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Apple have changed the conversation to Average Selling Price from units sold for the very reason the OP mentioned.

The iPhone X is the most profitable iPhone at launch as it's sooooooo expensive in comparison to every iPhone before it.

So if you measure it on profitablilty, it is the most successful.

If you measure it on units sold, however, as used to be the case even the iPhone 7 has outsold it since the launch of the X.
 
Apple have changed the conversation to Average Selling Price from units sold for the very reason the OP mentioned.

The iPhone X is the most profitable iPhone at launch as it's sooooooo expensive in comparison to every iPhone before it.

So if you measure it on profitablilty, it is the most successful.

If you measure it on units sold, however, as used to be the case even the iPhone 7 has outsold it since the launch of the X.
Is it really that much more (as in "soooooooo") expensive compared to earlier models, or just more expensive? And you also have to factor in a few things in there, like the fact that for the first time there are multiple new lines for people to choose from (8 and X) vs. the usual single one, and the fact that with the mobile industry maturing devices are becoming better and people can hold on to them longer rather than really feeling not just a desire but often enough actual need to get a new device.
 
I'm probably buying the Xs in the fall, only because I want more storage. 8+ has been a fantastic phone. However both models are too expensive for what they deliver, which is causing all of this trouble for Apple
I think the bigger issue is people don't need to upgrade their phones so much these days as they work perfectly fine for what most need it to do. The average person keeps their phone for two years and sometimes longer.
 
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I think the bigger issue is people don't need to upgrade their phones so much these days as they work perfectly fine for what most need it to do. The average person keeps their phone for two years and sometimes longer.

I agree entirely. I actually don’t know anyone around me that Upgrades annually the way others do on tech sites. Most consumers use their phones because they are capable of doing so many things and they likely don’t utilize all the features that it has potential to do. Altogether, the iPhone is more a multi tool and consumers will upgrade in most cases when it absolutely calls for it or when they are intrigued by something that A newer phone might have.
 
Is it really that much more (as in "soooooooo") expensive compared to earlier models, or just more expensive? . . .

Yes it is soooooo expensive sadly.

Every iPhone I've purchased prior to the X introduction has fortunately been the best model available and I've owned several since my first, the iPhone 3G.

Where I live I was consistently able to purchase these for the equivalent of $249 downpayment (I'd make more than that selling my old phone) and a monthly payment of $50. This used to be over 18 months, but over the last few years it changed to 2 years.

This would get me unlimited Minutes and Messages and a decent amount of data (10GB on the last contract pre X - doubled to 20GB as I had my internet with my phone provider).

For the X to achieve a monthly payment of around $62 over 2 years and with less data included (just 1GB), it was a downpayment of $654!

So let's ignore the earlier models that came on 18 month contracts and thus were cheaper and focus on the latest 2 year deals before the X.

Pre X for flagship iPhone - $50 x 24 plus $249 down = $1449

X cost - $62 x 24 plus $654 down = $2142

So yeah, $693 more, quite a difference.

It just doesn't represent value to me any more and many others feel the same way, hence why it's being outsold by every model from the iPhone 7 upward.
 
Yes it is soooooo expensive sadly.

Every iPhone I've purchased prior to the X introduction has fortunately been the best model available and I've owned several since my first, the iPhone 3G.

Where I live I was consistently able to purchase these for the equivalent of $249 downpayment (I'd make more than that selling my old phone) and a monthly payment of $50. This used to be over 18 months, but over the last few years it changed to 2 years.

This would get me unlimited Minutes and Messages and a decent amount of data (10GB on the last contract pre X - doubled to 20GB as I had my internet with my phone provider).

For the X to achieve a monthly payment of around $62 over 2 years and with less data included (just 1GB), it was a downpayment of $654!

So let's ignore the earlier models that came on 18 month contracts and thus were cheaper and focus on the latest 2 year deals before the X.

Pre X for flagship iPhone - $50 x 24 plus $249 down = $1449

X cost - $62 x 24 plus $654 down = $2142

So yeah, $693 more, quite a difference.

