2016 the hardest year for the iPhone?

[journeyy]

I think it will be a tough year and the iPhone 7 really has to deliver:

- The Snapdragon 820 and 620 will provide very good performance in high end and midrange(!) phones
- Samsung and other OEMs will probably further de-bloat their OSes - this combined with the new processors will potentially kill most of the remaining stutter/lag in mainstream (non-Nexus) devices.
- The competitors cameras will further improve, it will be hard to surpass the quality with an even thinner device (smaller lens)
- Android 6 among other things improves the battery drain while not in use (Doze), one less point of critique compared to iOS. Both OSes get more similar to each other each iteration
- The competitors designs are getting more sophisticated and sexy every year, especially Sony, Huaweii and Samsung could bring serious competition in this regard
- Fingerprint sensors on other devices are getting as good or nearly as good as Touch ID

How do you think Apple could remain as relevant as it is today in this market environment (besides the brand power of cause)? 3D Touch is one thing that probably won't be matched by competitors next year at least in the same quality, but what else does it take?

(This is just Nerd Talk btw, no agenda or fanboying here)

 

[bushido]

new design = itll sell

 

[eyoungren]

Not to sound critical, but every year the question you pose is asked and every year Apple breaks sales records.

I don't think Apple's relevancy matters in the cold light of it's sales figures.

 

[journeyy]

Yes, yes, you're probably right, but i think it still is Apple's ambition to provide the best smartphone available - and IMO the iPhone 6S is the best for now, all things considered. I'm just wondering how they could stay on top technology-wise.

Edit: One thing I think is important: Making iOS 10 more flexible and open without compromising security. This is especially important for the iPad (Pro), but also for the phone.

 

[Rufuss Sewell]

Yes, yes, you're probably right, but i think it still is Apple's ambition to provide the best smartphone available - and IMO the iPhone 6S is the best for now, all things considered. I'm just wondering how they could stay on top technology-wise.

Edit: One thing I think is important: Making iOS 10 more flexible and open without compromising security. This is especially important for the iPad (Pro), but also for the phone.

This question might sound baffling to you... but the people at Apple are a very large collection of the most talented and knowledgable people on Earth when it comes to this industry. And they have an unthinkable amount to money. And they have been working on the solution to this problem for probably 4 years now. I'm betting they'll have a pretty good answer worked out for you with the iPhone 7.

In fact I bet they're more concerned with not competing with the iPhone 7S than they are about whatever Samsung puts out.

 

[journeyy]

This question might sound baffling to you... but the people at Apple are a very large collection of the most talented and knowledgable people on Earth when it comes to this industry. And they have an unthinkable amount to money. And they have been working on the solution to this problem for probably 4 years now. I'm betting they'll have a pretty good answer worked out for you with the iPhone 7.

In fact I bet they're more concerned with not competing with the iPhone 7S than they are about whatever Samsung puts out.

I am quite aware of the talented people working at Apple, i just think it's fun to speculate - whatever

 

[capathy21]

Those are basically the same talking points that are brought up each year, yet the 6s with a 750p display and a smaller screen far outsells devices like the S6 with twice the screen resolution and processing power. At the end of the day, people want a device that works fluidly and is reliable. Apple has mastered that experience in a mobile device. They could literally redesign the casing of the 6s and put the exact same internals in it, call it the iPhone 7 and it would outsell the competition. They've been slow, steady and consistent and nothing is going to change that. Working in the wireless industry, over 80 percent of my customers want iPhones. If they can't afford a 6S/6S Plus, they will get a 6 or even a 5S over an Android device. On paper, Android devices smoke iPhones but it doesn't matter to the user. They want what is easy and comfortable.

I do see your points and I used to think Apple's lack of specs or bells and whistles would catch up with them, but at this point, I don't see anything changing their dominance in the smartphone world.

 

[scaredpoet]

Edit: One thing I think is important: Making iOS 10 more flexible and open without compromising security. This is especially important for the iPad (Pro), but also for the phone.

What exactly does this mean though? What would you consider "more flexible and open" while remaining secure?

It's such a general statement. Like "Apple needs to innovate more." Okay, well what exactly do you consider "innovation?"

 

[journeyy]

What exactly does this mean though? What would you consider "more flexible and open" while remaining secure?

It's such a general statement. Like "Apple needs to innovate more." Okay, well what exactly do you consider "innovation?"

I mean having to use less workarounds for simple tasks like receiving a file per email, quickly editing it and sending it back. These things still get a bit ridiculous sometimes (which was also mentioned in many iPad Pro reviews). It has been discussed here often, and it's gotten better in iOS 9, but there's still room for improvements i think.

The point of this thread is misunderstood unfortunately. Even if Apple COULD just be lazy and live on their loyal customers, they have had key improvements every time and were ahead of the competition in some important regards. I'm just curious what it could be in the next iPhone that sets them apart again from the increasingly better competition.

I don't think most people just sheepishly buy Apple btw, if other phones get as easy to use and fluid and well designed they will consider if they still pay the premium. The carrier subvention model is starting to crumble in the US, too, so the real prices will be more apparent like in Europe and other places.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I got better things to worry about and I am willing to bet that Apple will come up with another winner.

There is also a very good chance of a recession in 2016 and if we do crash, everyone will suffer in the electronics industry.

 

[MrInquestador]

I think it will be a tough year and the iPhone 7 really has to deliver:

- The Snapdragon 820 and 620 will provide very good performance in high end and midrange(!) phones
- Samsung and other OEMs will probably further de-bloat their OSes - this combined with the new processors will potentially kill most of the remaining stutter/lag in mainstream (non-Nexus) devices.
- The competitors cameras will further improve, it will be hard to surpass the quality with an even thinner device (smaller lens)
- Android 6 among other things improves the battery drain while not in use (Doze), one less point of critique compared to iOS. Both OSes get more similar to each other each iteration
- The competitors designs are getting more sophisticated and sexy every year, especially Sony, Huaweii and Samsung could bring serious competition in this regard
- Fingerprint sensors on other devices are getting as good or nearly as good as Touch ID

How do you think Apple could remain as relevant as it is today in this market environment (besides the brand power of cause)? 3D Touch is one thing that probably won't be matched by competitors next year at least in the same quality, but what else does it take?

(This is just Nerd Talk btw, no agenda or fanboying here)

All Apple needs to do is a minor revamp and it will sell like hotcakes. It has millions of following that will die to have the new iGadget, myself included. Take for instance the 720p res of the iPhone 6, it is too low compared with the competition but more consumers opted for the new iPhone. Only a small fragment of the buying public cares about specs while 80% will stick with iPhones.

 

[Hunk4u]

It was reported that iPhone 6c is also expected to launch in 2016. However, I'm interested in 6c as it will be coming with 4" display :/ Any news about iPhone 7 launching date?

 

[CEmajr]

The iPhone 7 won't offer too many major improvements over the current model. The numbered models are designed to sell based off their physical redesign rather than new features.

 

[willmtaylor]

IMHO, a "tough" year for iPhones translates into more competition which is good for the end user. Competition spurs innovation.

While I prefer Apple products in general, I don't own Apple stock, so I don't really care about Apple's sales figures; I care only about my product and experience.

 

[ABC5S]

Here we go again, another year same question with same answers. It will never end.