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I’ve heard rumors of companies trying to influence opinion on large forums before, but I never really believed them. But with an insane number of posts trying to convince people to return iPhones, not to buy the X, how Face ID somehow doesn’t work and finger scanning is better, etc. - I’m starting to wonder if this is somehow, hm, motivated by an outside factor.

I’m sure there are people who genuinely disagree with a lot of Apple’s decisions, but in all the years I don’t remember this forum ever having so many calls to leave the iPhone. Certain users are even starting multiple threads with the same theme. People who buy iPhones are insulted daily. “Cultists”, “Blind”, “Ignorants”, “Even if Apple asked for their fingers, they would still buy them”.... Also, words like “scandal” and “lies”.... I’ve never seen it this bad.

We are witnessing how social media can be abused to influence entire elections, why would this be any different? Am I being paranoid here?
I've been wondering this myself for awhile now. I've noticed on Facebook if Macrumors posts something about the iphone or any other tech site post anything about apple the comments are about how we are sheep, sheeple, zealots, and so on. For some reason they seem to think that we cannot think for ourselves and that we need help in deciding what iphone to buy lol. They always mention Samsung for some reason but if Samsung phones are mentioned on the same facebook tech sites, there are no apple people posting anything against their phones lol.
 
People complaining or criticizing Apple are not grouping up or organizing or being paid.

The same question could be asked of Apple. Is Apple paying users to go on forums to handle damage control? Everytime Apple puts out a PR piece, it will have certain buzzwords in it and instantly there are multiple users parroting the same phrase. Slavishly copied, consumed battery, differential privacy, secure enclave, machine learning, bionic chip, etc.
I don't think we can disprove if either fan/hate camp being paid is true. Both are possibilities. I do know that it's more plausible that on a Apple fan site that normal people enjoying and learning about their devices would be very likely to say positive things. Some of us find it odd that people continually bash. It's not the bashing, it's the same bashing and popping up in every thread to bash. I consider myself normal. If I dislike something, I don't go to places where fans of it will congregate to repeatedly bash them. I would hope I have better things to do. Either there is an antisocial disorder or someone being paid or just unhealthy level of anger. Criticism is cool, it adds to the discussion, even fans do it. But I'm not this angry at any inanimate object or nameless corporate behemoth to waste time on hate. Fandom is a different story. We gladly waste time talking about things of interest or things we enjoy, without payment! BTW, I don't read Apple press releases, mostly news from various sources.
 
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Yes, everything I don't like is immediately labeled Fake News(or conspiracy), especially if others don't like what I like. I sleep better at night this way. I also make sure to start a thread with other people sharing my values against those Fake News(or conspiracy) people. They are so terrible and I wish they can just leave my bubble. They aren't fooling me!

(This post was not paid for and orchestrated by Fake News.)
 
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maybe some are paid shills, and Samsung moles, but I think a lot of the criticism is from real people who are apple users

$1000+ dollar phones with a "feature" expected to throttle down the road, isn't comforting.

The notch was completely overblown, I concede.

it did take me a good while to legitimately stop caring in landscape safari but, otherwise non issue most of all in video I just don't care for a screen that small if a bit is curved out. I can hold my thumb there to hold the phone, and forget it even exists in that use case.

the panel lottery is pretty insane too this go round, from my personal experience, but I wasn't expecting $1000 to eradicate that. just didn't know it would be THAT bad.

if only my first unit had good reception, I woudltn have gone down that hole and believed that.
 
It was a joke. That's just ultimately what this finger pointing nonsense becomes.

I personally would never buy an iPhone X... because diminishing returns. I would rather spend that money someplace else. But I understand that some people need the latest and greatest and it probably provides a return for them in some way or another, just understand that these people are a smaller niche than iPhone buyers.
 
The reason why I think the X should have been priced at the plus price point is in relation to other products on the market.

Anyhow regardless of what I think I still bought the X.

I disagree. I will probably get flamed for this but it feels like this year more than ever that folks are expecting Apple to be price conscious and offer things at a lower price.

I guess I missed the memo where Apple is supposed to care less about profit and more about people?

On that same token folks can justify Samsung pricing their devices much higher and let’s talk about that pen and camera. The dual camera that the iPhone plus has had at least for 3 variants X included and yes there is no pen.

