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You're absolutely right, there are people who just want the cheapest phone and don't care about the tech. But what's stopping those people from getting the 7 this time next year once the price drops, or even the SE which is the cheapest iPhone on the market right now.

My point wasn't that everyone is going to want the iPhone 8, but that no one is going to want the 7S, there's no market for it. If you're buying a new phone for new tech, you're getting the 8. If you're buying a new phone because you need a phone and want a cheaper option, you're getting the oldest model (right now 6S, next year 7) or the SE. The 7S, as rumored, offers no value to the current product line, it offers marginally upgraded tech and is (currently) rumored to be the same price as a new iPhone right now. There are better options on both ends of the spectrum.

You made an unprovable claim. The claim I am referring to is that there is no market for the 7S.

The 7S will have three things the 8 won’t:
- higher manufactured volume of devices
- immediate and / or greater availability
- lower price

Some people will like these things

There will not be enough 8 supply to go around. The extent of the dearth is tbd.
 
I don't get it. How can something unannounced be delayed. Just because Apple has pretty much established a pattern for iPhone releases does not mean that the pattern is permanent. If and when a new product is ready, then it is ready. That is how reality works.
Against the reasonable benchmark of September iPhone releases, the 8 will be late. It may not be a reasonable benchmark in your eyes but... that’s how reality works, as you put it...
 
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Absolutely true. But Apple didn't NEED to announce that it would be available in September. They should drop their insistence on clockwork release cycles. Just release the new hardware when it's ready. They used to do that.

Again, what did I miss. Can someone send me a link to the announcement of a new iPhone model in September? I can't find it anywhere!!! :-/
 
The more I hear about this, the more I believe the best buy this year will be the iPhone 7.

7S for me. My 6S is on the outs.
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You're totally right, I have no idea why Apple is pushing the 7S still. Maybe just to say they're not moving away from their normal upgrade cycle, I don't know. I mean even if the 8 does cost $1200, no one is buying it outright. Even at $700, no one buys the current iPhone outright. People will finance it thru their phone carrier, and it'll be $40/ month instead of $25.

I agree, it's a waste of time, resources, and money. If the rumors of the 8 being delayed are true, than Apple should nix the 7S and use all the manpower and machinery to bump up initial supplies at launch, instead of wasting all that on a phone hardly anyone is going to buy, while restrict supplies of the phone everyone wants.

Lastly, you may actually be right in the S variant not happening. Up until today's rumor (which I don't believe) the 7S was believed to be on track, yet we had hardly any rumors and literally no parts leaks (and no one noticed bc all the hype is on the 8). I had attributed that to Apple's ability to finally double down on security, but what if the phone just doesn't exist. All the rumors pointed to one of the most marginally upgraded S variants to begin with...

Apple will release a 7S because it will not be able to produce as many 8 devices at the 7. It’s that simple.

I’d bet whatever amount of moolah of an iPhone 8 is going to be, that iPhone 7S will be put on sale sooner than 8 and Apple will sell more of them than 8.

Everyone planning on buying 8 should prepare for a ginormous price tag, and a wait.
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It would be a weird move for Apple to release the 7s and 8 at different times. The sales for the 7s could be hurt by the people who will wait for the 8 to arrive. And maybe even vice versa.

This situation would probably be pretty confusing to the average consumer, too - the people who don't know a thing about phones, but always want "the new iPhone."

"You're getting the new iPhone?!"

"Yeah! The 8, so not until November."

"Cool! Wait, what? I thought the new one already came out?"

"Yes, the 7S did."

"Wait, so there's two? Why?"

...See what I'm getting at?

It’s really not as confusing as you make it out to be.
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This is my position too.

My gut feel is that quite a few of the changing design choice and production delay rumours on the iPhone 8 have been true this year.

The thing is, even at this late stage, Apple has the cash to dig itself out of most problems and minimise or even eradicate delays. So you can't really compare Apple's ability to respond with other companies were they faced with a similar situation.

