Apple, since you’re in the resurrection mood (ie the HomePod) bring back the mini. Not everyone wants a a phone for things an iPad does much better. And why buy iPhone Ultra? Just buy the iPad mini at that point.
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Gurman: Apple Considering New High-End iPhone Alongside Pro and Pro Max
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Life long fan, but how about we stop going around in circles with these products and BS "upgrades". Make something that is truly special, innovative and semi-affordable once again. There is no innovation with Apple....that died with Jobs and left with Ive. #truth
Apple has discussed selling a new top-of-the-line iPhone alongside the Pro and Pro Max models in 2024 at the earliest, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this timeframe, the device would be part of the iPhone 16 lineup or later.
In a September 2022 edition of his weekly "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said there was "potential" for an iPhone 15 Ultra to replace the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year. In today's edition of his newsletter, however, he suggests Apple might instead release the Ultra as a new highest-end, higher-priced model next year at the earliest.
"But instead of renaming the Pro Max 'the Ultra,' Apple could add an even higher-end iPhone above both Pro models," said Gurman. "Internally, the company has discussed doing just that — potentially in time for the 2024 iPhone release."
It's unclear how the new high-end model would differ from the Pro and Pro Max, but Gurman speculated that the device could feature additional camera improvements, a faster chip, a larger display, and perhaps a portless design without Lightning or USB-C. He said the device would be "pricier" than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which starts at $1,099.
Article Link: Gurman: Apple Considering New High-End iPhone Alongside Pro and Pro Max
Tim Cook: Dear Apple loyalists. We hear that your wallets have gotten fatter. To help releive you the burden of having to carry these heavy wallets, Apple is excited to introduce our new flagship, iPhone 16 Super Pro Max Ultra Extreme. Starting at $1999.
What if they undercut the competition a bit by dropping the price of the iPhone by $50 and cheapen it up slightly, drop the price of the Pro by $50 but maybe start it with less storage than the Ultra, and then charge $150 more for the Ultra (although it would start with $250 more for the Ultra Max) and give it some extra camera features and maybe titanium body and put the under display camera in it before the iPhone Pro gets it and a higher base storage.
So every year the iPhone Ultra gets the latest wild new features, then the iPhone Pro gets it the next year, then the iPhone gets it the year after that, and then the iPhone SE the year after that. Allows them to scale up new technologies that push the limits even further but without worrying about supply chain issues to source cutting edge components since it will only be available in the lower-selling but expensive Ultra models.
Maybe the first year they would start out with just one size but then eventually move to something like this following. They could also offer the iPhone SE in a Mini size and bump up the price of the base SE when they redo it to be like the iPhone XR. Storage given is just an example of how you would move customers up the chain, which Apple loves to do:
If they go that route then expect the prices to pretty much stay the same for the lineup and they'll just chuck the Ultra way up at like $1799 to start. Hell they might even charge more for the Pro to separate it more from the iPhone Plus and lower the gap between it and the iPhone Ultra if it's a foldable.
Personally $1800 is about the most I'm willing to spend for an iPhone that could unfold into an iPad mini. If it's just an iPhone that folds in half to be more compact, then I'm just going to stick with the Pro, even though I think a device like this would be cheaper, say $1399. My pockets are big enough. But if it unfolds into an iPad mini, I'm not upgrading every year at $1800.
Right now I basically pay for half an iPhone each year on the iPhone Upgrade Program. I would move to a three year cycle and sell my old device, even though it's inconvenient. I think the iPhone is getting to the point, innovation-wise, where the iPhone Upgrade Program is making less sense to me anyway. A foldable iPhone tablet combo is a good innovation next step and I will just upgrade less often to eat that cost better. Also I might not buy an iPad Pro any more, because this would be really powerful, even though it's small, but I'm going to move down to a powerful 14" MBP in the next year or two anyway as my primary computer that I dock during the day. Although there is the rumored iPad/MacBook Pro mashup too, lol. As long as I can dock it with three displays and use it fully as a Mac when I work at home during the day, I'm down for it.
It's looking like we might have some wild mid-decade upgrades in the pipeline!
So every year the iPhone Ultra gets the latest wild new features, then the iPhone Pro gets it the next year, then the iPhone gets it the year after that, and then the iPhone SE the year after that. Allows them to scale up new technologies that push the limits even further but without worrying about supply chain issues to source cutting edge components since it will only be available in the lower-selling but expensive Ultra models.
