iPhone 5c Pre-Orders to Begin at 12:01 AM Pacific Time on Friday, September 13

[Ryth]

When they misss it's usually big time.

And they are missing here. To quote Jobs on the original iPhone and his reversal on pricing.

"First, I am sure that we are making the correct decision to lower the price of the 8GB iPhone from $599 to $399, and that now is the right time to do it. iPhone is a breakthrough product, and we have the chance to 'go for it' this holiday season. iPhone is so far ahead of the competition, and now it will be affordable by even more customers. It benefits both Apple and every iPhone user to get as many new customers as possible in the iPhone 'tent'. We strongly believe the $399 price will help us do just that this holiday season." - Steve Jobs​

Apple/Tim are missing the POINT that the 5c IS the phone to get more people under the tent.

And you are right, they are missing BIG on this one.

 

[run1976]

Actually, it is not.

And you have a better understanding of the desires of the consumer market and sustainable pricing levels in China than Apple, who has been entrenched there for several years? Apple's greatest strength is market research and they very rarely miss the mark.

Steve Jobs was famous for saying Apple does not do a lot of market research. Now that may have changed because his sense for what will sell is missing now. But other companies have way more expertise and experience in market research than Apple. So hopefully they know what they are doing here.

Btw. people saying Apples iPhone is premium and therefore should not compete on price should look at other premium brands like BMW. There is a big difference in price between a 3series and a 7series, yet both are considered premium. It is called appealing to the high end of different market segments and apple refuses to do this why? A 400 Dollar phone in China is not a cheap phone considering the wage levels in the country. It would not have hurt Apples brand to release a decent phone at this price point - simple use a little cheaper components than in the current 5C and it would have been possible.

 

[iSayuSay]

Hmm...a lot of people out there are buying plastic phones so I think you're in the minority.

Except we're talking about iPhone here, not just another plastic phones. Steve Jobs decided to use glass backplate started with iPhone 4 to overcome cracking and scratching problem. Also to give it the nice and premium feel.

Now they're getting back to the stone age and use Polycarbonate again. I don't know about you but it's a downgrade to me.

And you seem fond of iPhone 5C idea and pricing. Let's take a look back with iPad Mini. It is cheaper (well not that cheap..) BUT it has sexier design with thinner bezel, it has stereo speaker (first in an iOS device) even people started to love it more than iPad with RD.

That's what most people here would hope with 5C .. a reasonably cheaper product with its own charms not even owned by its big brother, yet keeping the premium design and material without being too overwhelming.

 

[Gus Van Der Mee]

Except we're talking about iPhone here, not just another plastic phones. Steve Jobs decided to use glass backplate started with iPhone 4 to overcome cracking and scratching problem. Also to give it the nice and premium feel.

Now they're getting back to the stone age and use Polycarbonate again. I don't know about you but it's a downgrade to me.

And you seem fond of iPhone 5C idea and pricing. Let's take a look back with iPad Mini. It is cheaper (well not that cheap..) BUT it has sexier design with thinner bezel, it has stereo speaker (first in an iOS device) even people started to love it more than iPad with RD.

That's what most people here would hope with 5C .. a reasonably cheaper product with its own charms not even owned by its big brother, yet keeping the premium design and material without being too overwhelming.

In other words Apple got greedy on this one.

 

[FelixAng]

Thanks!!!!!
I needed an epic laugh.
If you feel like proving the conviction of your opinion.... PM me, I'd be pleased to arrange a bet with regards to the "unpopularity" of iPhone 5C.


I have no reason to bet or disagree; I was simply translating an earlier post, which I helped explain to someone who completely missed the point. The iPhone 5C might get some traction in the US, but it's not strategically priced.
I know "Apple doesn't strategize prices, they just sell great products," see,s to clarify to fanboys every move by Apple. I really think, if this phone was supposed to be competitive after finally signing with China Mobile, it should be priced more competitively. The 5C is not as compelling as a ZTE, Xiaomi, or even Samsung Android device at that price point (4x in some cases)---the hundreds of millions of Chinese looking for a new phone in the next year are most likely not concerned with which operating system they'll use.

The main point is: If someone (let's say in China) can actually afford the 5C, they'll probably spend an extra 18% for the 5S...

