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

[PickUrPoison]

If enough people buy, they aren’t high

A lot of people confuse expensive (high-priced) with too expensive (overpriced).

Overpriced is that house priced at $600,000 that sits there on the market for six months, unsold. Expensive are the $500,000 houses that are correctly priced and sell in 2-4 weeks.

 

[rocknblogger]

Yeah, but poutine and moose are outrageously expensive down here, so it all evens out.
[doublepost=1537134783][/doublepost]

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?

Right, I forgot about the camera. But even that’s not that big of a difference considering that the XR uses computational functionality to get the same (or close) results as the XS with two lenses in regards to portrait mode.

My point was and is that there really isn’t that much of a difference between the XR and XS. The most important parts of any iPhone is the processor and main board. As it stands now it seems as though all three iPhones have the same guts. The screen I think is the biggest differentiator and I’m not sure how much that means to the average consumer.

 

[warpdrive]

Back in April, I decided I wanted a new iPhone (coming from a 6). I decided the X is perfect for me. I had gotten used to the size and it would be the natural upgrade path (easy to hold size of the 6, but a lot more screen). Win win. I absolutely wanted the dual cameras (I like nice cameras, have too many regular cameras)

Of course, with 5 months to go, I decided to wait it out to get my dream phone. The XS is announced and there was nothing stopping me from ordering it. I placed my order for a 256 on preorder day.

But the more I thought it about it, it just didn't feel right. The narrow tall screen of the XS is nice and does offer a noticeable jump in content area (but not all types of content though) I didn't feel like it would be a noticeable enough upgrade for spending $1589 Canadian Funds.

So I also have a Max 256 on the way (for October delivery) and will return the XS likely. Final judgement will occur when I see the XS Max in person. I feel like the screen on the Max will have a bigger wow factor and I'll try out carrying the Max and hopefully get used to it (I plan to use a holster most of the time)​

I feel Apple should have really offered the 128 XS as the base configuration to make the jump to the XS from the XR a good value. I think a lot of people don't see the value in the XS with the XR meeting all the basic needs of an iPhone user and the Max is the real leap forward. So it doesn't surprise me that the XS preorders are underwhelming.

 

[PickUrPoison]

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.

Don’t assume all SE fans would be on board with an all-screen SE-sized device. Many people that like a 3.5 or 4.0 inch screen don’t really want a 5+” screen. It’s not usable with one hand since their thumb can’t stretch across that diagonal.

There’s no evidence that small phones would be a huge success. Not in the Apple world, and certainly not in the dozens/hundreds of manufacturers in the Android world.

Apple can’t make a business out of a product that few buy—unless it’s very high priced. Would you pay $1,149 for that SE-sized all screen phone?

 

[Baymowe335]

That's the Apple thinking...

Well, and the people buying them.

For its usefulness, the iPhone is a bargain.

 

[BenTrovato]

I still think these prices are insane. I would be more surprised if there was sellout demand for the phones. The watches are still acceptable I guess in terms of affordability but if they start approaching 1k like the phones it doesn't make much sense.

 

[Baymowe335]

People that like/want a 3.5/4.0 inch screen don’t want a 5+” screen. It’s not usable with one hand since their thumb can’t stretch across that diagonal.

There’s no evidence that small phones would be a huge success. Not in the Apple world, and certainly not in the dozens/hundreds of manufacturers in the Android world.

Apple can’t make a business out of a product that few buy—unless it’s very high priced. Would you pay $1,149 for that SE-sized all screen phone?

Apple definitely knows the numbers on who wants what better than anyone.

 

[jagolden]

KUO missed one thing
Even iPhone xs max is showing a lacklustre performance on pre orders

have you ever seen a Apple flagship lagging so much that you will definitely get a piece on launch day. I bet you walk to most stores uou will get. Apple may do reverse engineering of inventory to reflect demands but it is not there. People who don’t care for $1000 or absolute fanboys with a obession to keep most advanced models will upgrade from iPhone x. Else it doesn’t make a point. People with 2 year old phones will upgrade.


