Apple Reportedly Reassigned Some Marketing Staff to Work on Bolstering Sales of iPhone XS and iPhone XR

[cardfan]

But but it’s the best phone for most people. This thing will fly off the shelves you guys said. Lol. What happened? It was a sure thing. Can’t miss.

As mentioned before Apple should have learned its lesson. 5C. Now the XR.

Apple needs to remember its motto. Designing the best products it can to delight consumers. When you start trying to delight the marketing dept or cost accountants instead you lose focus.

 

[IdentityCrisis]

I don't know if it's me, but I see a lot of people in this thread that are upset because they can't afford the new iPhones. In 10 years from the original iPhone, with increase in inflation, the iPhone is actually cheaper than the original iPhone.

Apple has moved into a Luxury side for their products. They keep their older phones for those that can't afford the newest ones for a reason. If you want the newest thing, you will either have to fork up the money, or go to Android.

 

[groadyho]

You misread the article. It didn’t say they were, it said they put the option for the phone to do it if the battery was messing up. And a lot of Android phones under those circumstances would just let the phone turn itself off. Is that the better solution to you?

I never had a phone just shut off before, ever.

 

[IdentityCrisis]

I never had a phone just shut off before, ever.

I've had plenty that have. Almost every phone I've owned at least shut off once. The worst was my Samsung Galaxy S3., My second worst was my Note 4.

 

[groadyho]

I've had plenty that have. Almost every phone I've owned at least shut off once. The worst was my Samsung Galaxy S3., My second worst was my Note 4.

I find that weird. Maybe it is something to do with the way or how the phone is being charged.

 

[IdentityCrisis]

I find that weird. Maybe it is something to do with the way or how the phone is being charged.

Nope, it was battery related issues at that time. I don't know about the other devices I didn't mention, but they have done it as well.

 

[AnthonyG6]

I don't know if it's me, but I see a lot of people in this thread that are upset because they can't afford the new iPhones. In 10 years from the original iPhone, with increase in inflation, the iPhone is actually cheaper than the original iPhone.

Apple has moved into a Luxury side for their products. They keep their older phones for those that can't afford the newest ones for a reason. If you want the newest thing, you will either have to fork up the money, or go to Android.

U.S. Inflation Rate, $500 in 2007 to 2018
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index, prices in 2018 are 21.97% higher than prices in 2007. The dollar experienced an average inflation rate of 1.82% per year during this period.

In other words, $500 in 2007 is equivalent in purchasing power to $609.83 in 2018, a difference of $109.83 over 11 years.

Even Apples more 'affordable' phones are over priced if you are basing it on just pure inflation. Apple has been charging as much as it likes and on the most part has been getting away with it as their sales figures would prove. This year may well be a turning point. So unless next year brings a new design and/or a must have exclusive feature for which they can charge a premium price. If its the same design then I would guess the base price would need to come down a bit.

I would've bought the iPhone Xs if it was significantly better than the X, but next year I would most likely buy the new iPhone because the X will be two years old by then, same design or not. If its a new design then I would definitely buy it.

 

[Ubele]

Dear Apple,

Why would I want an overpriced fragile phone that doesn’t fit in my pocket and doesn’t have a headphone jack? Keeping my 6s, thank you.

I'm still perfectly happy with my 6S+, and I just got the $29 battery replacement, which I hope will give me a couple more years of useful life out of the phone. All of the features of the newer iPhones are, to me, "nice to have" rather than essential (e.g., when my current phone had become painfully slow, and I needed the faster processor of the latest model, or the jump from 3G to LTE) or compelling (e.g., the Retina display of the iPhone 4, or higher-capacity storage). With my 6S+, I haven't noticed any slowdown in the apps I use, LTE is plenty fast, the camera is fine for casual shots (I have my Sony a6000 when I plan to take more serious photos), and the display is more than good enough (I don't watch much content on my iPhone -- I use my iPad for that).

