Survey Explores Why iPhone Owners Haven't Upgraded to iPhone X

[EdT]

2 iPhone family. My wife wanted a new phone because she was still using an iPhone 5 and it is no longer upgradable or supported.

I have an iPhone 6+ and initially planned on upgrading as well.

Since her phone was older, smaller ram and unsupported I let her upgrade, and pick which phone she wanted. I hoped it would have been a 7s-8 Plus, but she wanted a X. So I told her to go ahead.

As a short summary, she has loves the phone. Face ID has worked quickly and flawlessly for her. Remember, the iPhone 5 she was used to did not have Touch ID. Lots of memory, much better camera, and features she hasn’t had.

I on the other hand didn’t see a lot of improved or innovative features compared to my iPhone 6+. Certainly nothing worth $1400.00, which is the price of a maximum memory iPhone X with Apple Care. And I hate both the explanation behind and the physical lack of the headphone jack. Courage is not a reason.

Since that time I have found 1 valid Touch ID is better than Face ID instance: My bank’s app will not let you use Face ID. Evidently a lot of banks are still waiting to implement Face ID as a valid login method. When I called to find out why the bank said it hasn’t been proven secure. Don’t blame me for that statement blame the bank. My password is a ridiculously long one since I use a password manager. It’s a pain to use the manager with the app, but Touch ID works easily, reliably and quickly.

That reason may disappear soon (or not, the bank won’t say if they are implementing it or saying it’s not secure) but the cost isn’t going down. Unless there is something the iPhone Next can do that my iPhone 6+ can’t, beyond cosmetics or gimmicks, I may not update this year either.

 

[ErikGrim]

Not if you don't like cropping 16:9, then it's a lot smaller than the plus.

5% smaller area for uncropped 16:9. Hardly a dealbreaker.

 

[Vegastouch]

Not true, I got a brand new iPhone SE 32GB for free simfree. I had the X, 7 and 6+ in the past. I prefer the smaller physical dimensions as it is more comfortable to hold, thumb type and place in any of my pockets, plus without the curved sides it’s feels stable in the hand.

I tried FaceID, it needs work for cold climate users and the AMOLED screen could also benefit.

I don’t mind the LCD screen, TouchID and the bezels. However an update to the screen size would be welcomed and 3D Touch. I use it’s quite a bit, plus I still have a headphone jack. The reason I want a smaller bezel screen is for the camera controls to have its own area vice an overlay on the viewfinder.

I enjoy using and surfing on his 4” screen better than the 4.7-5.8” screen sizes, it truly is a joy. I hope Apple never discontinues the SE physical dimensions category, I don’t really care for the larger screens. If a phone causes palm fatigue and people have to use 3rd party finger ring or pop-up button holders, then the product form and function has lost its fundamental basis for an excellent product. At the end of the day a phone is meant to be held in one hand and to be navigated with a thumb while being held, watching videos and the rest are just a nice to have feature/function.

He did say MOST people. And he is right. Sure there are some that want that little phone but they wont sell a lot of those compared to the bigger phones. Probably why they didnt give it the best specs so it is cheap to make.

As for upgrading, i dont upgrade every year either and my response would have been its too expensive. The new S9 actually came down in price this time around.

 

[TheNorthWaves]

"I haven't upgraded because I prefer a smaller form factor" notably absent...

I came here to say exactly this.

 

[jeyf]

any iphone; turn them over and they are all the same. go figure the iPhoneX is too expen$sive.

 

[Phone Junky]

If having the biggest screen size-to-body size ratio iPhone isn’t a big deal to you, then the iPhone X might not be a consideration. If it is, then the way Apple chose to accomplish this is the design they came up with.
No bezels means no home button.
No home button means FaceID and gestures.
FaceID means the TrueDepth cameras.
TrueDepth camera(along with ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, speaker, microphone) means top bezel or the “notch”.
The “notch”, instead of a full bezel across the top, means extra display extending into the upper corners of the device.
I’ll take what Apple came up with as the notch doesn’t bother me at all.
If you can’t get past the notch, or the price of the X is prohibitive, the 8 or 8 plus might be a better choice for you.
The 8 plus is a great phone but I don’t like the size of it.
iPhone X expensive? Yes, but it’s worth every penny to me.