We've seen an indicator of this already with them making extra production equipment available on lease back for their suppliers.
I agree, but my point is, no one is taking $1200 or $700 out of their pocket at one time to buy an iPhone. They finance it thru their carrier, which will only amount to roughly a $15 or $20 increase per month. Not a whole lot of extra money to get the latest and greatest tech. Therefore, I still think no one is going to buy the 7S because the barrier to entry of the 8 isn't that much greater. This, combined with the fact that it's expected to be least upgraded S model ever and the 8 is expected to be completely revamped, results in the 7S failing/being a was of time and resources.

Apple will not be able to manufacturer as many 8 devices as 7 and 7S.

Apple will sell the 7S, and it will sell more of them than the 8, and it will be put on sale faster than the 8.

8 buyers will have to endure a higher price and a wait. 7S buyers may get an inferior device, but they’ll get it faster and cheaper.

If you think Apple Is goin to move into the 1200 cell phone market while abandoning the 700 dollar market, you may be craycray.

If you think Apple will only release the 8 and pray that the manufacturing gods save Apple from production difficulties, you may be cray cray.
 
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I can't live with Galaxy S8 – I tried to keep it as my daily driver for a month or so, and always found iPhone 7 to be a superior experience.

Yet I give props for Samsung to actually have the S8 available on launch day with no supply constraints. Apple will launch their new iPhones, but apparently cannot deliver. For a 700B company, that is kind of getting old. It takes the fun out of new product launches.
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What happened to Tim Cook being the 'supply chain God'?

He became the CEO.
It's not easy walking in Steve's shoes.
Tim plays too safe & easy at Apple's helm: his priority is pleasing the shareholders, not customers.
 
This is the 10th anniversary iPhone ... I was under the impression that it was supposed to be a big, commemorative event.
If rumors are right then it's going to be a rather sad anniversary. :(
And yes, I'm aware that the original iPhone launched on June 29 2007. But if iPhone 8 cannot meet the October launch date then that won't look good. I mean if they're planning on still launching in October but then telling everyone that delivery won't be until 1st Qtr 2018 then they may as well make the launch date some time in 2018.

Perhaps 2017 should be the year for the iPhone 7s and 2018 the year for the iPhone 8?
As others have said, I think we can all wait for a product that has been fully tested rather than one that has been rushed out to market with bugs and issues.
 
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Here's my guess in terms of availability of 2017 model iPhones:

1. iPhone 7S, 7S Plus and 8 are announced on September 12, 2017.

2. iPhone 7S and 7S Plus pre-orders start on September 15, 2017.

3. iPhone 7S and 7S Plus sales start on September 22, 2017.

4. iPhone 8 pre-orders start on October 20, 2017.

5. iPhone 8 sales start on November 3, 2017.
 
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You're absolutely right, there are people who just want the cheapest phone and don't care about the tech. But what's stopping those people from getting the 7 this time next year once the price drops, or even the SE which is the cheapest iPhone on the market right now.

My point wasn't that everyone is going to want the iPhone 8, but that no one is going to want the 7S, there's no market for it. If you're buying a new phone for new tech, you're getting the 8. If you're buying a new phone because you need a phone and want a cheaper option, you're getting the oldest model (right now 6S, next year 7) or the SE. The 7S, as rumored, offers no value to the current product line, it offers marginally upgraded tech and is (currently) rumored to be the same price as a new iPhone right now. There are better options on both ends of the spectrum.

You assume there are only two types of people:
1. People who want the cheapest iPhone
2. People who want the most cutting edge iPhone

The existence, for YEARS now of a range of models both on the iPhone AND Android side prove this wrong. It turns out, unsurprisingly, that people have many different needs and tastes. Physical size, storage size, price, color, etc. all these are things which matter more or less to different people. It will still be true.

The iPhone 7s will be a notable improvement over the 7, just as every previous iPhone has been an improvment over its predecessor. That Apple may be adding a higher end, even MORE advanced phone will of course draw some people from the 7s market, but it won't draw them all because not everyone will need/want what it offers, and not everyone will be willing to pay for the difference. If everything about the iPhone 8 (or whatever they call it) is true, its not something even Apple will be able to manufacture for a price as low as the 7s.

