5C will sell well, but it will be the one that sells when people are in stores debating between phones, the 5S should have been the preorder. But Apple wants lines.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone 5c Launch Day Supplies Generally Holding Up Well as Pre-Orders Begin
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Tech junkies and nerds who get stiffies over clock speeds and processing power are waiting for the 5S.
People who like pretty colors on their phone will do the sensible thing -- walk into a store and buy one instead of waiting until 3AM to pre-order one.
This whole thing is eerily similar to the reaction when the iPod mini came out. People couldn't fathom why anyone would pay so much for an inferior product just because it came in different colors. Then, 6 months later, every woman at the gym was jogging with one and the message board crowd was shocked at the sales figures.
I don't know what will happen with the 5C, but here's what I THINK:
If tech-naïve buyers choose the 5C because they want a colorful plastic shell, Fine...let them have their iPhone 5 with a plastic case.
If the 5S is sold out (as in 1-3 week wait) on 9/20, then I think that will indicate the 5C is not spectacular to the buying public. (I'm surprised the US store still has them in stock for 9/20 arrival...last I checked, new iPhones play hard to get)
There are these posts on MR about: "Oh, everyone's going to want the colorful one." Let me remind you, 13 years ago computer buyers weren't leaving Gateway and Dell in droves because of the iMac and it's colors.
There's enough info online to inform the buying the public, and a fair number will research the difference between the 5C and 5S.
And if having your "favorite color" 5C is so important, how about the new Moto X? You can CUSTOMIZE it (sadly only on AT&T though) AND the customization is assembled in the USA...let's see how that goes.
If tech-naïve buyers choose the 5C because they want a colorful plastic shell, Fine...let them have their iPhone 5 with a plastic case.
If the 5S is sold out (as in 1-3 week wait) on 9/20, then I think that will indicate the 5C is not spectacular to the buying public. (I'm surprised the US store still has them in stock for 9/20 arrival...last I checked, new iPhones play hard to get)
There are these posts on MR about: "Oh, everyone's going to want the colorful one." Let me remind you, 13 years ago computer buyers weren't leaving Gateway and Dell in droves because of the iMac and it's colors.
There's enough info online to inform the buying the public, and a fair number will research the difference between the 5C and 5S.
And if having your "favorite color" 5C is so important, how about the new Moto X? You can CUSTOMIZE it (sadly only on AT&T though) AND the customization is assembled in the USA...let's see how that goes.
+1
Yup, know your target audience. This is aimed squarely at families with kids. They already have a data plan that they can add an iPhone 5c to for only $99 (or $79 at Walmart).
Yup, know your target audience. This is aimed squarely at families with kids. They already have a data plan that they can add an iPhone 5c to for only $99 (or $79 at Walmart).
People mocked those camping outside Apple stores (stupidly early mind), turns out they done the right thing because they'll be first to get their hands on the 5S.
Although saying that I'm writing off the 5C & 5S this year. Hardly any improvements. The iPhone 5 has been killed off after a year because it clearly hasn't lived up to the hype Apple likes to build, I fear the same this year with the 5S.
I notice people on the forum are already saying their waiting for iPhone 6. A few years ago, no one would be thinking about waiting, they'd all be rushing out to get the latest one. How the 5C got the greenlight, I won't ever know.
Although saying that I'm writing off the 5C & 5S this year. Hardly any improvements. The iPhone 5 has been killed off after a year because it clearly hasn't lived up to the hype Apple likes to build, I fear the same this year with the 5S.
I notice people on the forum are already saying their waiting for iPhone 6. A few years ago, no one would be thinking about waiting, they'd all be rushing out to get the latest one. How the 5C got the greenlight, I won't ever know.
I'm waiting for the 6c, which I guess would be the iPhone 5s in a colorful plastic case? Or would it be the 5cs... I just don't want a bigger screen which I'm sure the 6 will have... maybe the 6 will come in 3 versions 6c, 6, 6-xl.
Although I'm thinking they will stop the numbering of versions soon.
Although I'm thinking they will stop the numbering of versions soon.
I'm pretty sure this is correct, I don't recall Apple breaking out the numbers between the various iPhone models sold during the last earnings call.
Maps may have been a problem but SIRI is fantastic. I use it ALL THE TIME and so do most of the people I know.
