I just cannot justify £1150 for a phone...

[Marshall73]

As a none shareholder I hope the days of blind loyalty come to an end. I want reasonably priced exciting releases, not stifled innovation because the masses buy it anyway. There should be a way to make a profit and deliver market leading features and as consumers we should demand that.

You seem to forget that no other company has an ecosystem and platform that ties all of their devices together like Apple does. That’s why people stick with Apple.

Just imagine going with Android phone and tablet, windows desktop and laptop, fire tv set top box, Fitbit smart watch and each family member having different android devices on different firmwares and you want to easily buy content and apps that will seamlessly work on everything for every family member.

 

[IllIllIll]

I know, it's very sad. The company that once revolutionised the smartphone industry now survives by brand alone with minimal effort. I just hope we have another Nokia on our hands but they realise before it's too late.

"Survives"? Not the word I'd use to describe AAPL. Given their market cap, it's obvious that their business model is doing just fine. That's the difference between them and Nokia - Nokia didn't have a bunch of lemming fanboys who would complain about features or pricing of its products and then turn around and buy them anyway.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

You seem to forget that no other company has an ecosystem and platform that ties all of their devices together like Apple does. That’s why people stick with Apple.

Just imagine going with Android phone and tablet, windows desktop and laptop, fire tv set top box, Fitbit smart watch and each family member having different android devices on different firmwares and you want to easily buy content and apps that will seamlessly work on everything for every family member.

I haven't forgotten that because that is exactly the reason I own an iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch myself. My annoyance is the stagnation in development from Apple since the release of the iPhone 6. When I see prices shooting up each year, it's disappointing for Apple consumers like myself. I'm not criticising iOS as I think it's by far the best mobile operating system around.

 

[dlondon]

You seem to forget that no other company has an ecosystem and platform that ties all of their devices together like Apple does. That’s why people stick with Apple.

I agree with you but I think Apple should be careful not to assume that people will always choose Apple. For me, the iPhone has been the driver to consider other Apple products first. I had a MacBook for years before the iPhone but back then there was little integration with other devices. The benefits of having an iPad and a Mac are more apparent when you have an iPhone too. If I didn't have an iPhone, I would given more consideration to other brands for my other devices, even if they weren't in the same ecosystem. Apple products are usually of a good standard but there are other products in each category which are arguably better products. There are more cross platform services which can bring devices together whether it be cloud services like Dropbox, messaging services like WhatsApp or photo services like Google.

I've been looking to purchase a new laptop and tablet for over a year. My current MacBook Pro and iPad are functioning but they're old and I would like to upgrade them. Each iPad released over the last few years has been a bit lacklustre, often missing features which are available on other devices or only having minor updates - this year's iPad Pro 12.9 didn't have the same bezel treatment as the new 10.5" - it was literally just a refresh. The MacBook Pros, while nice, still have a maximum of 16GB RAM (the same you could buy back in 2012). Given the price of these devices, I'm starting to wonder whether I should switch away from Apple - either cheaper devices that I replace more often or exploring the premium options. I like Apple products for the quality, security and design, but the prices and the slow advances are starting to put me off. The iPhone X is way over priced (particularly in the UK where an extra £100 has been added to the US price even after VAT is factored). If I choose a non-Apple tablet, laptop or phone, I'm more likely to not choose Apple for the next device. I feel comfortable choosing a Windows laptop or tablet right now (even with an iPhone). I can't imagine switching to an Android phone if I'm honest but I'm giving it more thought.

 

[Apple_Robert]

If you can't justify the purchase, don't get the phone. No need to post a thread informing the entire forum you won't be getting the phone.

Have you been walking up to complete strangers on the street, telling them you can't justify purchasing the iPhone X? I doubt it, as doing that would be rather foolish and self-centered.

 

[Falhófnir]

The only real issue IMO is the punishing lower tier storage - they could've given you 128gb for £999, I'm sure. The 256gb storage apparently costs them $45 so the difference between 64 and 128 must be minimal on such an expensive phone - I know the upsell factor of 4x the memory, but this is their top end phone anyway, it slots in above the usual flagship tier, if necessary they could've just started it at £1,019 if they were that worried about the $10 and made an even bigger margin.