Just because the 7s comes in the same physical shape as the previous model doesn't mean it won't offer improvements in processor speed, camera, etc. If the only thing you judge a phone by is the physical shell being different you have a very shallow understanding of technology. I'd much rather have a stable, well designed phone that performs better, than a new look just for the hell of it.
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It would be a weird move for Apple to release the 7s and 8 at different times. The sales for the 7s could be hurt by the people who will wait for the 8 to arrive. And maybe even vice versa.

This situation would probably be pretty confusing to the average consumer, too - the people who don't know a thing about phones, but always want "the new iPhone."

"You're getting the new iPhone?!"

"Yeah! The 8, so not until November."

"Cool! Wait, what? I thought the new one already came out?"

"Yes, the 7S did."

"Wait, so there's two? Why?"

...See what I'm getting at?
Yes, because no company in the history of forever has EVER released more than one new model of something.
Like when Apple did by making the 6 and 6 plus...
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I can't live with Galaxy S8 – I tried to keep it as my daily driver for a month or so, and always found iPhone 7 to be a superior experience.

Yet I give props for Samsung to actually have the S8 available on launch day with no supply constraints. Apple will launch their new iPhones, but apparently cannot deliver. For a 700B company, that is kind of getting old. It takes the fun out of new product launches.

Samsung does not sell nearly as many devices at launch than Apple does. It also doesn't sell anything remotely cutting edge, like the iPhone 8 is rumored to be. Apple has a lot of money and that DOES allow it to solve many problems, but there are still constraints. Manufacturing a new product requires space, materials, knowledge, etc. It takes time to ramp up. You don't just start pushing out 1 billion new widgets on the first day. You start small, to make sure there are as few errors as possible then ramp up. The only way for Apple to realistically solve the problem of launch day supply constraints given the volume it would need to deliver, would be to delay release for a significant period of time to allow manufacturing to build up enough quantity. Rather than do that Apple releases what it has so at least SOME people can start using it.

But hey, by all means, apply to Apple with your supply chain and manufacturing expertise to solve these massive problems of scale that are pretty much unprecedented. I'm sure they would be happy to have someone who can find the answers and that everyone there is just sitting around drinking beers and laughing instead of working hard and doing their best.
 
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Every year we hear this same report and Every year iPhone has been released at it's normal Date. This Report has never been true till date :-(

Yep, I'll still take delays and low quantities early on over batteries exploding and chemical burns. Not naming names. *cough*$am$ung*cough*
 
I can see the internet in my minds eye come October: "sure the iPhone Pro is sold out, they are only making 1000 per month. It's typical Apple to limit supply to create headlines of sold out for months."

Yep, that's it. It amazes me how people fail to see Apple sells millions of these things in a single weekend launch and yet people moan about Apple trying to create hype by limiting supply. That being said, Samsung does sell lot of Galaxy phones but I still have not heard of them having limited supply of their newly launched galaxy phones.
 
Well, we do get these every year but this year seem a bit different. We really haven't seen many leaks and by this time we usually have most of the components leaked. So maybe there is a delay this year. Who knows!
However, if even part of the rumours about iPhone 8 are correct then I don't think I'll be getting one. Too expensive to begin with and it will be version 1 of a new design which is always a massive gamble. Lets see what they do though :)

Especially if there is a under-display touch-id. The touch-id improvement between 6 and 6s was massive. And I am sure people will crib if the touch id speed is back to 5s level. No one is going to be thankful for it being on the front then.
 
Thing is, if these delays and various issues with the new parts/tech do turn out to be true, it would seem very risky to get one of the first batches anyway given history of problems for early adopters. I wonder how many more bloody tedious "gates" the new iPhone will have at this rate... :rolleyes:
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Especially if there is a under-display touch-id. The touch-id improvement between 6 and 6s was massive. And I am sure people will crib if the touch id speed is back to 5s level. No one is going to be thankful for it being on the front then.

Actually haven't really noticed many issues with touch ID speed on the SE and isn't that 5s tech in the touch sensor? I was coming down from the 6 too!
 
