Carrier Is the iPhone X that good?

[The-Real-Deal82]

What’s the main component of a multitouch smartphone? The screen. Therefore how is it geeky or obsessive to want more/better screen. Some like thin bezels some don’t. Including average consumers. We all have different tastes.

I didn’t say the average consumer doesn’t care about the screen, I even suggested the standard iPhone get a screen update next year. Not OLED obviously, just an update where maybe both standard and Plus models have the same quality screen.

My comment was more in line with the superior complex of the X and how everything else is suddenly drastically inferior. There’s two markets and both need focus.

 

[DNichter]

Common sense would suggest the opposite to me. They would likely lose too many customers if they went the route of killing the classic design entirely.

Not to mention the notch seems to be a love/hate thing. They’d also need to reduce the price point to that of the 8. I don’t see any of this happening personally. Certainly not for a long time yet.

Either way, stating this is gonna happen as fact is just ridiculous. We have no idea what Apple’s gonna choose to do going forward.

I’m talking flagships here. You honestly think Apple would introduce the X this year with no home button, all screen, and Face ID and then introduce a new flagship in 2018 that brings back the home button? To me, that would be ridiculous. Yes they’ll sell the 7 and 8 as is on the cheap and potentially introduce a new SE to keep the home button people happy for a couple more years until they adapt.
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If Apple update the screen on the standard iPhone, give it a decent camera upgrade and tweak the design slightly with maybe a stainless edge like the X, most consumers couldn’t give a toss if it has a home button or not. It only seems to be tech geeks vocal on the internet who are obsessed with making bezels smaller and suggesting ‘buttons’ are suddenly something out of the 1980’s.

I think a lot of us just want Apple to put more effort into the standard iPhone going forward. They are charging a premium price for it but think it’s acceptable to skimp on the content, probably because they want people to pay a lot more for a shinier but similar device. It’s not washing though and the 8 is supposedly selling poorly. They need to pull their socks up next year.

Of course I could be wrong. I just don’t see it happening. The flagship iPhone each year moving forward won’t have a home button.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Of course I could be wrong. I just don’t see it happening. The flagship iPhone each year moving forward won’t have a home button.

I was talking about the standard iPhone rather than X variant. I’m sure if they keep two pricing tiers then the next X or XI will have no home button, but that won’t be of any interest to people like me.

The lower tier device is still flagship money and not ‘budget’ as a few people suggest, which is why it’s frustrating when it only gets a slight hardware bump. Hopefully the poor reception of the 8 has sent a message to Apple that there is expectation on more levels than just their new super premium phone. Not all iPhone users are willing to drop over a grand on an iPhone but there is still a huge market of people who are willing to continue buying innovative devices at the old premium. A fifth generation iPhone 6 next year with a slightly better camera and a new colour option isn’t going to satisfy the demand.

 

[dumastudetto]

Is it worth it? Personally I like the home button. I do not like faceid and prefer thumb ID when paying via Apple Pay.

Yes iPhone X is the very best iPhone Apple has ever made. I am thrilled and delighted with mine all day, every day. You won't miss the home button. I don't to ever see a home button again now I've experienced iPhone X. It is worth the money, buy it.

 

[DNichter]

I was talking about the standard iPhone rather than X variant. I’m sure if they keep two pricing tiers then the next X or XI will have no home button, but that won’t be of any interest to people like me.

The lower tier device is still flagship money and not ‘budget’ as a few people suggest, which is why it’s frustrating when it only gets a slight hardware bump. Hopefully the poor reception of the 8 has sent a message to Apple that there is expectation on more levels than just their new super premium phone. Not all iPhone users are willing to drop over a grand on an iPhone but there is still a huge market of people who are willing to continue buying innovative devices at the old premium. A fifth generation iPhone 6 next year with a slightly better camera and a new colour option isn’t going to satisfy the demand.

Fair enough. Certainly feasible. I figured they’d just keep offering the previous year phone for cheaper like they have been.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Fair enough. Certainly feasible. I figured they’d just keep offering the previous year phone for cheaper like they have been.

I think that would be dangerous ground. If consumers are only given the option at that price point to buy a phone that has been out for a year already, then it’s going to open up curiosity to see what the competition offer that is ‘current’ and at the same price. I bought a 6S that had been released the previous year and iOS 11 has bitten me hard by seriously reducing the phones performance. I’m not sure I’d risk buying the previous years phone again based on my experience over the past week. If the only new offering is the X variant then I’d reluctantly take my business elsewhere.

Apple are pretty arrogant in regards to telling consumers what they want in their products, but I don’t believe they are stupid enough to assume all their consumers are going to justify the £1k iPhone. I think they need to meet the demand of the market and that is offering a new phone in the £600 to £900 tier. The iPhone SE is too niche to factor.

 

[DNichter]

I think that would be dangerous ground. If consumers are only given the option at that price point to buy a phone that has been out for a year already, then it’s going to open up curiosity to see what the competition offer that is ‘current’ and at the same price. I bought a 6S that had been released the previous year and iOS 11 has bitten me hard by seriously reducing the phones performance. I’m not sure I’d risk buying the previous years phone again based on my experience over the past week. If the only new offering is the X variant then I’d reluctantly take my business elsewhere.