 

[Switched2aMac]

So what about the 5S? I'm confused. Just said available to order 9/20. Does that just mean, their is no preorder?

I called both Apple and Sprint and the iPhone 5s will be available for order on 9/20 and not available. Not sure if it is supply constraints or what. I was really hoping to pre-order and have it next Friday but it looks like we will have to wait for the 5s.

 

[Will do good]

Oh Please. They short it, they buy it back, and then buy more and laugh all the way to the bank next time like last time. None of what they do has anything to do with the merits of the product to the consumers who will buy them. They're rolling the dice as usual, that's all.

Couldn't agreed more. Some people on this site is not that financial smart

 

[jdag]

Except we're talking about iPhone here, not just another plastic phones. Steve Jobs decided to use glass backplate started with iPhone 4 to overcome cracking and scratching problem. Also to give it the nice and premium feel.

Now they're getting back to the stone age and use Polycarbonate again. I don't know about you but it's a downgrade to me.

And you seem fond of iPhone 5C idea and pricing. Let's take a look back with iPad Mini. It is cheaper (well not that cheap..) BUT it has sexier design with thinner bezel, it has stereo speaker (first in an iOS device) even people started to love it more than iPad with RD.

That's what most people here would hope with 5C .. a reasonably cheaper product with its own charms not even owned by its big brother, yet keeping the premium design and material without being too overwhelming.

The 5s has the exact same build as the 5 for the exact same historical cost. What exactly is the issue?

The 5c is a lesser expensive option with (arguably) a lesser build. Again, what's the issue?

Options are not a bad thing!

Seems to me that a source of complaint is that the 5 was discontinued. I assume many people expected the 5 to be the $100 option. And if that's the case, there is still availability at many retailers. Further, many retailers have been offering the 5 with gift cards and/or discounts for a couple of months now, getting it into the $100-$150 net area anyhow.

If you can't afford the $100, then the 4s is a fine option for free.

I realize my response is US-centric.

 

[sransari]

5 is being discontinued. What is left is old stock.

Once the color arrives most of the 5 stock will be depleted.

Well then I guess ppl should jump on the 5 before it's gone...again since same phone as the 5C, but plastic and not fruity lookin. Such a mistake of apple to replace a previous gen phone with a "current gen" which is the same as the previous gen, just plastic.

I've said it before that apple got it wrong here...previous gen iphones always did a great job as serving as the "low-cost" iphone...now they have a current gen iphone that has the same specs as the previous gen one, but with a cheap plastic construction. how does the 5C attract more buyers than simply offering the previous gen for a discounted price, when the 5C is WORSE than the previous gen?

 

[Ryth]

The 5s has the exact same build as the 5 for the exact same historical cost. What exactly is the issue?

The 5c is a lesser expensive option with (arguably) a lesser build. Again, what's the issue?

Options are not a bad thing!

Seems to me that a source of complaint is that the 5 was discontinued. I assume many people expected the 5 to be the $100 option. And if that's the case, there is still availability at many retailers. Further, many retailers have been offering the 5 with gift cards and/or discounts for a couple of months now, getting it into the $100-$150 net area anyhow.

If you can't afford the $100, then the 4s is a fine option for free.

I realize my response is US-centric.

Complaint is the 5c off contract is too expensive.

 

[D.T.]

Well then I guess ppl should jump on the 5 before it's gone...again since same phone as the 5C, but plastic and not fruity lookin. Such a mistake of apple to replace a previous gen phone with a "current gen" which is the same as the previous gen, just plastic.

Well, technically the 5C does have a touch bigger battery (per a current thread), and also an improved front camera (backlit sensor), even if those don't equate to a massive change in the ownership experience

That being said: my wife's all black iPhone 5 is kind of a collectors item now

 

[jdag]

Complaint is the 5c off contract is too expensive.

"Too expensive" in many ways based on the perception that the "c" stood for cost. It is in fact less expensive, even off contract, than 5. Just not as inexpensive as people would have liked. But then again, when did anything Apple produced come out at a price point lower than expectations?