Thing is, if these delays and various issues with the new parts/tech do turn out to be true, it would seem very risky to get one of the first batches anyway given history of problems for early adopters. I wonder how many more bloody tedious "gates" the new iPhone will have at this rate... :rolleyes:
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Actually haven't really noticed many issues with touch ID speed on the SE and isn't that 5s tech in the touch sensor? I was coming down from the 6 too!

Nope. 6s sensor is touted as 2nd gen and is significantly faster as 6 and 5s (I believe 5s and 6 had the same sensor, but 6 was supposedly far more accurate). SE uses the same sensor as 6s, I believe.
 
Does anyone really get iPhones as Christmas presents?

Is that a serious question - I can't tell if you are trying to be factious or not. If not, of course. How do you think all those 5th graders to college kids got their iPhone? It was as a gift. Some as a holiday gift, some birthday, some other "holiday" or achievement. Then there are the other family members that are too cheap to upgrade their phone so another family member buys the updated phone for them. And finally there are those that get a new phone as a "gift" to themselves. Yes, people get phones as holiday gifts.
 
So who want to be Apple's new 'crash test dummy' beta user for 1500$\1500€ new? :rolleyes:


Why only 10 months and not a full year? You know that the next phone will be along then.

Right, they should put the iP8 back a side for next year and focus on the 7s release.
 
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You made an unprovable claim. The claim I am referring to is that there is no market for the 7S.

The 7S will have three things the 8 won’t:
- higher manufactured volume of devices
- immediate and / or greater availability
- lower price

Some people will like these things

There will not be enough 8 supply to go around. The extent of the dearth is tbd.
To your points, the 7S will really only have 2 things that the 8 doesn't have. Consumers don't care about how many devices Apple produces, they only care about how available the product is, and those two points pretty much equate to the same thing. Also, availability really only applies to the first two months of the product's life cycle, there's still another 10 months of sales. So really, the only lasting differentiating factor the 7S will have over the 8 is price, and to my point, if you're looking for a cost savings phone, why are you buying a brand new 7S? The previous years model will be cheaper, and to the general public (who are not techies) will be exactly the same.

Now, when it comes to those first two months, the people hit the hardest by the availability issue will be the early adopters. But early adopters are usually techies who will wait the extra time to get the 8 over the 7S bc they understand the differences. Over those first two months, as more of the mass population of consumers look to purchase a new phone, the 8 will slowly become more available. Additionally, if Apple were to nix the 7S and use the resources to produce the 8, it would greatly (although not completely) diminish the supply shortage at launch.

Of course, there will always be exceptions to the rules, like people who break their phone during launch and would buy the 8 if it were available but instead settle on the 7S, and etc. for other reasons. But these people make up a small percentage of the iPhone market. By and large, that is how Apple looks at their demographics, so for the life of me, I can't understand why they would release a 7S unless it really does have something that makes it feel different than the 7.
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7S for me. My 6S is on the outs.
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Apple will release a 7S because it will not be able to produce as many 8 devices at the 7. It’s that simple.

I’d bet whatever amount of moolah of an iPhone 8 is going to be, that iPhone 7S will be put on sale sooner than 8 and Apple will sell more of them than 8.

Everyone planning on buying 8 should prepare for a ginormous price tag, and a wait.
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It’s really not as confusing as you make it out to be.
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Apple will not be able to manufacturer as many 8 devices as 7 and 7S.

Apple will sell the 7S, and it will sell more of them than the 8, and it will be put on sale faster than the 8.

8 buyers will have to endure a higher price and a wait. 7S buyers may get an inferior device, but they’ll get it faster and cheaper.

If you think Apple Is goin to move into the 1200 cell phone market while abandoning the 700 dollar market, you may be craycray.

If you think Apple will only release the 8 and pray that the manufacturing gods save Apple from production difficulties, you may be cray cray.
Manufacturing delays/supply shortages only applies to the launch, and is only exacerbated by producing a 7S. Using those resources to produce the 8 instead will help with supplies at launch. Additionally, I say $1200 bc that's what rumors have been saying, but I have real issues with that number. What does the 8 offer to the entire smart phone market that justifies a $1200 price tag? Nothing. $999 tops I think is a more realistic number, and would be an easier price jump for consumers to swallow. Apple wants everyone to purchase the iPhone 8 (obviously), but crossing that $1000 marker makes it feel too premium. Apple wants to find the happy medium where it feels premium, but not to the point where you look at it and say I will never afford that (like the Apple Watch Edition, remember that?).

