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

[mrtravel123]

Those who are freaking out over the colors and the "cheap plastic" are apparently oblivious to the history of iMacs, iPods, and iBooks.

If Steve is "rolling in his grave" today over the iPhone 5c then please explain why - because Apple was producing plastic laptops and iMacs PRIOR TO the newer aluminum models. (Short memory??)

Not to mention that the colors of the earlier iMacs and iBooks were quite radical and flashy for computers at that time. Oh yeah, Macs are just toys and aren't to be taken seriously.... so everyone was saying.

Maybe some people had better freshen up on Apple's history of products BEYOND the past 5 or so years. They'd learn a lot about how Apple offered devices with a colorful style AND at different price points. Apple is not cheapening their brand by offering a cheaper phone. If that were true then please explain the entry level iPods, the previous entry level plastic MacBook, the Mac mini, etc. Apple's approach by offering different models is not a change from how they've handled many products in the past.

 

[blackburn]

Man I thought that the lumia 620 was ugly, now the iPhone 5C takes the ugliness crown specially with those cases.

Anyway better pay more like 90€ an get an 5S since at least it has something new. Heck even the 4S is more pretty, yet dated.

 

[Deepshade]

And once again the US get a cheaper deal than the UK. Thanks Apple.
£110 cheaper if you do a straight conversion. Even if you add VAT its still £53 more expensive in the UK.

Must have its own seat on the aircraft.

 

[lk400]

the profit margins on the 5c are so great that apple wont even let us preorder the 5s. 5c=over priced plastic

apple could of just lowered the price of the 5 by $100 instead of making a "new" phone
but the profit margins on the 5c are much more than the 5 at the same price point

What makes you so sure of that? There is a lot of additional spend in creating a new model compared to just pumping out somethign you have been doing for a year, with the production line already mature and perfected. How can you be so sure that the price difference between aluminum and steel reinforced plastic is so great that it outweighs all of that additional spend? I mean, I'm drinking a can of coke right now, and im pretty sure its made of aluminum, its not exactly a precious metal.

----------

Those who are freaking out over the colors and the "cheap plastic" are apparently oblivious to the history of iMacs, iPods, and iBooks.

If Steve is "rolling in his grave" today over the iPhone 5c then please explain why - because Apple was producing plastic laptops and iMacs PRIOR TO the newer aluminum models. (Short memory??)

Not to mention that the colors of the earlier iMacs and iBooks were quite radical and flashy for computers at that time. Oh yeah, Macs are just toys and aren't to be taken seriously.... so everyone was saying.

Maybe some people had better freshen up on Apple's history of products BEYOND the past 5 or so years. They'd learn a lot about how Apple offered devices with a colorful style AND at different price points. Apple is not cheapening their brand by offering a cheaper phone. If that were true then please explain the entry level iPods, the previous entry level plastic MacBook, the Mac mini, etc. Apple's approach by offering different models is not a change from how they've handled many products in the past.

I like reading sensible posts from people with a history of using Apple products as long as yours.

I think that people are just a) afraid of change, so criticise anything new and b) believe designing a product and bringing it to market to be a raging success is somehow easy. With no benefit of hindsight, to come up with something new, or new ish, and put it out there - its hard. Pricing is a massive part of that. Apple would have done all kinds of complex models to come up with the sweet spot for pricing this new phone. And just because a whole lot of people who arent apple spent a long time talking about a new "cheap iphone", people can just pull numbers out of the air - oh its $x too expensive this, should be $x less that.

 

[Rogifan]

Exactly!

I get so confused with people saying how the phone is X hundered dollars over priced. How is that calculated? Its an iphone 5 with a plastic back and some internal changes. If they kept the iphone 5 like they used to, it would be priced in a similar way, so how is this phone which requires new tooling, new materials, new packaging, new marketing, and recovery of R&D spent on designing the phone - any more over priced than the previous method of "last years phone"?

Its obviously priced about right materials cost a little less, but there are other expesnes to recover. Its just that all the analysts and forums talked up a "cheap" iphone being released. They made that up, Apple didnt say they were designing a cheap phone. Then Apple release something, but it doesnt meet the expectations that people created themselves based on this imaginary "cheap iphone" concept, and all of a sudden apple has missed the mark?

