iPhone Air How well will the Air sell without advertising?

[JPack]

I haven’t seen any studies on who is purchasing the air or how much data they use so that’s a big assumption to say air users use less data than pro users but for sake of argument let’s says that’s correct. AT&T only sells unlimited data plans so they are going to make more money off someone that pays for unlimited data but uses less data. So an air customer would in turn be more valuable than a pro customer because they are paying the same price and creating less network congestion.

Even with "unlimited" there are limits after a certain GB threshold. Otherwise, AT&T would only sell one single "unlimited" plan. Air customers would be more likely to choose the low-end "unlimited" plan from AT&T.

We see the same strategy from Internet providers. Look at why Verizon is giving away a Samsung TV for home Internet subscribers and not a Uber Eats or Amazon gift card. They want you to consume more data.

 

[mjpearce023]

Even with "unlimited" there are limits after a certain GB threshold. Otherwise, AT&T would only sell one single "unlimited" plan. Air customers would be more likely to choose the low-end "unlimited" plan from AT&T.

We see the same strategy from Internet providers. Look at why Verizon is giving away a Samsung TV for home Internet subscribers and not a Uber Eats or Amazon gift card. They want you to consume more data.

Really? I dont know anyone that purchased the Air that changed their wireless plan because they are suddenly going to use less data. So because I went from a 15 pro to the Air I should change my AT&T plan?
Your making assumptions here with nothing meaningful to back it up. These are people trading in older iPhones so going from a 13 or 14 to an Air is not going to change their wireless usage or wireless plan.
If the air is not selling well because its only for a niche group of people AT&T would increase the trade in values for it and Apple would increase advertisements because they don't want stock just sitting, not the other way around.

 

[JPack]

Really? I dont know anyone that purchased the Air that changed their wireless plan because they are suddenly going to use less data. So because I went from a 15 pro to the Air I should change my AT&T plan?
Your making assumptions here with nothing meaningful to back it up. These are people trading in older iPhones so going from a 13 or 14 to an Air is not going to change their wireless usage or wireless plan.
If the air is not selling well because its only for a niche group of people AT&T would increase the trade in values for it and Apple would increase advertisements because they don't want stock just sitting, not the other way around.

This is my knowledge after speaking to telecom industry workers. You're expecting free data and reports to back up. Those reports costs tens of thousands of dollars to buy. Companies employ teams working on competitive intelligence producing such data.

It it going to be a 1:1 ratio where iPhone Air users use less data? Of course not.

Is the Verizon home Internet user getting the free Samsung TV guaranteed to use more data? Or course not.

These are all targeted bets where carriers hope to shape demand for data.

These ads are mainly targeted at NEW subscribers, not old ones. AT&T isn't advertising to old subscribers using iPhone XR and are stuck on a legacy plan paying $60 for 4GB data.

 

[mjpearce023]

This is my knowledge after speaking to telecom industry workers. You're expecting free data and reports to back up. Those reports costs tens of thousands of dollars to buy. Companies employ teams working on competitive intelligence producing such data.

It it going to be a 1:1 ratio where iPhone Air users use less data? Of course not.

Is the Verizon home Internet user getting the free Samsung TV guaranteed to use more data? Or course not.

These are all targeted bets where carriers hope to shape demand for data.

These ads are mainly targeted at NEW subscribers, not old ones. AT&T isn't advertising to old subscribers using iPhone XR and are stuck on a legacy plan paying $60 for 4GB data.

Ok so let me make sure that I understand. So you're saying that people buying an iPhone Air (who you stated are people willing to pay more money for less features) are not willing to pay for the highest speed data plan so AT&T wants to push them towards a pro for free because then they will use more data and pay for the most expensive data plan? And the commercials are not aimed at 120 million subscribers that they already have that would be upgrading and locking themselves into a 3 year agreement but only at getting new subscribers even though its cheaper to maintain subscribers than is to get new subscribers? I guess I learned more today than I did in the 2 years I worked for AT&T.

 

[JPack]

Ok so let me make sure that I understand. So you're saying that people buying an iPhone Air (who you stated are people willing to pay more money for less features) are not willing to pay for the highest speed data plan so AT&T wants to push them towards a pro for free because then they will use more data and pay for the most expensive data plan? And the commercials are not aimed at 120 million subscribers that they already have that would be upgrading and locking themselves into a 3 year agreement but only at getting new subscribers even though its cheaper to maintain subscribers than is to get new subscribers? I guess I learned more today than I did in the 2 years I worked for AT&T.