I personally think that if they release both phones, one will cannibalize the other's market.
 
To your points, the 7S will really only have 2 things that the 8 doesn't have. Consumers don't care about how many devices Apple produces, they only care about how available the product is, and those two points pretty much equate to the same thing. Also, availability really only applies to the first two months of the product's life cycle, there's still another 10 months of sales. So really, the only lasting differentiating factor the 7S will have over the 8 is price, and to my point, if you're looking for a cost savings phone, why are you buying a brand new 7S? The previous years model will be cheaper, and to the general public (who are not techies) will be exactly the same.

Now, when it comes to those first two months, the people hit the hardest by the availability issue will be the early adopters. But early adopters are usually techies who will wait the extra time to get the 8 over the 7S bc they understand the differences. Over those first two months, as more of the mass population of consumers look to purchase a new phone, the 8 will slowly become more available. Additionally, if Apple were to nix the 7S and use the resources to produce the 8, it would greatly (although not completely) diminish the supply shortage at launch.

Of course, there will always be exceptions to the rules, like people who break their phone during launch and would buy the 8 if it were available but instead settle on the 7S, and etc. for other reasons. But these people make up a small percentage of the iPhone market. By and large, that is how Apple looks at their demographics, so for the life of me, I can't understand why they would release a 7S unless it really does have something that makes it feel different than the 7.
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Manufacturing delays/supply shortages only applies to the launch, and is only exacerbated by producing a 7S. Using those resources to produce the 8 instead will help with supplies at launch. Additionally, I say $1200 bc that's what rumors have been saying, but I have real issues with that number. What does the 8 offer to the entire smart phone market that justifies a $1200 price tag? Nothing. $999 tops I think is a more realistic number, and would be an easier price jump for consumers to swallow. Apple wants everyone to purchase the iPhone 8 (obviously), but crossing that $1000 marker makes it feel too premium. Apple wants to find the happy medium where it feels premium, but not to the point where you look at it and say I will never afford that (like the Apple Watch Edition, remember that?).

I personally think that if they release both phones, one will cannibalize the other's market.
You are assuming decreasing 7S production would increase 8 production. I doubt that is the case. 8 production issues exist regardless of how many 7S' are made.
 
You assume there are only two types of people:
1. People who want the cheapest iPhone
2. People who want the most cutting edge iPhone

The existence, for YEARS now of a range of models both on the iPhone AND Android side prove this wrong. It turns out, unsurprisingly, that people have many different needs and tastes. Physical size, storage size, price, color, etc. all these are things which matter more or less to different people. It will still be true.

The iPhone 7s will be a notable improvement over the 7, just as every previous iPhone has been an improvment over its predecessor. That Apple may be adding a higher end, even MORE advanced phone will of course draw some people from the 7s market, but it won't draw them all because not everyone will need/want what it offers, and not everyone will be willing to pay for the difference. If everything about the iPhone 8 (or whatever they call it) is true, its not something even Apple will be able to manufacture for a price as low as the 7s.

Just because the 7s comes in the same physical shape as the previous model doesn't mean it won't offer improvements in processor speed, camera, etc. If the only thing you judge a phone by is the physical shell being different you have a very shallow understanding of technology. I'd much rather have a stable, well designed phone that performs better, than a new look just for the hell of it.
But the fact of the matter is, that's how most consumers look at the phones. Do you think a 16 year old girl knows the difference between the processors of the 7S and 8? No! All she's gonna see is the physical shell and say "Wow the 8 looks SOOOO different!" and she's gonna beg mommy and daddy to buy it for her. That's how a lot of people (of all different ages) buy their phones. Myself, I'm all about the latest tech, but the reality is that people who aren't, usually want something that's cheaper. iPhones, for years, have been held by two people. People who understand the tech and want the new one right away, and people who want an iPhone bc everyone they know has an iPhone, but doesn't care about the tech and just wants something cheap. Yes there are certain exceptions, and in no way do I say Apple should abandon the different colors or size options, but I just don't see the market for the 7S. Aside from initial supply shortages at launch, I think in the long run the 8 will cannibalize the 7S market.
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You are assuming decreasing 7S production would increase 8 production. I doubt that is the case. 8 production issues exist regardless of how many 7S' are made.
We don't know what the production issues are, so there is no way to assume one way or the other. But, from a supply chain perspective, it would make sense that devoting all resources to 8 production, instead of splitting between 8 and 7S, would result in greater availability at launch.
 