 

[Ryth]

Well, technically the 5C does have a touch bigger battery (per a current thread), and also an improved front camera (backlit sensor), even if those don't equate to a massive change in the ownership experience

That being said: my wife's all black iPhone 5 is kind of a collectors item now

Here's the question...We know Apple won't sell it after the 19th. But what about the other carriers. I'm sure they'll still offer it to get rid of their stock. I wonder if they'll reduce and make it cheaper then the 5c

 

[Rogifan]

Except we're talking about iPhone here, not just another plastic phones. Steve Jobs decided to use glass backplate started with iPhone 4 to overcome cracking and scratching problem. Also to give it the nice and premium feel.

Now they're getting back to the stone age and use Polycarbonate again. I don't know about you but it's a downgrade to me.

And you seem fond of iPhone 5C idea and pricing. Let's take a look back with iPad Mini. It is cheaper (well not that cheap..) BUT it has sexier design with thinner bezel, it has stereo speaker (first in an iOS device) even people started to love it more than iPad with RD.

That's what most people here would hope with 5C .. a reasonably cheaper product with its own charms not even owned by its big brother, yet keeping the premium design and material without being too overwhelming.

When did I say I was fond of 5C pricing? I said I liked the idea of another iPhone product line. I never said anything about price. Also, I won't judge the phone until I actually see it in person. Every hands on review I read the 5C doesn't feel cheap at all. In fact Engadget said the 5C was the most solid plastic phone they've ever seen. And Tech Crunch said it feels like a premium phone. I personally prefer the aluminum design of the 5/5S, but I won't dismiss the 5C out of hand just because the back is plastic. And I imagine some people will prefer it because they probably won't have to be as careful with it for fear of getting nicks and scratches. If these initial hands on reviews are anything to go by it looks like the 5C is a durable phone and not cheap plastic at all.

 

[Che Castro]

Clearly everyone at Apple were looking the other way when that case was being designed.

What's with the holes anyway? They serve no purpose and look crap. Plus it's just a huge invitation for dust and grit to get under there, rendering the cases use, erm, useless.

This case couldn't have been any more of a fail if they'd tried.

You don't have to buy it if you don't want to, what is the problem

 

[FelixAng]

The 5C is going to be a huge hit because it is really the NEW iPhone-design wise. No one will "see" that your carrying a 5S unless you have a caseless gold version, but with the 5C there's no doubt your carrying the NEWEST iphone (not the BEST but still a NEW one).

People will ask to hold it, feel the plastic, compare it to their 5, etc. The 5S doesn't have anything like that, I can't test a fingerprint reader on someone else's phone.

"People will hold it, feel the plastic..." Ouch!

Kids want bigger screens! And the kids I know want Android devices, like HTC One and Galaxy S4 and Moto X. This "colored plastic case" mentality is literally superficial---kids want sleek and privacy. The 5S is much more compelling, on or off contract in the world of iOS.

 

[MossGlen]

Wake Up Apple I want to Pre-Order the 5S

It would be a 800 mile round trip with possiable snow in the mountians and then find they don't have the phone I want. I want to pre-order the 5S. I guess I will just have to be ready to pounce on the web site as soon a orders open.

 

[Rogifan]

Well then I guess ppl should jump on the 5 before it's gone...again since same phone as the 5C, but plastic and not fruity lookin. Such a mistake of apple to replace a previous gen phone with a "current gen" which is the same as the previous gen, just plastic.

I've said it before that apple got it wrong here...previous gen iphones always did a great job as serving as the "low-cost" iphone...now they have a current gen iphone that has the same specs as the previous gen one, but with a cheap plastic construction. how does the 5C attract more buyers than simply offering the previous gen for a discounted price, when the 5C is WORSE than the previous gen?

How do you know it's "cheap plastic construction"? Have you actually held one in your hands? I just don't understand how someone can say the construction of a device is cheap when they haven't seen it in person.

 

[goobot]

Hello... if I got the 5S I would go for the $400 64GB one, not the 32GB one. When I get the top end, I get the largest one. I am electing to get the 32GB 5C for $200 this time around. So I am paying $200 less than I usually shell out when I upgrade. The reason I am getting the 5C is not about the money, it's that I don't like the 5S and don't require its spec right now and do like the 5C and do want the spec bump from my 4S. This upgrade from 4S to 5C, to me, is worth paying $200 plus a new contract.

