iPhone XS Max Anyone starting to feel the pain??

[turbineseaplane]

They had huge breakthroughs before

Which breakthroughs of late are you referring to?

(not disagreeing, just asking which ones you are talking about)

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Even if you are diehard iPhone fan, you can't help but have bitter taste about the overpriced xs max compared to the s10+

I would never even entertain paying £1k+ for a mobile phone despite being fortunate enough to be able to afford it. I struggle to see what an XS Max does that my 8+ doesn’t to be honest?

I think Samsung have shown you can get a very decent package considerably cheaper than what Apple offer and I hope we see them attempting to get costs down for this years release. Tim Cook acknowledged they were working on their costs and I hope that is passed on. I think a lot of iPhone users are getting fed up with the rising prices and it’s unsurprising the XR is the most popular new device but even that is starting to look like a poor deal against the S10. I’m one of these people that won’t leave iOS as I prefer it but also no longer buy the latest and greatest simply because I think it’s vastly overpriced. Sort it out Apple or see the decline continue.

 

[webbuzz]

Nope, I am sticking with Apple.

 

[internetrando]

Not a chance. My iPhone does everything that I want it to do, and quite frankly, offers more than I care to use.

Most of these "innovations" are stupidity run amuck. And then you're going to be stuck with an Android OS based system. Have fun with that.

 

[puma1552]

I've never understood this trope. What would you rather them do instead? Square? Triangular? Hexagonal? Dodecagonal? Alternate between different shapes every year? Do you have a better idea?

Dieter Rams is an inspiration for many of Apple's designs through the years (and he seems to appreciate it). Check out his 10 rules of good design, listed and explained here:

1. Good design is innovative. The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. But innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.
   
2. Good design makes a product useful. A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional, but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.
   
3. Good design is aesthetic. The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products we use every day affect our person and our well-being. But only well-executed objects can be beautiful.
   
4. Good design makes a product understandable. It clarifies the product’s structure. Better still, it can make the product talk. At best, it is self-explanatory.
   
5. Good design is unobtrusive. Products fulfilling a purpose are like tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should therefore be both neutral and restrained, to leave room for the user’s self-expression.
   
6. Good design is honest. It does not make a product more innovative, powerful or valuable than it really is. It does not attempt to manipulate the consumer with promises that cannot be kept.
   
7. Good design is long-lasting. It avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated. Unlike fashionable design, it lasts many years – even in today’s throwaway society.
   
8. Good design is thorough down to the last detail. Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance. Care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the user.
   
9. Good design is environmental-friendly. Design makes an important contribution to the preservation of the environment. It conserves resources and minimizes physical and visual pollution throughout the lifecycle of the product.
   
10. Good design is as little design as possible. Less, but better – because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials. Back to purity, back to simplicity.

I've bolded three that seem particularly relevant in discussing the iPhone's rounded sides.

The aesthetic aspect is obvious; the rounded sides along with slightly rounded glass edges allow the iPhone to have a smoothly rounded shape no matter what side from which you look at it.

The long-lasting aspect is also obvious—Apple introduced the design in 2014 and has stuck to it (except the iPhone SE) for (at least!) 5 years. I wouldn't be surprised if they continue to stick with it. It's a design that works. If it didn't work, they wouldn't have sold hundreds of millions of iPhones with these designs.

Now, the thoroughness. Just as an example of the thought that went into the design, at first, the iPhone's mute switch moved along a straight line, even with the rounded designs before the iPhone 4. With the iPhone 4 through iPhone 5s (and SE), the sides were squared off, so this felt natural against the body of the phone. Then, with the iPhone 6 in 2014, they re-engineered the mute switch to use a rotary mechanism such that it rotates along the rounded side of the phone. That's attention to detail, and yes, they've stuck with it.

So, again, do you have a reason for why the sides should be any different other than being different, a better idea? Because Apple's never updated a product that I can think of to make changes without some justification.
[doublepost=1551250103][/doublepost]

This is an insanely long diatribe about my "trope" as you put it, but nowhere in there is function and ergonomics listed. Flat sides are clearly ergonomically superior and you can't argue that any other way.

But hey, if it were up to you, we'd all still be on a 3G design because afterall, that worked too and surely every change since then has just been change for the sake of change, right?