But the fact of the matter is, that's how most consumers look at the phones. Do you think a 16 year old girl knows the difference between the processors of the 7S and 8? No! All she's gonna see is the physical shell and say "Wow the 8 looks SOOOO different!" and she's gonna beg mommy and daddy to buy it for her. That's how a lot of people (of all different ages) buy their phones. Myself, I'm all about the latest tech, but the reality is that people who aren't, usually want something that's cheaper. iPhones, for years, have been held by two people. People who understand the tech and want the new one right away, and people who want an iPhone bc everyone they know has an iPhone, but doesn't care about the tech and just wants something cheap. Yes there are certain exceptions, and in no way do I say Apple should abandon the different colors or size options, but I just don't see the market for the 7S. Aside from initial supply shortages at launch, I think in the long run the 8 will cannibalize the 7S market.
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We don't know what the production issues are, so there is no way to assume one way or the other. But, from a supply chain perspective, it would make sense that devoting all resources to 8 production, instead of splitting between 8 and 7S, would result in greater availability at launch.

1. Mommy and daddy in your example would buy the 7S because high schoolers don't need 900-1200 dollar smartphones.

2. We know the 8 is delayed and the reasons why are not necessarily relevant. However, numerous articles have pointed to the OLED screen as the culprit.

3. Until iPhone 8 production levels are as high as 7, Apple has a need for a 7S
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Fine point. Apple's marketing team is no joke.
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To us and others that mildly follow the tech industry, no. But to the average consumer, probably. At least at first.

So many people on this forum assume consumers are stupid. They're not that stupid. Especially the ones that can afford apple. So I don't buy the omg it's confusing arguments. Maybe confusing to a dog....
 
To many leaks... Apple read the MacRumors comments and now they are redoing the whole thing.

They will repeal and replace iPhone 8 before it comes out.
 
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But the fact of the matter is, that's how most consumers look at the phones. Do you think a 16 year old girl knows the difference between the processors of the 7S and 8? No! All she's gonna see is the physical shell and say "Wow the 8 looks SOOOO different!" and she's gonna beg mommy and daddy to buy it for her. That's how a lot of people (of all different ages) buy their phones. Myself, I'm all about the latest tech, but the reality is that people who aren't, usually want something that's cheaper. iPhones, for years, have been held by two people. People who understand the tech and want the new one right away, and people who want an iPhone bc everyone they know has an iPhone, but doesn't care about the tech and just wants something cheap. Yes there are certain exceptions, and in no way do I say Apple should abandon the different colors or size options, but I just don't see the market for the 7S. Aside from initial supply shortages at launch, I think in the long run the 8 will cannibalize the 7S market.

Nope. iPhones have, for years have been held by many different people with many different interests and needs. Your reductionist claim that there are only two types of consumers out there is based on no actual evidence or data, just your own views.

All it takes to disprove your theory is to look at Apples current iPhone lineup. If you go to Apple.com today you can purchase any of the following (in a variety of colors and sizes):

iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 7
iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone 6s
iPhone SE

If your theory were true people would only buy either the iPhone SE (cheapest) or the iPhone 7 Plus (most advanced). Instead Apple has enough demand to sell all 5 models.

And of COURSE the iPhone 8 will take up some of the 7s sales because the 8 will be the top tier phone and some people will opt for the top tier. But plenty of people (myself included) will be happy to get a 7s because it will likely be appreciably cheaper AND more readily available.
 
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