 

[jbizzybeetle]

iPhone users who haven't upgraded to the iPhone X were recently queried on why they've held out on purchasing a new phone, with the majority citing reasons like high price and a lack of compelling features.

A survey conducted by Piper Jaffray analyst Michael Olson and shared by Philip Elmer-DeWitt this morning asked 1,500 people who own an iPhone but didn't upgrade to the iPhone X to explain their reasoning.

44 percent of respondents said they hadn't upgraded because their iPhone works fine, suggesting there were no standout features compelling them to purchase a new device, while 31 percent said the iPhone X was too expensive at a starting price of $999.

Eight percent of respondents said the iPhone X's screen isn't large enough, while 17 percent had another reason entirely.

Piper Jaffray believes the iPhones coming in 2018 will address most of these issues, with Apple rumored to be planning to introduce three devices. One will be a followup to the iPhone X with a 5.8-inch OLED display, a second will have a larger 6.5-inch OLED display, and a third will feature a 6.1-inch LCD display with a lower price tag.

All upcoming 2018 iPhones are rumored to feature an edge-to-edge display with no bezels and a TrueDepth camera system for Face ID, along with other improvements like a faster A12 processor.

Piper Jaffray believes Apple will sell 233.8M iPhones in fiscal 2019, with the 2018 iPhones set to drive ongoing upgrades well into next year.

Article Link: Survey Explores Why iPhone Owners Haven't Upgraded to iPhone X

When you add up all three reasons

Sincere question: Do you think you would you have upgraded had Apple not bogged your 6 down with iOS updates and CPU throttling?

yes, becuz I purchased the X, compared it to my 6s Plus—which was slowed but good camera & fared well in the comparison, and was still wowed by X so sold 6sP.
FaceID works much better for me than tou— fbgerprint readers hate my thumbs.

 

[jeyf]

If having the biggest screen size-to-body size ratio iPhone isn’t a big deal to you, then the iPhone X might not be a consideration....

yup no big, so there you go...

 

[jeffreyg]

Absolutely - SE or possibly a bit larger is what I need in a phone - I travel, bike, stow in front pocket - forget even an iPhone7. At some point the 3D cameras for scanning objects for printing will move me but for real phone functions the smaller size is what I need.

Me too. Not a fan of the notch either.

 

[jbizzybeetle]

Aside from Animoji's what can the iPhone X do that the iPhone 8 cannot?

Live in my pocket.

 

[jeffreyg]

Something about people asking for smaller phones irks me. I know it's complete consumer preference and opinion, and it really shouldn't bother me but it does. Seriously, do you guys want a potato chip for a phone? How tiny are your hands?!

If there was an iPhone this size I'd buy it instantly, at any price.

 

[44267547]

I’m actually amazed the amount attention this article attracted for comments. I think the way I see the iPhone X, is an excellent iPhone in many respects, but it is not very attractive with the price point. I can look past the notch, but I think the average consumer isn’t as interested in upgrading annually when their current iPhone likely does everything they need it to. In My opinion, when the average consumer sees the iPhone X and they contemplate the price, they say to themselves that they don’t see a reason to upgrade if they’re iPhone currently serves their purposes.

 

[August West]

I'm waiting for the iPhone XI, or whatever they call it, to come out so I can pick up an iPhone 8 plus after the price is reduced. Or I might just keep my 6s plus another year or two since the battery is fine and it does all I need a phone to do.

 

[Glideslope]

He did say MOST people. And he is right. Sure there are some that want that little phone but they wont sell a lot of those compared to the bigger phones. Probably why they didnt give it the best specs so it is cheap to make.

As for upgrading, i dont upgrade every year either and my response would have been its too expensive. The new S9 actually came down in price this time around.

I agree completely. Samsung played the S9 very well. The 6.1” LCD will be the deciding device for the iPhone in 2018. Both iPhone OLED phones will be insanely expensive for their feature sets. Nothing compelling for the high price other than the “perceived” status symbol.

If Apple truely understood their customer the new 6.1” LCD would have Touch ID.

 

[wozmatic]

I always upgrade.
But...This time I did not (and we had 2 choices!)

Just too expensive for the X (and cant justify leaving my iPhone 7 for the 8)

Not a fan of the Face ID.
I dont care about the notch.
I would miss the familiarity of the home button.

