I wanted to like the X, but...

[Otaviano]

And then let's talk the 8. It's the same phone again. Yes, since the 6.

Where as in by same phone we mean a phone with better CPU, GPU, camera, waterproofing, stereo speakers, and inductive charging.

Same exact thing.

 

[Wags]

The fact is, Apple is following the competition on the hardware, not leading anymore. And that's a fact. I also think, lot of people are "hating" against Apple and the new iPhone X, but it doesn't mean they don't like Apple. In fact, I think they do, that is why the matter upset them. When you like a company and you see it making bad decisions, it is utterly upsetting. I agree with you, Android is the weakest part of the competition. For hardware I would go for Samsung, no doubt. The S8 costs 359 euro less in my country. That is 426USD difference. A difference that I pay just for iOS. And I love iOS, I am just not sure it's worth that much money. Hence the dilemma for a lot of people.

Good point about iOS.
Really is what keeping lots people with Apple. Said here before. If could get iOS on any device how many would Apple sell.

 

[exexs]

I think after this year, all 'new' iPhones will be X-styled, and then they may keep a couple older cheaper models like the SE in the lineup. My guess would be for next year they do another 5.8" X-style phone, and then a slightly larger model too, with a screen size more similar to the S8+ and Note. So next year you have the revised X (XI?) at the same price point as this year's X, a larger version for more money, and then this year's X becomes cheaper. They likely keep the 8/8+ around too.

But 8/8+ are already "outdated" in the screen and design at least. It also means that for a large number of people the only way to still have Apple product is to buy older models (like SE or previous year model). Apple is already loosing large market shares in Asia and in some other European countries because the competition is cheaper... So I really don't understand the strategy here. It seems like they don't think long-term at all. For me, the only "reasonable" option for next year, would be to price down the model XI and have it in different colors and two size to follow the "usual" path of 6/6+, 6S/6S+, 7/7+, 8/8+,... but of course, the greed won't allow this, except if consumers react really badly to the new pricing.

 

[jamesrick80]

Good point about iOS.
Really is what keeping lots people with Apple. Said here before. If could get iOS on any device how many would Apple sell.

If there hardware sells ever failed....they would surely transition iOS to software sells and let other vendors create the hardware. But it may be too late due to android doing this so well and taking over this broad market. The relationships have been made with android and other companies.

 

[Sparky2012]

The fact is, Apple is following the competition on the hardware, not leading anymore. And that's a fact. I also think, lot of people are "hating" against Apple and the new iPhone X, but it doesn't mean they don't like Apple. In fact, I think they do, that is why the matter upset them. When you like a company and you see it making bad decisions, it is utterly upsetting. I agree with you, Android is the weakest part of the competition. For hardware I would go for Samsung, no doubt. The S8 costs 359 euro less in my country. That is 426USD difference. A difference that I pay just for iOS. And I love iOS, I am just not sure it's worth that much money. Hence the dilemma for a lot of people.

Apple are leading/level in some hardware aspects, but behind on others yes.

Very true on watching a company you love make bad decisions. No company is perfect. Apple this year have made the errors on iPhone with pricing and some weird design on the X which I can only hope is rectified as best as possible with software before release, and the 8/8 Plus having similar designs again. I don't have a problem with them using the same design, it works and looks okay imo. Should do after 4 iterations! I disagree with the people who believe a chassis/body redesign means it's a major upgrade. Nice to have but not essential. Would have liked bezels to be shrunken across the 8/8 Plus like even a small amount.

I see the dilemma yeah. It's the ecosystem that keeps me with Apple. That and I like some of the Apple hardware like A series processors, Taptic Engine, etc.

 

[eoblaed]

Agreed, but I think there would have been a fairly large push back on a 1,000 phone. Apple is providing an upgrade path for the majority of people with the 8, and allows those that want to spend more to get the 1,000

Not for nothing but the Samsung S8 has nearly the same specs as the iPhone X (in fact many of the specs of the iPhone x have been in other android phones for years) and costs 840 dollars, closer to the iPhone 8 then the iPhone x but with iPhone x specs.

Specs are meaningless when compared to user experience. Time and again we've seen devices with similar/super specs on individual components of hardware, but suffer when compared to a device that is very tightly integrated between the hardware and the software. I've handled more than my share of Samsung devices (as well as other, even less fortunate phone that were also running Android), and despite their specs, they're just not as smooth, the integrated options just aren't there, etc.

Sure, you could spend a couple bucks less and get a Samsung and you could point to numbers on a paper that would justify that purchase vs. the iPhone X ... but then you'd have to live with that Samsung. Meanwhile, someone on the X will be living with more polished piece of hardware and a slicker, more robust experience minute after minute, day after day. Heck, even something as simple as the automatic, built-in integration I get between my iPhone and my iMac is something I wouldn't be willing to give up ... certainly for not something as paltry as $160.

 

[Cape Dave]

That's the thing. I see Apple following and not leading.

The X is too expensive for a phone that has competition doing about the same for less. And then, the 8 is just a 6 with a new "facelift", keeping its aged design and sold as premium.

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't currently have a phone that is undeniably better than the competition. Years ago, buying Android was (to me, at least) an act of going for the lower end. Right now...I can picture myself changing sides (god forbid!). But it's the truth.

I am waiting till after Oct 4th to make my decision

 

[dexterie]

Just played with a Note 8. That thing is beautiful.
But yeah...android isn't iOS.

What amazes is that they're releasing their phones and there's plenty of availability.
On the other hand, the so mighty Apple seems to always fail to meet demand. Marketing strategy or not, makes you wonder. And Tim is supposed to be the supply chain guru. Yeah...