The real rip off for me is the 8 series though, the price is £950 for 256, and what are you even getting for your money there? Some 'technically it's an upgrade' on some components that you probably won't even notice over a 7, maybe even a 6s? At least with the X you have a new design, front camera system etc you can point to as things you paid for.

 

[bambooshots]

Speaking as an AAPL shareholder, I say keep it up. Profit is good.

AAPL understands that no matter how much their legions of fanboys whine and complain, they'll still buy the product. And that's all that matters.

This is what keeps the company going, not fanboys bleating about getting free stuff cause "it costs so much!!"

 

[johannnn]

tl;dr. The OP's bank will be £1150 lower when he buys it, regardless of the potential future resale.

This is literally only relevant if you barely have £1150 in your bank and can barely cover the cost.
If you have more, it doesn't matter how much you have tomorrow or the day after. What matters is the total cost.
If you buy a coffee at Starbucks for $5, you're $5 net-negative. If you buy a phone for £1150 and then sell it for £350, you're £800 net-negative.

 

[BenTrovato]

iPhone X is not just a phone, it's a Super Computer that can slide into your jeans pocket.

You're right but what's funny about that super computer that costs and an arm and a leg and slides into your jeans pocket is that one of its product highlights is that it can create an animoji with your face inside a poo icon.

 

[bambooshots]

You're right but what's funny about that super computer that costs and an arm and a leg and slides into your jeans pocket is that one of its product highlights is that it can create an animoji with your face inside a poo icon.

Are we that upset at Apple now for pricing their latest gen phone that we're saying it costs "am arm and a leg" at $999/$1149? Wow....maybe stick with what you've got then. But you like the latest tech? I like driving the Mercedes-Benz but you don't see me trading in my Honda for one. Nor leasing one.

 

[BenTrovato]

Are we that upset at Apple now for pricing their latest gen phone that we're saying it costs "am arm and a leg" at $999/$1149? Wow....maybe stick with what you've got then. But you like the latest tech? I like driving the Mercedes-Benz but you don't see me trading in my Honda for one. Nor leasing one.

if you're going to make that comparison it would be like saying I've always bought Mercedes benzes but now Mercedes introduced an uglier more expensive version of the car I've always been loyal to.

Tech wise, if you feel $999 for a 64gb device is justified, let's just agree to disagree.

 

[bambooshots]

if you're going to make that comparison it would be like saying I've always bought Mercedes benzes but now Mercedes introduced an uglier more expensive version of the car I've always been loyal to.

Tech wise, if you feel $999 for a 64gb device is justified, let's just agree to disagree.

Others can justify it. You can't. It's ok. It's obviously not for everyone.

 

[BenTrovato]

Others can justify it. You can't. It's ok. It's obviously not for everyone.

It's not really a matter of it being okay or not, or whether I can justify it or not. It's a tech forum. $999 for 64gb is highway robbery. We're calling it what it is. You and the "others" justifying it are in the clear minority. Nothing wrong with that, just understand your position.

 

[AFEPPL]

Just keep what you have - like you say it's just the same and you don't have a workflow or requirement for the new device so why just throw money away?

The same £800 gets you a few weekends away and will far more fun, or just some other toys...

 

[bambooshots]

It's not really a matter of it being okay or not, or whether I can justify it or not. It's a tech forum. $999 for 64gb is highway robbery. We're calling it what it is. You and the "others" justifying it are in the clear minority. Nothing wrong with that, just understand your position.

Yes, we are but a minor sample in an already skewed demographic - online enthusiast forums.

We'll see how it really does come 10/27 and 11/03 when the public has their say with their pocketbooks.

 

[Marshall73]

£1149 (uk cost of the X 256GB) is a chunk of change but I like my cars and tech toys, it will be the cheapest one I buy this year (except for the xbox one x). I don't need a new phone but I get a new one every year and either sell the old one on for beer tokens or pass it onto a family member.

 

[maflynn]

This is literally only relevant if you barely have £1150 in your bank and can barely cover the cost. If you have more, it doesn't matter how much you have tomorrow or the day after.

I have more then that in the bank and I can tell you for a fact that spending 1150 on a phone, matters greatly to me.

