Engineering in the magnet is probably no more challenging using 3D tech than it is using injection molding or whatever [just guessing].
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Thank gosh there are still people in the world willing to stick up for greedy companies ripping people off!
Last I checked, no one is pointing a gun to my head and forcing me to buy an iPhone pocket. We are not talking about some life-saving medicine or vaccine either. Not that it mattered, because the more expensive model was all sold out by the time I finally made my way down to the Apple Store to check it out. It does feel very nice to hold in the hand, I give you that.
Nor is it some proprietary piece of tech either. I am not very upset by Apple selling overpriced iPhone cases or accessories because I can usually find something far cheaper on Amazon or Shopee (or whatever your local online shopping platform is).
My colleague has this $3000 leather bag which she brings to work, and I don't think she's being ripped off (I have a laptop bag that cost me under $50). There are, right this second, millions of people spending money on things that I wouldn’t buy. Things that I could easily find an almost unlimited number of “better things to spend the money on”.
Perhaps I could take the time to tell them all that they should be buying something else that they don’t actually want, but I do. However, I think I’ll stuck to just understanding that they probably have different tastes, personal circumstances, disposable income etc to me and therefore it’s probably best for them to actually just buy the thing that they decided upon with those factors taken into account.
Bottom line - I won't tell you how you ought to spend your money, you don't tell me how to spend mine either. 😊
Here is my problem with statements like this: Most people look at a BOM cost of 400 and a retail price of 2000, and say “see, Apple makes 1600$ on my iPhone!!”. But that’s not how that works.
We don’t even have to guess, it’s right in their earnings calls. Last quarter Apple’s gross margin was 46.9%. This is pushed up by their increasing services revenue, which is very high margin. Before this, Apple’s gross margin hovered around 40%, which is a very average number for a decently run company. This means that when Apple sells something for around 2000$, the cost price was around 1200$ on average. This is pure landed cost, meaning this is what Apple pays for the product, including freight. This does NOT cover fixed costs such as salaries, rent, marketing etc. Those costs are covered by the 40%. This is not debatable.
So how did we get from 400$ cost to 2000$ retail then? Simple: 400$ cost is the cost of the parts. Add to that the margin of the manufacturer, to cover his salaries, rent, stocking costs etc. Then you add Apple’s 40% margin*, or a markup of 1.67, or +67%, whichever way you prefer to calculate. Then you add freight from the factory to a distributor. Then you add margin to the distributor, to cover their salaries etc. Then you add freight to a retailer. Then you add margin for the retailer to cover their salaries etc. Then add taxes, VAT etc.
*Note how early in the chain Apple’s margin was added? Apple do not get 40% off 2000$. They get 40% of some value further down the chain. Rather than earning 1600 per phone, they are more likely earning in the vicinity 600 per phone. Which is still good, as evidenced by being a very profitable company. But if you think they are simply pocketing most of the money you pay for a phone, you are wrong.
If you have never run a business, a good way to think of it is to consider “margin” as equal to your salary. Your salary is equivalent to essentially 100% margin, or infinite markup. Does that inherently make you greedy? No, that’s just the margin you need on your work, to be able to pay the rent, all the bills, food etc, and have a bit left over for fun.
I’m not saying greedy people do not exist, but there is no inherent difference between a company’s markup and an employee’s salary. In both cases, a given margin percentage does not inherently make you rich.
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and bet there’s a lot more development costs that need to be recouped on an iphone than on this
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind.
Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe.
Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing angles, in both vertical and horizontal orientations.
Inspired by modern sculpture, the Hikawa's design process involved direct input from individuals with disabilities affecting muscle strength, dexterity, and hand control.
The limited edition Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand is available in two colors: a bold, high-visibility Chartreuse and recycled Crater, exclusive to Apple.
The Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand costs $69.95 and can be ordered from Apple's online store in the U.S. It's the second limited-edition iPhone accessory Apple has released this month, following the high-end designer iPhone Pocket, a cross-body pouch starting at $149.95.
Article Link: Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month
?? How are they "greedy companies ripping people off!" when they sell a fully discretionary item with the price clearly marked? Simply do not buy it. When folks expect something for nothing and very publicly whine about it I find it offensive, but feel free to disagree.
The term accessibility usually refers to helping to cope with physical or mental disabilities rather than to the relative strength of an individual's finances.
Or I could grab some magnets from Home Depot and 3d print this myself for next to nothing.
to be honest, $70 isn't crazily overpriced for a "designer" accesory.
If some designer i've never heard of and can't pronounce their name can make and sell shoelaces for thousands of dollars; i feel like apple is leaving money on the table. They could've gone 169.99, 269.99 and those that would've bought one would still buy one.
If some designer i've never heard of and can't pronounce their name can make and sell shoelaces for thousands of dollars; i feel like apple is leaving money on the table. They could've gone 169.99, 269.99 and those that would've bought one would still buy one.
Thanks. Hiring an artist = money = time to develop oneself to dedicate and educate to become one + self branding
We can do this all day.
This message board is just chock-full of good humor, isn't it? Make a joke, and you'll get a free 3rd-grade-level life lesson. 😂