But, if cheaper...say $500 cash and trade my 7 in, then I would still do it, because I like the "new" stuff.

Too bad Apple, I think you just missed it with the X.

What a drag.

Well said, I agree with you on the X's shortcomings

• The home button is essential and an iconic part of Apple's design, also very useful.

• Face ID is dumb, don't want it now, don't want it tomorrow. Touch ID is great why break it?

•The notch is the ugliest thing I've ever seen. I'd rather just a complete black bar like the 7. The extra 5mm of screen space in the corners is not something anyone would miss.

 

[Glideslope]

I'm waiting for the iPhone XI, or whatever they call it, to come out so I can pick up an iPhone 8 plus after the price is reduced. Or I might just keep my 6s plus another year or two since the battery is fine and it does all I need a phone to do.

You can get that battery replaced also.

 

[Phone Junky]

• The home button is essential and an iconic part of Apple's design, also very useful.

How have I used my iPhone X for almost 3 months with no home button if a home button is essential?
Wanted? Perhaps.
Preferred? Maybe.
Essential? Not really.

 

[gaylien]

Ultimately, for the vast majority of people, any reason other than the price is a secondary reason to the price. I too think the notch looks a bit funny and I would definitely miss the touch ID, but if the X was priced around £500 like the entry iPhones were not that long ago I'd have bought it without much thought.

I've only ever owned 2 iPhones. I paid £499 for my iPhone 4 and £539 for my iPhone 6. My 6 is dying and I desperately want a new one but the 8 offers an outdated design and the X starts at double the price I'm comfortable with (my last Macbook Pro cost £999!). If my phone dies before the new iPhones are released this year I'll have to switch to android, as horrifying as that sounds.

 

[Samiii]

I upgrade my phone every year. There has always been some increment in performance or change in function that has allowed me to justify this to myself, and last year was no exception. I bought an iPhone X. Overall, I have been disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the new interface is really great, and definitely the way to go forwards with iPhones and probably iPads in the future. Also my computer, probably my car and motorbike, etc etc. But, after coming to realise that the larger screen of the iPhone 6 Plus could be advantageous, I have been completely sold on the new larger format. The iPhone X represented a loss in screen real estate that I continue to begrudge. And overall, I feel let down and disappointed by a return to a smaller format (albeit in a taller screen, which simply does not compensate for the loss of width) I can't wait for a new iPhone X Plus to come out with say a 6.5" screen. Roll on September!

I'm a bit confused by your statement. The iPhone X has a larger screen than any of the Plus. its less phone and more screen. iPhone X is 5.8" while all the plus are 5.5". Now the aspect ratio is thinner so you could watch full screen videos without cutting off the sides. the real estate the phone takes is significantly smaller due to almost the whole front being screen. You literally have the largest screen Apple has ever put in a phone.

 

[code-m]

He did say MOST people. And he is right. Sure there are some that want that little phone but they wont sell a lot of those compared to the bigger phones. Probably why they didnt give it the best specs so it is cheap to make.

As for upgrading, i dont upgrade every year either and my response would have been its too expensive. The new S9 actually came down in price this time around.

When Apple removes or hinders the choice of its devices and only offers the up sell, the sales numbers and demand is skewed in favour to whatever Tim Cook and Co., want the consumer and shareholder to believe. This has been done with the Mac hardware lineup.

When the eMac (crt) had similar hardware specs compared to the iMac (lcd) line except a lower cost and initially available to educational institutions, staff and students that product was a hit. Then Apple offered it to consumers and the demand was unbelievable, that the iMac was being overshadowed as far as demand and sales went. As there was not a lot of profit to be made with the eMac, Apple scrapped it to keep the iMac profitable, this decision was not well received, however was eventually accepted out of hesitation. The same situation played out with the iBook line.

Apple is forcing its customers to larger devices by purposely hindering an excellent product that has a large and loyal fan base. I am sure if Apple offered the physical dimensions of the SE, 4.7” and Plus models with a near bezel-less screen area and all the same tech with the exception of battery size due to dimensions, most customers will purchase the SE or 4.7” physical dimension sizes.