But again saying Samsung can charge more while Apple is supposed to stay under 1000 is simply the voice of some who seem to have an issue with companies trying to make a profit.
[doublepost=1514410379][/doublepost]
maybe some are paid shills, and Samsung moles, but I think a lot of the criticism is from real people who are apple users

$1000+ dollar phones with a "feature" expected to throttle down the road, isn't comforting.

The notch was completely overblown, I concede.

it did take me a good while to legitimately stop caring in landscape safari but, otherwise non issue most of all in video I just don't care for a screen that small if a bit is curved out. I can hold my thumb there to hold the phone, and forget it even exists in that use case.

the panel lottery is pretty insane too this go round, from my personal experience, but I wasn't expecting $1000 to eradicate that. just didn't know it would be THAT bad.

if only my first unit had good reception, I woudltn have gone down that hole and believed that.

How many folks though actually spent 1000 and by that I mean upfront? Vs the Amount of folks who walked out with an installment agreement where they will most likely upgrade early anyway and not pay 1000? Or Technically 999 if we are being pedantic.
 
I disagree. I will probably get flamed for this but it feels like this year more than ever that folks are expecting Apple to be price conscious and offer things at a lower price.

I guess I missed the memo where Apple is supposed to care less about profit and more about people?

On that same token folks can justify Samsung pricing their devices much higher and let’s talk about that pen and camera. The dual camera that the iPhone plus has had at least for 3 variants X included and yes there is no pen.

But again saying Samsung can charge more while Apple is supposed to stay under 1000 is simply the voice of some who seem to have an issue with companies trying to make a profit.
[doublepost=1514410379][/doublepost]

How many folks though actually spent 1000 and by that I mean upfront? Vs the Amount of folks who walked out with an installment agreement where they will most likely upgrade early anyway and not pay 1000? Or Technically 999 if we are being pedantic.

Any which way you dice it though, its still $1000.

I will admit, planning to upgrade for sure for X2 or X+ next year and getting on the plan and trading in, to not hassle with resell or any of that, sounds wonderful.

Im happy with my 64GB X for $549 with a 2 year on a service I'm not switching from, and wouldnt want a different tier plan for (and will probably hold onto for awhile because of jailbreakability), but

to me the argument doesn't hold up any less whether you pay $1000 upfront, or finance, or do IUP with plans to leave it behind.

You have to factor in all that don't neurotically upgrade every year like us on MR. The average person wants to keep an iPhone for years. especially bc if you look at it 6-8, there hasn't been a ton new to the average user. And the average user is getting hosed.

Being locked on 11.1.2 (non throttle iOS for my 7+ and X) for the foreseeable future doesn't change that I thing its wrong apple pulled a fast one on people not neurotically upgrading and/or in the know.
 
This old eyes of mine, thank me for those $1000 that I spent every time that they contemplate the crisp, clear and vibrant colors on the screen of the iPhone X.
 
Any which way you dice it though, its still $1000.

I will admit, planning to upgrade for sure for X2 or X+ next year and getting on the plan and trading in, to not hassle with resell or any of that, sounds wonderful.

You have to factor in all that don't neurotically upgrade every year like us on MR. The average person wants to keep an iPhone for years. especially bc if you look at it 6-8, there hasn't been a ton new to the average user. And the average user is getting hosed.

Being locked on 11.1.2 (non throttle iOS for my 7+ and X) for the foreseeable future doesn't change that I thing its wrong apple pulled a fast one on people not neurotically upgrading and/or in the know.

6+ had a larger body so yeah that’s an upgrade right there
7/7 plus stereo speakers and the plus had the new dual camera.

So the average user does know about those things. Let give them some credit because if the 6-8 were being ignored by the average user those record breaking quarters would not have occurred.

Folks have no issue spending 1000 dollars on shoes or a fancy vacation but a phone gets in the mix and people lose their mind.
 
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Any which way you dice it though, its still $1000.

I will admit, planning to upgrade for sure for X2 or X+ next year and getting on the plan and trading in, to not hassle with resell or any of that, sounds wonderful.

Im happy with my 64GB X for $549 with a 2 year on a service I'm not switching from, and wouldnt want a different tier plan for (and will probably hold onto for awhile because of jailbreakability), but

to me the argument doesn't hold up any less whether you pay $1000 upfront, or finance, or do IUP with plans to leave it behind.

You have to factor in all that don't neurotically upgrade every year like us on MR. The average person wants to keep an iPhone for years. especially bc if you look at it 6-8, there hasn't been a ton new to the average user. And the average user is getting hosed.