Doesn't matter, we were comparing the two and you did that intentionally to make it look worse, and obviously if you can cope with a 32 gig 5c you could deal with a 32 gig 5s....

 

[Glen Quagmire]

Someone posted a link yesterday to the thread about the first iPod Keynote. It was complaint after complaint, and a lot about it's pricing. Not to mention a lot of "Another MP3 player? How about some innovation like the old days Apple!?!"

I guess the more things change the more they stay the same.

Something that this forum has proven time and time again is that it is populated by a bunch of people with very strong opinions who unfortunately know nothing. If they think that product X is crap, then it is indeed crap and woe betide anyone who thinks otherwise. The reaction to the new Mac Pro is just the same at the reaction to the 5C - there's a hardcore bunch of people who think it's utterly rubbish and take every opportunity to put the thing down that presents itself. The more outlandish the opinion, the better. The more removed from reality, the better. It's absolutely pathetic.

If you (this bit is aimed at people in general, not you, Sodner) are not interested in pre-ordering a 5C, then why bother posting? No-one cares that you despise the thing with every fibre of your being. You greatly overestimate your own importance and the extent to which other other people are interested in what you think. Yes, it's over-priced. Yes, those cases are ugly and badly designed. But do you seriously think you know better than Apple does about how well this thing is going to sell? You are not a retail expert. You do not have a hotline to everyone's brain that tells you their buying intentions. You do not have a crystal ball, nor the ability to see in the future. In short, you don't know what you're taking about. Why not sit back and see what happens, instead of (as ever) jumping to rash conclusions? There's a reason why they emphasised this phone over the 5S in the presentation and why if I go to the Apple web site, I initially see a picture of the 5C, not the 5S.

I actually like the 5C, flaws aside. In all likelihood, I will be pre-ordering one tomorrow from the on-line Apple store (white, 32GB) and I will get one of the horrid Apple cases to tide me over until something decent comes out.

Why am I going with the 5C? I don't need a supercomputer in my pocket, so the improved CPU is of no interest. I haven't spent the last three years with my 4 wishing it had a fingerprint sensor. I don't need the improved camera, as I have a DSLR that takes much better pictures and is far more versatile. And it's cheaper too. Given that I'm going to be getting a new Mac Pro when it finally comes out, I can use the money I've saved towards that. Yes, a Mac Pro and a 5C, on the same desk!

So, I'm not getting a 5S. And yet, I don't see the need to crap all over the threads where people discuss it and how much they like it/think the fingerprint sensor is awesome/calculate how much faster 64-bit makes the internet and how they're planning on getting one/sleeping outside the Apple Store/discussing best trade-in web sites and so on.

I wonder that the average IQ of people on this website is. I suspect it's in single digits.

 

[50548]

Thanks to Cook, the world's best COO and nothing else, Apple has launched an irrelevant, expensive and "me too" device for masses which were ALREADY able to get the normal iPhone in the first place.

So pre-ordering for what if there won't be any lines in the available retail channels?

Nobody cares about the iPhone 5C, which is gonna flop even harder than the non-retina iPad mini did (lost iPad sales considered). This event may be easily considered as a NON-EVENT which was slightly interesting only for those currently owning very old devices and seeking to migrate to a more current iPhone model.

 

[TWSS37]

It was sarcastic as well. Apparently you missed that

You can't say something is sarcastic when it's written in the same manner and has been the same comment people have been making for months (and been quite serious about it).

You're doing sarcastic wrong.

 

[D.T.]

Here's the question...We know Apple won't sell it after the 19th. But what about the other carriers. I'm sure they'll still offer it to get rid of their stock. I wonder if they'll reduce and make it cheaper then the 5c

I love to pick one up, off contract, for about the price of an iPod Touch (and it would likely get used in "wifi only" mode, just like a touch).

 

[munakib]

The LOW number of preorder of this crappy phone should let apple know to manufacture less of these. So they will keep the strong margins but maintain low manufacturing costs by producing less of these phones.

Pre-order is a great market survey tool.

 

[50548]

The LOW number of preorder of this crappy phone should let apple know to manufacture less of these. So they will keep the strong margins but maintain low manufacturing costs by producing less of these phones.

Pre-order is a great market survey tool.

Sure - as if one needed pre-order surveys to sell the iPod Socks of the phone industry.