Turnout for iPhone 8 Launch in Australia 'Bleak' as Customers Hold Out for Upcoming iPhone X

[alexgowers]

The iPhone 8 would have sold poorly if Apple didn’t announce the iPhone x.

I’m sorry but Apple knew the same design for the fourth year in a row was going to flop. That’s why they had the iPhone x project ready.

I do really hope Apple learns that new design trumps any number of features. Even if features and usage is what keeps people hooked. They should tweak the design every year from now on in even if it’s mild changes that are superficial. The S variants really have hindered marketing them as new and revolutionary. These are fashion pieces and status symbols to most. There is no tangible difference in basic functionality between any phones anymore. Ive should be able to crank out minor changes with ease.

 

[BvizioN]

Judging by the sales of the 7 and 7+ that aren’t far from parity, I think it’s safe to say that there are many people who don’t want a phablet for a phone.

4.7" is not a phablet. But regardless. phablets seem to extremely well on Android where there is almost zero interest for miniature phones. And the 7 and 7+ had no design changes from the previous 2 versions. And honestly I see more people with the plus version iPhone then the regular one. Yes, Apple should have the mini version for these who prefer that kind of size but I think these are very small minority.

 

[drzen]

Apple has clearly said to The Verge that they consider the 8 to be a flagship model as well.

 

[sdugoten]

The funny thing is that it’s not “old tech”... it’s 85% the same as the X

The sales flop prove that majority of iPhone users are not into this "85%" thing.

 

[noraa]

Saw this problem when Apple started to make colored iPhones. Used to be one iPhone with only storage size being the difference. They you had different carrier models plus storage size. Then color, carrier and storage size. Then physical sizes, color, carrier, and storage size. Then old models, se, color carrier and storage size. Now two new flagship models, physical size, old models, se, color, carrier and storage size. Watch is even worse.

I wonder what Steve would say if he saw this.

Think he would let Tim do this?

This is Tim’s Apple now, not Steve’s....so get over it. By Jobs pushing for Cook to be CEO, Jobs basically gave Cook his blessing. So the answer is yes, Steve would have let Tim do this. He already has.

 

[vipergts2207]

4.7" is not a phablet. But regardless. phablets seem to extremely well on Android where there is almost zero interest for miniature phones. And the 7 and 7+ had no design changes from the previous 2 versions. And honestly I see more people with the plus version iPhone then the regular one. Yes, Apple should have the mini version for these who prefer that kind of size but I think these are very small minority.

I think you misunderstood, I wasn’t calling the regular 7 a phablet. I have a 6s myself. The plus models and the X are phablets though. I think you underestimate the number of people that don’t want to need to use two hands to use their phone.

 

[CausticSoda]

A company as big and rich as Apple can't fart about with minor upgrades in this day and age. The competition has caught up now and are actually two years ahead in their own 'innovations'. By the time the oddly named X launches wonders of Face ID will have paled further. Samsung have had bezelless OLED screens over a year i.e. And induction charging double that. The novelty isn't the concept of these things it's that Apple has adopted them at last and lost th stuff people wanted (headphone jacks) then hiked up the price. The only thing keeping folks from going Android is the fear of leaving the Apple ecosystem. I can't blame them. Jobs' original foresight and legacy of simplicity and inter-usability can still be seen today a decade on. Such was his amazing ability to demand the best. Get it out there now before the rivals and challenge the markets laziness and complacency. No more. The simplicity has gone. As has the ground breaking stuff. And that's what the newer users can't see. Loyalty lasts just so long before common sense and finances take over. Eventually.

Sadly, spot on. See footnote.

 

[iGeek2014]

It’s not a surprise is it really?

There are those who’ll pre-order online and visit Apple at a time that suits them and/or have it delivered.

Then there are those who are waiting for iPhone X and those who are happy with their existing model.

 

[BritishApple]

Look Parrot, I’m sorry you have to live in South Africa and you can’t afford the iPhone X, but please save us watching you make a fool of yourself.

You can't arrogantly make assumptions about people's affordability based on where they live.

There's a far bigger picture here than affordability, Apple are taking us all for mugs with the X.

OLED displays have been common on Android phones for years, Face ID is new but Touch ID didn't see a premium on the top end model either when launched, nor did any new design 3.5 > 4 > 4.7.