Back when carriers subsidized phones, spending $400 or whatever on a new phone every couple years was more of a no-brainer, because your monthly bill didn't drop, regardless of how long you kept your phone. My 6S+ is paid off, and I have greater financial priorities than spending $750+ on one of the latest iPhones that -- again, for me -- wouldn't improve my user experience in any significant way. Also, I have to budget x2, because I always upgrade my wife's phone when I upgrade mine. I'm not criticizing people who upgrade every year (if it's your money, you can spend it how you want to), but I suspect many people are keeping their phones longer for the same reasons I am.

 

[IdentityCrisis]

U.S. Inflation Rate, $500 in 2007 to 2018
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index, prices in 2018 are 21.97% higher than prices in 2007. The dollar experienced an average inflation rate of 1.82% per year during this period.

In other words, $500 in 2007 is equivalent in purchasing power to $609.83 in 2018, a difference of $109.83 over 11 years.

Even Apples more 'affordable' phones are over priced if you are basing it on just pure inflation. Apple has been charging as much as it likes and on the most part has been getting away with it as their sales figures would prove. This year may well be a turning point. So unless next year brings a new design and/or a must have exclusive feature for which they can charge a premium price. If its the same design then I would guess the base price would need to come down a bit.

I would've bought the iPhone Xs if it was significantly better than the X, but next year I would most likely buy the new iPhone because the X will be two years old by then, same design or not. If its a new design then I would definitely buy it.

That doesn't account to new technology and more stuff being added to the phones. If the phones never changed, then yes, that would be correct.

 

[Ramchi]

That doesn't account to new technology and more stuff being added to the phones. If the phones never changed, then yes, that would be correct.

Technology shall remain relatively new irrespective of the time. What iPhone 2G provided in 2007 remained the same (with ground up R&D investment and iOS development) that of iPhone XS in 2018 we cant swap the time and conclude one way or the other.

With more customers, more services and more product lines, Apple expected to optimize its operations far better than 2007 and not the other way around though I do understand that in 2007 Apple was trying to put its foothold in a new market.

With ever increasing prices, every step could be a HIGHLY risky one for Apple because any failure would be considered expensive and may start the downward spiral.....

 

[IdentityCrisis]

Technology shall remain relatively new irrespective of the time. What iPhone 2G provided in 2007 remained the same (with ground up R&D investment and iOS development) that of iPhone XS in 2018 we cant swap the time and conclude one way or the other.

With more customers, more services and more product lines, Apple expected to optimize its operations far better than 2007 and not the other way around though I do understand that in 2007 Apple was trying to put its foothold in a new market.

With ever increasing prices, every step could be a HIGHLY risky one for Apple because any failure would be considered expensive and may start the downward spiral.....

Laugh. So, technology was the same. So a 720p TV cost as much then as a OLED TV today? Try again.

 

[katbel]

I wonder if Tim Cook is following this thread and get very GOOD ideas.

 

[Ramchi]

Laugh. So, technology was the same. So a 720p TV cost as much then as a OLED TV today? Try again.

I have paid 32inch CRT TV Sony around $3000 in 2002......and I am sure OLED TV 32 Inches today would cost lesser(or even few years back)....

 

[aka777]

Stop saying this. It’s mathematically untrue.

They are expensive, yes. Overpriced? Not relative to their component cost and Apple’s mobile lineup for the last decade.

I have the XS max and it's certainly not worth the extra $300 over our Xr.

 

[WannaGoMac]

I cant believe this news item went to 17 pages of discussions. This exact same news is every year, and this forum gets so worked up. .

 

[AnthonyG6]

That doesn't account to new technology and more stuff being added to the phones. If the phones never changed, then yes, that would be correct.

I was merely responding to your statement that based on inflation, the 2018 iPhone is cheaper than the 2007 iPhone, which isn't true.

In terms of new technology, yes you would expect the latest phone to have the latest technology. Also, apart from 3D FaceID the other technological advancements in an iPhone are also more or less available on Android phones at a cheaper price point. Is FaceID, iOS and the perceived privacy worth paying the premium...maybe, but Apple might soon find that is not enough to hold onto their customers or gain new ones if they continue to raise prices across the board like they have.

Apple take great joy in saying that we the customers are not their product but they seem to have started to treat us like cash cows!