Being locked on 11.1.2 (non throttle iOS for my 7+ and X) for the foreseeable future doesn't change that I thing its wrong apple pulled a fast one on people not neurotically upgrading and/or in the know.
I’m on the yearly upgrade plan now so I’ll just upgrade to the X2/ X plus or whatever it’s called next year.
[doublepost=1514411225][/doublepost]
I disagree. I will probably get flamed for this but it feels like this year more than ever that folks are expecting Apple to be price conscious and offer things at a lower price.

I guess I missed the memo where Apple is supposed to care less about profit and more about people?

On that same token folks can justify Samsung pricing their devices much higher and let’s talk about that pen and camera. The dual camera that the iPhone plus has had at least for 3 variants X included and yes there is no pen.

But again saying Samsung can charge more while Apple is supposed to stay under 1000 is simply the voice of some who seem to have an issue with companies trying to make a profit.
[doublepost=1514410379][/doublepost]

How many folks though actually spent 1000 and by that I mean upfront? Vs the Amount of folks who walked out with an installment agreement where they will most likely upgrade early anyway and not pay 1000? Or Technically 999 if we are being pedantic.
I did do the upgrade programme this time round but in the past two years I paid for my iPhones upfront from Apple. Had I not got the note 8 from my carrier I would have just bought it upfront from Apple. However I didn’t want to be paying off a phone I no longer had. So I paid off the whole of the note 8 which was £870 and then took out a plan for my iPhone X. I will probably upgrade next year.
 
I disagree. I will probably get flamed for this but it feels like this year more than ever that folks are expecting Apple to be price conscious and offer things at a lower price.

I guess I missed the memo where Apple is supposed to care less about profit and more about people?

On that same token folks can justify Samsung pricing their devices much higher and let’s talk about that pen and camera. The dual camera that the iPhone plus has had at least for 3 variants X included and yes there is no pen.

But again saying Samsung can charge more while Apple is supposed to stay under 1000 is simply the voice of some who seem to have an issue with companies trying to make a profit.
[doublepost=1514410379][/doublepost]

How many folks though actually spent 1000 and by that I mean upfront? Vs the Amount of folks who walked out with an installment agreement where they will most likely upgrade early anyway and not pay 1000? Or Technically 999 if we are being pedantic.

Apple has had no problem making a profit up to this point. There is a point where greed, and excessiveness have to be considered. $1000 is a psychological barrier, but also a realistic one. People are quick to claim well my 7+ was almost 900 so whats 100 more. Well your $900 7+ also had a bigger screen and more storage so it's not a fair comparison. People forget the 8 also went up in price and changed storage options. The so called Apple Tax was tolerable to core fans, and certain users in the past but Apple is a much more mainstream company now. Regular folks do not have the same tolerance for high prices as the past buyers did. What they charge for storage tiers alone is absurd.

After 10 years of iphone, I think the market is saturated and people are less crazed to get a new device every year. The X is a fine phone but not worth it for many people. Delays in availability dont help sales either, people have a chance to reconsider and read reviews and then decide it isn't worth it to them. Whereas if the X was the only phone offered and presale and release were quicker, like in the past, then everyone would buy quickly without taking much time to think.

Keep in mind too that wages, benefits, and the like haven't improved for a lot of people over the past few years so with the cost of things like rent, fuel, and food going up, your cellphone might not be a high priority anymore. People are cutting back and mobile phone hardware is gonna take a hit. If not this year then soon.
 
I personally would never buy an iPhone X... because diminishing returns. I would rather spend that money someplace else. But I understand that some people need the latest and greatest and it probably provides a return for them in some way or another, just understand that these people are a smaller niche than iPhone buyers.

That’s cool, to each their own. My X was $2 more a month than my 7 Plus so price was never a factor for me.
 
Apple has had no problem making a profit up to this point. There is a point where greed, and excessiveness have to be considered. $1000 is a psychological barrier, but also a realistic one. People are quick to claim well my 7+ was almost 900 so whats 100 more. Well your $900 7+ also had a bigger screen and more storage so it's not a fair comparison. People forget the 8 also went up in price and changed storage options. The so called Apple Tax was tolerable to core fans, and certain users in the past but Apple is a much more mainstream company now. Regular folks do not have the same tolerance for high prices as the past buyers did. What they charge for storage tiers alone is absurd.

