Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Is it becoming less of a status symbol to own an iPhone?

er15 said:
Never was a status symbol. Don't think consumer items like technological gadgets ever were or will be status symbol.
Click to expand...

To you and me maybe, but why did/does every Hollywood star/starlet make it a point to be seen carrying an iPhone? (maybe not so much anymore, though)
 
If you're worried about owning a status symbol phone, look at "exclusive luxury phones" from Vertu ;)
 
itjw said:
And you would be ignoring reality.

Were cell phones in the 80's status symbols? Of course they were.

Just like for a while even the RAZR was.

When something popular, new, and unique comes up it IS a status symbol. At least for a while.

Next you'll say size doesn't matter... Screen size of course ;-)
Click to expand...

LOL what?

Are you sure you're not confusing status in society with popularity?

The RAZR was POPULAR in the early 2000's. I owned one and it was pretty cool back then.

Just because I had one didn't mean I was better than another or made more money than someone else.

Same with iPhones to this day.. I don't think someone gets a higher paycheck just because they're surfing the web on one at Starbucks.

If we were talking high end watches a la Patek, A. Lange & Sohne, IWC, etc.. I would consider something like that a "status."
 
Obviously status seekers should be painting gold and adding diamonds to their iphones for status now :D

They really are very common and don't really make you 'special' anymore.
 
Now that the status symbol of your white iPhone has faded ... Dude, the only way you will get that status back is ... get yourself a Trophy Wife. :D
 
Owning an iPhone never was a status symbol. People buy them because they work. If you are buying certain devices for 'status' than you have some bigger problems.
 
nburwell said:
I couldn't care less if the iPhone is becoming less of a status symbol. I purchased the original iPhone because I love Apple products, not because I thought I would be "cool." Presently, iOS works best for me since I have purchased 99% of my music through iTunes. So syncing up my iPhone and iPod Touch to my MBP is is simple. I have no intention of switching to Android. The iPhone suits me the best and unless something drasticly different happens to iOS, it will continue to be the phone I upgrade to every year or two.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I have zero interest in the "status symbol" or "cool factor" that the iPhone might bring...I have it solely because it is the best phone IMO, it works well with my MacBook Air and iTunes (obviously), I love the speed, simplicity, and stability of iOS, I love the fit and finish of the device, and it fits my wants/needs better than any other phone, period.

----------

Also, I don't think people ever bought the iPhone as a status symbol in the traditional sense, like they think they are "high society" or something like that...I think it was more for "hipster/cool guy" status. Obviously two totally different things.
 
I, like many others, don't buy Apple products for the "status" - I buy them because they fit my needs, and I feel I can rely on the support Apple provide.

I bought the original iPhone for many reasons: It looked awesome (first aluminium phone that looked good). The screen was amazing. The UI was really responsive. It had the first usable mobile web browser. And it would let me have my iPod and phone in one device.

It's the same reason I buy Macs. They look amazing (in my opinion) - and personally, I'm far more productive when using a Mac, than when using a PC.
 
I will never buy anything to increase my "status". If I can afford a nice car, a new TV, or in this case, an iphone, it's purely because I'm a gadgetfreak and love stuff like that, it is never to influence what others might think of me.
 
tonyy said:
LOL what?

Are you sure you're not confusing status in society with popularity?

The RAZR was POPULAR in the early 2000's. I owned one and it was pretty cool back then.

Just because I had one didn't mean I was better than another or made more money than someone else.

Same with iPhones to this day.. I don't think someone gets a higher paycheck just because they're surfing the web on one at Starbucks.

If we were talking high end watches a la Patek, A. Lange & Sohne, IWC, etc.. I would consider something like that a "status."
Click to expand...

When the RAZR first launched (before carriers had it) it most DEFINITELY was a status symbol. So was the Nokia 8800 for that matter.

And sure, high end watches are status symbols too, I agree. But to discount the fact that high end cell phones are not (at least initially, before everyone has them and subsidies put them in the hands of teenagers everywhere), is simply ignoring reality.

That's like saying only a car like a Ferrari is and a Rolex isn't because it's a different level of status. You can't exclude entire categories just because they don't "get you a higher paying job". Plenty of things are status symbols and don't do that...

For example, my Rolex Sea-Dweller has never gotten me a higher paying job, even though it's a status symbol... Neither has my Omega (which is what I wear out of preference).

For a while there, the iPhone garnered a LOT more attention than either watch, and even though it didn't get me a bigger salary, it actually did land me a client or two I'm sure.

If I was trying to attract attention in 2007 I would rather have an iPhone than a Rolex. That is status. Sorry.
 
I haven't read any of the other responses yet but I suggest if you're buying a phone as a status symbol maybe you need to grow up and stop being a child.

Phones are phones and anyone that thinks they are status symbols needs to readjust their priorities in life.
 
itjw said:
When the RAZR first launched (before carriers had it) it most DEFINITELY was a status symbol. So was the Nokia 8800 for that matter.

And sure, high end watches are status symbols too, I agree. But to discount the fact that high end cell phones are not (at least initially, before everyone has them and subsidies put them in the hands of teenagers everywhere), is simply ignoring reality.

That's like saying only a car like a Ferrari is and a Rolex isn't because it's a different level of status. You can't exclude entire categories just because they don't "get you a higher paying job". Plenty of things are status symbols and don't do that...

For example, my Rolex Sea-Dweller has never gotten me a higher paying job, even though it's a status symbol... Neither has my Omega (which is what I wear out of preference).

For a while there, the iPhone garnered a LOT more attention than either watch, and even though it didn't get me a bigger salary, it actually did land me a client or two I'm sure.

If I was trying to attract attention in 2007 I would rather have an iPhone than a Rolex. That is status. Sorry.
Click to expand...

I agree with you to an extent but you seemed to have misunderstood my previous post. I don't know where you assumed I said high end watches, iPhones, RAZR's, etc. will GET you a high paying job.

I defined it as: someone that has a high income job could simply afford a high end watch; which in turn represents their "status." Not the other way around as you stated in your post if I understood it correctly.

Someone that drives a Ferrari? Sure. First thing I think is, "damn..he must make a lot of money."

Someone using an iPhone? ....."Cool, he likes Apple products." ...and most definitely not the same response as above.

I respect your opinion but don't tell me I'm ignoring reality.
 
Be Real. No smartphone is a 'status symbol'. Own an Iphone because you enjoy the technology and innovation not because your worried about what someone else has.
 
For the first few weeks when the new iPhone comes out it still feels like a status symbol. However, that's really shallow. I got the first iPod touch (because I couldn't afford the phone) and not once did I consider it a status symbol. I bought it because it was good technology.

I bet if the OP's whole table had iPhones and he had an Android, he would feel "embarrassed" as well.

I buy an iPhone because it does everything I need, simply, and smoothly. I hate when Android owners think owning an iPhone is a "sin" and too mainstream and ask me why I don't switch to a "better" phone.
 
AustinIllini said:
Status symbols don't get you laughed at.

Beats headphones are a status symbol. Galaxy note 2 is trash
Click to expand...

Status symbols don't get you called an iSheep for being a follower that replicates the Borg.

And Beats headphones are for fools that also buy those $1000 audio cables that do nothing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back