 

[johannnn]

I have more then that in the bank and I can tell you for a fact that spending 1150 on a phone, matters greatly to me.

I never said that £1150 is chump change, it's not.
But the amount you pay today gets less significant, and you can think more about the total cost of the device.

 

[IllIllIll]

This is literally only relevant if you barely have £1150 in your bank and can barely cover the cost.
If you have more, it doesn't matter how much you have tomorrow or the day after. What matters is the total cost.
If you buy a coffee at Starbucks for $5, you're $5 net-negative. If you buy a phone for £1150 and then sell it for £350, you're £800 net-negative.

This issue is that people are already figuring resale into their overall cost when resale is hardly a sure thing. Their £1150 phone could get broken or stolen before they resell it or the expected resale value, which is determined by market demand, could never materialize.

I never said that £1150 is chump change, it's not.
But the amount you pay today gets less significant, and you can think more about the total cost of the device.

"The amount you pay gets less significant" only if it doesn't matter to the person who's actually shelling out the money. You don't get to decide that.

 

[maflynn]

I never said that £1150 is chump change, it's not.

I used your own words:

If you have more, it doesn't matter how much you have tomorrow or the day after.

I simply disagreed that it matters greatly to me and I happen to have much more in the bank.

But the amount you pay today gets less significant, and you can think more about the total cost of the device.

No it doesn't, and that's my point. 1150 is still too much imo, for a phone. Others can disagree but in my opinion 1150 is a lot of money for a phone

 

[IllIllIll]

It's not really a matter of it being okay or not, or whether I can justify it or not. It's a tech forum. $999 for 64gb is highway robbery.

Highway robbery for you, maybe. For those willing to pay $999, it's not. And if you're one of those people who do pay $999 and then turn around and complain about it being highway robbery, then you fit into the "stupidest consumers who ever lived" category. Nobody is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to shell out $999 for anything. You are doing that completely by choice.

The easiest way to get Apple to change their tune is to vote with your money and buy non-Apple products. If enough people feel the same way, they'll do the same thing. The problem is that the Apple ecosystem and market is full of blind, gutless fanboys that refuse to consider alternatives.

 

[LewisChapman]

I think it is very important to reiterate what a previous poster mentioned in this thread.

It's often not about whether a buyer can afford the device it's about whether the buyer can justify the cost. Features like 'Animoji' and FaceID don't do it for me personally and so the next upgrade will be a 'need', not a 'want'. And it won't be this year.

What you see is what happens when a visionary gets replaced by an accountant.

The prices of the iPhone X are not to pay for some innovative features.

Rather, they are there to introduced new pricing tiers and pad Apple's profit.

I guess why this is why people say Steve is turning in his grave..

 

[IllIllIll]

It's often not about whether a buyer can afford the device it's about whether the buyer can justify the cost. Features like 'Animoji' and FaceID don't do it for me personally and so the next upgrade will be a 'need', not a 'want'. And it won't be this year.

Respectfully, unless using a smartphone is an essential part of your job, ANY smartphone is a 'want' and not a 'need'. And if it is a 'need' for work, your employer should be supplying them to you.

 

[matty.p]

You’re paying 1150 pounds because of Brexit and the weak pound. It’s more expensive in the UK than just about any other country in the world. I’m not sure if those anywhere else realize this. Yes in the US we get it cheaper than just about anywhere else. I live in Oregon so I get it for 999 with no tax so I realize for me it’s a much easier purchase for me. Also in the US the time of cell phone contracts is gone, we pay 0% installment loans so I can pay 45 bucks a month, nothing down, and no interest so the cost of the phone basically doesn’t make any difference to me. So for those outside the US you need to realize that’s the lens us Americans are viewing this purchase.

 

[rotobadger]

Respectfully, unless using a smartphone is an essential part of your job, ANY smartphone is a 'want' and not a 'need'. And if it is a 'need' for work, your employer should be supplying them to you.

Reading your last three posts, you seem to have a lot of contempt for people who favor Apple. Not sure if you're an iPhone user as well?

Not sure I understand your position...

Edit: I'm not referring to your post I quoted above, rather the three posts you made preceding...