Do we need new phone releases every year

[BeeGood]

Thank you for reply mate someone talking sense for once. There going to be short supply of iPhone 8 FACT. And then all the people will be complaining they can't get iPhone 8 call apple idiots and crying. If a phone was released every 2 years there would be no stock issues and released with probably no issues

But you’re assuming that a 2 year release cycle gives Apple more time to build up stock. Thats not necessarily true.

If Apple had decided to skip this year and release the 8/X next year, they wouldn’t have started assembly this year. They would have kept working on cramming in new tech like under-screen touchID, or figuring out how to make their own OLED panels, or making more refinements to the A11.

In all likelihood, next year’s phone would still have the same supply constraints, it just would have been a better phone than this years phone would have been. The thing is...that happens either way, whether you do a 1 year or 2 year release cycle.

 

[rui no onna]

Isn't that what software updates are for to fix issues.

Some issues are hardware, not software. See iPhone 4 antenna-gate and iPhone 6 bend-gate.

 

[Pnr2020]

Some issues are hardware, not software. See iPhone 4 antenna-gate and iPhone 6 bend-gate.

True so why should we pay £1000 for a phone that isn't 100% and then another £1000 next year because they fixed an issue

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

nice to know you're on the board at Apple and know their business model of stalling features... just cuz it fits your imagination doesn't mean it's true.

Thanks for the unnecessary snarky response. All the best

 

[Pnr2020]

But you’re assuming that a 2 year release cycle gives Apple more time to build up stock. Thats not necessarily true.

If Apple had decided to skip this year and release the 8/X next year, they wouldn’t have started assembly this year. They would have kept working on cramming in new tech like under-screen touchID, or figuring out how to make their own OLED panels, or making more refinements to the A11.

In all likelihood, next year’s phone would still have the same supply constraints, it just would have been a better phone than this years phone would have been. The thing is...that happens either way, whether you do a 1 year or 2 year release cycle.

I'll agree with the stock issue your right. But take Samsung saying bixby is the Siri killer and when phone released bixby doesn't even work. Surly phones shouldn't be released without everything working properly

 

[eoblaed]

It doesn't bother me. I'm just saying do we need to keep paying £800+ every year for virtually the same phone with slightly more power is it really worth it.

That's entirely subjective. For me, the annual changes have definitely been worth it and I've never regretted the upgrade. Other people might feel differently. For them, they can just wait an extra year or two or three until they feel like the aggregate changes are worth it to them. To me? The changes each year are more than worth it considering how constantly I used this device.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

One advantage of releasing every year is it makes older models more affordable just 12 months after release I suppose. I got my 6S in September 2016 after feeling pretty disappointed by the 7 and I saved about £240. If iPhones were on 2 year release cycles I think Apple would keep prices high right through to 23 months. Releases do tend to be very incremental of late though.

 

[BeeGood]

I'll agree with the stock issue your right. But take Samsung saying bixby is the Siri killer and when phone released bixby doesn't even work. Surly phones shouldn't be released without everything working properly

In a perfect world, yes phones should release with everything working flawlessly. Especially high-end flagships. But the reality is that the smartphone market is ultra-saturated and ultra competitive and being first with a new feature is just as important as the feature being polished.

In tech, you often pay dearly when you’re late to the game. So if you’re going to be an early adopter, you have to have at least some tolerance for features that aren’t perfect.

 

[chriscrowlee]

No your right. But people are going to pay £1000 for iPhone 8 then 12 months later probably £1100 for iPhone 8s which has slightly better spec is it really worth it.

You're not considering the resale value of the old model. Say you have the old model and it was $900 and you sell it for $600.... that's $25 a month it costs to always have the latest and best phone. And if you want to keep it, you own it, not like the silly installment plans. If you want to have the latest and greatest phone, it's not "have to shell out $1400 a year" that's bad mathing.
[doublepost=1505164529][/doublepost]

True so why should we pay £1000 for a phone that isn't 100% and then another £1000 next year because they fixed an issue

Your logic is so flawwed... car makers re-design body styling every 3-4 years. But every year they have minor tweaks, fixes, cosmetic issues resolved, etc. By your logic, you shouldn't have to buy one then deal with the issue, they should give you a new car every time they fix something.

