No, I don't see this as a massive downgrade. In a way it's an upgrade. My eyes prefer the iPhone LCD over current OLED panels. I also look forward to having a static battery percentage icon once again.

Yes there are downsides too like the superior speakers of the Max and the ability to switch apps with a swipe. I'm willing to accept those changes.

I will also have a 2 year warranty on the Plus moving forward. (I'm gonna get AC+.) My Max is out of warranty next month.

Sounds like it's well thought out, and you're living by your words. Kudos to you!

 

[blairh]

It is... as when I do upgrade I have to have the top model available.
[doublepost=1565291684][/doublepost]

Sounds like it's well thought out, and you're living by your words. Kudos to you!

Thanks!

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

It is... as when I do upgrade I have to have the top model available.

You do that for yourself though surely? You realise nobody else cares what phone you use, right?

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I certainly don't think it is a thing anymore. I see far more 8/8 Plus and prior generation phones than I do X/XS/XR versions not only in regular life, but at my corporate office. We are a Fortune 50 company so I don't assume a lack of financial means is the reason these people don't have the newer phone. I just don't think many see it as a status symbol the way they may have years ago.

That’s my experience too. Work is full of iPhones but not so many newest models and plenty of iPhone 7/8 series. It’s nothing to do with money either for obvious reasons.

 

[Wide opeN]

You do that for yourself though surely? You realise nobody else cares what phone you use, right?

Oh yeah, it's ABSOLUTELY 100% FOR ME AND ME ALONE. I could give af about what anyone's opinion is of my phone, whether it be top tier or bottom of the barrel.

Tech is my hobby, and as such it's where I splurge a little bit. With these prices however, I maybe evaluating strategies 2-3 years down the road. I'm proud to say that I'm not "static" in my thought process or logic.

 

[Azathoth123]

You’ve written that like you think I don’t already know any of it? Of course I know there are better cheaper options offered by Apple. Last September I bought the 8+ as my upgrade because I felt £999 for the XS was excessive. I could have afforded it though. Like me, nearly everybody I know in the last year has either bought an iPhone 8 or the XR too.

The market is saturated with less people upgrading but there are still plenty of people upgrading. You’ve got to admit that price must be playing a key part otherwise we’d all be buying Apples flagship iPhones instead. So why are they not as desirable in your opinion if it’s not about price?

Apple offers a range of phones in a range of prices. All are competent phones, and superbly built. Choose one, 7, 8, X, XS. Choose the one that best suits you, but if you want the Apple flagship you will pay a premium as always for the most current model of anything, cars, toasters, coffee makers, etc.
[doublepost=1565301626][/doublepost]Samsung phones are similarly priced, do you not have any complaint about them?

 

[Geert76]

how is the Xs Max the ''top model'' and ''the best''?

There is about zero ergonomics with the Xs Max where the Xs has much better ergonomics. In that case the Xs Max would be an absolute downgrade coming from, let's say, iPhone X

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Apple offers a range of phones in a range of prices. All are competent phones, and superbly built. Choose one, 7, 8, X, XS. Choose the one that best suits you, but if you want the Apple flagship you will pay a premium as always for the most current model of anything, cars, toasters, coffee makers, etc.
[doublepost=1565301626][/doublepost]Samsung phones are similarly priced, do you not have any complaint about them?

I have chosen the iPhone that I find the best for me thanks as I’ve already said.

I don’t criticise Samsung because although they may have similar RRP at launch, these prices plummet within weeks of release and the contracts are very competitive. Not for me though as I use iOS. iPhone prices are fixed and carriers are blocked from straying away from this, unlike android devices.