I was disagreeing with someone who said it would be a total flop. We shall see who is right.
"The only sign of weakness spotted so far is at Sprint, which notes that it may not be able to make delivery of all orders on September 20, with the yellow 32 GB model apparently under the tightest supply."
Yellow...the 5c is going to be huge with the ladies and younger women. Apple is going to sell a ton of 5c's. I love these folks already trying to say its going to be a flop...all it needs to do is sell better than the 4s did (middle of the pack iphone choice) last year and it'll probably do way better than that.
32GB is the most in demand - Apple should have had 64GB version available as that would just be more profit for them.
The folks that care about the latest tech (like most of the posters here) will want the 5s, but for alot of people who don't care so much about that, when they walk into the Apple store they'll just want a new iPhone and those colors of the 5c will scream for their attention.
IMHO, Apple should have made the 5s available in both visual styles (5s and 5s Color) - they'd have sold a ton of the Color's at higher margins.
Yellow...the 5c is going to be huge with the ladies and younger women. Apple is going to sell a ton of 5c's. I love these folks already trying to say its going to be a flop...all it needs to do is sell better than the 4s did (middle of the pack iphone choice) last year and it'll probably do way better than that.
32GB is the most in demand - Apple should have had 64GB version available as that would just be more profit for them.
The folks that care about the latest tech (like most of the posters here) will want the 5s, but for alot of people who don't care so much about that, when they walk into the Apple store they'll just want a new iPhone and those colors of the 5c will scream for their attention.
IMHO, Apple should have made the 5s available in both visual styles (5s and 5s Color) - they'd have sold a ton of the Color's at higher margins.
Buying a 5c doesn't make you tech naive. You're guaranteed to get the latest version of iOS, the free iWork etc. bundle of apps, and hardware performance that still beats many of the 2013 Android flagship phones for GPU and browser speed.
If some of these kids have a current generation iPod Touch, they'll probably want a bigger screen. And if price is a factor for parents, a lot kids are gonna get Android devices.
This is right on the money.
I've cringed several times as family members ask me "What iPhone should I get" only to go out and (ignoring my recommendations) get the cheapest one they can, whether it's a free iPhone 4 on contract or a refurbished iPhone 3GS from AT&T. Inevitably they mention how disappointed they are that "Apple screwed them" when a new iPhone comes out 5 months later (really?!) that wouldn't have been nearly as lucrative had they taken my advice.
And they ALWAYS get the 16GB models, despite my warnings that they'll be better off with a 32GB since they'll surely be taking lots of pictures and lengthy videos of their kids. Yet another thing for them to come back and complain about.
To average consumers (if you're on this board then you're almost certainly not an "average" consumer) cost, status and ease of use are the top three desires when looking at most devices. "I can get an iPhone for $0.05?!? Sold!"
The iPhone 5c was only classed as a cheap handset by the media. Apple never make anything cheap just cheaper in some cases..
And we can all see that the iPhone 5c is for its new markets rather than the current ones. Apple will have crunched the numbers and know it isn't going to be as popular in the USA, UK and Australia but what they also know is that Apple fans will be waiting for the 5s.
What I am confused about is the amount of different models why can't the US, UK and Europe have one handset that covers all bands? And will gold be a seller or just slow production down?
And we can all see that the iPhone 5c is for its new markets rather than the current ones. Apple will have crunched the numbers and know it isn't going to be as popular in the USA, UK and Australia but what they also know is that Apple fans will be waiting for the 5s.
What I am confused about is the amount of different models why can't the US, UK and Europe have one handset that covers all bands? And will gold be a seller or just slow production down?
I think there is a huge demographic all over the world that will prefer the colored plastic version of the iphone and that it is cheaper. So I think this will be successful. I think the long term issue for apple is that many carriers are go to no-contract model. In the US T-mobile is there and others are creating varients. In other contries this is the mainstay. At some point the 40% profit on the no contracts will not hold up against Microsoft and Samsung that are almost giving their stuff away. Apple will always be able to ask for a premium since their products are clearly better, but 40% on no-contract is not sustainable. On-contract where it is hidden, maybe, but on no-contract no way. I think over time we will see Apple shift to selling a phone at a more reasonable price but then offering their top of the line on-contract only so that they can get their 40%. Just an opion based on my own observation and research of trends. Absolutely no facts to support this however.