Apple Reportedly 'Seriously' Concerned About iPhone 14 Plus Sales, Looking to Reevaluate iPhone 15 Lineup

[MichaelQ]

For a few $$ extra a month you can get the Pro with the new shiny Dynamic Island. Regular 14 is basically just a 13 so why bother?

Going forward the 14 will probably be the basis of the SE5, but for now if you want a shiny new iPhone, the Pro is very appealing especially on a 2-3 year plan.

 

[Tilby8]

Apple is reportedly "seriously" concerned over the sales performance of the iPhone 14 Plus, the 6.7-inch non-Pro variant of the iPhone 14 lineup. As a result, it is considering ways to restrategize its iPhone lineup for next year.

The iPhone 14 Plus is the newest addition to the iPhone lineup and replaces the 5.4-inch mini iPhone. The iPhone 14 Plus features the same design, cameras, and performance as the standard iPhone 14 but with a larger display and battery. According to a post by yeux1122 on Naver, who has shared both accurate and inaccurate information in the past, Apple is thinking of ways to reevaluate how it treats pro and non-pro iPhones for the iPhone 15.

The post outlines two possible strategies reportedly under consideration at Apple, with the first being to further differentiate the pro and non-pro iPhones, which was previously rumored by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Secondly, Apple is considering reducing the price of the Plus model of the lineup, which starts at $899, according to the post, which cites supply chain and industry sources. A price reduction of the Plus model means the standard ‌iPhone‌, which starts at $799, could also see a price decrease unless Apple wants to shrink the pricing gap between the two models.

In the last few years, Apple has shifted and reevaluated its iPhone lineup a few times. Starting with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Apple began offering small and large-sized iPhones before branching out and offering four models, two standard and two high-end models, with different materials, colors, and camera features. Starting with the iPhone 13 Pro, for example, Apple began to offer the same camera systems on the 6.1-inch Pro and 6.7-inch Pro Max model, unlike in previous years where more advanced camera features were reserved for only the largest iPhone.

With the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, Apple chose to offer two standard and two high-end models with matching sizes: two 6.1-inch models and two 6.7-inch models. Both the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max feature the same cameras and designs, the only difference being a physically bigger battery in the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The iPhone 15 is still a year away, so it's too early to know what strategy Apple will use. In one sign, however, that it's looking to unify the entire lineup, Dynamic Island is expected to come to all iPhone 15 models. For a complete rundown of everything we know so far about the iPhone 15, check out our roundup.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly 'Seriously' Concerned About iPhone 14 Plus Sales, Looking to Reevaluate iPhone 15 Lineup

No mystery here. The iPhone 14 was missing expected fundamental improvements along with the usual incremental updates. WiFi 6e support and no USC-C made the 14 an instant pass for me. To me the only justification for this would be if they dropped the price. Also ditching the mini was a huge mistake, just like the iPad mini the lack of routine model updates and rumors of possible discontinuance absolutely kills off needed developer support for the smaller form factors. If they want to revive either, they will need to provide annual product updates and commit to keeping the form factors as current as any other product. Otherwise dismal developer support will kill off the small form factor products for Apple.

 

[vikingjunior]

Had they made the 14 Plus 6.5" it would have sold better. The iPhone 11 Pro Max was a perfect size, it was so unfortunately it didn't have 5G. The 6.8" is too big and heavy, and the 6.1' is a tad too small for comfortable typing.

 

[bella2v]

Come on iPhone 15 Pro Mini, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

If Apple stops making phones the size of the mini, I stop buying Apple. I want a phone that fits in my pocket, not something hanging halfway ourt.

 

[Dan in VA]

They put last years processors init and are surprised no one upgraded to the same thing they already had. Lol

This is the reason. Nobody is going to shell out for the prior year model CPU. You might as well get a prior year Pro Max instead.

 

[bella2v]

I hope it's selling worse than the Mini so they bring it back. I won't be buying a new iphone until they make the mini again

I'm with you. The mini fits in my jacket pocket and works like a phone should. Why make it so large????