It's not complicated. Carriers prefer to subsidize devices that are more likely to consume more data. Just because Air owners are willing to pay a premium for thin and light, does not mean they will use more data.

The ads are targeted at new subscribers. I never said "only" new subscribers. Of course existing customers are welcome to lock in. But if you're an existing customer, they've already gained your trust. Existing customers already visit the AT&T site to pay their bill. They will notice new offers.

 

[mjpearce023]

It's not complicated. Carriers prefer to subsidize devices that are more likely to consume more data. Just because Air owners are willing to pay a premium for thin and light, does not mean they will use more data.

The ads are targeted at new subscribers. I never said "only" new subscribers. Of course existing customers are welcome to lock in. But if you're an existing customer, they've already gained your trust. Existing customers already visit the AT&T site to pay their bill. They will notice new offers.

Then why is the Galaxy S25 Edge get 1100 off with a trade in? Its a smaller thinner device with less battery like the Air so under your assumption that air users use less data then so would edge users correct?

 

[JPack]

Then why is the Galaxy S25 Edge get 1100 off with a trade in? Its a smaller thinner device with less battery like the Air so under your assumption that air users use less data then so would edge users correct?

S25 Edge seems more like a mainstream device to me. Dual camera, dual speakers, even SIM tray, mmW, and the battery is only 100mAh less than S25.

 

[mjpearce023]

S25 Edge seems more like a mainstream device to me. Dual camera, dual speakers, even SIM tray, mmW, and the battery is only 100mAh less than S25.

So dual camera and speakers mean you use more data? It can’t be the battery because the air has beat the s25 edge in most of the tests I’ve seen.
Look it’s clear you have a problem with the air and that’s fine but your argument doesn’t add up. AT&T wants you to pay for the highest tier data plan, using more data just creates more traffic on the network so that isn’t a motivator for them to sell you a phone. As I stated originally the pricing doesn’t make sense. Unless the air is doing well I don’t see a reason for them drop the trade in values towards it after 3 weeks. This assumption that air users use less data and AT&T wants you to use more data doesn’t make logical sense.

 

[JPack]

So dual camera and speakers mean you use more data? It can’t be the battery because the air has beat the s25 edge in most of the tests I’ve seen.
Look it’s clear you have a problem with the air and that’s fine but your argument doesn’t add up. AT&T wants you to pay for the highest tier data plan, using more data just creates more traffic on the network so that isn’t a motivator for them to sell you a phone. As I stated originally the pricing doesn’t make sense. Unless the air is doing well I don’t see a reason for them drop the trade in values towards it after 3 weeks. This assumption that air users use less data and AT&T wants you to use more data doesn’t make logical sense.

A phone with more comprehensive features allows the user to take and share more photos, stream longer videos, game longer, etc. All of that is likely to use more data. You don't think it "adds up," that's up to you.

I don't have a problem with the Air. I bought one for my wife and she's still evaluating it.

The Air is a casual device where the owners clearly have different usage patterns compared to Pro/Max.

 

[bbates123]

I use my device as a mobile hot spot that causes a bit of temp rise, even with my 16 Pro I am good throughout the day. The lack of stereo speakers and cameras along with the increased price does not bode well considering people here have spent more to use AirPods or other wireless headsets.

The total cost to make an iPhone Air comparable is a lot more, not worth it to most but glad you are enjoying your shiny new device. Only time will tell if the resale value is even there on an iPhone Air.

As someone who has owned an iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini and then 15 Pro and 16 Pro I can say the Air's battery life is comparable to the 16 Pro and better than all the rest...way better than the minis. The fact that it's comparable to the 16 Pro speaks volumes. Also, it doesn't get as hot as my 16 Pro did. My 16 Pro would get uncomfortably warm. Not the Air. Also, the cellular is way better on my Air than the 16 Pro...I get way better download speeds and connectivity where I live. I'm OK with just the 1 camera and I literally never use the external speakers so I couldn't give two shiks about that. The fact that I can wear this in my gym shorts and not feel like I'm carrying a big brick is the biggest plus for me. Way more comfortable to hold in the hand.