Apple to Lure Android Users to iPhone With New Trade-In Program

[spectrumfox]

Somehow I doubt you're an iOS user. Let's not forget that without Apple, Android wouldn't exist in its present form.

How could we be allowed to forget? :/

No matter how far Android gets ahead of iOS from a usability and feature standpoint, there will always be that tired "Without iPhone there wouldn't be Android!" argument.

It's a different world now than it was in 2007, though.

 

[mj1108]

Trying to attract Android users is the opposite of defensive. It's aggressive, it's ballsy, it's signals a message of intent that Apple is ready to start taking bigger bites into the marketshare Android currently enjoys.

A defensive play would be just trying to shore up the existing user base and prevent them from switching. But they don't need to do that. Apple has the highest brand loyalty scores in the industry by a massive distance. And why? Because their products are amazing to use. This is why Apple wants to get their products into the hands of Android users too, because they know once they experience what Apple has to offer there is no going back.

It makes no sense for them to do this since they don't have a problem attracting Android users as it is.

From the article:

Following the launch of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the devices had brought the highest Android switcher rate Apple had seen in three years. At the time, Cook also said he expects to see more customers switching over to iPhone.

They flat out don't need to do this. Like it's been said, companies that do this kind of thing are the underdog/playing catchup. This doesn't make Apple look like a leader at all.

 

[juanm]

I just bought a Moto G, after using iPhones since 2009. It works great. I bought it after a boiling water iPhone damage, because I needed an unlocked phone while abroad, but I might keep it in the long term, after all. I still don't like that they come only in larger sizes, but after a couple of weeks of ownership, I can definitely see the appeal, it works great.

 

[madsci954]

The internet is built on strife and boobs, Vic. You can't honestly expect everyone using it to suddenly mature, and start thinking sensibly. The whole thing would burst into flames, and kill us all.

And cats, you cannot forget the cats.

 

[Renzatic]

And cats, you cannot forget the cats.

...and cats, yeah. Can't forget the cats.

Also, people getting hurt on skateboards.

 

[dumastudetto]

It makes no sense for them to do this since they don't have a problem attracting Android users as it is.

From the article:

They flat out don't need to do this. Like it's been said, companies that do this kind of thing are the underdog/playing catchup. This doesn't make Apple look like a leader at all.

I agree they don't need to do it. But they want to do it. How does it not make sense for them to want to reach even more Android users than they are already doing?

The strength of Apple as a company says to all they are not desperate, playing catch up or needing to offer incentives. But if they think they can pull in even more Android users at a limited cost then I think it's money well spent. As I said, once people tend to experience what Apple has to offer most of us become loyal to the company for life. So eating a one off cost to try and bring these people to our platform is a smart move in my book. Because once they are with us, they'll be buying all the products like we do and spending a lot of money on Apple.

 

[KdParker]

My wife gave me a voucher for a free iPhone 6 for my birthday...I have the 4S 64GB. I keep asking myself why I want to plunk down $400 for a new 128GB model (I need more than 64GB especially if I am going to keep it for many years) when as far as I am concerned, the only improvement is the camera. Sure, the newer iPhones are slightly larger but I'm not watching movies/youtube nor crying for screen real estate. I really use my iPhone for (in no particular order) a)phone b)email c)pix d)quick web surf and e)texting.

If I buy the 6 I would still have this awesome 4S that is worth nothing on the street and nothing via Apple. The 4S would instantly be diminished to an MP3 player (which is ok) because I would likely port all my mail and apps to the iPhone 6.

I'm also petrified of buying now (and locking in a 2year contract) and then 6 months from now Apple releasing the next iPhone with something really innovative (that I could/would use) and I'm SOL.

If Apple/retailers offer some kind of $100 off the 128GB model within the next few weeks, that would probably get me to buy...otherwise I think I'm going to wait until October.

Wait until September, or just sell the 4s yourself. I imagine that you can get 150 at least for a 4s 64gb

 

[kcirtap00]

Just one question.

What's the benefit, to you as an Apple user/fan or to the millions of mobile consumers worldwide, if a prominent ecosystem or platform disappears forever (your words)?

Sounds like an emotional and frankly irrational statement that doesn't serve to progress the industry as a whole. Allegiances aside, continued evolution and improvement benefits most from feverish, unrelenting competition to best competitors.

Bring on improvements from everyone, we'll all be happy they did!

I'm not against competition in the slightest as long as competitors come up with their own ideas. I think Microsoft did a great job with Windows Phone, as did Palm with Web OS.

----------

How could we be allowed to forget? :/

No matter how far Android gets ahead of iOS from a usability and feature standpoint, there will always be that tired "Without iPhone there wouldn't be Android!" argument.

It's a different world now than it was in 2007, though.

You didn't address my first point

 

[bhayes444]

Somehow I doubt you're an iOS user. Let's not forget that without Apple, Android wouldn't exist in its present form.

And without Android, Apple would not exist in its current form. This argument is extremely tired and old. Competition is good for the market as a whole. Honestly, if Android never existed I am positive iOS would not have progressed further than the features in iOS 5. If there is no competition driving you further forward, then stagnation occurs. Just think how smartphones would look nowadays if Apple had never invented the first iPhone.

The whole stealing features thing is so so soooo tiring to hear. They both steal so much from each other in terms of ideas there is no reason to argue anything, just leave it be. My Android 5.0 powered Moto X and my iOS 8 powered iPad mini get me through the day just fine, and I love using them both; even though they both of memory issues... *sigh*

 

[spectrumfox]

You didn't address my first point

Because it was a desperate and blatant attempt from a forum newbie to discredit me.