But i am really surprised with Tim leadership skills, he is acting like a money sucking lice..... iPhone 6S had a 10W charging brick but with $1099 price tag Apple supplies us a innovative futuristic awesome 5W charger. No headphone dongle now with iPhone. Will he eat all this dollars. Steve would have never done that..... supplying a 5 w charger with fast charging enabled phone

What a clueless, or outright misleading statement. If the Xs Max is having lackluster sales, why have delivery dates been pushed as far back as 3 weeks.

 

[2499723]

I feel Apple should have really offered the 128 XS as the base configuration to make the jump to the XS from the XR a good value. I think a lot of people don't see the value in the XS with the XR meeting all the basic needs of an iPhone user and the Max is the real leap forward. So it doesn't surprise me that the XS preorders are underwhelming.

If Apple had released a 128GB XS, I’d have considered one over the XR. 64GB is too little and 256GB is excessive for my needs. So instead of spending, say, £1,049 on a 128GB XS, I’ll spend £799 on a 128GB XR. So, yes, you make a good point at least in my specific case.

 

[tentales]

It proves nothing. You need to realize that not everyone has the same size hands and pockets. The 4" screen is perfect for me, and if they adopt the Xr design for the SE, it will be a larger screen without a larger device. It's the overall device size of the SE that's perfect in my eyes.

That’s so true. I’d buy a 4.5” screen in a 5/SE case with upgraded internals.
Square edges provide better grip. No notch-sense screen possibly with OLED once flagships move to mLED and a headphone jack.

It’s not about hand size for me, I’m 6’3” with goalkeeper hands, but have always preferred smaller phones and larger tablets. For me, watching anything of length even on a 6” screen is tiresome, that’s why I consume media on my 9.7” iPad Air2 or 60” Plasma on my “ancient” AppleTV 3.

However, the direction Apple has been heading the past few years makes it highly unlikely we’ll ever see a return to smaller iPhones.

I see a distinct generation gap happening between people like me that go way back with Apple (1983 first using an Apple II) and were fanboys before that term was even coined and the newer cult followers that came to Apple only post iPhone boom.

In any case, It’s everyone’s personal choice, the shaming of others is just so petty. I just speak for myself when I say that Apple is loosing me.

 

[cmaier]

Legitimately don’t understand the confusion. An industry that builds fervour and perpetuates excessive consumerism is wasteful in that it annually releases new phones and encourages their purchase (resulting in all that stuff about the effects on resources and labour). Consumers who go for yearly updates might be wasteful in that they signal to the corporation that yearly updates are desired (resulting in all that stuff about the effects on resources and labour). So, that’s where we get the ‘both being true’ element.

Again, since people are buying new iPhones instead of much bigger machines, it’s actually good for the environment.

 

[Swazaloo]

No surprises. I have the X and don't see a reason to upgrade. More likely to upgrade my series 3 to 4 though.

You're assuming everyone in the world purchased an iPhone X last year.

 

[rumorsdan]

If they make a SE sized with the same feature, then it is a different story.

+1. yes please!

 

[fpsBeaTt]

Series 4 will be like iPhone 4, a company changer.

I had the same thought during the keynote

 

[scrapesleon]

The ECG is the only reason to consider buying

 

[Shanghaichica]

The ECG is the only reason to consider buying

It’s a shame the ECG feature doesn’t work in the UK. It would have been an instant buy for me.

 

[blairh]

Don’t assume fans would like an all-screen SE-sized device. Many people that like a 3.5 or 4.0 inch screen don’t really want a 5+” screen. It’s not usable with one hand since their thumb can’t stretch across that diagonal.

There’s no evidence that small phones would be a huge success. Not in the Apple world, and certainly not in the dozens/hundreds of manufacturers in the Android world.

Apple can’t make a business out of a product that few buy—unless it’s very high priced. Would you pay $1,149 for that SE-sized all screen phone?