After 10 years of iphone, I think the market is saturated and people are less crazed to get a new device every year. The X is a fine phone but not worth it for many people. Delays in availability dont help sales either, people have a chance to reconsider and read reviews and then decide it isn't worth it to them. Whereas if the X was the only phone offered and presale and release were quicker, like in the past, then everyone would buy quickly without taking much time to think.

Keep in mind too that wages, benefits, and the like haven't improved for a lot of people over the past few years so with the cost of things like rent, fuel, and food going up, your cellphone might not be a high priority anymore. People are cutting back and mobile phone hardware is gonna take a hit. If not this year then soon.


Then that’s why Apple has different price points but to expect every price point to be under 1000 is a little silly.

That’s like essentially saying that if Airline X wants me to fly to Paris then first class needs to be X amount even though there is an option for coach.

That’s been the key takeaway from a lot of this that there should be no smartphones priced at 1000.

Your right about rent, fuel etc especially here in Seattle. But if someone can go to Starbucks a few times a week, drinks a single malt, has some high end cable package and is still mad about the price of the X maybe they should cut some of those other expenses if they want it that bad.


When I got my MacBook Pro with Touch Bar I cut out all the extra stuff and put that in a budget. Saved and paid for it in cash.
 
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Then that’s why Apple has different price points but to expect every price point to be under 1000 is a little silly.

That’s like essentially saying that if Airline X wants me to fly to Paris then first class needs to be X amount even though there is an option for coach.

That’s been the key takeaway from a lot of this that there should be no smartphones priced at 1000.

Your right about rent, fuel etc especially here in Seattle. But if someone can go to Starbucks a few times a week, drinks a single malt, has some high end cable package and is still mad about the price of the X maybe they should cut some of those other expenses if they want it that bad.


When I got my MacBook Pro with Touch Bar I cut out all the extra stuff and put that in a budget. Saved and paid for it in cash.

Budgeting is key

But foregoing coffee for iPhone X is literally Tim Cook logic for ushering in sales.

Oh well! Agree to disagree

I think plans to throttle a 1000+ phone and call it a feature is unforgivable

And I “love” my X
 
Folks have no issue spending 1000 dollars on shoes or a fancy vacation but a phone gets in the mix and people lose their mind.

I think the problems is that the iPhone X does not fit in the category of the meaning of the word phone, this device is more than a phone. For that reason alone we should create a new word for this device. I spent 3 years ago $1000 for the iPhone 6+, but in my case I did not pay that only for a phone, that device for me is more than a phone, is a computer that I can carry on my pocket. If I just want a phone, I will just carry a flip flop phone, that's a phone.
 
Budgeting is key

But foregoing coffee for iPhone X is literally Tim Cook logic for ushering in sales.

Oh well! Agree to disagree

I think plans to throttle a 1000+ phone and call it a feature is unforgivable

And I “love” my X

The coffee thing is no spin though. Some places here in Seattle charge 5 to 6 dollars for coffee. Drink that 3 times a day 4 to 5 times a week coupled with food from the cafe and your spending a lot.
 
I think we’ll see the price of the X come down for future iterations. I imagine Apple were testing the water to see if the mass demand was there for it rather than a modest reception. They won’t be immune to the fact it’s had a mixed reaction and the price has been a barrier for many even if they will be happy with the amount it has sold in its first quarter. Eventually the 8 variant will be replaced by the X and the premium option will be reserved for some huge version of it with added features chosen especially for it.

That’s my prediction. Don’t take this as me passing it off as fact, just accept it as my personal opinion. I feel I have to make this disclaimer before I am accused of bullying or working for Google, or pooping on a happy owners party. Cheers Butties.
 
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Then that’s why Apple has different price points but to expect every price point to be under 1000 is a little silly.

That’s like essentially saying that if Airline X wants me to fly to Paris then first class needs to be X amount even though there is an option for coach.

That’s been the key takeaway from a lot of this that there should be no smartphones priced at 1000.

Your right about rent, fuel etc especially here in Seattle. But if someone can go to Starbucks a few times a week, drinks a single malt, has some high end cable package and is still mad about the price of the X maybe they should cut some of those other expenses if they want it that bad.


When I got my MacBook Pro with Touch Bar I cut out all the extra stuff and put that in a budget. Saved and paid for it in cash.

The folks with the Starbucks obsession and expensive cable most likely aren't the ones complaining. That was my point, Apple isn't just for the tech nerds and creative professionals anymore. It is for the everyman who has been groomed by Apple to expect one new phone a year at a tolerable price. So this year where the truly "new" device is the premium priced one, that has made people upset. Average consumers are accustomed to being able to get the new iPhone every year, not be priced into a lower tier or older model.

