A part of Apple's issue is they have released some very good iPhones lately and excellent iPhones in the 6S series with the great performing internals that they possess. With that most iPhone users will not update and these devices will be sufficient for the next 2-3 years.
You are very right that something needs to entice them to make a new purchase as these devices aren't cheap and if it weren't for lease programs like JOD and NEXT, many would not upgrade at all.
I hate the innovation word sometimes as there is only so much that can be done in the smart phone arena at this time BUT they can Apple innovate which means catch up in adding waterproofing, wireless charging, and other things that other devices already do that Apple fans will flock and come in droves to.
Well, I do agree they perform well enough to last 2-3 years, we cannot forget that the product is dependent on parts because one part (intentionally) could give out in 18 months of ownership. Apple has had battery replacement programs or software bog down otherwise good working older generation phones. Playing catchup isn't really the innovation part unless they bring something new to the table. The only thing I think Apple has down right year in year out is the processor designs that they have their partners manufacturer. They used to be known as the best mobile camera designers w/ software and hardware plans.
I am okay without having an ips68 rating on the iPhone, but a ips53 should be a goal like the HTC 10. Wireless charging, as nifty as it is, is really in its infancy because a lot of the phones today cannot charge as quick as a standard USB plug in the wall. Lightning takes like 3 hrs to charge, which is really bogus imo. I used to believe the #ed years were for major redesigns and the S was for software and introducing one killer feature (Siri (4S), Touch ID in the 5S, etc). But the 6S didn't add that killer feature. 3D Touch is very average at best.
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Very good post. I agree wholeheartedly. I am very "meh" on this year for Apple. I just have a bad feeling about the 2016 iPhone. I also think Apple really needs to step up the innovation game. I don't think they need to completely revamp the phone, but just updating the internals and camera isn't enough when you see what Google is doing these days. Every new thing I see with Android I think to myself "why can't Apple be leading this charge?" As smartphones become the norm, you have to do something more to grab and maintain the customers.
Thanks. I wouldn't say it has to be a bad feeling, but it's not particularly a good feeling. My confidence in a good 2016 iPhone dropped a bit recently because of all the 2017 plans. If you didn't tell me that AMOLED, USB Type C, etc could be coming in 2017, then I would be like well only Apple knows about the 7, but I truly hope it will be great. I want the 7 to be good, but if it's a 6S type of upgrade from the 6, I don't think I'll make the switch. With a new grad program, increased living expenses, etc, it is hard to upgrade to the newest iPhone this year. I preemptively had AppleCare in mind with the 6S+ just to cover my phone for 2 years and have the ability to sell it higher than your avg seller close the launch cycle. But I learned my lesson, hold onto buying phones at launch. I got burned at the Nexus 5X launch. Paid $430 for it and then a month later, price dropped to $350. Luckily, I was able to return the phone and go get the $350 priced one.
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Besides that point, the context of my post was clearly about design. Not sure what was so difficult for i7guy to grasp there.
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Me too. Heck, I've been saying these things for some time now. It doesn't require a bad financial quarter to tell us Apple should be competing harder. All it takes is an honest look at what the competition has been doing.
Again, I think Tim Cook is aware of this. He himself came out publically to hype up the upcoming iPhone. Just hope it lives up to his promise.
I am sure someone will say "Apple sells more iPhones than ever" in a media report even in a down expected year for the 2016 iPhones. Idk what to believe with the SE because Apple says it has a ton of demand, the media says not much demand, and then says okay, there is some demand. As for i7guy, he/she is really pro Apple, so they're not going to critique Apple as much as others in the Alternatives to iOS and iOS Devices section.