I think some of the head scratching is not totally unfounded. Of course Apple never said they were making a low cost phone but is there enough differentiation between the 5C and 5S price wise? I like the idea of a new iPhone product line that is completely different than the flagship. But I think it needs to be more than $100 cheaper than the flagship. By going to colored plastic Apple has distinct product lines now. I don't think they should be worried about cannibalization because each phone will have a distinct market. There will be people who like the fun colors, like the fact it's durable plastic that they don't have to be as careful with. Others will prefer the premium look and feel of the aluminum and glass along with the additional festures. I think each phone would have distinct buyers. But with only a $100 price difference it's less clear to me who Apple thinks the target market is for each phone.

 

[wilhelmer]

If they kept the iphone 5 like they used to, it would be priced in a similar way, so how is this phone which requires new tooling, new materials, new packaging, new marketing, and recovery of R&D spent on designing the phone - any more over priced than the previous method of "last years phone"?

It's not. The "last year's phones" (and also the last year's iPads) have always been ridiculously overpriced. Yes, the 5C might be a little less overpriced than the previous last year's phones because of the aspects you mentioned. But it's still a ripoff.

 

[juanmanas]

What makes you so sure of that? There is a lot of additional spend in creating a new model compared to just pumping out somethign you have been doing for a year, with the production line already mature and perfected. How can you be so sure that the price difference between aluminum and steel reinforced plastic is so great that it outweighs all of that additional spend? I mean, I'm drinking a can of coke right now, and im pretty sure its made of aluminum, its not exactly a precious metal.

----------



I like reading sensible posts from people with a history of using Apple products as long as yours.

I think that people are just a) afraid of change, so criticise anything new and b) believe designing a product and bringing it to market to be a raging success is somehow easy. With no benefit of hindsight, to come up with something new, or new ish, and put it out there - its hard. Pricing is a massive part of that. Apple would have done all kinds of complex models to come up with the sweet spot for pricing this new phone. And just because a whole lot of people who arent apple spent a long time talking about a new "cheap iphone", people can just pull numbers out of the air - oh its $x too expensive this, should be $x less that.

Yep

 

[fark]

Steve is turning over in his grave after knowing that his “iPhone” turned to be “hon”

Did Steve say anything else when you talked to him?

 

[Rogifan]

It's not. The "last year's phones" (and also the last year's iPads) have always been ridiculously overpriced. Yes, the 5C might be a little less overpriced than the previous last year's phones because of the aspects you mentioned. But it's still a ripoff.

Amazing then how many 4's and 4S's Apple has sold in the past yest if they're a ripoff.

 

[Sakuraba]

Apple dropped the ball!

With the iPhone 5C Apple dropped the ball!

As long as Apple had a superior smartphone they could justify selling at a higher price point. Now the competition has caught up and even to some extent passed iPhone...

I predict the iPhone 5C is going to be a flop. How it is going to make it in China I simply do not understand - There are smartphones with similar functions and specs in China for HALF THE PRICE!

Nokia has colored phones to. At a lower price point, and with a better camera.

I think (Apple) shares will go down big time once sales figures comes in.

Then we may see a price drop for the iPhone 5C. So my advice for those who like this phone is to wait. The price is coming down.

Actually they may just "test the waters" to get better margins with this absurd price level.They are probably ready to slash the price quickly if the C-model sells poorly.

 

[iSayuSay]

Those who are freaking out over the colors and the "cheap plastic" are apparently oblivious to the history of iMacs, iPods, and iBooks.

If Steve is "rolling in his grave" today over the iPhone 5c then please explain why - because Apple was producing plastic laptops and iMacs PRIOR TO the newer aluminum models. (Short memory??)

Not to mention that the colors of the earlier iMacs and iBooks were quite radical and flashy for computers at that time. Oh yeah, Macs are just toys and aren't to be taken seriously.... so everyone was saying.
...

Oh yes I think our memory serves us just fine. But as you said though, colored garish plastic Macs, iPhone, and iPods have one place .. HISTORY, that's right.

Yeah they also happened prior to newer aluminum models. So what's with rolling back into the past? Aluminum unibody and design is a great progress. It's lighter, thinner, more easily recyclable than plastic e-waste.

plastic is the thing of the past. And it should stays that way.

 

[Rogifan]

Oh yes I think our memory serves us just fine. But as you said though, colored garish plastic Macs, iPhone, and iPods have one place .. HISTORY, that's right.

Yeah they also happened prior to newer aluminum models. So what's with rolling back into the past? Aluminum unibody and design is a great progress. It's lighter, thinner, more easily recyclable than plastic e-waste.

plastic is the thing of the past. And it should stays that way.

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

 

[Boomish69]

lol if this doesn't sell (as I don't think it will) the news sites will have a field day!
I just don't get why anyone would buy the same phone as last year but in a plastic back, with 6 months wear & tear it's going to look awful. Maybe Apple have invested in an Ebay shop that sells replacement backs

 

[HurryKayne]

I'm not tracking.