Your analogy to airlines is a bit off, if I might say so. It would be more like United Airlines saying ok you been a loyal customer for years but the planes are now premium economy only so you've gotta pay first class prices for just a little extra comfort if you wanna fly with us now. If you don't want to pay that much, well you can still fly but you'll have to fly a commuter jet, prop plane, or you can take the bus. There is nothing wrong with those options but that is not we've been doing for the last 10 years. Many people won't pay for that so they have to either adjust to a lower cost/quality option, or they might decide not to travel at all. Thats what I see people doing they are priced out of the newest model and decide that what they have is really ok anyway.

Apple made their billions by selling an incredible number of products at a high, yet tolerable, price. If they try to hike the price too much and expect the same numbers I think they will be wrong. They'll still make a huge profit because the margin is higher, and the defenders here will holler about the earnings report proving how amazing things are, but consistent numbers of units sold is the real indication of Apple's success in the future.
 
The folks with the Starbucks obsession and expensive cable most likely aren't the ones complaining. That was my point, Apple isn't just for the tech nerds and creative professionals anymore. It is for the everyman who has been groomed by Apple to expect one new phone a year at a tolerable price. So this year where the truly "new" device is the premium priced one, that has made people upset. Average consumers are accustomed to being able to get the new iPhone every year, not be priced into a lower tier or older model.

Your analogy to airlines is a bit off, if I might say so. It would be more like United Airlines saying ok you been a loyal customer for years but the planes are now premium economy only so you've gotta pay first class prices for just a little extra comfort if you wanna fly with us now. If you don't want to pay that much, well you can still fly but you'll have to fly a commuter jet, prop plane, or you can take the bus. There is nothing wrong with those options but that is not we've been doing for the last 10 years. Many people won't pay for that so they have to either adjust to a lower cost/quality option, or they might decide not to travel at all. Thats what I see people doing they are priced out of the newest model and decide that what they have is really ok anyway.

Groomed by who? So we are blaming Apple for folks who have unfounded expectations?

Average folks myself included if I want the latest and greatest will get it monthly from AT&T or whatever carrier.

Folks said this when the new MBP’s were launched and they sold very well, when iPad Pro was launched. The only complaining I’ve seen or heard has been on this board or reddit about the pricing which is the demographic of your non average folks.

Most of the folks I know personally who have iPhone have either gotten an 8 or 8 plus or are android or just don’t want the X because they aren’t really into the latest thing.
 
Groomed by who? So we are blaming Apple for folks who have unfounded expectations?

Average folks myself included if I want the latest and greatest will get it monthly from AT&T or whatever carrier.

Folks said this when the new MBP’s were launched and they sold very well, when iPad Pro was launched. The only complaining I’ve seen or heard has been on this board or reddit about the pricing which is the demographic of your non average folks.

Most of the folks I know personally who have iPhone have either gotten an 8 or 8 plus or are android or just don’t want the X because they aren’t really into the latest thing.

Groomed by Apple. One new "flagship" phone, once a year, same price (more or less) year after year for 10 years creates a pattern and an expectation. It is not unreasonable for people to believe that pattern would continue.

I could discuss the MBP but I don't want to get off topic.

Basically, my final comments are just that I hope this years collection of devices is a one-off, and the product line is simplified in the future. Both software and hardware quality control seem to be suffering and iOS always used to be a big differentiator between the Apple and Android experience. Apple should focus on the core experience, release a single named 899/999 two sized phone next year, and get iOS in shape before the phone ships. BUT, I still believe the market is changing and yearly upgraders will start to fall off no matter what Apple or anyone else comes out with. Especially if wages and other expenses don't get into a more stable relationship. Giving up coffee to get a new phone, then giving up a new phone to get health insurance is not a sustainable future. We will run out of things to give up sooner or later.
 
The only reason Apple has multiple price points for the iPhone is because they held back features to create higher tiers.

So yeah, people are going to complain about the price. When they do that, they aren't attacking iPhone x buyers, they are criticizing Apple. The thread op is taking it too personally.

When people pay $1000 for shoes, they know they are paying for a name. But when they over pay for a smartphone, they can't accept that they are also paying for a name. They'll try to justify it by saying it has a better ecosystem or experience, but the iPhone 8 has the same ecosystem.
 
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