The Plus models were £100 more expensive than the standard models, that's fine, but putting the price of the flagship iPhone from £699 to £999 due to a new design, OLED, and Face ID is a rip off. We are in danger of sending Apple a very, very dangerous message. If not for us, then for them. It may not be now or next year but sooner or later, especially with the slop that is iOS 11, people will start voting with their wallets.

Apple got greedy before Jobs returned, we seen where it got them, hiking prices of its main product line. History has a funny habit of repeating itself, but please don't mistake genuine, thought out concerns for a lack of affordability.

 

[wikiverse]

my daughter (11) wants an 8.. (she currently uses a 7+)..

she likes the gold color & glass back & new camera features (the portrait modes and whatnot).
mostly the color/glass

she'd rather the 8 than the X with the main reason being the color.

(just giving an example of a real world* reason to get iPhone8)

*obviously it's a 1st world reason.. but valid none the less


------
that said, once she uses the animojis and subsequent apps which do similar, pretty sure she'll then want a X instead.

You bought your 11 year old daughter a 7+ and now you're going to get her an 8 or an X?

She's 11. I'm fairly certain she could survive with a 7+ for the next 3-5 years. Better yet, why not pay her an allowance and have her save it up to purchase a new phone for herself. Then she will know if the animojis are worth paying $300 for.

And yes, I'm fully aware that I sound like a cranky old man telling people to stop spoiling their kids and teach them the value of a dollar. Get off my lawn.

 

[CausticSoda]

The more I think about it the more the iPhone 8 feels like plan B. They couldn't get the iPhone X out in time and in good numbers. iPhone 8 is just everything but what they are having problems with in a known shell. But made of glass which was most like already designed back in iPhone 7's day. So Apple knows they are going to be late with iPhone X and may still be even later if rumors are true. Maybe even saw people may not totally love the iPhone X. So just to be safe they'll make the iPhone 8

Were is Steve Jobs when you really need him?

Talking of Plan B, I think the awful notch was Plan B. If they could have figured out any way to have that phone without it, they would have done, I am sure. I don't buy for one second that it is an intentional design statement. Give it a couple of years, and watch all the whooping at an Apple event when they display a proper full screen version sans notch.

 

[WiiDsmKR69]

Let's see photos Tim Cook

Ha.. I would if I had another camera. Would you like to see the box ?

 

[one more]

The smartphone market is getting more and more saturated, so this could become a new “normal”. Apple would either need to step up innovation or reduce prices to keep up.

 

[vipergts2207]

You bought your 11 year old daughter a 7+ and now you're going to get her an 8 or an X?

She's 11. I'm fairly certain she could survive with a 7+ for the next 3-5 years. Better yet, why not pay her an allowance and have her save it up to purchase a new phone for herself. Then she will know if the animojis are worth paying $300 for.

And yes, I'm fully aware that I sound like a cranky old man telling people to stop spoiling their kids and teach them the value of a dollar. Get off my lawn.

And people call millennials entitled. People can do whatever they want with their money, but this is how it happens. I don’t have kids, but if I did you can be damn sure they wouldn’t be getting a brand new $700+ phone. Certainly not at 11.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

Judging by some of the polls on here and peoples comments, people are just not upgrading or consider the X to be expensive. This isn't a bad thing really as Apple are long overdue a wakeup call. Overpriced products and trying to force customers that have bought in to their ecosystem in to subscriptions. People will only take so much. Apple are getting are too greedy.
If sales of the X are below expectations then Apples share prices will plummet and it will be interesting to see how Tim explains that to the shareholders

 

[BvizioN]

I think you misunderstood, I wasn’t calling the regular 7 a phablet. I have a 6s myself. The plus models and the X are phablets though. I think you underestimate the number of people that don’t want to need to use two hands to use their phone.

Yes, i get the frustration of having to use both hands, though bezzeless bigger display should reduce the need from that.
However, I think most people prefer to have one device for all (internet, media consumption, games, etc) without having to pay for a laptop or tablet. That's why the bigger display smartphones are so successful. If the phone was for just making/receiving calls and texting then yes, smaller phones would make much more sense.