Sorry buddy, maybe in the UK the government taxes you to death to protect you from your shadow, but that's not how it works in most of the world. Enjoy that $1500 iPhone ... thanks to the UK for their heavy import tariffs and and 23% tax.

 

[Pnr2020]

You're not considering the resale value of the old model. Say you have the old model and it was $900 and you sell it for $600.... that's $25 a month it costs to always have the latest and best phone. And if you want to keep it, you own it, not like the silly installment plans. If you want to have the latest and greatest phone, it's not "have to shell out $1400 a year" that's bad mathing.
[doublepost=1505164529][/doublepost]

Your logic is so flawwed... car makers re-design body styling every 3-4 years. But every year they have minor tweaks, fixes, cosmetic issues resolved, etc. By your logic, you shouldn't have to buy one then deal with the issue, they should give you a new car every time they fix something.

Sorry buddy, maybe in the UK the government taxes you to death to protect you from your shadow, but that's not how it works in most of the world. Enjoy that $1500 iPhone ... thanks to the UK for their heavy import tariffs and and 23% tax.

Your right about the resale value iPhones do hold there value. I just sold my 7 plus for £430 which is a great price for a year old phone

 

[Nozuka]

i don't need to buy it every year. but i definitely need the event every year. i can enjoy the technological advancements even if i don't buy it, knowing that the new tech will be in my next phone too.

this is the first time i'll be buying a new iphone after just a year.

 

[Kiimora]

That's a No, however it's a want as some have alluded to. If my daily activities revolve around my phone, I absolutely need it to evolve regularly with new features whilst adding value to the whole mobile experience.

To stay ahead of the game, keep the shareholders happy & ultimately take care of their bottom line are the usual suspects. Personally, perfecting the enhancements is more paramount than the actual timelines of releases. If they are in a position to launch phones with new or incremental improvements yearly, I'd be hard pressed not to upgrade

 

[nviz22]

WTF

Let me simplify it for you: you decide when you upgrade to another phone. If there is a semi-annual release, annual release, or 2 year upgrade cycle, it shouldn't matter because nobody threatening you with violence to upgrade to the newest Android or iOS device.

Some people say Apple is just getting old and lost its touch after Steve died. I made an analogy to EA's Madden NFL series. Madden used to be a great series between 04-05. Now a days, it's the same recycled trash year in year out. NBA 2k is the opposite. That NBA sim video game series continues to innovate yearly. Some people could akin NBA 2k to Samsung because they push the envelope year in year out. Who made big screens mainstream? Samsung. Who utilizes a stylus as a mainstream option? Samsung. Who offers the best displays on the market? Samsung.

When did Apple get its first HD screen? iPhone 6 and 6+. Until then, it was a 640p display or worse. Forget buzzwords like "Retina display." It took Apple till the 6S to offer a 4k capable camera. When did the iPhone get LTE? iPhone 5. Apple is slower to innovate as of late. Look at the crappy reused design from the 6 to the iPhone 8? The iPhone X is an overpriced device that is an anniversary model towards a popular smartphone line.

You have to get the iPhone X to get a phone that is actually worth a damn in terms of bleeding edge hardware. What's the point of buying a 8 or 8+ if it is just a better camera, has a better processor, offers wireless charging? Meanwhile, it has the same RAM quantity, design, ugly bezels, software, etc at a much higher price tag?

Rather own a 7 or 7+ at a fraction of the price over the 8/8+ at full price.

 

[macTW]

Thanks for the unnecessary snarky response. All the best

What was unnecessary was taking your personal prejudices against Apple (whether it be the lack of in your opinion features or whatnot) and acting as if you know why they have a lack and preaching it as fact.