Maybe the first year they would start out with just one size but then eventually move to something like this following. They could also offer the iPhone SE in a Mini size and bump up the price of the base SE when they redo it to be like the iPhone XR. Storage given is just an example of how you would move customers up the chain, which Apple loves to do:
- iPhone SE Mini: $399 (base storage, for example 64GB) (add this in early 2024)
- iPhone SE: $499 (base storage, for example 64GB) (redesigned with larger display and notch early 2024)
- iPhone: $649 (2X base storage, for example 128GB)
- iPhone Plus: $749 (2X base storage, for example 128GB)
- iPhone Pro: $949 (2X base storage, for example 128GB)
- iPhone Pro Max: $1049 (2X base storage, for example 128GB)
- iPhone Ultra: $1199 (4X base storage, for example 256GB) (add this in late 2025)
- iPhone Ultra Max: $1299 (4X base storage, for example 256GB) (add this in late 2024)
If they go that route then expect the prices to pretty much stay the same for the lineup and they'll just chuck the Ultra way up at like $1799 to start. Hell they might even charge more for the Pro to separate it more from the iPhone Plus and lower the gap between it and the iPhone Ultra if it's a foldable.
Personally $1800 is about the most I'm willing to spend for an iPhone that could unfold into an iPad mini. If it's just an iPhone that folds in half to be more compact, then I'm just going to stick with the Pro, even though I think a device like this would be cheaper, say $1399. My pockets are big enough. But if it unfolds into an iPad mini, I'm not upgrading every year at $1800.
Right now I basically pay for half an iPhone each year on the iPhone Upgrade Program. I would move to a three year cycle and sell my old device, even though it's inconvenient. I think the iPhone is getting to the point, innovation-wise, where the iPhone Upgrade Program is making less sense to me anyway. A foldable iPhone tablet combo is a good innovation next step and I will just upgrade less often to eat that cost better. Also I might not buy an iPad Pro any more, because this would be really powerful, even though it's small, but I'm going to move down to a powerful 14" MBP in the next year or two anyway as my primary computer that I dock during the day. Although there is the rumored iPad/MacBook Pro mashup too, lol. As long as I can dock it with three displays and use it fully as a Mac when I work at home during the day, I'm down for it.
It's looking like we might have some wild mid-decade upgrades in the pipeline!
The perfect time to introduce the Apple Car. You can no longer use your new iPhone with your old car, so here’s an alternative and we think you’re going to love it.
Please just get rid of Tom Cook and bring back the simplified product lines.
Apple needs to add new features that justify the increase in price if they do this and not just move features that are currently Pro / pro Max extras up a level. I’m currently very sceptical but I guess we should wait to see if it even happens first!
I don't care if it happens.
Adding more stuff I don't want and don't use to make the phone more expensive/profitable simply puts it even further out of my interest zone.
I have NO apple subscriptions
I have not bought any books
I have not bought any music (2nd hand CDs are so cheap)
The last "app" I bought was 5-6 years ago
I am not on the "upgrade" treadmill (I still use my 2009 iMac for video editing)
There is ZERO "must have" in any of this.
I do not care about "fashion", it will be different next year.
I am not even sure I need a phone anymore the very few times I actually need one
I am far more interested in buying a mill for my workshop and doing something interesting and enjoyable by making model stationary steam engines. I bought a 2nd hand lathe 6 months ago and I am teaching myself how to use it.
I retire in 5 or so years, so I am really keen to have a hobby that makes me happy, "devices" are not part of that strategy.
Saving money so I can buy tooling, materials, and kits instead of buying "junk" is where I am at.
In the meantime I have made a few useful tools with the lathe, and make some bespoke items for repairing stuff at home and work.
And my Grandkids will have some REAL metal toys (steam engines) that will out last them if look after rather than adding more plastic to the growing heap of rubbish out there.
Whatever they did before they had CarPlay. Apple never worried about compatibility with old standards, I don’t see them starting now.
I miss the old day when there was a single iPhone and you basically had to choose only the storage option. What a complete mess of portfolio. I have to spent hours now just comparing different models to decide which one best fits my needs and my pocket.
So Apple have given up on design innovation and turned to elitism, status symbols and bling.
Second this. But I think Apple will just ignore this “minority” voice until they can not make profit with that (which is unlikely - at least in the near future).
And we will have dilemma, choosing between iPad mini or iPhone ultra 😅
Apple may start with foldable pencil first before making foldable phone.
The pathetic Plus size is for me the size to go. When you grow a little older your eyes start having difficulties focussing on short range. The plus size helps me focussing while holding the screen at a little distance and still be readable.
Just wait until you grow my age, you'll appreciate it
I think 2 was right -- regular and plus size. Otherwise they would not be able to appease small or large crowd. But the current confusion with cheap and expensive is a bit much. It really doesn't help affordability all that much. To get affordability they can just sell last year's phones, which they seems to be doing anyway now while marketing it as new. I'd have been happy if they just kept updating the 8/8P line even with the same colors from back then. They were gorgeous looking phones. Never cared for Apple's implementation of full screen with swiping to get to home.