Other Three months out from new iPhones - What are your plans?

[The-Real-Deal82]

As technology has improved, bringing us devices that are closer and closer to, essentially, a slab of glass with all interface and nothing ‘extra’ to get in the way, there will necessarily be less and less to differentiate one model from the next on a strictly external/physical basis.

What sorts of things would make a phone different enough to interest you, but not be extra, unneeded cruft?

I think whether the technology has improved or not the device still does essentially the same thing. There’s not much difference between an iPhone 8 and the X apart from a screen, an unlocking method an the aesthetics. Last year certainly divided up iPhone users and made them question how much they are willing to pay to get the iPhone experience. I know going forward I’m no longer going to pay for what Apple promotes as their best because I know the user experience can be achieved on even the mid tier devices.

It’s a good thing though because I’ve gone from spending £700+ for an iPhone to £450-500. I understand Apple has raised prices due to less annual upgrades but I think it’s further encouraging people to keep their phones longer or buy older and equally capable devices.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Too early to make plans. Need to wait and see what Apple has to offer. If rumors are right I will get the X+

 

[44267547]

As technology has improved, bringing us devices that are closer and closer to, essentially, a slab of glass with all interface and nothing ‘extra’ to get in the way, there will necessarily be less and less to differentiate one model from the next on a strictly external/physical basis.

While that’s true about how iPhones primarily resemble each other annually, and a great example of that being the iPhone 6/6S/7/8, but where Apple comes in the play is through their marketing tactics. Each feature of every iPhone has some unique capability in some form, and Apple has to execute _why_ the consumer would want to upgrade to the next model iPhone rather it be camera upgrades, Face ID, Live Photos, 3D Touch, stereo speakers, those are all features that were marketed at one point commercials, social media, billboards, etc. with the release of a new iPhone.

Apple understands that consumers probably don’t pay attention to the technical specifications with ram, A-series processor, M-Series Coprocessors, etc., thus they need to sell the the most improved features annually. Marketing is an absolutely crucial business scheme for Apple.

 

[vaugha]

My iphone 6 plus is almost 4 years now. I bought it in November 2014. It's been good long 4 years as my daily companion but it's due for an upgrade. Can't wait for that 6.5" bad boy. I expect a lot of the quirks and kinks w/ first gen 5.8" will be addressed and improved on this year.

 

[velocityg4]

There's no option for used iPhones. I'll buy a used and unlocked iPhone 7 128GB for cheap off eBay or Amazon. Perhaps here in the marketplace.

It may not be the fastest. It'll feel fast to me. Since I'm coming from a 5s and have no other frame of reference.

 

[eoblaed]

There’s not much difference between an iPhone 8 and the X apart from a screen, an unlocking method an the aesthetics.

Interesting, because to me just those first two alone were compelling differences. The OLED display is such a huge improvement over the LCDs, I would've picked up the X if that were the only difference. On top of that, the technology embedded in the phone to allow for FaceID is a significant step forward. Yes, it unlocks your phone. It's also deeply integrated with any service requiring authentication (purchases, app access, keychain access/population on webforms, etc) that so many things that previously required an active TouchID interaction to trigger now happen almost 'for free' and seamlessly. It makes for a very fluid experience, and one I appreciate daily. Then there's the fun applications of that technology seen in animoji, memoji, snapchat, etc.

I'm not trying to say "you should like the X because of reasons!". Just pointing out that the differences between the previous gens (including the 8) and the X are significant.

Last year certainly divided up iPhone users and made them question how much they are willing to pay to get the iPhone experience. I know going forward I’m no longer going to pay for what Apple promotes as their best because I know the user experience can be achieved on even the mid tier devices.

(highlight mine)

Demonstrably not true. The FaceID experience alone is something that can't be replicated on mid tier devices.

While that’s true about how iPhones primarily resemble each other annually, and a great example of that being the iPhone 6/6S/7/8, but where Apple comes in the play is through their marketing tactics. Each feature of every iPhone has some unique capability in some form, and Apple has to execute _why_ the consumer would want to upgrade to the next model iPhone rather it be camera upgrades, Face ID, Live Photos, 3D Touch, stereo speakers, those are all features that were marketed at one point commercials, social media, billboards, etc. with the release of a new iPhone.

Apple understands that consumers probably don’t pay attention to the technical specifications with ram, A-series processor, M-Series Coprocessors, etc., thus they need to sell the the most improved features annually. Marketing is an absolutely crucial business scheme for Apple.

I agree completely.

The point I was making was asserting that the X has been, at its core, a rather strong departure from previous generation iPhones, and that it was definitely 'different'. I made that assertion since there seem to be at least some people that felt the X was just the same ol' thing; it's clearly not. Indeed, the very nature of the 'controversy' around some of the X's features were because of those differences!

