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We reached 'peak phone' years ago. This is industry wide. It'll take a major paradigm shift before we see any revolutionary shifts like we saw in the early days of the smart phones. Until then, changes will be incremental and evolutionary, rather than revolutionary.

That said, these are devices that many of us depend on daily and use heavily, non-stop. For me, even the incremental changes are something I'd like to get in my palm from day one. Clearly, I'm not alone. Just as clearly, this will only be of value to some people, and that's ok.

For those that aren't as excited about the latest and greatest as the rest of us, I dig it. But, for me and millions of others, it's like Christmas in September :)

Well said. I don't get why people need to crap on others for stuff they're interested in. It's a hobby. We get some enjoyment out of it. If you don't like it, just don't partake!
 
Almost every year, there are hundreds of threads (big And small ones) discussing launch day iPhone purchase, from availability, to sharing experience, tracking, to walk-in purchase or local store pickup.

During the iPhone early years, I can get it on why people pile up for the latest and greatest because of major leap every year. But nowadays especially in last 3 years, iPhone has been in incremental update with few if any “wow” factors.

This gets me wondering: why so many people still try to get their iPhone on launch day with any means necessary? Is the launch day iPhone super special compared to non-launch day one? I am both curious and puzzled. 🤔
After a year, the iPhone feels stale in the hand and the screen can get old too. Something Apple understands very well is that a new device should feel new. The slight, irrelevant changes in the outside of the phone give it a new feeling. And, it’s always nice to get something new.

For me, there are many things I’m not pleased about with Apple in general. What keeps me here is that, to date, for my use case, Apple is still better than the alternative.
 
There's a very practical answer... If you are going to upgrade to the latest phone anyway, and you get it at launch day, you have the latest tech for 1 full year... If you get it 6 months into the product, you have the latest product for 6 months, and then you have the last generation.

The last generation product is worth less than the current generation product... Part of what you are paying the premium for is to have the latest technology before others do...

If you were going to buy it 6 months after launch anyway, you might as well buy it used on eBay 1 year after launch when others are upgrading and save a bunch of money... And as you get closer to the next launch date, there is no point in paying full price when it's going to be outdated in only a few months...
Well umm, if someone tends to keep their devices for more than 1 product release cycle, then suddenly the “current generation” vibe loses a lot of its appeal. People who I know only get the latest tech when they feel like it. They don’t line up for walk-in. They don’t preorder online. They just buy whenever, from Apple officially no less, cause more trusted source and you get brand new device.

My iPhone XS Max was replaced once due to issues, but still capable for what I need it to do. Do I really need to upgrade? Outside of 5G and somewhat improved camera (I don’t care about Apple marketing), maybe no? But unlike other folks, I’ll just get whatever model I want and available. No fuss. No stress.
Now you have me curious. What were the major leaps that enticed you to upgrade every year with the early iPhones?
I don’t upgrade every year. I see it being pointless. USB-C and 5G (I have a 5G plan for 2 years on my iPhone XS Max lol) is enough of a push for me to upgrade.
Do I love the coolest and latest tech? Yes. Do I go out and buy the latest and greatest on day 1? Not really.
 
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Well umm, if someone tends to keep their devices for more than 1 product release cycle, then suddenly the “current generation” vibe loses a lot of its appeal. People who I know only get the latest tech when they feel like it. They don’t line up for walk-in. They don’t preorder online. They just buy whenever, from Apple officially no less, cause more trusted source and you get brand new device.

My iPhone XS Max was replaced once due to issues, but still capable for what I need it to do. Do I really need to upgrade? Outside of 5G and somewhat improved camera (I don’t care about Apple marketing), maybe no? But unlike other folks, I’ll just get whatever model I want and available. No fuss. No stress.

I don’t upgrade every year. I see it being pointless. USB-C and 5G (I have a 5G plan for 2 years on my iPhone XS Max lol) is enough of a push for me to upgrade.
Do I love the coolest and latest tech? Yes. Do I go out and buy the latest and greatest on day 1? Not really.
Who cares? There's nothing wrong with someone upgrading every year, there's nothing wrong with someone upgrading every once in a while, and there's nothing wrong with someone only upgrading when their device dies.
 
Well said. I don't get why people need to crap on others for stuff they're interested in. It's a hobby. We get some enjoyment out of it. If you don't like it, just don't partake!
I’m not trying to crap on others or judge on how you Should spend money. Why it suddenly is a crime to even get interested in some consistent behaviours without participation?
 
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Almost every year, there are hundreds of threads (big And small ones) discussing launch day iPhone purchase, from availability, to sharing experience, tracking, to walk-in purchase or local store pickup.

During the iPhone early years, I can get it on why people pile up for the latest and greatest because of major leap every year. But nowadays especially in last 3 years, iPhone has been in incremental update with few if any “wow” factors.

This gets me wondering: why so many people still try to get their iPhone on launch day with any means necessary? Is the launch day iPhone super special compared to non-launch day one? I am both curious and puzzled. 🤔
At least for this MacRumors crowd, part of it is tradition at this point. It isn't necessity for anyone. For most though, it's that "feeling" of being a part of something new. It's like seeing a movie on opening night. Why deal with the crowds when you can see the same move next week with half the people? It's just what we humans do.
 
