Apple's Sales Team Expressed Fears iPhone Growth Could Stall Due to Android Threat

[samcraig]

I hope Steve's holy war was worth it. But honestly I think this one won't go Apple's way.

I honestly don't think it will be. I am not a psychologist and I am making an armchair analysis here - but I think that Steve never truly got over what Microsoft did and he saw Android as the same situation all over again - only now he had much more power to try and do something about it. I also think (I admit complete conjecture) that he might not have been in 100% of the right mind the last several months or longer emotionally, etc because of his illness. And justifiably so. Not that he hadn't expressed vitriol towards others in the past.

I don't think any of these lawsuits will bring the end of Android.

 

[lilo777]

But does that invalidate Apple's argument? If not I fail to see how it matters in this trial...

Apparently it does. Otherwise why would Phil Schiller deny the obvious looking like an idiot?

 

[genovelle]

Is an iPhone really hip any more? Seems like older people are the ones that are using them.

Unless of course you venture onto a college campus. I get an email from my university book store at least twice a week pushing Samsung gear. But iPhones still out number everything else 3:1

 

[Rogifan]

I honestly don't think it will be. I am not a psychologist and I am making an armchair analysis here - but I think that Steve never truly got over what Microsoft did and he saw Android as the same situation all over again - only now he had much more power to try and do something about it. I also think (I admit complete conjecture) that he might not have been in 100% of the right mind the last several months or longer emotionally, etc because of his illness. And justifiably so. Not that he hadn't expressed vitriol towards others in the past.

I don't think any of these lawsuits will bring the end of Android.

And I think had Tim Cook been running the show this wouldn't be happening. Apple is just finishing what Steve started. I don't doubt that Apple execs feel Samsung ripped them off, but at the end of the day how worth it is it for all this confidential stuff to be released in public?

 

[samcraig]

And I think had Tim Cook been running the show this wouldn't be happening. Apple is just finishing what Steve started. I don't doubt that Apple execs feel Samsung ripped them off, but at the end of the day how worth it is it for all this confidential stuff to be released in public?

Further - and I know this might upset some - the damage was already done. Getting damages won't change much and phone bans would be for models no longer being sold.

I understand the importance of protecting IP, etc. But I agree - at what cost. At the end of the day - Apple is the one in the hot seat having to divulge all this information. I think most people almost expect Samsung to have skeletons or whatnot. More so than Apple.

 

[osaga]

IMO, Apple needs to come up with a virtual home button as it currently takes up space that could be used to increase screen size.

...and put the finger print sensor on the back in the apple logo. The great thing about a physical button though is you know when you've pushed it. tough call.

 

[ucantgetridofme]

Well, if an Apple Head cannot buy an iPhone at their carrier, that is fine. That is what Apple.com is for. Plus, there is an app for that. I got my iPhone 5 from my app - no problem. Who wants to wait in line to be harassed by AT&T employees anyway. This would make the iPhone more of a hot item if they are harder to get.

Apple doesn't need NEW customers, just keep satisfying the current customers because we are bringing Apple new customers through our friends and family. I am happy with waiting. I don't want to compromise myself and get a cheaper phone just because it is bigger. It will never do everything Apple does, nor will they provide the same kind of service which Apple does.

With that kind of reasoning it's no wonder you live in your parents basement.

 

[AppleScruff1]

...and put the finger print sensor on the back in the apple logo. The great thing about a physical button though is you know when you've pushed it. tough call.

True, but that button takes up a lot of real estate and other phones have come up with different ways to minimize the space used.

 

[Sylon]

I hope these 4.7" iPhone rumors end up being true. Because that would mean I would be going back to the iPhone. Hell, I might even upgrade out of cycle. No, my GS4 isn't that bad, it's just annoying when you're phone is not in your already established Apple ecosystem.

 

[Rogifan]

Further - and I know this might upset some - the damage was already done. Getting damages won't change much and phone bans would be for models no longer being sold.

I understand the importance of protecting IP, etc. But I agree - at what cost. At the end of the day - Apple is the one in the hot seat having to divulge all this information. I think most people almost expect Samsung to have skeletons or whatnot. More so than Apple.

Yep. Do a google news search on Apple and all the tech sites, BI, etc. are reporting on Apple internal documents worrying about Android and Samsung marketing. All Samsung cares about is making sure this stuff goes public.