Apple are pretty arrogant in regards to telling consumers what they want in their products, but I don’t believe they are stupid enough to assume all their consumers are going to justify the £1k iPhone. I think they need to meet the demand of the market and that is offering a new phone in the £600 to £900 tier. The iPhone SE is too niche to factor.

I’m expecting the X style variant comes down in price also. Keep OLED and better materials for the high end. The rumored 6.1 LCD with no home button and Face ID could hit that $799 price point.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I’m expecting the X style variant comes down in price also. Keep OLED and better materials for the high end. The rumored 6.1 LCD with no home button and Face ID could hit that $799 price point.

I think the main disadvantage of that is its size. The Plus has historically sold in lesser numbers in many parts of Europe and a 6.1” screen sounds like it would be in a huge device, almost iPad mini territory. I wouldn’t even entertain getting a device I couldn’t fit in my pocket as it defeats the object of using it as a mobile phone for me. I really hope Apple aren’t losing their touch going forward. I feel like a consumer who is being pushed away based on current events.

 

[j800r]

There’s two markets and both need focus.

This is more something the users need to realise. The X was introduced as a new product in the lineup. Not as a replacement to the standard iPhone. Both need to coexist. They need new regular iPhones as well as updates to the X model. So far, that seems to be how they're doing it and it's the consumers who are speculating them not doing it down the line.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

This is more something the users need to realise. The X was introduced as a new product in the lineup. Not as a replacement to the standard iPhone. Both need to coexist. They need new regular iPhones as well as updates to the X model. So far, that seems to be how they're doing it and it's the consumers who are speculating them not doing it down the line.

I agree yeah, I fully expect the two models to exist side by side. The suggestion the X variant could come down in price and a Plus model replace it at the premium end is not out of the realms of possibility either though.

If the two models are to coexist though, Apple need to change the strategy regarding one variant getting all the exciting features and the other getting a minor upgrade. It’s just not attractive enough to the core consumer at this point and this year was a bit of a balls up in that department. I think 2017 will be remembered for the £1k iPhone getting all the buzz and the resurgence of the iPhone 7. The disappointing spec of the iPhone 8 meant it was too close to a significantly cheaper predecessor and lost out ultimately.

 

[j800r]

I agree yeah, I fully expect the two models to exist side by side. The suggestion the X variant could come down in price and a Plus model replace it at the premium end is not out of the realms of possibility either though.

If the two models are to coexist though, Apple need to change the strategy regarding one variant getting all the exciting features and the other getting a minor upgrade. It’s just not attractive enough to the core consumer at this point and this year was a bit of a balls up in that department. I think 2017 will be remembered for the £1k iPhone getting all the buzz and the resurgence of the iPhone 7. The disappointing spec of the iPhone 8 meant it was too close to a significantly cheaper predecessor and lost out ultimately.

There’s only so much they can update however. In truth, the only differences the X has are the precise ones you say don’t matter. Also, wireless charging is a big feature. Trust me, you’ve no idea how useful it is until you’ve made use of it. Just plopping your phone on a surface and picking it up when you need it.

 

[Radon87000]

I agree yeah, I fully expect the two models to exist side by side. The suggestion the X variant could come down in price and a Plus model replace it at the premium end is not out of the realms of possibility either though.

If the two models are to coexist though, Apple need to change the strategy regarding one variant getting all the exciting features and the other getting a minor upgrade. It’s just not attractive enough to the core consumer at this point and this year was a bit of a balls up in that department. I think 2017 will be remembered for the £1k iPhone getting all the buzz and the resurgence of the iPhone 7. The disappointing spec of the iPhone 8 meant it was too close to a significantly cheaper predecessor and lost out ultimately.

iPhone 7 was a bigger upgrade from the 6s and 6 than the 8 is from the 7. Apple's lower priced options have been getting less enticing every year.

If we look at the iPad lineup, the iPad 2017 is basically an iPad Air with a spec bump. All exciting features went to the Pro lineup like Truetone and ProMotion. We used to get exciting upgrades at the 499 price point for years. Not anymore.

 

[Beenblacklisted]

Then I will keep my 6S for a while.

same here, apple assumes people dont want certain things thats how they lose customers.

 

[itsmemuffins]

It’s that good. When I pick up my old 7 that my wife now uses I must wonder how I ever used it.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

It’s that good. When I pick up my old 7 that my wife now uses I must wonder how I ever used it.

I had no idea the iPhone 7 was so old and redundant. You’d have an absolute nightmare trying to remember how to use my ancient 6S. It came out all the way back in 2015 lol.

 

[newellj]

iPhone 7 was a bigger upgrade from the 6s and 6 than the 8 is from the 7. Apple's lower priced options have been getting less enticing every year.