 

[wallaby]

This is easy to fix.

Each iPhone announcement rolls out three phones:

1. The new iPhone (15, 6.1”, aluminum, 128GB)
2. The iPhone Pro (15, 6.7” premium, steel, 512GB+)
3. Previous year’s iPhone (14, non-Pro)

1) covers people who want a new phone, 2) covers those that want the best, and 3) works as an SE which is low cost for Apple and consumers.

Stop the madness! Or don’t, whatever. I’ll buy what appeals to me (written on an iPhone 12 mini).

 

[bassexpander]

Apple needs to looks at improving other parts, such as modem reach and speed. I bought a used Galaxy S21 to replace my iPhone and I'll be darned if the thing isn't three times faster downloading at medium to long distances from the AP. It even bests my coworker's m1 iPad. CPU speed isn't everything anymore, and it looks as if Apple may lose ground on that due to employee losses. If your bullet fast CPU is supposed to handle things like video editing then it also needs to be backed up with a modem that can handle high transfer speeds for those huge video files.

 

[SR 7]

Apple: “We keep changing the chip and battery while raising the price but people still don’t want it. What are we doing wrong?”

 

[Ladybug]

Stilling rocking my 12 Mini here. Despite the complaints of small battery I don’t have any issues with mine, light user here. My iPad gets quite a workout on a daily basis. A folding iPhone would appeal to me as even the 6.1 feels overly large to me. Apple has to stop somewhere when it comes to phone size I’d imagine.

 

[glenncashuric]

I don’t see why they just don’t release three sizes (5.4, 6.1, and 6.7) with ProMotion, the same chip, and as similar cameras as possible.

And yes, the relative failure of the
14 TooBig is schadenfruede on my part because I am a huge fan of the Mini. I replaced my 12 with a 13 only to get the 512GB and the slightly bigger battery. I refuse to carry around a big slab of glass. Just my personal opinion. YMMV.

 

[SkippyThorson]

Apple is going to listen to you and loose millions of $. I respect that some people think Apple should focus on the high-end and ditch recycled designs in order to have cheap devices, but it’s naive to think Apple will do that by lowering the price of their existing high-end products (which show no sign of being overpriced at all, looking at sales).

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the iPhone SE is priced at $429 and the Mini I think should replace it in the lineup is more, yet in-line with the entry price Apple is trying to keep.

The current iPhone is $799 and wouldn’t change anything in its cycle other than shift to a steel frame. The current mid-tier aluminum device isn’t selling. That’s the point of this article.

The high was iPhone already begins at $1,099 and moves to a more premium material. Rumors already have the iPhone 15 range aligning in specs.

The idea is moving up base price and perception by name. People will upgrade more naturally and feel like they’re getting something other than the four identical models of iPhone on sale now.

 

[ppfd]

I'm still waiting for a 14 pro max

 

[craigrusse11]

There isn't a problem with the product, its the price (** especially in Europe and the UK **).

Who in their right mind would drop up to a thousand bucks on a new phone which isn't 'the best' one in the lineup? It's very easy to say 'the average consume doesn't care about feature x', well it would appear from these numbers that 'the average consumer' absolutely does care about feature x when spending a thousand bucks.

I think the iPhone 14 is going to be remembered as 2022's 'XR' and therefore i hope next years iPhone 15 is the equivalent 2023's 'iPhone 11'.

 

[SidewalkSurfer]

Within the last year, for the first time ever, I bought an android tablet for work since I needed a very bright screen with higher NITS for outdoor use than what my iPad or iPhone delivered. After getting used to the Android ecosystem, I gave my aging iPhone to one of the kids in the family and bought a Moto G stylus 5G (2022 model) for just $99 (no contract). My conclusion - I am finding it increasingly difficult to justify the premium pricing that Apple commands when Android seems to deliver essentially the same experience - and in my case more. I'm confident that I'm not alone when it comes to considering alternatives. That may be one of the real issues with the 14's lackluster sales.