 

[Sean4123]

Well, if an Apple Head cannot buy an iPhone at their carrier, that is fine. That is what Apple.com is for. Plus, there is an app for that. I got my iPhone 5 from my app - no problem. Who wants to wait in line to be harassed by AT&T employees anyway. This would make the iPhone more of a hot item if they are harder to get.

Apple doesn't need NEW customers, just keep satisfying the current customers because we are bringing Apple new customers through our friends and family. I am happy with waiting. I don't want to compromise myself and get a cheaper phone just because it is bigger. It will never do everything Apple does, nor will they provide the same kind of service which Apple does.

You are a terrible businessman if that's how you really feel. That'd be a great way to ensure you never see another iPhone again.

Profits drive innovation and new products

 

[Boomish69]

OMG if this is true Apple really are dumber than I thought, jeez a lot of people were saying get a larger screen out 2 years back!!

I know if've been waiting that long for large screen iPhone, too late now to stop Android, they gave away all that market share while many idiots here said "no no it's fine...who needs larger screen" ..

 

[samcraig]

Back to the Sales Team's note. This should come as no surprise coming from Sales anyway. When you're making deals, you want every competitive advantage. Apple has great brand recognition. You know what you're getting. But at the same time - as the note states, they were competing more and more with phones of various sizes, price points and commission structure.

 

[Aluminum213]

The new HTC One phone blows away the iPhone 5s


Bigger more beautiful screen, better build, better battery, and the android apps ecosystem is no joke anymore


If I wasn't locked into the apple Eco system I'd switch in a heartbeat. The problem apple has is 99.9% of customers aren't locked in the same way am and can switch rather painlessly

 

[samcraig]

The new HTC One phone blows away the iPhone 5s


Bigger more beautiful screen, better build, better battery, and the android apps ecosystem is no joke anymore


If I wasn't locked into the apple Eco system I'd switch in a heartbeat. The problem apple has is 99.9% of customers aren't locked in the same way am and can switch rather painlessly

It's a very nice phone. However my only concern would still be the camera. I was not at all impressed with the last "one" for imaging. The iPhone and S4 blow it completely away.

 

[Robocopper]

Speak 4 yourself

Good. Nobody wants a obscenely large iPhone screen just because a few novelty Android devices have them.

Thanks for speaking for the rest of us. Now you have told me (us) what sort of phone I want I feel much more satisfied.

 

[Robocopper]

Overpriced Apple products

I am all Apple (iPads, Retina MacBooks etc in my house) but my family are all using NON Apple phones. We now have 2 Android and 2 really nice Windows 8 Lumia phones.

Apple's greedy prices (just consider the memory upgrade options for any of their products) are driving us back toward Windows. We love the Mac ecosystem but the disappointing pricing of the 5c has really pushed us back toward the Windows ecosystem. With new Microsoft leadership and the ousting of the previous idiot (Ballmer) my eyes are on Microsoft to start doing some really great things.

I should mention that we are not in the USA so like most of the world we have sensible phone plans where we get to choose our phone and the type of plan (e.g. prepay or plan). iPhones are thus really expensive compared to most of the rest.

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But they're so hip.

Image

Funny but only half true. The first phone is a dumb phone. The last (reality distortion phone) is also a Kindle, a games machine, a word processor, a camera and so much more. Small screens are not very useful for many of these things.

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I think the consensus in this thread is,"Hurry it up already Apple. You're years late to the party."

It takes Apple 10x as long to develop a larger device because, well, their device will be 10x better than everyone else's large screen phone.

Oh, except that many people in this thread are saying the opposite and that they prefer their GS3 or Lumia to an overpriced iPhone.

 

[Rogifan]

The new HTC One phone blows away the iPhone 5s


Bigger more beautiful screen, better build, better battery, and the android apps ecosystem is no joke anymore


If I wasn't locked into the apple Eco system I'd switch in a heartbeat. The problem apple has is 99.9% of customers aren't locked in the same way am and can switch rather painlessly

How is the build quality better than the 5S? Seems a bit subjective to me.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

Same here, but the camera is horrid, and the speakers are sub par to most phones in it's class. Not to mention battery life is mediocre.

I love my Nexus 5 too but you are right regarding the camera and the battery life. The biggest thing that draw me to Android is Google integration, iCloud is pretty weak. But Google provides good support for iOS and a larger screen would probably get me back to iPhone.