If we look at the iPad lineup, the iPad 2017 is basically an iPad Air with a spec bump. All exciting features went to the Pro lineup like Truetone and ProMotion. We used to get exciting upgrades at the 499 price point for years. Not anymore.

If you look at the Apple computer lineup, I think you can see roughly the same thing going on. The cMBP, the abandoned MBA and Mini all point to a willingness to freeze certain user segments (typically involving lower price points) into products that have been frozen, while focusing development efforts on the higher price points (which presumably also have the highest margins).

 

[Radon87000]

If you look at the Apple computer lineup, I think you can see roughly the same thing going on. The cMBP, the abandoned MBA and Mini all point to a willingness to freeze certain user segments (typically involving lower price points) into products that have been frozen, while focusing development efforts on the higher price points (which presumably also have the highest margins).

It was already happening with iPhones as well. If you ignore the Plus variants there is actually not much new released since the 6. The 6s added 3DT and 2 GB of RAM. The 7 added a slightly brighter and a better display and an improved camera while the 8 is basically a 7 with wireless charging. Theres literally been zero worthy upgrades for the smaller iPhone since 2014 simply because its cheaper. It was nothing to do with chassis size which is what people were giving excuses for. Apple fitted every feature of the Plus into the X which has a similar chassis size to the smaller phone.

Its all about the money to Apple now. I expect the X PLus to have certain exclusives like ProMotion and 4GB of RAM which the X 2018 wont have. Lower price point users simply have to buy the most expensive iPhone or go with the competition. The lower price point iPhones arent going to be enticing from hereon in.

Heck the X LCD variant next year has an inferior TFT LCD display compared to the current IPS LCD simply because Apple thinks offering a bezelles design and FaceID at a cheaper point excuses that.

 

[newellj]

It was already happening with iPhones as well. If you ignore the Plus variants there is actually not much new released since the 6. The 6s added 3DT and 2 GB of RAM. The 7 added a slightly brighter and a better display and an improved camera while the 8 is basically a 7 with wireless charging. Theres literally been zero worthy upgrades for the smaller iPhone since 2014 simply because its cheaper. It was nothing to do with chassis size which is what people were giving excuses for. Apple fitted every feature of the Plus into the X which has a similar chassis size to the smaller phone.

Its all about the money to Apple now. I expect the X PLus to have certain exclusives like ProMotion and 4GB of RAM which the X 2018 wont have. Lower price point users simply have to buy the most expensive iPhone or go with the competition. The lower price point iPhones arent going to be enticing from hereon in.

Heck the X LCD variant next year has an inferior TFT LCD display compared to the current IPS LCD simply because Apple thinks offering a bezelles design and FaceID at a cheaper point excuses that.

Yes. My own 70K' view of the iPhone since the iPhone 6 is: better cameras. I will admit that the 6S was a much snappier device than the 6, but I didn't really have any complaints about the 6 until I got a 6S, and the 7 was hardly noticeable other than more camera upgrades. And the 8? More better cameras...and wireless charging, if you want to pay $60 for an extra, slow, charger?

I don't think Apple has really figured out if they want to market to the lower price point, higher volume part of the market, and their "strategy" shows that indecision.

 

[thesaint024]

Awful. Every moment I use it I debate returning it. Some strange force keeps it attached to my hand with a kung fu grip. Evil forces at work here. Apple has found a way to keep it attached to my person regardless of how much I try to resist. But a voice keeps telling me to go back to my iPhone 3g and it's timeless design and tech. I know the interface so well, it must be the best. My headphones from 1947 work perfectly with the 3g, as does the tried and true 4 digit passcode entry.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Yes. My own 70K' view of the iPhone since the iPhone 6 is: better cameras. I will admit that the 6S was a much snappier device than the 6, but I didn't really have any complaints about the 6 until I got a 6S, and the 7 was hardly noticeable other than more camera upgrades. And the 8? More better cameras...and wireless charging, if you want to pay $60 for an extra, slow, charger?

I don't think Apple has really figured out if they want to market to the lower price point, higher volume part of the market, and their "strategy" shows that indecision.

They seem to be oblivious to the fact most of their user base buy the lower price point devices and have a thirst for something new and innovative.

It’s almost like they sit in a boardroom and say ‘ooh the iPhone 7 is selling well so it must be exactly what people want. We don’t need to change it....’

It’s probably why iPhone satisfaction surveys are incredibly rare yet articles giving iPhone owners views seem to pop up regularly. The demand is very much governed by what Apple want to be written in the press and driven towards the highest price point devices.

 

[newellj]

I often think of Apple as a company that's driven by doctrine more than facts, an almost theological enterprise. But their financial results wouldn't be possible if A LOT of people weren't buying their admittedly premium-priced products. Dunno...not a tech industry analyst!

 

[jwolf6589]

I had no idea the iPhone 7 was so old and redundant. You’d have an absolute nightmare trying to remember how to use my ancient 6S. It came out all the way back in 2015 lol.

The 6s is still a great iPhone. I like the headphone jack because I like being able to use the same headphones on my iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. Something you can’t do with the newer devices.