Almost every year, there are hundreds of threads (big And small ones) discussing launch day iPhone purchase, from availability, to sharing experience, tracking, to walk-in purchase or local store pickup.

During the iPhone early years, I can get it on why people pile up for the latest and greatest because of major leap every year. But nowadays especially in last 3 years, iPhone has been in incremental update with few if any “wow” factors.

This gets me wondering: why so many people still try to get their iPhone on launch day with any means necessary? Is the launch day iPhone super special compared to non-launch day one? I am both curious and puzzled. 🤔
Easy enough. A buyer decides to buy or not to buy a new iPhone. IF the decision is to buy, then it makes sense to do so ASAP so one has use of the latest tech sooner and for a longer time. Apple would never stupidly try to prestock all product to be sold for the entire model year, so after launch there are usually restocking delays of a month or more for specific models/colors.

Once the buy decision has been made, smart buyers want to get in early. Since the buy decision has been made, why risk doing without for weeks, 10% (for those who will upgrade again next year) of the life cycle of a new product?
 
Because everyone on Macrumors is an apple fan. They will literally buy anything Apple releases. I used to do that but their products are not as exciting and this may be subjective but I am not a fan of their new desgins.
 
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It’s one of my favorite times of the year. What’s even better is not looking at it for myself, but seeing my friends and everyone here have their eyes light up like it’s Christmas as a kid again. Gets a nice community buzz going and I am here for it!
 
Because everyone on Macrumors is an apple fan. They will literally buy anything Apple releases. I used to do that but their products are not as exciting and this may be subjective but I am not a fan of their new desgins.
I’m interested in a new design as well. I think smartphones have peaked. This is why we see the Vision Pro on the way. It’s all good. Life is wonderful!
 
Almost every year, there are hundreds of threads (big And small ones) discussing launch day iPhone purchase, from availability, to sharing experience, tracking, to walk-in purchase or local store pickup.

During the iPhone early years, I can get it on why people pile up for the latest and greatest because of major leap every year. But nowadays especially in last 3 years, iPhone has been in incremental update with few if any “wow” factors.

This gets me wondering: why so many people still try to get their iPhone on launch day with any means necessary? Is the launch day iPhone super special compared to non-launch day one? I am both curious and puzzled. 🤔
Because I haven’t upgraded in several years, so this IS a big upgrade.

This is what I don’t get about people who complain about “incremental updates.” Obviously if you bought a phone last year the new phone isn’t for you. Frankly it would be annoying if there were massive changes every year, I’d feel like I was missing out. It’s nice that the changes are generally small. In a few years they add up to a solid improvement I’m happy to spend my money on.
 
shows how devoid our culture is of true meaning and value

Sickening to think of the genuine joy and happiness decedent hyper consumerism brings to these people
Sickening to think, people get upset/sick over others personal choices. Reminds me of a guy at work who used to lecture on hyper consumerism but used to blow off hundreds of dollars a week eating out and drinking. Don’t like, don’t do it.
 
Because I haven’t upgraded in several years, so this IS a big upgrade.

This is what I don’t get about people who complain about “incremental updates.” Obviously if you bought a phone last year the new phone isn’t for you. Frankly it would be annoying if there were massive changes every year, I’d feel like I was missing out. It’s nice that the changes are generally small. In a few years they add up to a solid improvement I’m happy to spend my money on.
Indeed, and every year there will be a big number of people like that, eagerly looking forward to the new release replacing their old device. They were not "zealously" ordering on the launch day last year, nor will they order again next year, but then there will be others for whom the time has come. I think the OP may be conflating groups that have little overlap between years.
 
Sickening to think, people get upset/sick over others personal choices. Reminds me of a guy at work who used to lecture on hyper consumerism but used to blow off hundreds of dollars a week eating out and drinking. Don’t like, don’t do it.

Slight difference between “personal choices” and western culture destroying the planet. Live and let I suppose, enjoy the hollow dopamine rush apple’s marketing psychologists have planned for you 🫡
 
shows how devoid our culture is of true meaning and value

Sickening to think of the genuine joy and happiness decedent hyper consumerism brings to these people
People derive happiness from many different places, and material possessions can be one of them. Purchasing "things," whether it's a new iPhone or a piece of art, can be a means of expressing one's personal tastes, interests, and even creativity. Just as someone might take pleasure in collecting books, another might find joy in collecting gadgets, and that doesn't diminish the meaning or value they place on their lives. And it's not your place to determine whether it is or not.

Enjoying consumerism doesn't automatically equate to decadence or shallowness. People have different perspectives on what brings fulfillment and happiness to their lives. For some, it might be traveling, investing in experiences, or building relationships. For others, owning and enjoying material possessions like Apple products is an aspect of their happiness.

Obviously excessive or mindless consumerism shouldn't be encouraged, but responsible and mindful consumption is a part of daily life for most people.

Instead of making a ridiculous blanket statement, you should try and respect the choices and preferences of others rather than passing judgment based on stereotypes or assumptions.
 
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