Do yourself a favor and search my post history and you'll see I am very active in the iOS 8.3 beta developer discussions here on MacRumors.

If that's not enough proof for you that I am iOS user, I don't know what else to tell you.

 

[dannyyankou]

It's sad that Apple feels like they have to resort to this.

 

[bobenhaus]

I can hear the Imperial Death March for Android.... Android is definitely on it's last legs.

Image

You wish. lol

 

[CEmajr]

How could we be allowed to forget? :/

No matter how far Android gets ahead of iOS from a usability and feature standpoint, there will always be that tired "Without iPhone there wouldn't be Android!" argument.

It's a different world now than it was in 2007, though.

Since when was Android ahead in usability? It's been trailing in that area since
its creation.

In terms of raw, unrefined feature set checklist, I'll agree that they are ahead (if that's something you're into).

 

[69Mustang]

I agree they don't need to do it. But they want to do it. How does it not make sense for them to want to reach even more Android users than they are already doing?

The strength of Apple as a company says to all they are not desperate, playing catch up or needing to offer incentives. But if they think they can pull in even more Android users at a limited cost then I think it's money well spent. As I said, once people tend to experience what Apple has to offer most of us become loyal to the company for life. So eating a one off cost to try and bring these people to our platform is a smart move in my book. Because once they are with us, they'll be buying all the products like we do and spending a lot of money on Apple.

You should really change that to like I do, not we do. I buy Apple, Samsung, MS, Google, and many other consumer electronics. I think the vast majority of people are like me. We buy what fits our use case regardless of who the manufacturer is. I like OSX. I have no real use for iOS. My daughter likes iOS, but has no use for OSX. Anecdotally, I've never met anyone who is brand exclusive outside of certain car people. They're no fun to be around. It's not really an us against them type thing. Only fanboys see things that way.

 

[spectrumfox]

In terms of raw, unrefined feature set checklist, I'll agree that they are ahead (if that's something you're into).

Some people prefer being on-time to the party rather than being 2-3 years late to the party. To each his or her own.

 

[blackcrayon]

Since when was Android ahead in usability? It's been trailing in that area since
its creation.

In terms of raw, unrefined feature set checklist, I'll agree that they are ahead (if that's something you're into).

With usability "features" like being laggy almost no matter how many cores or mhz you throw at the problem...

 

[votdfak]

Apple lured me back with 5.5" screen.

 

[spectrumfox]

With usability "features" like being laggy almost no matter how many cores or mhz you throw at the problem...

Vanilla Android isn't laggy anymore, that problem was solved by Google years ago.

Current UI lag for various devices is caused by manufacturer launchers and services, not the underlying OS itself.

You learned something today.

 

[GenesisST]

As much as I'd like to see Android disappear forever, its not quite on its last legs yet. Samsung however...

I'm always puzzled when I see someone that wishes that.

I prefer iOS to Android, but whether it Android disappears or not has no incidence on my life. And about who's copying who, well, the corporations can duke it out between themselves and it still has no incidence on my life.

 

[spectrumfox]

I'm always puzzled when I see someone that wishes that.

I prefer iOS to Android, but whether it Android disappears or not has no incidence on my life. And about who's copying who, well, the corporations can duke it out between themselves and it still has no incidence on my life.

Brand loyalty is a very real and very scary thing.

 

[sunwukong]

Trying to attract Android users is the opposite of defensive. It's aggressive, it's ballsy, it's signals a message of intent that Apple is ready to start taking bigger bites into the marketshare Android currently enjoys.

A defensive play would be just trying to shore up the existing user base and prevent them from switching. But they don't need to do that. Apple has the highest brand loyalty scores in the industry by a massive distance. And why? Because their products are amazing to use. This is why Apple wants to get their products into the hands of Android users too, because they know once they experience what Apple has to offer there is no going back.

This was somewht my though, as well. They are certainly not in a position of weekness. This is not desperate measures, trying to claw sales out of the market. What were the stats on the percentage of iPhone sales going to switchers most recently? What were the numbers recently on iPhone sales vs Samsung sales? Didn't Apple just climb over Samsung in global sales, by some definition? This seems to me more like part of an overall strategy. Not quite 'going for the killing stroke', because Android/Samsung not going to be killed, but does have the feel of adding to the pain.

 

[yaxomoxay]

I can hear the Imperial Death March for Android.... Android is definitely on it's last legs.

Image

As much as I love Apple, I hope not. Android will help Apple to push itself to create new, revolutionary products.
No or weak competition is a loss for everyone.

 

[LordVic]

Brand loyalty is a very real and very scary thing.

its a combination of Brand loyalty being propped up by a strong sense of Cognitive Dissonance.

Often leads to very closed minded belief structures and people who will often find an echo chamber of people with the same narrative to further prop up their beliefs.

 

[Piggie]

Somehow I doubt you're an iOS user. Let's not forget that without Apple, Android wouldn't exist in its present form.

And also.
Without Android, Apple phones would not exist in their current form.

As much as people here obviously dislike Android, and given these are Apple forums, it's understandable.

I'd love to wind the clock back, Have the 1st iPhone come out.
Never have any competition to the iPhone from anyone, and move on to 2015 and see what the iPhone was like.

I can assure you, and anyone with half a brain also would agree, the iPhone would be nowhere near as good or advanced as it is now, if Android/competition had never existed.

 

[Saucesome2000]

Too bad used Android phones generally aren't worth ****.