I mean I just don't get why people here get so angry and argue against refreshes and redesigns; there isn't anything you can't already do with the software, so the hardware refresh is about all you have to look forward to anymore. Why one would ever vehemently argue against freshening something up is beyond me. Christ, imagine if Toyota was still selling 1992 Camrys as 2019s.

 

[Cladster]

Even if you are diehard iPhone fan, you can't help but have bitter taste about the overpriced xs max compared to the s10+

No need to pay full price, I got my XR new for $529 below retai here.

 

[Falhófnir]

Not pain, but utter bewilderment over where the upgrade path is post 8 plus for someone who doesn’t really want FaceID foisted upon them at great expense. Hopefully under screen Touch ID makes it into this years’ models in September. Otherwise I think it really is going to be a case of travels in Android land for me. At least the Nokia 9 looks quite cool with the penta-camera for ultra HDR photos - Android one should lessen some of the shock of leaving iOS as well.

 

[johannnn]

ha...
That one is saved for future reference...
[doublepost=1551284226][/doublepost]

Foldable devices will of course be popular in a few years. But the foldable phones that have been released last couple of weeks are really ******. Extremely thick, and extremely bad displays.

I prefer giving my money to companies that deliver great products, not to companies that feel the need to be the first to show off hardware that isn’t yet ready for a product.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Foldable devices will of course be popular in a few years. But the foldable phones that have been released last couple of weeks are really ******. Extremely thick, and extremely bad displays.

I prefer giving my money to companies that deliver great products, not to companies that feel the need to be the first to show off hardware that isn’t yet ready for a product.

Again, I view these "folding screens" much the same way I view 3D television technology and the Segway... novel concepts that offer no "staying power" in the market place, ergo, a "gimmick".

 

[turbineseaplane]

Foldable devices will of course be popular in a few years

The person I quoted said they’d be a fad that wouldn’t last.
I don’t think that at all, and it sounds like you don’t either
[doublepost=1551295498][/doublepost]

Again, I view these "folding screens" much the same way I view 3D television technology and the Segway... novel concepts that offer no "staying power" in the market place, ergo, a "gimmick".

Just getting everybody on record here

[doublepost=1551295553][/doublepost]Folks....the biggest piece of tension we have right now is that people want large screens much of the time but not necessarily large devices all of the time.

If you don’t think Apple recognizes that and that folding devices could solve the problem…

I don’t know what to tell ya’...

 

[ignatius345]

Innovation is a subjective thing. You seem to imply that Apple is just now not innovating, but there are others who have thought they haven't been innovative for years. There are others who are ready cash-in-hand to buy the next wave of Apple products because they think Apple is still producing leading-edge products.

Are you getting the expected value out of the products you bought? If so, what is the problem (looking over the fence at the greener grass)? Are you more concerned with leading edge design or with devices that serve your needs (or maybe leading edge design IS one of your needs)?

How exactly are Apple products "falling behind"?

As for me, I've already started my slow and methodical departure from Appleland. They're no longer producing products that I find value in (for the prices they're asking). My last Apple purchase was the 2018 iPad which is of great value, but in terms of smartphone, laptop, and audio, I've migrated to alternatives.

Agree on all of this. My biggest gripe with Apple lately, hardware-wise, is that their current laptops have very bad keyboards now. I'm hoping this will be corrected at some point, hopefully with the rumored redesign of the MBP. Until then, my MacBook Air soldiers on.

Otherwise, I find my various Apple devices all do just what I want, when I want, and with a minimum of fuss.

What's really been keeping me on board lately has been the quality of iCloud services. iCloud Photos, Drive, Calendar, Notes, iMessage-- these things all sync up perfectly and (mostly) quickly, and have generally been rock-solid. I can start working on any one device and pick up on any other, confident all my changes will show up on all devices. That keeps me in, even if my iPhone doesn't fold or whatever.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Well I did think about it long and hard and it’s difficilt seeing other manufacturers innovate and Apple not really doing anything. The S10 is an amazing phone. I pre-ordered one and was ready to switch but I’ve decided not to as I know I’d only end up switching back. I had my sim in an S7 yesterday and lasted w few hours before I put it back in my Xs max.