 

[bopajuice]

As technology has improved, bringing us devices that are closer and closer to, essentially, a slab of glass with all interface and nothing ‘extra’ to get in the way, there will necessarily be less and less to differentiate one model from the next on a strictly external/physical basis.

What sorts of things would make a phone different enough to interest you, but not be extra, unneeded cruft?

For the future? Maybe something thin and light, possibly flexible? Something i could forget im carrying in my pocket, but powerful enough that i could plug it into a dock when i get home and use it as a desktop. Or maybe something i could wear with holographic imaging. You asked....

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Interesting, because to me just those first two alone were compelling differences. The OLED display is such a huge improvement over the LCDs, I would've picked up the X if that were the only difference. On top of that, the technology embedded in the phone to allow for FaceID is a significant step forward. Yes, it unlocks your phone. It's also deeply integrated with any service requiring authentication (purchases, app access, keychain access/population on webforms, etc) that so many things that previously required an active TouchID interaction to trigger now happen almost 'for free' and seamlessly. It makes for a very fluid experience, and one I appreciate daily. Then there's the fun applications of that technology seen in animoji, memoji, snapchat, etc.

I'm not trying to say "you should like the X because of reasons!". Just pointing out that the differences between the previous gens (including the 8) and the X are significant.

There’s not enough explained there for me to be compelled to spend considerably more to be honest. It evidently works for you and you’re happy with your purchase but I’d much rather get an iPhone 8. This is perhaps why Apple now offer so many versions of the iPhone. The days of one iPhone are over now the market has matured and consumers have different demands.

(highlight mine)

Demonstrably not true. The FaceID experience alone is something that can't be replicated on mid tier devices.

My point was more about the general use of iOS.

 

[nzcatfood]

It'll be interesting to see if Apple gimps the 6.1 with the first generation Face ID and only gives the more expensive Xs the second generation technology. Seems like something Apple would do to drive subsequent upgrades now the base storage is adequate for many people. I'd prefer a metal back without wireless charging on the cheaper 6.1 myself.

 

[Ludi]

Hello
I would like a small iPhone.

 

[Loompy]

Im looking forward to upgrading from the 7+. Im waiting to see what Apple does for this year's phones.
Been rather unhappy lately with how buggy iOS 11 has been. Never had so many problems with a phone before.
If Apple doesn't wow me I'll just wait for the S10 probably. Also I refuse to spend $1000+ for a phone.

 

[Starship67]

My plans. Same as every year upgrade to the latest and greatest.

 

[rbrian]

Last year was the first time since the 4S I didn’t upgrade annually. I’m actually glad about the price of the X. The £1,000 price tag made me reasses how valuable my phone is. I’ve previously calculated compared to cinema prices, which are about £5 an hour. Based on how much I use my phone, hundreds of hours per year, £1,000 is cheap. But it’s £1,000. One thousand pounds. So I calculated a different way. What do I actually need, and what’s the least I can pay to get it?

I use my phone as an ebook reader. The Kindle app is available on all platforms; it’s adequate on my iPhone 7 screen, but I’m sure would be better on OLED. £300 better? Probably not.

I use it to stream radio at to a Bluetooth speaker at work. When the Bluetooth plays up, I use a 3.5mm cable to connect the speaker to my work laptop. I could do without the phone entirely, but it’s nice to be able to adjust the volume using my Apple Watch. Is it worth the price of the watch? No.

I use it on forums like this - a web browser is a web browser, there’s nothing that safari has that other browsers don’t.

I use FaceTime, but only with one guy, and I could easily get him to switch to WhatsApp or Facebook messenger.

I bought a £40 Android phone, and it can do everything I want. Video calling with WhatsApp works fine, the Bluetooth is stable (and even if it isn’t, it has an audio jack). The screen has slightly lower contrast than the iPhone 7, but it’s not significantly worse. It’s certainly not £600 worse.

Suddenly, I realise I’m contemplating spending £1,400 for remote volume control and not much else. Of course the new iPhone has all sorts of amazing upgrades - but nothing that I really care about.

There are too many minor niggles, and one major thing which has me tearing my hair out, which is a non-issue on Android. I teach a fitness class, and every month download a new track from the website. On Android, I can save it and add to a playlist. On iPhone, it just streams, there’s no option to save, so I have to start on a PC, download the track into iTunes, then sync with the iPhone. Seriously? The most powerful phone ever made, and it needs a PC to do something a £40 Android can do?!

I find myself researching other smart watches, and Android phones. (That £40 phone is frustratingly slow - but is it worth paying £960 for smoother scrolling? No.)

I’ll keep my iPhone 7 for a while longer, until I can get OLED and at least 2Gb RAM for £200.