 

[I7guy]

Define successful. Apple lost its core business like print, video, education. Signs it is struggling with the phone and iPad business will harden by the day. Home markets like Apple TV and HomePod are a joke and if the sluggish pace of Siri is any indication, I see bigger problems ahead. Sure it is still making extraordinary profits but I see those slowly eroding.

Apple gear was always expensive in the past. But they made good hardware then and were ahead of the pack in most categories they were in. Today they’re behind in almost every category and still charging, in some cases, double the amount competitors do. You can do this for a certain amount of time and I think they’re on crossroads now.

Hardware (computers) are a joke. Phones are not competitive priced and iPads have a crippled OS.

So if you find Apple successful it’s not on the behalf of customers but in the same way Saint Cook is thinking.
[doublepost=1544000426][/doublepost]
Up the price with no hot new features is what makes people complain. Want innovation? Don’t look at Apple.

Other than that:
- Apple takes the profit cake in the mobile phone business and to me they still make the best mobile phones
- services are growing and Apple is adding more channels
- there are more hardware categories

As far as the Mac, I won’t comment, but I disagree Apple is behind in “every” category. Maybe only one category if a number were to be put on it.

 

[Michael Goff]

I never had a phone just shut off before, ever.

Neither have I, but I also haven’t had a phone long enough for the phone battery to get that old.

 

[Patolino]

There is no PR that can solve the price tag of 1600 euros for a f* phone. Apple have decided to climb the mount everest of prices. A few years ago I was able to buy a top iPhone for 800 euros. Now I have to pay 1600 euros. No way. I can buy a top iMac for 1800.

This insane policy of prices have to stop. 130 euros for a pen, 250 euros for an earbud. **** that.

 

[I7guy]

There is no PR that can solve the price tag of 1600 euros for a f* phone. Apple have decided to climb the mount everest of prices. A few years ago I was able to buy a top iPhone for 800 euros. Now I have to pay 1600 euros. No way. I can buy a top iMac for 1800.

This insane policy of prices have to stop. 130 euros for a pen, 250 euros for an earbud. **** that.

Apple changed its lineup and the price of the top, top phone is expensive as it has a large oled screen and 512gb. If you want the Xs it’s more reasonable.

 

[Yojimbo007]

Ok lets look at this pragmatically rather than a FUD perspective.

Anyone, even before Apple offered this deal or without involving Apple, could/can have the same or less net cost for an XR. There is no desperate promo going on here.

I looked at eBay for iPhone 7 plus 128 selling prices... they are between 300 to 450$
I even followed 3 auctions closing... ranged from 360, 375, 395 !

Given the above observation Anyone wanting an iPhone XR could sell their 7 plus 128 iPhone on eBay for 300 to 450!

Lets go Conservative based on my observed closing prices and say 350$ average. That’s lower than my observed.

XR prices at Apple site:

Sim free unlocked.

XR 64 GIG 674$

XR 128 GIG 719$


Carrier version

XR 64 GIG 749$

XR 128 GIG. 799$

Now lets forget Apple Apples so called Panic Promo.. ( which it is not, Apple has had trade in program for years now).... and look at some elementary level math...Subtraction.


eBay average iPhone 7 plus 128 price average 350$ (conservative )


The Net out of pocket cost for iPhone XR for a consumer who plans to go from iPhone 7 plus128 to XR:


XR 64 GIG 674$ - 350$= 324 $. 125$ better than apple

XR 128 GIG 719$ - 350$= 369 $. 80$ ‘’’’’’’


Carrier version


XR 64 GIG 749$ -350= 399 $. 50$’’’’’’’’

XR 128 GIG 799$- 350= 449 $ 0 - Same as Apple deal.

(Mind you, i went on a very conservative low end of 7plus selling price ..realistically the net cost will be lower and a consumer will have even better deal than above )


Where is Apples desperation in this picture??

They are not offering anything over and above what the going market value is.. no extra discounts.. etc.


They are just trying to get the trades if anything. And offering a worse deal than one can get otherwise. They have always offered trade-in prices at lower than market prices.

Anyone could have had and can have as good or a better deal at any point without involving Apple.


Its just that Apple put the promo on their first page.....And the bashers are running with it mindlessly....throwing FUD around.