I absolutely believe with every bone in my body that an SE sized iPhone that is all screen would be a massive success and desired by millions. And yes, I believe Apple will release such a device next year. If the XR is $750 they can make a smaller version for less at retail.

 

[bigchief]

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.

Since the beginning of time "cool stuff" has brought a premium price and it always will so get use to it.

 

[tentales]

I still think these prices are insane. I would be more surprised if there was sellout demand for the phones. The watches are still acceptable I guess in terms of affordability but if they start approaching 1k like the phones it doesn't make much sense.[/

Couldn’t agree more. Even people who could afford these stratospheric prices will think twice about wasting this much on a pocket computer with phone call function added.

My refurb MacBook Air costs less than the new entry level iPhone and I get a lot more use out of that. But to each their own.

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

That’s so true. I’d buy a 4.5” screen in a 5/SE case with upgraded internals.
Square edges provide better grip. No notch-sense screen possibly with OLED once flagships move to mLED and a headphone jack.

It’s not about hand size for me, I’m 6’3” with goalkeeper hands, but have always preferred smaller phones and larger tablets. For me, watching anything of length even on a 6” screen is tiresome, that’s why I consume media on my 9.7” iPad Air2 or 60” Plasma on my “ancient” AppleTV 3.

However, the direction Apple has been heading the past few years makes it highly unlikely we’ll ever see a return to smaller iPhones.

I see a distinct generation gap happening between people like me that go way back with Apple (1983 first using an Apple II) and were fanboys before that term was even coined and the newer cult followers that came to Apple only post iPhone boom.

In any case, It’s everyone’s personal choice, the shaming of others is just so petty. I just speak for myself when I say that Apple is loosing me.

Nut up lol

 

[Lloydbm41]

The problem with the debut of the iPhone XS, is that unlike previous S releases, there was nothing significantly new over the X to drive demand. No 3D Touch, no Siri, no new form factor, no new camera,

How does that not sound like you’re talking about the Xs having no 3D Touch? If you weren’t, work on your communication.

Unlike previous iPhone S releases (which typically add some sort of new tech inside to get you to upgrade, like 3D TOUCH, SIRI, BETTER CAMERA), this S release had nothing new to get you to go from the X to the XS.

Does that make more sense for you? Additionally, going by your rationale, the XS wouldn't have Siri or a camera to go along with the 3D touch. My communication was just fine. I recommend you work on your reading comprehension.

 

[ajfahey]

It would be interesting to see which phone sales would be cannibalized the most by a $100 drop in the Xs. Would it be the Xs Max, the XR or one of the Samsung phones?

 

[PickUrPoison]

Apple definitely knows the numbers on who wants what better than anyone.

Yup, and it’s not a business that makes sense for them.

My point to the OP was just because he or she wants an all-screen SE-sized device doesn’t mean other SE owners want that. A small-bezel 5” screen makes that device unusable with one hand for many, even if physically it’s still SE-sized.

 

[FFR]

The price points have gotten absurd, imo. I think companies like Apple will continue to drive up the cost of ownership until people speak with their wallets. I, for one, cannot justify the asking price of these devices anymore.

I’ve always carried both Android and iPhones top dogs, but with existing ones performing well above my ask...there’s nearly no compelling reason for me to support the likes of new Galaxy (esp the Note 9) and iPhone’s bottomless greed.

As always, just my opinion.

Think that’s kinda the point.

If you decide to spend 1500 on a iPhone max, your not going to spend another 500-900 on a random android device.

Same goes for the iPhone xr, which I believe will take a lot of sales away form mid Range android devices.

And since they are both dual sim don’t think many consumers actually mind.

 

[ajfahey]

The ECG is the only reason to consider buying

I don't agree. Size of the screen, speed and speaker volume improvement factor in as well. So do cool factor and aging of whatever previous model you have. I have a series 2, when cell functions weren't available. Purchasing a series 4 with a series two is a reasonable wait and cost point to get a second generation cell phone watch along with a bigger screen and more volume. Too, it occurred to me that having a cell watch might be useful if the ECG says you're in trouble and don't have your cell phone handy.