Regardless if one has large or small palms or large or small pockets. I don’t understand this fascination with taller display sizes and larger phablet screens (that do not even provide any UI benefit unlike the iPad UI). What’s the point so you can watch videos during ones transit.

Then we have the issue that the phones are so large that we require a wrist device (Apple Watch) to duplicate some of the phones functionality. It seems like having a larger device is cumbersome and a solution is to produce a wrist device for convenience purposes. Now you spend more money on more devices to duplicate functionality. Great for Apple as their get more of your hard earned money, bad for most consumers and the planet due to limited resources and increase in carbon emissions.

I have always preferred the SE dimensions compared to the others and I am not alone in this preference. I can use a wrist band and have this phone placed for easier convenience, no requirement for an AW when a HR health tracking band specialized for that purpose is a suitable alternative.

Seems Apple is providing solutions I.E. AirPods, AppleWatch, etc for a problem/s it’s creating I.E. larger phones, removal of headphone jack, etc for the illusion of innovation. Seems the answer is in front staring at its face, yet it chooses to ignore the blatant reality of what consumers are seeking.

If you don’t understand any of this, I don’t blame you. It just means you have yet to open your eyes or prefer not to. This is a very unfortunate dilemma for us SE sized fans.

 

[smirking]

There will be a point where it will make no sense to replace your smartphone until it gets broken. Companies like Apple should be prepared for that moment, because it will come, eventually.

I think that moment is largely already here. For me it has been here for some time. The only thing that even compelled me to upgrade from an iPhone 5s to a 7 was Verizon taking my 5s at an absurd trade in price to get me to upgrade. Otherwise, I think I'd be pretty happy with a 5s still. I'm not doing anything on my iPhone 7 that I wasn't doing on my 5s already.

 

[Wide opeN]

Really, like hey apple, look at this SH IT economy, you see that ridiculous minimum wage and terrible pay that people are dealing with and you put out a phone with a $1000 price tag and wonder why people don't want to pay it.
Shaking head.

It's ridiculously over priced!

This this this and more this... If something isn't done soon about the disparity of wealth in this country I fear it'll be worse before it gets better.

And yes, Apple is very silly for these prices... VERY!!!

 

[Brandon916]

You would be amazed at just how nice and coherent the new facial recognition paradigms are. The move away from the home button really changes the whole feel of the interface to something better than it was

I disagree. The home button gesture is faster than the swipe up. Double tap home brings up all the app quickly. Tap once for home.

The new gesture to pull up all the apps, pull up and hold isn't that amazing. Btw, for a design company boy is the notch the most horrible design ever. I'm sick of the fan defending it as an amazing thing. No one would throw that notch onto their monitor, tv, tablet, etc. It's awful!
[doublepost=1520395745][/doublepost]

These people know the X screen is larger than a plus screen yeah?

Technically yes but in real world use its not. If you full screen a video without having the notch in the way the screen is smaller than the iPhone 8.

 

[code-m]

I think that moment is largely already here. For me it has been here for some time. The only thing that even compelled me to upgrade from an iPhone 5s to a 7 was Verizon taking my 5s at an absurd trade in price to get me to upgrade. Otherwise, I think I'd be pretty happy with a 5s still. I'm not doing anything on my iPhone 7 that I wasn't doing on my 5s already.

I believe Apple and the industry is aware that the smartphone has reached peak demand, hence all the focus on accessories (AW,EarPods,VR eyewear, etc). It’s has been 10 yrs, if not longer depending on ones definition of a smartphone. At this point it’s all about refinements. iPhone X and even the 8 offers nothing spectacular relating to day-to-day experience and convenience for most, sure some fans will support FaceID as the second comings. I had the X, those fans don’t need to convince me. I returned it as it offered the cost associated with the increase and the system seems unfinished as it is unable to unlock upside down or even horizontally, this imho is a step back for convenience. The AMOLED does not play well in certain cold conditions and the cameras with dual OIS, one would be hard pressed when comparing with competitors and Animoji at present is a gimmick with potential in the future.

I use my SE more than my iPad Pro Gen 2 and MBP. It’s form and function hits all the right notes.

 

[ErikGrim]

If you full screen a video without having the notch in the way the screen is smaller than the iPhone 8.

5% smaller than the 8 PLUS, 30% larger than the 8.