It just doesn't represent value to me any more and many others feel the same way, hence why it's being outsold by every model from the iPhone 7 upward.
Seems like the difference between the entry level X ($999) and 8+ ($799) is $200 (going by US prices at least).
 
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Seems like the difference between the entry level X ($999) and 8+ ($799) is $200 (going by US prices at least).

All my figures are 100% accurate for where I live.

Part of the issue is what you've alluded to previously that Apple have introduced an extra tier of flagship with the X thinking they could do it and people like me who've always purchased the top model would carry on regardless.

My parents always taught me to look at the value of things no matter how good or otherwise your financial status might be.

I don't see value here.

The unit sales figures communicated via Apple supplier forecast downgrades suggest Apple miscalculated the elasticity of demand for the X and overshot with the pricing.


EDIT: In addition, I just noticed you mentioned entry level X. As I said, I've always purchased the top level flagship iPhone starting with the release of the iPhone 3G
 
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All my figures are 100% accurate for where I live.

Part of the issue is what you've alluded to previously that Apple have introduced an extra tier of flagship with the X thinking they could do it and people like me who've always purchased the top model would carry on regardless.

My parents always taught me to look at the value of things no matter how good or otherwise your financial status might be.

I don't see value here.

The unit sales figures communicated via Apple supplier forecast downgrades suggest Apple miscalculated the elasticity of demand for the X and overshot with the pricing.
That's all good and fine, as everyone has their own preferences and goes about things in their own way. I mentioned the addition of different product lines to say that it's one of the bigger differences this year as far as accounting for how the sales could and likely would differ compared to before (without even accounting for any price differences).
 
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Just read that the iPhone X has effectively been “cancelled” and that there won’t be another version in the future; it’s too expensive. Consumers really have spoken and they way over-estimated demand. Apparently the tsmc chipmaker is whoever is being hit the hardest because production has been stopped and now they have an abundance of chips and won’t ever see a return on their investment money. Lol

Just something else I cslled once I saw the price / notch / features. Tim is a supply guy not a CEO he really needs to be replaced. iPad line is a mess of SKU’s iPhone line is a mess of SKU’s all with different colors and sizes. MacBook line has all but been abandoned. Is anyone looking at this company objectively, other than revenue or cash on hand?
 
Just read that the iPhone X has effectively been “cancelled” and that there won’t be another version in the future; it’s too expensive. Consumers really have spoken and they way over-estimated demand. Apparently the tsmc chipmaker is whoever is being hit the hardest because production has been stopped and now they have an abundance of chips and won’t ever see a return on their investment money. Lol

Just something else I cslled once I saw the price / notch / features. Tim is a supply guy not a CEO he really needs to be replaced. iPad line is a mess of SKU’s iPhone line is a mess of SKU’s all with different colors and sizes. MacBook line has all but been abandoned. Is anyone looking at this company objectively, other than revenue or cash on hand?
Why would he be replaced when they said record reports at the start of the year? the product line are selling very well and will continue to.

If the next version of the iphone x does start at 899 then the sales will certainly be improved from a year ago. Obviously the plus version will likely cost alot but to be expected given the massive screen size.
 
Just read that the iPhone X has effectively been “cancelled” and that there won’t be another version in the future; it’s too expensive. Consumers really have spoken and they way over-estimated demand. Apparently the tsmc chipmaker is whoever is being hit the hardest because production has been stopped and now they have an abundance of chips and won’t ever see a return on their investment money. Lol

Just something else I cslled once I saw the price / notch / features. Tim is a supply guy not a CEO he really needs to be replaced. iPad line is a mess of SKU’s iPhone line is a mess of SKU’s all with different colors and sizes. MacBook line has all but been abandoned. Is anyone looking at this company objectively, other than revenue or cash on hand?
As in just this? https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/kgi-apple-to-discontinue-iphone-x-rather-than-sell-at-lower-price-when-second-generation-model-launches.2102263/
 
