Kuo: Apple Watch Series 4 Pre-Orders Above Expectations, iPhone XS Seeing Lackluster Demand

[rocknblogger]

I disagree. The iPhone X was the start of a new super-premium iPhone tier. The iPhone X (and the iPhone XS that supersedes it) is a higher end device than previous Apple flagships. It costs more to make and is priced accordingly. It is not overpriced for what it offers.

Clearly, there is a strong market for a new super-premium iPhone tier. iPhone X sales have proven that.

The iPhone XR is the new mainstream Apple flagship. It is comparable in materials and build to iPhone 6, 6s, 7, and 8 series phones of years past.

Having a premium and a super-premium tier is good for everyone because sales of the super-premium phones help to subsidize the price of the more mainstream iPhone XR. It allows Apple to offer new bleeding edge tech in the mainstream device at a good price.

Yes, this leaves some customers with a little buyer’s envy, but that’s life.

Sorry but no!! There is no super premium iPhone. The XR and the XS are extremely close. The only differences are the screen, aluminum body and 3D Touch. There’s no “bleeding edge” tech in the XS and XS Max. The only reason Apple increased the price last year is because sales were flat YoY and they expect the same this year.

If the XR ends up being a blockbuster in sales it’ll be interesting to see what happens next year. I think if the XR was available day one, XS and XS Max sales would have suffered.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Exactly as I thought post-keynote. XR will eat into XS sales. Max sells due to size. XR is the main iPhone now. XS and Max are the luxury line.

Yup, not surprising at all. The XR is bigger than the XS and it’s $250 cheaper. A lot of people don’t care about the features the XR gives up to get that price, like OLED and dual cameras. The colors will drive sales too.

 

[BCWorld]

Its just too expensive at this point. We all love Apple but COMMON SENSE has to set in somewhere.

 

[redheeler]

Apple increased pixel density on the highest priced model in 2014 and even more with the even higher priced X in 2018. Like always, the least expensive model is 326ppi. You’ll have to search very hard to find complaints about the pixel density of Apple’s 326ppi displays. Or their 264ppi displays, for that matter. Its like complaining about 20 hrs vs. 24 hrs of talk time. It’s just not a big deal.

Like I said before, Apple customers aren’t spec chasers. You’re fixated on a spec that isn’t important to most. It’s an excellent display as always, but for those who don’t find 326ppi sufficient, they shouldn’t buy it.

Now I'd like to see you defend the least expensive model in 2018 being the same price as the most expensive model in 2014. My initial comment about the price was correct, as I realized that at $649 (same price as the least expensive iPhone 6 in 2014), the 64 GB Xr would be a good value.

 

[goobot]

You must be new to Apple, the S models are never mindblowing, just faster.

The 3GS was a lot faster in the days when everything was slow. I know because I went from a 3g to a 3GS, also add in things like video recording and the first upgrade to the camera back when the camera was garbage.

4s added dual core, Siri.

5s added Touch ID

6s 3D Touch

XS?????

 

[PickUrPoison]

No surprise really..XR and max were always going to be biggest demand

Yeah the XS is a tough sell against the much cheaper—and also larger and more colorful—XR. The XR gives most customers what they want.

 

[m0sher]

I’ll be honest with an X in my hand there’s little to no incentive to upgrade to XS and I don’t want a bigger Max size.

With that in mind I do feel an upgrade urge and this would be a good time to purchase an Apple 4 watch and I think a lot of us in this boat are turning these sales.

The Apple 4 watches this year seem to be finally the real deal. Come a long way.

 

[Baymowe335]

Because if the prices keep going this way and people keep buying them, we're gonna get to a point where the prices will be unbelievably high.

If enough people buy, they aren’t high

 

[markgpearse]

I am waiting for the iPhone XI. I did order the series 4.

 

[blairh]

The market for smaller phones is dead. Few want them.

Absolutely disagree. An SE sized iPhone that is all screen would be a huge success. I believe we will see such a device next fall.

 

[cmaier]

Better battery life is always welcome though.

So is more display, even at the same PPI.

 

[Black Magic]

It truly baffles me that folks are defending the price increase. I love Apple as much as anyone on here, but the pricing is ridiculous regardless of how much disposable income you have to work with.