It’s so annoying Apple are charging exorbitant prices and you get so little compared to other phones. However I don’t think switching is the answer. I’m also just a bit too lazy to start a fresh set up. I have a workflow with my iOS devices and can’t be bothered switching it all.
[doublepost=1551299178][/doublepost]

The S10 like the Xs (max) is a rehashed s9 with more stuff. 5G right now has significant limitations and newer to be arriving chipsets will be better than the one in the s10.

And with the increased prices of the s10 I’m even more happy with my max.

With the to be released xi (max) there will be more stuff also and the same conversation will come around.

The price of the S series hasn’t increased in the UK for the past 3 years. However despite the great hardware on the S10 + and Apple’s shortcomings I ended up cancelling my preorder today. I don’t think I can leave the ecosystem because I know I’d want to come back once the novelty of the S10 + wore off. I had my sim in a borrowed S7 yesterday and I was already bored of it after a few hours so I know I wouldn’t have lasted long with the S10+. I think the android ship might have sailed for me. This is exactly how I felt about the S7 edge, note 8 and S9 + after a few weeks. They went in a drawer and I carried on using my iPhone.

 

[Zaft]

As a iPhone owner/user, are any of you starting to feel the pain from sticking with Apple and watching especially this year so far, many innovative things coming to other phones and we are still using devices from a company who seems to have decided to stop innovating, and just release the same things year after year but make us pay more for it?

Dont get me wrong, I love Apple. I have the XS Max, Apple Watch Series 4, New iPad Pro, Airpods, Macbook Pro and 2 Apple TV boxes.

At what point do we as Apple Consumers stop allowing Apple Eco System which is what they depend on to keep us buying the devices that are falling more and more behind?

Just something I was thinking about today.

Seeing the new phones over the past few weeks and months that have been coming out, I feel we are getting kicked to the curb by Apple and EVEN IF the last 2 weeks of releases have kicked Apple in the a$$ to wake up, it will be at least 2 years before we see anything new and even then, it will be 2 years still behind Samsung and others.

What innovations are you referring to?

 

[snowboarder]

The baton of desirability has now been handed over to Android!

EXACTLY. Apple doesn't even realize they lost their charm. College kids used to dream
about iPhones. Now they don't care. This is really bad for Apple.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Well I did think about it long and hard and it’s difficilt seeing other manufacturers innovate and Apple not really doing anything. The S10 is an amazing phone. I pre-ordered one and was ready to switch but I’ve decided not to as I know I’d only end up switching back. I had my sim in an S7 yesterday and lasted w few hours before I put it back in my Xs max.

It’s so annoying Apple are charging exorbitant prices and you get so little compared to other phones. However I don’t think switching is the answer. I’m also just a bit too lazy to start a fresh set up. I have a workflow with my iOS devices and can’t be bothered switching it all.
[doublepost=1551299178][/doublepost]
The price of the S series hasn’t increased in the UK for the past 3 years. However despite the great hardware on the S10 + and Apple’s shortcomings I ended up cancelling my preorder today. I don’t think I can leave the ecosystem because I know I’d want to come back once the novelty of the S10 + wore off. I had my sim in a borrowed S7 yesterday and I was already bored of it after a few hours so I know I wouldn’t have lasted long with the S10+. I think the android ship might have sailed for me. This is exactly how I felt about the S7 edge, note 8 and S9 + after a few weeks. They went in a drawer and I carried on using my iPhone.

I’ve felt for a while now that Apple make the best operating system and that’s the major draw for me. However the most exciting hardware comes in the Android market and is the main reason I’m annoyed seeing value for money over there with real innovation whereas Apple seem to overprice and release at a slower pace. I can’t see it changing anytime soon though and fully expect to be buying a 2019 iPhone in 2020 just to avoid having my pants pulled down.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I’ve felt for a while now that Apple make the best operating system and that’s the major draw for me. However the most exciting hardware comes in the Android market and is the main reason I’m annoyed seeing value for money over there with real innovation whereas Apple seem to overprice and release at a slower pace. I can’t see it changing anytime soon though and fully expect to be buying a 2019 iPhone in 2020 just to avoid having my pants pulled down.

I’m definitely considering holding onto my iphones for 2 or 3 years now. If there’s nothing worth upgrading to then I don’t see the point. However at the same time I’m not sure switching to android is the answer.

 

[Tsuchiya]

The FOMO is strong here.

Lets be real, Apple has been coasting and inflating prices for years. The S10 wasn't a turning point.