 

[blotto123]

Apple should bring back the mini iPhone and actually PROMOTE the obvious benefits of it's small size. The fact is that a huge percentage of people using larger iPhones don't even know the iPhone mini 12 & 13 even exist. Once many of my friends held my iPhone 12 mini (and now 13 mini) in their hands they wanted one since their current larger iPhone was actually felt too big and cumbersome in the hand and pocket.

 

[DownUnderDan]

They only have to release a new Mini once in a while. The Mini-folks are less than the big phone people.
Just got my Mini 13, so I am fine awhile. Hope they release Mini ~16-18 depending on 1st if and then what upgrades it comes with.
Apple, care about your Mini lovers, as we care about you ♥️

Soon we are at iPhone 33, will sound hilarious. Better system Apple.
Mac’s don’t get numbers, but have their release years?!

Agree on the naming convention, but I also question the need at all for a yearly release of iPhone. The one model should be good for at least three years of sales. Obviously there are a bunch of people out there desperate to throw their money at Apple for incremental updates and thats why Apple do it, but man, the profit margins must be enormous to justify all that work each year on what really are at this point of the evolution of the smart phone, very small changes each year.

 

[JapanApple]

Foldable iPhone form will be made in a few years after the next generation 15. soon after the 15 the 16 will have a normal style and be foldable. hence price points will be made high and reasonable. don't want a foldable. people saying a major change 15 how can be since the foldable will be the main apple iPhone at that time.

 

[Technerd108]

The problem is that Apple is trying to shortchange their customers while not offering a commensurate reduction in price. I don't know why they are surprised no one is buying a $900 phone that is essentially just a large iPhone 13 and branding it a 14.

I mean the 14 should cost closer to the Pixel 7 at $599 and the Max should cost $699. Then they would sell and be worth the cost.

If they sold the 14 Pro for the cost of the Max and the Pro Max at the price of the Pro they would be doing a lot better.

Also the chips should all be the same and lower end models need at least a 90hz Pro Motion screen.

If they would have done the above they would be selling like hot cakes.

We are about to enter a recession. People aren't going to waste money on a new phone unless it offers real new features and is affordable. Not everyone can afford $1500 for a Pro Max with 512gb.

 

[czaffa]

Maybe they should try making the next version less underwhelming

 

[cjchappy]

I agree with pretty much every comment. I was a die hard Android fan until last year when I got an iPhone 13 Pro Max. I am 52, my vision isn't the best now and I need reading glasses see the screen comfortably closer than 2 feet from my face. For this reason, I don't personally need such a huge phone. A phone about an inch smaller would be more comfortable to slip in my pocket for daily use.

New cars come out every year, bigger and faster. There IS a thing called the law of diminishing returns....

 

[SactoGuy18]

I wouldn't be surprised that the iPhone 15 lineup looks like this:

iPhone 15 mini--5.4" 60 Hz OLED with Dynamic Island. 6 GB RAM, 128 and 256 GB storage. USB Type C port with USB 3.0 (5 gigabits per second transfer rate).

iPhone 15--6.1" 60 Hz OLED with Dynamic Island. 6 GB RAM, 128, 256 and 512 GB storage. USB Type C port with USB 3.0 (5 gigabits per second transfer rate).

iPhone 15 Ultra--6.7" 1 to 120 Hz OLED with Dynamic Island. 8 GB RAM, 256, 512 and 1 TB storage. USB Type C Port with USB 3.2 Gen 2 (20 gigabits per second transfer rate).

 

[FelixDerKater]

This was obvious to almost everyone before the first one shipped.

 

[borgusio]

Apple should consider bringing back the iPhone Mini with better battery life, camera, and so on. Call it the iPhone Pro Mini.

Also, the non-pro iPhones should strictly be reserved for the Apple event in the Spring.

Yup. After 12 mini I am super happy about 13 mini and scared about the future. Happy to pay the “pro premium” for a mini

 

[Kalaloch]

Checked out the 14's when buying a new Macbook Air. I've got decent-sized mitts, but both models felt uncomfortable. I've got a cellular iPad if I want a large screen. I won't buy these big models. Waiting for something that fits in my hand.