There is no story here..

Just Fud and hit pieces...Bloombug and alike are pushing negative crap out there.. as they have for quite a while.

 

[DesterWallaboo]

I own an iPhone XS Max... but there's no doubt that, despite how great their phones are, they are overpriced by 20%.

 

[Abazigal]

Because maximizing cost and profit have nothing to do with greed. Some people such as yourself should also take psychology or behavioral science classes, so that you can understand things aren’t as black/white as you think

Psychology has nothing to do with anything here. Apple, like any profit-maximising company, is well within its right to charge as much as they think the market can bear. And Apple is charging what they believe their products are worth to the consumer in the mass market.

And as always, we will let the market vote with their wallet.

The critics here seem to think that Apple has lost the plot. I believe that their earning reports next quarter will show that they made the right move.

For some reason, the ongoing trend I see is that everything that Apple does is wrong, while everything the competition does that Apple isn’t going is right.

I think it’s getting ridiculous.

I feel it’s precisely because the critics get way too emotionally invested in this sort of thing that leads to them reading Apple wrong year after year after year (eg: claiming that Apple is doomed because they are apparently lagging behind in voice assistants and VR, which Apple has little to no presence in, while downplaying the inroads Apple has made in health and wearables).

They are unable to objective evaluate the merits of what Apple does, because their hatred has blinded them. Just look at the way they react to every single article even the slightest bit critical of Apple.

Apple’s not the one who has lost their way here. That much I am increasingly certain of.

 

[ipponrg]

Psychology has nothing to do with anything here. Apple, like any profit-maximising company, is well within its right to charge as much as they think the market can bear. And Apple is charging what they believe their products are worth to the consumer in the mass market.

And as always, we will let the market vote with their wallet.

The critics here seem to think that Apple has lost the plot. I believe that their earning reports next quarter will show that they made the right move.

For some reason, the ongoing trend I see is that everything that Apple does is wrong, while everything the competition does that Apple isn’t going is right.

I think it’s getting ridiculous.

I feel it’s precisely because the critics get way too emotionally invested in this sort of thing that leads to them reading Apple wrong year after year after year (eg: claiming that Apple is doomed because they are apparently lagging behind in voice assistants and VR, which Apple has little to no presence in, while downplaying the inroads Apple has made in health and wearables).

They are unable to objective evaluate the merits of what Apple does, because their hatred has blinded them. Just look at the way they react to every single article even the slightest bit critical of Apple.

Apple’s not the one who has lost their way here. That much I am increasingly certain of.

Let’s be realistic. Apple is far from being doomed, so you can discard any doomsayers about that. I’d argue you fit into the camp where your personal experience and lack of awareness outside of financial landscapes creates a superior experience for you. People will continue to buy and cry about it at the same time. Apple has a lot of people by the balls due to how much they have vested in the ecosystem.

Critics are emotionally invested because from a financial perspective you HAVE to be vested. This is where the psychology aspect comes into play. If I bought a top of the line product, I will for sure hone in on more nuances than if I bought a cheap product. That is the average buyer’s persona.

There is nothing wrong with being greedy, and there is nothing wrong with Apple charging more. The rise in people’s voice is justifiably louder now because Apple is making more money and increasing their profits. Instead of seeing things as black/white, perhaps observe from the gray area for once, and maybe you will understand beyond reading your favorite pro Apple writers.

The loudest merits I’ve seen is that they have sold a lot of X units and made a lot of Y dollars. As a consumer and not an investor, does that really help me?

 

[cardfan]

I think they lost their way in marketing. Too many price increases at one time. They still can’t market why Apple. Too deceitful in interviews and events. These products should be selling themselves basically. What they need to market is ecosystem.

Apple is trying to delight cost accounting and marketing departments more than consumers. They know we hate the kb on mbps for example. They keep doing it. Pro apps for iPad? Nothing. External storage access for iPad? Nada.

Still waiting for an oled iPad. Or an oled MacBook. Dell can do oled laptops. So can hp and others. Samsung can do an oled tablet. Where apple? They’re too concerned with cutting costs and milking its core customers. That’s the wrong approach if they want to be seen as a premium brand.