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Apple CEO Tim Cook: Customers Are Holding on to Older iPhones 'a Bit Longer' Than in the Past
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Um... what?
I think what you're trying to say is so equally snarky and convoluted that most people won't understand it. (Not because they're dumb, but because clear communication is a skill that evidently takes a lot of practice.)
Keep practicing, buddy!
I still think price is somewhat secondary. While bashing price, many also keep saying their current phone is fine. I don’t know about everyone else, but why even spend $400 on a new phone if your current phone still works just fine? Price may be a complaint, but device longevity is probably playing a bigger role here. The need to upgrade just simply isn’t as strong, as the benefits are far less tangible.
How about that these iPhones are great quality, feature-rich and they are also just not adding enough WOW into each update.
I was in the middle of writing something before and didn't want the accidental wrong info in there. I missed that you linked the Q4 2018 info before, which is actually for the September quarter, not the holiday quarter. Apple didn't provide unit sales for Q1 2019.
iPhone revenue was indeed down year over year in Q1 2019 (aka the holiday quarter). Here's Cook's statement in full:
"Now, our customers are holding on to their older iPhones a bit longer than in the past. When you pair this with the macroeconomic factors, particularly in emerging markets, it resulted in iPhone revenue that was down 15 percent from last year. Our iPhone results accounted for significantly more than our entire year-over-year revenue decline. In fact, outside of iPhone our business grew strongly, by 19 percent."
Here is the Q1 info: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/pdfs/Q1_FY19_Consolidated_Financial_Statements.pdf
I appreciate the feedback. I don't believe there is anything convoluted about my statements.Um... what?
I think what you're trying to say is so equally snarky and convoluted that most people won't understand it. (Not because they're dumb, but because clear communication is a skill that evidently takes a lot of practice.)
Keep practicing, buddy!
1) The CEO makes obvious statements at times.
2) He does this because the market, analysis, and many MR members like to jump the proverbial gun, and see doom and gloom around every corner.
3) And is often the case, the aforementioned doom and gloomers are easily distracted with the next headline.
4) And is often the case, said persons often retort in such a manner, that leads the reader to believe said persons don't have any choice outside of Apple, which they clearly do.
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Saying prices are too high is subjective and personal, even though many may share your sentiments.
Apple has always required a premium retail price, compared to the rest of the market. Samsung is starting to do the same.
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What makes him a "clown," and in need of dismissal?
What you say is true. Would you concede, however, that not all words written in disagreement with Cupertino are from the doom-and-gloom contingent? That a certain amount of criticism is, in fact, merited?
I generally look at both sides of the coin. I have as much trouble with the Cassandras as I do with the Pollyannas (especially when they attempt to paint each other as hopeless ignoramuses). Let's be kinder and smarter than that, eh, folks?
I totally agree and he make it seem like he did us a favor in lowering price of the battery.
How can foreign exchange rate make the iPhone so much more expensive, if it is build in China anyway?
No duh captain obvious. You need to give people a reason to upgrade. Not just jack up the price!
I agree with you. Not all words of criticism are from the kinds of people often found here.
Apple is certainly not above reproach and I do believe they have missed the mark many times.
Not everyone is going to like what Tim and the other powers that be do. That is to be expected. Criticism with substance is a welcomed read. Criticism predicated on logical fallacy and emotion is not. The latter is what seems to be in abundance on many of the forums.
The world market is Apple's oyster - yet they continue to crawl towards the pearl. Too many people on don't own an iPhone or a MacBook.
Top of the line iPhone X series, built to order, costs $1672 for the XS, and $1779.84 for the XS Max, AppleCare+ after tax !
Top of the line iPhone 5S at the time, with AppleCare - $600. (What I paid - don't how know to calculate the release price.)
The 5S numbers might be off, but the picture is there to see - that is too much money to give-up!
Yes, the specs are also too high, not exactly the consumers' fault. The Android family has seen how much Apple can push the envelope and raised their specs and prices (while copying each other) to make these high prices the new norm! Another reason why the smartphone market on the whole is plateauing.
If Apple had also offered a version of the iPhone X in the case size of the iPhone 5S/SE, and priced it around $650 with max configuration, the market will show that enough people will buy it. Even if it lacks OLED screen, has a single camera and the capacity is maxed at 128GB.
The flagship should also cost around $1200 with max BTO. The iPhone 6S cost $1050 at the maximum level, with tax.