Jeff Bezos is a visionary CEO, Mark Zuckerberg is a visionary CEO, Henry Ford was a visionary CEO, Steve Jobs was a visionary CEO. The great American companies were all built by visionary people. Unfortunately since Jobs' passing Apple has looked liked the least innovative company in silicon valley doing little more then executing improvements on existing products developed or conceived while Jobs was at the helm

So maybe there is not another killer device like the iPhone. What about making iCloud a comprehensive web services business like Amazon web services. I mean Amazon was a internet retailer yet they could do it and develop Amazon TV known as prime. Cook's Apple can't innovate, how about making smart deals. Apple could have bought Netflix cheap and had a huge media subscription business to bundle with their idevices and make the whole ecosystem more compelling. They could've bought spotify or Pandora both of which had sizable subscription bases. Instead they bought Beats. I still wonder who got paid under the table for recommending that deal. I mean is Apple not innovative enough to design headphones or maybe it was the Beats distribution channel and brand recognition they were after. Zuckerberg bought instagram and What's app not myspace. Jeff Bezos was getting ready to launch Alexa while Apple was still launching flagship phones with 4" screens

I can't think of anything from Cook's Apple that is remotely impressive or truly innovative. The iPhone X which does sport some cutting edge technology, aesthetically looks like one of last years top android phones. The iconic iPhone look is gone. It hasn't been as well received as many of the other super-cycle iPhones which could be due in part to price but maybe a lot of iPhone users are just not that into it. The X really seems more like a hodgepodge of look at me tech bits and less a continued evolution and refinement of the classic iPhone.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Apple fan and own everything from the iPhone iPad to the Macbook pro. But Tim Cook would be better suited running Proctor & Gamble afaic. The only thing that has saved him from being a Steve Balmer is that mobile was growing so quickly and the brand and product catalog that Jobs left him had so much momentum that even true incompetence couldn't derail that success train. Let's see how well Cook does as mobile smartphone growth slows and Amazon and Google eat his lunch with connected home devices.


Why would he be replaced when they said record reports at the start of the year? the product line are selling very well and will continue to.

If the next version of the iphone x does start at 899 then the sales will certainly be improved from a year ago. Obviously the plus version will likely cost alot but to be expected given the massive screen size.
 
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Just something else I cslled once I saw the price / notch / features. Tim is a supply guy not a CEO he really needs to be replaced. iPad line is a mess of SKU’s iPhone line is a mess of SKU’s all with different colors and sizes. MacBook line has all but been abandoned. Is anyone looking at this company objectively, other than revenue or cash on hand?

Disagree. I think the iPhone is exactly where it needs to be right now, and they have an expansive lineup that offers a price point, model and size for everyone. The iPhone X will not be in everybody’s best interest because how expensive it is, and perhaps it doesn’t appeal to certain consumers. But to say that you believe Tim Cook needs to be replaced, would likely be the most far-fetched post I have read so far on this thread, as he has taken Apple to Heights since his reign in 2011 and the company is doing very well. Seems you just don’t agree with any of his decisions within the company at all, which you’re just indicating that he needs to be replaced because of your own disliking.
 
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Is it really that much more (as in "soooooooo") expensive compared to earlier models, or just more expensive? And you also have to factor in a few things in there, like the fact that for the first time there are multiple new lines for people to choose from (8 and X) vs. the usual single one, and the fact that with the mobile industry maturing devices are becoming better and people can hold on to them longer rather than really feeling not just a desire but often enough actual need to get a new device.

Well obviously it is, in the U.K. the X is £300 more then the 8, or 417 dollars. That’s hardly small fry and is nearly half the cost of the iPhone 8.

The 64GB iPhone 8 is the highest selling handset in a fair few stores in the U.K. the X 64GB is a fair few places lower.
 
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Jeff Bezos is a visionary CEO, Mark Zuckerberg is a visionary CEO, Henry Ford was a visionary CEO, Steve Jobs was a visionary CEO. The great American companies were all built by visionary people . . .

