Is the iPhone 5S worth $650?

[EbookReader]

With T-Mobile gone all-in with no subsidy plans and now Sprint and AT&T are steering customers toward no-subsidy plans, we might have pricing competition at the high end smartphone market.

This will be good news for customers. When smartphone manufacturers compete, consumers win.

 

[rjtiedeman]

I am writing this on my new Samsung s4. Purchased at Costco to $49. I would rather have a iPhone but I could not bring my self to spring for the extra $$. It works great the wifi is fast and the camera is fantastic. The only problem is it comes preloaded with junk software that can't be removed which makes me nuts. However.i purchased a 6th mini so card and I have been hiding them so I don't see them. I have been able to move my contacts to Google and my mac at work and at home have access to them. Google has also backed up my phone. Which I did not choose but I did not have any bad photos so it's ok.may be next time I can afford a iphone.
Bob

 

[I7guy]

Apple is not going to alter its course, it has a rabid fan base and it knows it. Those who are waiting to see the price of an iPhone crash will be waiting, waiting.

My current phone a 64gb iPhone 5s was bought outright from verizon to keep my grandfathered plans. I'll buy the iPhone 6 outright as well.

 

[Prise]

At the current moment, the iPhone 5s isn't worth $650, in my estimation.

However, we're in mid to late cycle, and unless something unforeseen happens, there'll be iPhone 6 by Sept, at the latest. This is why I don't think it's worth it, right now.

I've been giving this lots of thought, especially with ATT's new plans, where buying the phone outright is an option. Assuming there's no subsidy, I'd pay $650 for a new generation iPhone at launch, but not after, and not the mid-cycle upgrades.

It's difficult to be fully rational (others would call it fanboism), and I can't explain it, but knowing that I will overpay for an iPhone (just like it much better than Android and iPhone's build quality) means I'm sure I will on iPhone 6. Actually, I'm positive I will pre-order it, regardless if it's subsidized or not. Bear in mind, this is even without seeing it yet!

However, I wouldn't after launch, mid cycle, or an in-between (s) or (c) upgrades.

 

[CEmajr]

I purchased my iPhone 5 and 5S outright for $749. For the 6 I will probably go ahead and take advantage of Tmobiles EIP payment option and get it for $99 upfront.

iPhones costing $649 retail isn't a big deal because a year later the resale value is so high that after you buy your first one full price you're only spending around $300-350 per year to get a new one if you take into account how much you can sell your old one for.

 

[MacManTexas56]

With T-Mobile gone all-in with no subsidy plans and now Sprint and AT&T are steering customers toward no-subsidy plans, we might have pricing competition at the high end smartphone market.

This will be good news for customers. When smartphone manufacturers compete, consumers win.


Image

an avg consumer with no clue about tech won't order from google or even knows google makes phones.

 

[aneftp]

Apple is not going to alter its course, it has a rabid fan base and it knows it. Those who are waiting to see the price of an iPhone crash will be waiting, waiting.

My current phone a 64gb iPhone 5s was bought outright from verizon to keep my grandfathered plans. I'll buy the iPhone 6 outright as well.

Apple has only been able to keep the prices for iPhones high because since 2008. Most iPhones sold in its biggest market (the USA) have been subsidized. The carriers were picking up the tab in exchange for 2 year contracts.

Apple will adjust the prices if needed. See $599 8gb iPhone 2007 being lowered to $399 by September 2007.

The market will dictate what apple prices their high end iPhones.

 

[I7guy]

Apple has only been able to keep the prices for iPhones high because since 2008. Most iPhones sold in its biggest market (the USA) have been subsidized. The carriers were picking up the tab in exchange for 2 year contracts.

Apple will adjust the prices if needed. See $599 8gb iPhone 2007 being lowered to $399 by September 2007.

The market will dictate what apple prices their high end iPhones.

Of course new models always push prices of old models down. An iPhone 4S is now free with contract. However it would be a miracle if the 128gb iPhone 6 sold for less than $950. And yes the price will be adjusted at some point. You can also bet that apple will be giving away the iPhone 6 in a few years.

 

[869639]

Apple has only been able to keep the prices for iPhones high because since 2008. Most iPhones sold in its biggest market (the USA) have been subsidized. The carriers were picking up the tab in exchange for 2 year contracts.

Apple will adjust the prices if needed. See $599 8gb iPhone 2007 being lowered to $399 by September 2007.

The market will dictate what apple prices their high end iPhones.

Were carriers really picking up the tab? or were the consumers just paying the price and will continue to?

I think the later is true, it doesn't matter how you look at it, at the end of the day all thats happened is that the fee's are broken up rather than being 1 on the bill.

Before the phone was subsidized, however your monthly plan was extremely expensive making up for what you are now paying "unsubsidized" price of the phone.

The program like "Next" from AT&T is another loophole where the carriers are going to make ton of cash by allowing early upgrades and taking back the customers smartphone, reselling it.

from a quick look around the world lets jus say, Its clear that majority of the people don't look at cost over 24months, rather they just look at what its going to cost now.

 

[CEmajr]

Apple has only been able to keep the prices for iPhones high because since 2008. Most iPhones sold in its biggest market (the USA) have been subsidized. The carriers were picking up the tab in exchange for 2 year contracts.

Apple will adjust the prices if needed. See $599 8gb iPhone 2007 being lowered to $399 by September 2007.

The market will dictate what apple prices their high end iPhones.

They won't have to. $0 down iPhones will keep the Apple profit train pumping, maybe even more than they sell right now.

 

[aneftp]

They won't have to. $0 down iPhones will keep the Apple profit train pumping, maybe even more than they sell right now.

0 down no interest only loans works as long as labor and 1 year central bank rates remain close to zero.

Let's examine this again when the Feds raise the rates. Carriers won't be giving 0% loans out.