Wishful thinking, yes. Until then, even if takes 6 years, I will ride this phone to obsolescence.
Top of the line iPhone X series, built to order, costs $1672 for the XS, and $1779.84 for the XS Max, AppleCare+ after tax !
Top of the line iPhone 5S at the time, with AppleCare - $600. (What I paid - don't how know to calculate the release price.)
The 5S numbers might be off, but the picture is there to see - that is too much money to give-up!
Yes, the specs are also too high, not exactly the consumers' fault. The Android family has seen how much Apple can push the envelope and raised their specs and prices (while copying each other) to make these high prices the new norm! Another reason why the smartphone market on the whole is plateauing.
If Apple had also offered a version of the iPhone X in the case size of the iPhone 5S/SE, and priced it around $650 with max configuration, the market will show that enough people will buy it. Even if it lacks OLED screen, has a single camera and the capacity is maxed at 128GB.
The flagship should also cost around $1200 with max BTO. The iPhone 6S cost $1050 at the maximum level, with tax.
Wishful thinking, yes. Until then, even if takes 6 years, I will ride this phone to obsolescence.
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I am holding on to mine for as long as I can as it does everything use it for. If the prices were cut without having to trade in, then I may consider upgrading and my current phone would be a back up. As hard as Tim is trying to pry older phones out of our hands with the trade in, I am not biting.
Tim, I waited only 3000 days and skipped just 8 generations. It's just an iPod Phone to me.
P.S. I would buy a new iMac, but the current model is more than 600 days old.
P.S. I would buy a new iMac, but the current model is more than 600 days old.
I miss the days when, after two years I could just order a new phone at 299 or 399 subsidy plan.
USA was just feeding the carriers' endless-pit stomachs under that plan. Cellphone bills around $300 just for four lines, and most people still had landline because another line was prohibitively expensive. Cable bills around $200, for pretty much the same watched hours - there are only 24 still in a day, though Comcast would like to bill differently.
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Tim is crazy saying that new records were set in Canada Hello Tim a lots of iPhone 7 and 8 were solds in Canada I didn’t see any people’s with XR - XS or XS Max. Prices are still too high Tim forget Marijuana
A few things screwed this over for Apple.
- The battery issue was a major blunder by them not allowing users to turn it off to begin with or mentioning it in the first place. I don't think it was a sinister ploy to make people upgrade but a genuine features designed to stop phones shutting down after a few years.
- This led to another blunder with the battery replacement program, which people took massive advantage of. Who wouldn't? This only pushed ageing phones out for another few years for people who don't mind their phone or as a 2nd hand for kids.
- iOS 12 runs on devices going back 6 years!!! Which is insane. And it runs well, most older iPhones would't work great after 2 years in the past.
- This was an S year. People do forget that. Last year we saw the first new major design change since 2014, and the addition of wireless charging to the old design. Making last year the big year to upgrade.
- iPhone price & features (lack of). The X last year set the record for price but people bought it because the new features where new and had value. This year not much changed and the price is still high.
Well yeah, when the old ones are like the new ones four years in a row.
Uh no. my iPhone 6S since 'upgrading' to iOS 12 drains to 50% within 90 minutes, no matter what I do. That's after using the battery replacement program in late 2017.
The reality is the Apple 'moat' is so strong that people are bashing their heads against the wall because they perceive it's too painful to switch to Android.
This is not the tech paradise Steve Jobs promised, or was it hell he promised?
Price is a a factor for sure, but its also a saturated market with nothing that REALLY differentiates the various models other than incremental speed bumps. For me, its the lack of a headphone jack, so my iPhone 6s with 128Gb will last me for years. I will hold out as longs as I can since I like having a headphone jack. Apple could at least offer one model with it and let consumers decide.
Also, Apple is selling too many models- they need to whittle it down to a less bewildering array of choices and model names.
Also, Apple is selling too many models- they need to whittle it down to a less bewildering array of choices and model names.
Your iPhone 6S seems to be the exception - most people are happy with the new batteries.
You threw in some Apple bashing - the top Androids are just as expensive. Only, iPhones last longer, they are not "vintage" in two years.
The battery-throttling fiasco has taught ALL smartphone owners this - replace your battery every year or so to keep it longer, instead of spending $1000 every two years. So many "older" iPhones around now, and a quite a few X-series.