 

[44267547]

It'll be interesting to see if Apple gimps the 6.1 with the first generation Face ID and only gives the more expensive Xs the second generation technology. Seems like something Apple would do to drive subsequent upgrades now the base storage is adequate for many people. I'd prefer a metal back without wireless charging on the cheaper 6.1 myself.

Thats an outstanding point. I wonder if Apple will confirm if all the iPhones will share the same version of Face ID and of course, they should discuss what improvements were made to The Face ID hardware/software. Altogether, I personally have no desire for the 6.1 LCD iPhone *if* it were to utilize First Gen Face ID, even though my focus is on the 6.5 iPhone.

 

[eoblaed]

There’s not enough explained there for me to be compelled to spend considerably more to be honest. It evidently works for you and you’re happy with your purchase but I’d much rather get an iPhone 8.

A perfectly valid stance. The things that are compelling to me may to be to someone else.

This isn't equivalent to "this phone is just more of the same". 'The differences aren't important to me' is not the same consideration as 'There are no differences'.

However...

My point was more about the general use of iOS.

This was my suspicion.

In any event, glad something like the 8 does what you want/need.

 

[TrickyTreeRed]

As all these new phones appear to be massive, most likely I’ll stick with my SE.

If Apple does offer a similar sized phone, I would seriously consider purchasing one. Being able to easily fit a phone into a pocket is high on my priority list.

 

[tonybarnaby]

My 8+ fits easily in all my pants. Skinny jeans?

 

[MBAir2010]

I don’t own a iPhone or any phone.
Soooooooooo,
I will avoid those annoying tv commercials during sport games that are featuring 19 year olds spoiled brats wanting to meet each other at clubs, lounges and traffic accidents these devices cause daily.

 

[TrickyTreeRed]

My 8+ fits easily in all my pants. Skinny jeans?

Ha! I can’t even get skinny jeans to fit over my calves as I cycle and occasionally lift weights.

I like normal sized phones as I can sit down and leave my phone in my pocket if I wish.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

I passed on my X to wait for the X Plus. I can't wait any more.

7 Plus still going strong, but ready for a new phone.

 

[nviz22]

Thats an outstanding point. I wonder if Apple will confirm if all the iPhones will share the same version of Face ID and of course, they should discuss what improvements were made to The Face ID hardware/software. Altogether, I personally have no desire for the 6.1 LCD iPhone *if* it were to utilize First Gen Face ID, even though my focus is on the 6.5 iPhone.

Even if the 6.1" model is "gimped" as the other poster puts it? I think the 6.1" model is still primed for success. People will see the new form factor, new device ergonomics, new features, and the price as welcomed additions for the iPhone 8 replacement (entry level model, bigger sized screen).

This supposed 6.1" model will be entry level. Even if it has first gen FaceID, doubt it will matter much because it can be considered the new form factor at an affordable price. US carriers can use the 6.1" model for BOGO deals early on too.

I don't think Apple makes significant strides with FaceID enough to make a 2nd gen noticeably better or even puts out a second gen. A second gen could be tough since the goal is to phase out the notch by 2019 (at least on the newest devices).

 

[bruinsrme]

IUP, will determine when the time comes

 

[44267547]

Even if the 6.1" model is "gimped" as the other poster puts it? I think the 6.1" model is still primed for success. People will see the new form factor, new device ergonomics, new features, and the price as welcomed additions for the iPhone 8 replacement (entry level model, bigger sized screen).

As a heavy tech enthusiast, I’m interested in the 6.1 LCD iPhone, but _Not_ if it includes the first Gen of Face ID. To the average tech enthusiast, they may not care or be willing to look past the first version of Face ID with the addition of new colors, form factor, ect. But for me, Face ID needs its improvements and I could see Apple perhaps including that for The 5.8/6.5 models.

Even if the 6.1" model is "gimped" as the other poster puts it? I think the 6.1" model is still primed for success. People will see the new form factor, new device ergonomics, new features, and the price as welcomed additions for the iPhone 8 replacement (entry level model, bigger sized screen).

This supposed 6.1" model will be entry level. Even if it has first gen FaceID, doubt it will matter much because it can be considered the new form factor at an affordable price. US carriers can use the 6.1" model for BOGO deals early on too.

The price is the seller as you mentioned and consumers thrive on new colors. The most constrained Model this Fall seems likely of the 6.1 model, but its dependent on Apples inventory, but I suspect they have improved with suppliers, as the 5.8 iPhone was not much of an issue for constraint last November.

 

[Cape Dave]

I only know one thing. I will be getting the BLUE phone.

 

[EssModelsRule]

What do we know about a second gen FaceID? They already have that ready to go only a year after implementing Gen 1? Took TouchID two years (5s to 6s) to get upgraded.