 

[617aircav]

0 down no interest only loans works as long as labor and 1 year central bank rates remain close to zero.



Let's examine this again when the Feds raise the rates. Carriers won't be giving 0% loans out.

Didn't stop them from giving subsidies.

 

[aneftp]

Didn't stop them from giving subsidies.

The subsidies were more generous before.

Used to be able to upgrade every 12 months primary line and 18 months every 18 months with lines 2-5.

That means 24 month in between subsides is in fact a price increase.


The squeeze is coming. Market so saturated. Eventually market forces will force high end smartphones prices down. Nokia used to own the high end smartphone market. See how quick they crashed down.

 

[I7guy]

Apple is not Nokia. As long as people line up to buy an iPhone launch prices will not abate.

 

[Arran]

The squeeze is coming. Market so saturated. Eventually market forces will force high end smartphones prices down. Nokia used to own the high end smartphone market. See how quick they crashed down.

I love Apple, but I'm inclined to agree.

Now that AT&T has unbundled service from the equipment, many will plainly see the stark reality of handset pricing at renewal time. $849 for a 64GB iPhone 5S is the same as a (good-as-new) refurb. MacBook Air. And the MacBook comes with 128GB of storage. Double.

Then add $99 for AppleCare+ "insurance" and you're at $948. Almost a grand.

I think that will give some folks pause for thought. It does me.

 

[ugcop]

The phone has to be priced to take into account the OCD's on this forum who will "try out" half a dozen before they settle on one.

 

[I7guy]

I love Apple, but I'm inclined to agree.

Now that AT&T has unbundled service from the equipment, many will plainly see the stark reality of handset pricing at renewal time. $849 for a 64GB iPhone 5S is the same as a (good-as-new) refurb. MacBook Air. And the MacBook comes with 128GB of storage. Double.

Then add $99 for AppleCare+ "insurance" and you're at $948. Almost a grand.

I think that will give some folks pause for thought. It does me.

Or verizon will now mop up with their subsidized pricing.

 

[blairh]

I'm looking to buy a new phone off contract, however I can't help noticing the huge price difference between the latest Nexus 5 ($350) and the iPhone 5S ($650) despite the Nexus 5 being better hardware wise. Where is the $300 difference coming from?

If I didn't have a lot of apps already, I think the Nexus 5 would be a no-brainer to me?

If you are looking to purchase off-contract then I don't feel the 5S is worth the extra $300. In fact I don't think any phone other than perhaps the Note 3 is worth $600 or more off-contract. I strongly suggest you get the N5 if you haven't already.

 

[AppleRobert]

If you are very interested in the 5s, try swappa.com. What you will notice is what one is going for so brandy new if that is what you want and dealing with Apple or a local provider instead, $650 is not too much.

 

[EbookReader]

an avg consumer with no clue about tech won't order from google or even knows google makes phones.

Isn't the Nexus 5 available on T-Mobile and Sprint stores?

With T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T now moving away from subsidies, there will be more people buying compatible unlocked smartphone online.

I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon jump into the smartphone market and sell its smartphone at near break-even like it does with tablets.

 

[Smartass]

Apple is not Nokia. As long as people line up to buy an iPhone launch prices will not abate.

yes and blackberry wasn't nokia. You'd be amazed how quickly things can change in today's world. Nobody's unbeatable, not even apple.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I'm looking to buy a new phone off contract, however I can't help noticing the huge price difference between the latest Nexus 5 ($350) and the iPhone 5S ($650) despite the Nexus 5 being better hardware wise. Where is the $300 difference coming from?

If I didn't have a lot of apps already, I think the Nexus 5 would be a no-brainer to me?

If you don't think it is worth $650 then I would recommend getting something you do think is worth the money. I see a lot of people claiming a certain phone is better than the other based on hardware but that is only part of the appeal for me. I wouldn't buy a Nexus 5 because it runs Android and I consider that an inferior OS 'for my needs'. Therefore I would pay extra for a device that I feel is better all round. It is different for everybody of course. As you are buying off contract, most flagship phones are going to be expensive as the cost isn't spread.

EDIT: Just seen how long ago the OP was written.

 

[numlock]

Of course new models always push prices of old models down. An iPhone 4S is now free with contract. However it would be a miracle if the 128gb iPhone 6 sold for less than $950. And yes the price will be adjusted at some point. You can also bet that apple will be giving away the iPhone 6 in a few years.

thats not what he is talking about at all. if you are unaware apple lowered the price of the original iphone quite a lot because the original asking price was laughable.

Apple is not Nokia. As long as people line up to buy an iPhone launch prices will not abate.

apple is not nokia because apple is not nokia and therefore apple cannot suffer the same fate as nokia and many other giants of the past?

 

[I7guy]

thats not what he is talking about at all. if you are unaware apple lowered the price of the original iphone quite a lot because the original asking price was laughable.



apple is not nokia because apple is not nokia and therefore apple cannot suffer the same fate as nokia and many other giants of the past?

Of course anything can happen, an asteroid can hit the earth ending life as we know it or IBM can declare bankruptcy. Or apple can suffer the same fate as blackberry. Sure it's a possibility.

Since the iPhone 4 have release prices been stable and predictable? Prices have always gone down further from release.

 

[numlock]

Of course anything can happen, an asteroid can hit the earth ending life as we know it or IBM can declare bankruptcy. Or apple can suffer the same fate as blackberry. Sure it's a possibility.

Since the iPhone 4 have release prices been stable and predictable? Prices have always gone down further from release.

they have been but now with cheaper devices like the nexus, the moto line (will that continue and how?), lumia and possibly xiaomi more pressure will be on apple than in 2008-2011 for instance.

personally think too many at apple seem to have their heads in the (i)clouds and thats not a good thing.