The price is too much, but it would have been better to keep the iPhone 5 around and sell out for the same price?

Personally I'd rather the 99 bucks 5C in blue.

They had to put 5c at 499 or even better at 450 euros and
not 599 while the 5s ( which seems very old to me ) at 599.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Steve is turning over in his grave after knowing that his “iPhone” turned to be “hon”

Steve has been turning a lot this year.

 

[bushido]

i kinda wish it would fail just because i dont like the idea to sell a year old device in a cheaper case for the same price but i know it wont

 

[RamGuy]

I guess Apple is testing the market with the iPhone 5C, they start off at a high price in order to see how it sells, if things don't sell as they expected I wouldn't be surprised if they start dropping the prices.

It's not very like Apple to drop prices, but they should have some good margins on the iPhone 5C considering it's 99% iPhone 5 in a polycarbonate body, so having one year old technology combined with cheaper and more easy to produce casing they should be able to lower the prices quite a bit if they feel the need for it.


Or perhaps it has something to do with manufacturing, might they have low number of devices to start of with so they test out a high price in order to decrease demand and crank things up and lower the price when they start to get the phones flowing?



One thing is certain, Apple doesn't do cheap and starting doing cheap production would distort the Apple image, so I'm somewhat glad they didn't pull of a Apple iPhone 4S hardware device just for the sake of having some thing that "feels new" but is rather lacklustre. The hardware of the iPhone 5C took everybody by surprise, so did the price range. Currently the iPhone 5C acts like an option for those who love colours, for those who prefer polycarbonate (they exists) and those who simply want something that looks and feel different from the iPhone 5. I'll bet it will sell like hotcakes as most people aren't that into specifications and it's not like the iPhone 5C will feel slow in any way to begin with and people love colours.

 

[chazbcn]

I like the 5C.
The thing is we all expected it to be what analists "wanted" Apple to do: a cheap entry level phone for emerging markets. But Apple follows it's own path regarding pricing their products and their take on market share.
Just think about how different we'd see things if Apple wouldn't have changed the iPhone 5 aluminum casing: it would be the same price the 5c is now in the line up. And we wouldn't think it's overpriced.
I guess next year the 5C will be free on contract like the 4S now. And THEN it will be the "cheap" iPhone everyone expected.
I have no doubts Apple will sell tons of 5c's anyway, but I think most buyers will think it's way overpriced given it's a plastic cased phone, though a damn good one.

 

[Ashin]

Steve is turning over in his grave after knowing that his “iPhone” turned to be “hon”

Image

I can already imagine it

"Dude, nice Apple hon, must be a fake"

 

[QCassidy352]

Who would actually choose the 5C for a hundred dollars cheaper? I mean, look, if you're shelling out dough for an iPhone, you're already choosing premium; might as well get premium.

I wouldn't, but tons of people will. The iPhone 5 was only about 50% of iPhone sales this past year, with 4 and 4s being the other half. So yes, that relatively modest discount definitely sways people. And it will do so even more now because the 5c is a "new" model, not a leftover and because some people will actually prefer it due to the colors. It will sell well.

 

[CarlElvis]

Are people really excited to pre order a plastic iPhone 5?

I am, it reminds me of the first MacBooks. I will not however be covering it with
that silly Connect Four case.

 

[Pompiliu]

Why is it called a pre-order? It's an order. A pre-order would be something you do before you order something.

Hey George!

 

[Born Again]

I want one. Wish it was $100 cheaper, but I want one. The 5S is the better value, sure, but the 5C is cuter and that wins for me.

Yah I can see that as a plus for people - are u upgrading ?

 

[CarlElvis]

With the iPhone 5C Apple dropped the ball!

As long as Apple had a superior smartphone they could justify selling at a higher price point. Now the competition has caught up and even to some extent passed iPhone...

I predict the iPhone 5C is going to be a flop. How it is going to make it in China I simply do not understand - There are smartphones with similar functions and specs in China for HALF THE PRICE!

Nokia has colored phones to. At a lower price point, and with a better camera.

I think (Apple) shares will go down big time once sales figures comes in.

Then we may see a price drop for the iPhone 5C. So my advice for those who like this phone is to wait. The price is coming down.

Actually they may just "test the waters" to get better margins with this absurd price level.They are probably ready to slash the price quickly if the C-model sells poorly.

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.

 

[cdmoore74]

5C will easily outsell to S.

That's pretty sad to tell you the truth. For $100 more you get do get features that are worth the money.