 

[AJ5790]

Boy, does this song sound familiar...

 

[cmaier]

You must be new to Apple, the S models are never mindblowing, just faster.

That’s not the case at all. The cases don’t change, but things like 3D Touch, video recording, Siri, Touch ID, 64 bit processor, Live Photos, etc. we’re all S-model additions. In fact, more new technology has probably come out in the S years than in the non-S years. The non-S years have typically been changes in shape and size.

 

[Momof2.1107]

Apple Watch Series 4 on the way. Used to upgrade my iPhone annually but holding on to my iPhone X until 2019 so not at all surprised by this

I’m doing the exact same thing. I’m content with my X and will upgrade to the XS Max in 2019. Can’t wait for my Series 4 watch.

 

[cmaier]

New iPhones... Too Big, Too expensive..... Too bad.
And then they STILL nickel and Dime you for the Lightening to headphone adaptor .

When my SE dies, I am more likely to get an Android phone, a first for me but times change.

Most people don’t need the adaptor, so supplying one in each box is a tremendous waste.

 

[blairh]

Yup, not surprising at all. The XR is bigger than the XS and it’s $250 cheaper. A lot of people don’t care about the features the XR gives up to get that price, like OLED and dual cameras. The colors will drive sales too.

I agree. Consumers will consider the XR first due to price and size. To get an XS or Max you have to have a reason(s) to pay more.

 

[Taipan]

Why are dual SIM phones so popular in China?

 

[citysnaps]

And how does Kuo know this?

Smells like a guess to me.

 

[blairh]

Please everyone - tell me for the 1000th time how you are keeping your X and see no reason to upgrade.

The majority of consumers don’t upgrade yearly. It’s funny to read people here complaining that there was no reason to this year. There isn’t really any reason to yearly to begin with.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Now I'd like to see you defend the least expensive model in 2018 being the same price as the most expensive model in 2014. My initial comment about the price was correct, as I realized that at $649 (same price as the least expensive iPhone 6 in 2014), the 64 GB Xr would be a good value.

Defend what? The XR is right where it would be expected to be, priced halfway between last year’s 8 and 8 Plus.

iPhones are expensive. If you want a $649 XR, you’re going to have to wait until September 2019.

 

[2499723]

Dude just throws stuff on the wall and hopes it sticks. MR just rides his nuts too much.

Really made me chuckle. You succinctly described what so many of us feel.

Anyway, I do wonder how ‘lacklustre demand’ is quantified. Fewer relative sales compared to the larger model doesn’t necessarily mean the XS is underperforming in Apple’s eyes. In any case, they’re still laughing to the bank and we’re the saps buying their marketing BS and products. At least I’m AWARE I’m being groomed, but that doesn’t stop me coming back for more from ‘master’.

 

[coolfactor]

Once you factor in exchange rates, especially Apple's buffered rate, the cheapest new iPhone is $1029 in Canada. Yah, that hurts.

 

[smulji]

Sorry but no!! There is no super premium iPhone. The XR and the XS are extremely close. The only differences are the screen, aluminum body and 3D Touch. There’s no “bleeding edge” tech in the XS and XS Max. The only reason Apple increased the price last year is because sales were flat YoY and they expect the same this year.

If the XR ends up being a blockbuster in sales it’ll be interesting to see what happens next year. I think if the XR was available day one, XS and XS Max sales would have suffered.

The XS would've suffered and will still suffer. I don't think the same would've happened to the Max though.

 

[cmaier]

Once you factor in exchange rates, especially Apple's buffered rate, the cheapest new iPhone is $1029 in Canada. Yah, that hurts.

Yeah, but poutine and moose are outrageously expensive down here, so it all evens out.
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Sorry but no!! There is no super premium iPhone. The XR and the XS are extremely close. The only differences are the screen, aluminum body and 3D Touch. There’s no “bleeding edge” tech in the XS and XS Max. The only reason Apple increased the price last year is because sales were flat YoY and they expect the same this year.

If the XR ends up being a blockbuster in sales it’ll be interesting to see what happens next year. I think if the XR was available day one, XS and XS Max sales would have suffered.

And camera. And possibly RAM?

This is a funny statement: “the only differences are the screen, the body, and the touch input.” I mean, what else is there?