Unless you are on the board at Apple. In which case I recommend leaving this site as to not accidentally release classified information.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

If you were a company that made smartphones, you wouldn't even need to ask this question.

 

[dumastudetto]

If I could buy a new iPhone every month, I would do it. The more new iPhones the better. I love them all.

 

[DanGoh]

As long as people keep buying, then yes.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Can't argue with that but when apple release the s models it's the same phone as the last model but better processor and camera really
[doublepost=1505149382][/doublepost]
There are a lot of people who can't afford to splash out £800+ on a phone and I'm one of them lol

So, based on your logic, no company should sell anything that you cannot personally afford? Just because you cannot afford to buy every year doesn't mean it's a bad idea for Apple to offer new phones every year.
[doublepost=1505194758][/doublepost]

Why does it bother you that Apple announces a new phone every year? Unless you want to upgrade every year, what Apple is doing should be of no consequence to you.

He stated his reasoning. Apple should not do it because he cannot afford to buy every year. Guess we found the center of the universe.

 

[tx2005]

Thank you for reply mate someone talking sense for once. There going to be short supply of iPhone 8 FACT. And then all the people will be complaining they can't get iPhone 8 call apple idiots and crying. If a phone was released every 2 years there would be no stock issues and released with probably no issues

A two year upgrade plan by Apple wouldn't fix stock issues because now they have to put two years worth of technological improvements and features into each phone. It's not as if they would design it in year one and spend a year just building inventory.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I think the OP would rather Apple released one really good iPhone every 2 years packed with the latest features and hardware rather than staggered releases with slight improvements. In some ways I agree and find that more appealing, but the disadvantage is the high price it will still have late in its second year. Apple also wouldn't go for this because it would dent profits severely.

 

[AZhappyjack]

If Apple did new phone releases every 2 years, they would fall so far behind the competition that they might never catch up. It just doesn't make sense... the same way Chevrolet, Ford and BMW don't only release new models every 2 years... there are enough innovations and enough features to add each year to make the upgrades of value for those who choose to upgrade annually. And for those who choose not to upgrade annually, that is also a viable option. There's just no real up-side to new phones every 2 years... but plenty of down-side.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Just upgrade whenever you feel like upgrading. Nothing says you have to buy the newest/greatest every year. My upgrade cycle has averaged about 3 years. But for people who are a year off my upgrade cycle, they wouldn't want to buy a one-year-old phone, they'd want something new.

There's a reason that historically Apple has done an "S" release every other year - not a major upgrade, but if your phone is more than two years old, it's better than buying the non-S model.

if you want to talk about "unnecessary yearly upgrade cycle", look at cars.

 

[throAU]

I'm all for progress as it is available. There is new tech being developed constantly and i think a yearly model refresh is appropriate to keep progress rolling.

That said, i'm NOT suggesting people upgrade their phone every year. But updating the available model every year is essential for phasing in new technology effectively.

Selling last year's hardware as cutting edge this year merely delays introduction of new features and slows progress (for the market as a whole) overall.

 

[44267547]

If someone doesn't want to get a new phone every year, they don't need to. Simple.

For many of us, however, getting a new phone each year is a treat. I've had the new model every year since they first came out, and I see no reason to stop now. And yes, up until last year, they were all under two year contracts. Simple solution to that. Every odd year I'd get the contract price, every even year I'd pay full price.

For me, I appreciate technology what it has to offer. And I like to have the newest devices namely because I take advantage of the latest technology that's offered and I appreciate the latest features that are introduced. But I do remember when I used to wait the two years for an upgrade and it did seem like an eternity. But the iPhone is such a powerful tool and the Easley can last much longer than two years from when someone decides to upgrade.

 

[Mildredop]

Not sure about that. I know both apple and Samsung wanted Touch ID under the screen but couldn't figure out how to get it to work properly. Maybe in a year they might figure it out

How do you know Apple and Samsung wanted touch ID under the screen?