Demand for Smartphones is Slowing, Says Apple Supplier TSMC

[Fomalhaut]

How does that make your phone last longer?

He's assuming the phone now costs $1200 no he needs to keep it for 4 years to keep his annual cost of ownership to $300. When there were subsidies, presumably the phone only cost about $600, hence the 2-year upgrade cycle.

 

[Fomalhaut]

You spend $1000 every year just so you can give your family new phones? I mean props to you I guess but this is really weird and impulsive

Not really that weird, and quite generous of the person to gift their "old" phones to people who will benefit, without the device ending up being recycled unnecessarily.

My nephew gets new phones every year or two from his work and gives his previous phone to his mother, who then gives it my wife, and then it either goes to become a spare or guest phone for overseas visitors who might have locked phone.

This way the phones last at least 6 years. Seems like a good use of resources.

 

[Sf844]

They probably needed the Intel CPU to heat their room though...

 

[Menel]

Same, my X has been a workhorse. My battery is degraded and I'll probably upgrade when the 14 comes around but I could probably get at least another year or two out of it.

I did the apple $70 in store battery replacement last year and took it back to allday+.

I'm torn between seeing how many years I can get out of this phone, almost a challenge now vs. wanting a camera upgrade.

 

[maxoakland]

""pressure could eventually be passed on to consumers," a scenario that could also see demand impacted by higher costs." - inevitable

This was exactly the reason given for Apple increasing their phone prices so much for the X. In other words, pressure was already passed onto consumers.

They really think they can get away with it again? People are upgrading even less now because phones cost so much more. What’d they expect?

 

[maxoakland]

The next cash cow is wearables (glasses, VR headsets, smart shoes). Then implants (vision augment, hearing "aids"). Don't worry about Apple. They'll be just fine.

I doubt either of those products will be anywhere near as popular as the iPhone. I’m guessing up to Apple Watch success or less