 

[44267547]

Well s10plus 512gb is $200 cheaper than xsmax. And you also get the free Galaxy buds and wireless charger. Effectively s10plus is $500 cheaper (considering you have to pay extra $70 fast charger for xs max)

I’ll be honest, that’s a really good combination (And tempting) that Samsung is including the galaxy buds and wireless charger that’s still cheaper than the XS Max, but as another member already alluded to, is _that_ compelling enough to abandon the ecosystem consumers have invested with Apple/iOS? Likely not. That’s where the loyalty lies for most, is that they are tied into Apples ecosystem with products like the Apple Watch, AirPods, and maybe even the HomePod, all of which is tethered into iOS.

It’s not necessarily that iOS is that much better over android, it’s the fluidity that most take notice upon. That said, Apple is really good at targeting the demographic to purchase their accessories that require iOS, which keeps a foothold for consumers to stay loyal to Apple in that regard.

 

[Shanghaichica]

The person I quoted said they’d be a fad that wouldn’t last.
I don’t think that at all, and it sounds like you don’t either
[doublepost=1551295498][/doublepost]

Just getting everybody on record here

[doublepost=1551295553][/doublepost]Folks....the biggest piece of tension we have right now is that people want large screens much of the time but not necessarily large devices all of the time.

If you don’t think Apple recognizes that and that folding devices could solve the problem…

I don’t know what to tell ya’...

Apple has some patents for foldable devices and it’s possible that they are working on a device now. However I’d imagine that Apple are not as far along in the process as the ones we have seen unveiled in the past week. If Apple are planing on releasing a foldable device it won’t be for a few years once the technology has matured.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple has some patents for foldable devices and it’s possible that they are working on a device now. However I’d imagine that Apple are not as far along in the process as the ones we have seen unveiled in the past week. If Apple are planing on releasing a foldable device it won’t be for a few years once the technology has matured.

"It's possible"
"I'd imagine"
"If Apple"

haha
It's almost like we have no idea about any of what they are doing, isn't it?

lol

They are historically working on so many prototypes and different possible things for years and years, so yes, I agree - They almost certainly are working on folding devices.

It's an exciting potential area and I'd bet a LOT of money they'll release a product that does something in the space.

When?
Who knows - It's Apple, right?

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

I came from an Samsung S9 to Iphone X. I gotta say I don't really miss the S9. Not even a little. And folding phones seems too gimmicky to me. I haven't had a chance to see the S10 or see reviews. But from the brief things I saw like the camera upgrade I don't see anything compelling that would make me want to switch back.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Again, I view these "folding screens" much the same way I view 3D television technology and the Segway... novel concepts that offer no "staying power" in the market place, ergo, a "gimmick".

Bad analogy. With 3D TV, there was next to no content to make it worth it to consumers. Folding displays has a legitimate use.

 

[iObama]

The S10 is beautiful, but there isn't an S10 on the planet that would get me to switch to Android. At this point, I'm incredibly satisfied with my XS Max and have no reason to hate it just because Samsung came out with a pretty phone.

 

[mib1800]

I’ll be honest, that’s a really good combination (And tempting) that Samsung is including the galaxy buds and wireless charger that’s still cheaper than the XS Max, but as another member already alluded to, is _that_ compelling enough to abandon the ecosystem consumers have invested with Apple/iOS? Likely not. That’s where the loyalty lies for most, is that they are tied into Apples ecosystem with products like the Apple Watch, AirPods, and maybe even the HomePod, all of which is tethered into iOS.

It’s not necessarily that iOS is that much better over android, it’s the fluidity that most take notice upon. That said, Apple is really good at targeting the demographic to purchase their accessories that require iOS, which keeps a foothold for consumers to stay loyal to Apple in that regard.

Like I said, those who are tied down and cannot do anything about it (may) have a bitter taste as Apple continue to milk them.

Maybe it is true in the US, however many Iphone users in the rest of the world are not tied down with everything apple. The "eco-system" argument doesnt hold much water with these users. Actually there isnt much in the Apple "eco-system" to shout about except maybe continuity which frankly isnt that ground breaking...well everyone has their phone with them all the time. Other than this, the Google "eco-system" is far better.

 

[OneMike]

The problem is and will remain to be that people want to complain about Apple, but the same people keep giving Apple money.