A couple more for your list of visionaries from current CEOs, John Legere of T-Mobile and Elon Musk of Tesla.

John Legere has taken customer engagement to a new level using Facebook, Twitter and Periscope to communicate directly with customers every day.

Elon is undoubtably a visionary although he is getting it a little from all sides of the moment and he does take risks that the market is not necessarily comfortable with right now.

Unfortunately since Jobs' passing Apple has looked liked the least innovative company in silicon valley doing little more then executing improvements on existing products developed or conceived while Jobs was at the helm . . .

I’m not sure I’d go as far as to say, “least innovative”, but you do have an extremely valid point about incremental improvements.

. . . What about making iCloud a comprehensive web services business like Amazon web services. I mean Amazon was a internet retailer yet they could do it . . .

I have no idea why Apple haven’t done this already, although new business growth has slowed recently (to be expected), it remains by far Amazon’s most profitable business.

. . . Cook's Apple can't innovate, how about making smart deals. Apple could have bought Netflix cheap and had a huge media subscription business to bundle with their idevices and make the whole ecosystem more compelling. They could've bought spotify or Pandora both of which had sizable subscription bases. Instead they bought Beats . . .

Netflix & Spotify acquisitions would’ve made perfect sense and fitted in well with Apple’s service portfolio.

This post had several good, measured points for debate. It really deserved its own thread rather than a reply on this one.
 
A couple more for your list of visionaries from current CEOs, John Legere of T-Mobile and Elon Musk of Tesla.

John Legere has taken customer engagement to a new level using Facebook, Twitter and Periscope to communicate directly with customers every day...
Wasn’t T-Mobile recently in the news for an expensive fine? Yep, that’s a legend.
 
Wasn’t T-Mobile recently in the news for an expensive fine? Yep, that’s a legend.

I seriously doubt that John was personally involved in the decisions that led to that particular problem (I could be wrong).

He did, however, front up to it more than you would expect from any CEO as he remained on all the social media platforms taking live questions from customers about this and any other issues that they had.

He uses Twitter Live/Periscope a couple of times a week and is also live on Facebook, name me another leading CEO that takes engagement to that level.
 
Well obviously it is, in the U.K. the X is £300 more then the 8, or 417 dollars. That’s hardly small fry and is nearly half the cost of the iPhone 8.

The 64GB iPhone 8 is the highest selling handset in a fair few stores in the U.K. the X 64GB is a fair few places lower.
Well, clearly not that obvious give a $200 that I mentioned in US.
 
I seriously doubt that John was personally involved in the decisions that led to that particular problem (I could be wrong).

He did, however, front up to it more than you would expect from any CEO as he remained on all the social media platforms taking live questions from customers about this and any other issues that they had.

He uses Twitter Live/Periscope a couple of times a week and is also live on Facebook, name me another leading CEO that takes engagement to that level.
Well he is ceo and thereforenthe buck stops with him. He and the ceo of Verizon are equivalent and I’m a Verizon customer.
 
Well he is ceo and thereforenthe buck stops with him. He and the ceo of Verizon are equivalent and I’m a Verizon customer.

And he owned it, he spoke to customers live several times weekly, as he always does.
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Well, clearly not that obvious give a $200 that I mentioned in US.

To ensure we are comparing like for like, the $200 you quote is for the entry level model. The figures I quoted were for the highest capacity X as it goes with my history of always purchasing the best available (non plus sized) iPhone until now.
 
And he owned it, he spoke to customers live several times weekly, as he always does.
[doublepost=1524846290][/doublepost]

To ensure we are comparing like for like, the $200 you quote is for the entry level model. The figures I quoted were for the highest capacity X as it goes with my history of always purchasing the best available (non plus sized) iPhone until now.
The difference beteeen the full priced (and even SIM-free) highest capacity X and 8+ models are still $200 (again, at least in the US). Entry to entry, or highest capacity to highest capacity, are basically the closest like-for-like comparisons and yield the same difference.
 
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