 

[jrswizzle]

Here's what I think.

All of you who think Apple is blowing it, go buy something else and leave the rest of us alone. Can't have any discussions on these forums without it devolving into "them vs us" or "Android is the best, iPhone sucks" or "Apple is doomed" idiotic responses.

Am I sick of it? You betcha - unfortunately I can't seem to stay off these forums....ahh well.

/rant over

 

[Robocopper]

Right.. that is why Apple is now worried lol

They are not worried about ca$h because dopes like you provide them with HUGE profits.

iPhone 5s 16 GB = $649
iPhone 5s 32 GB = $749 = $100 difference

Galaxy S4 (AT&T) 16 GB = $509
Galaxy S4 (AT&T) 32 GB = $565 = $64 difference


Notes:

http://store.apple.com/us/buy-iphone/iphone5s

http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/samsung/galaxy-s-4-16gb-black-mist.html

 

[samcraig]

Here's what I think.

All of you who think Apple is blowing it, go buy something else and leave the rest of us alone. Can't have any discussions on these forums without it devolving into "them vs us" or "Android is the best, iPhone sucks" or "Apple is doomed" idiotic responses.

Am I sick of it? You betcha - unfortunately I can't seem to stay off these forums....ahh well.

/rant over

What's sort of funny is I just went to two android sites and they don't even mention this story. You'd think they'd be all over it...

 

[AppleScruff1]

How is the build quality better than the 5S? Seems a bit subjective to me.

Honestly most of this comparison stuff is subjective. Some state, iPhone is the best phone, iOS is better than Android, etc. All subjective.

 

[kdarling]

This isn't surprising. Of course Apple is worried about competitors. That's how the world works.

Yes, but the problem is, Apple's preferred solution is to try to put a legal stop to any serious competition.

However, as judges keep telling Apple's lawyers, the sheer fact that other companies are selling competing devices, is not sufficient grounds for a sales ban.

And as I keep opining, the main thing that Apple has done with these lawsuits is to validate Samsung as a competitor, give them publicity, and make them into the underdog that Apple used to love to be.

I'm an example of this effect. Years ago, in my touch lab, I had both an iPhone and some early Galaxy versions. I personally never paid much attention to the Samsung devices until Apple wanted them banned. That not only piqued my interest in Samsung's phones, but also persuaded me to buy a couple of their early tablets, which were not bad at all, and which have only gotten better over time.

 

[tigress666]

Good. Nobody wants a obscenely large iPhone screen just because a few novelty Android devices have them.

Unfortunately, you are wrong.

Note I said unfortunately. I personally wish they would stay with the same size (I wanted them to stay at 3.5 but I was willing to go up to 4"). If they really go to the sizes rumored, I'll probably try to hold on to my 5 as long as possible (and it will make me sad I didn't wait til the 5s to upgrade so I could get the last decent sized iphone before Apple caved to this stupid fad).

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As soon as apple release a larger screen, the better.

Many folks that i know have left apple, lured by android size factor and the realm of mini-tablets - for e.g. i saw somebody watch an entire film on the train on their note 3! can not really do this with an iPhone!

And I don't want to do that with any phone that is still small enough to be useful as something you need to be able to stick in your pocket comfortabley. Even my ipad (not the mini) is kind of small for watching movies honestly. It's doable.

These stupid phablets are too big to be good for pocket devices but it's not like they really are giving you a decent amount more screen space for the trade off. I can do what I want fine with my iphone and it is perfect for what I need it for, something I can carry with me everywhere cause it is small enough that is like having a mini computer. yes, it's compromised, but that's cause it needs to be small enough to take everywhere. If I need more functionality than what i need on the go on a whim, it would be an occasion I could probably bring my ipad or even my laptop that will do far better than a phone compromised to have a bigger screen (which makes it harder to fit in my purse or pocket).

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It's just sooo tiring reading posts from people stating what I want. It's not like Apple is going to do away the 4" display altogether, so why bitch about also having the larger display for the many of us who want it. And yes, there are many...

Mainly cause while I want a small phone, that doesn't mean I wouldn't want the best specs. And I just see Apple doing what they do with the macbook pros, the small one is going to be the runt that is the cheapy and not as good. If they make it as good as the other ones besides screen size, I wouldn't care. I just don't think that will happen.