 

[ethanwa79]

Extremely disappointed with Apple this year. The products they put out just aren’t compelling enough for me to want to upgrade to ANY of them.

LTE Watch? $10/month, 1 hr battery, and now LTE connection issues. Pass.

iPhone 8? Nothing really new. Pass.

iPhone X? Notch, too expensive. Pass.

iPad? No need to upgrade. Never use it. Pass.

MacBook? ToucBar crap. Too expensive. Pass.

Apple TV? No need without a 4K TV. Even then, too expensive. Pass.

iMac Pro? “Pro” has a built in screen and little upgradability? It’s an iMac on steroids. Pass.

iOS 11? What’s new... nothing really.

macOS High Seirra? See iOS 11. With stability problems until the x.5 release.

Boring. I miss the 90’s when Apple HAD to try new things and change the status quo or die. Now Apple IS the status quo.

 

[vipergts2207]

Yes, i get the frustration of having to use both hands, though bezzeless bigger display should reduce the need from that.
However, I think most people prefer to have one device for all (internet, media consumption, games, etc) without having to pay for a laptop or tablet. That's why the bigger display smartphones are so successful. If the phone was for just making/receiving calls and texting then yes, smaller phones would make much more sense.

Certainly some people are probably living that scenario. Myself however, I’ve got my phone, an iPad, an MBP and a nice big TV in the living room. I and many others have no need for a gigantic phone screen. Options are all I’m saying is what we need, rather than one size fits all.

 

[MrGimper]

They MUST we holding out for the X

Seriously ... I have friends and colleagues who are picking up the phone after work or tomorrow, who are getting it delivered, who are sticking with their current device, who have managed to get great deals with carriers, or who are waiting for the X.

People queueing outside an Apple store isn't a true reflection of consumer intent.

 

[drzen]

Judging by some of the polls on here and peoples comments, people are just not upgrading or consider the X to be expensive. This isn't a bad thing really as Apple are long overdue a wakeup call. Overpriced products and trying to force customers that have bought in to their ecosystem in to subscriptions. People will only take so much. Apple are getting are too greedy.
If sales of the X are below expectations then Apples share prices will plummet and it will be interesting to see how Tim explains that to the shareholders

I actually *downgraded* in storage capacity from my 128GB 6 to the 64GB 8. Because with sales tax the 256 would have been $900 - and I refuse to play along with Apple's price-gouging upsell game.

 

[Keniutek]

This is so sad. Never thought I'd see the day an iPhone turnout was labeled as bleak or dismal.

Why is it sad? it shows (hopefully) that people start to think and value their money. There might still be a chance for mankind...

 

[MH01]

That would be awesome because then I could easily get mine.

Not really . That would mean the x you bought, would loose its retail value fast as apple re-implements touchid and removes the notch. Apple reacts to sales , not sure feedback

 

[SuperMarioKart]

A used ifone 5 costs upwards of $1000 here...

I'm sure someone has refuted your posts already, but a new iPhone will cost $1286 for the 8 Plus 256GB and $1475 for the 8 Plus 256GB assuming prices consistent with the 7 and 7 Plus. It should be a little lower because there are only two tiers this year of 64/256GB, but the US price is $50 more for the entry-level 64GB than previous launch models. You just have to figure about 30% import tax plus an additional tax around 10% for shipping and other fees depending on the country that Apple sells to.

I'm not sure if you are misinformed or have an agenda to demolish capitalism. I definitely wouldn't feel safe carrying around any iPhone in South Africa if thieves could tell the difference between an iPhone 4 and an entry-level Android phone.

https://mybroadband.co.za/news/smar...e-7-south-african-launch-date-and-prices.html

https://mybroadband.co.za/news/smar...ne-6s-and-6s-plus-prices-in-south-africa.html

 

[maka344]

This is the first Sept 22nd in which I have not had a new iPhone in my hands for a very very long time.

Apple is frankly taking us for a ride. The iPhone 8+ 256 is £949 ($1289) which is just too much. There’s no sweet spot on storage and it’s pure greed. No need for the 8’s to be this much when the tooling is already there and the RnD on the 6 done many years ago. If it’s really “not just for ge rich” Apple should have priced the 8 at 20% less and the X should have been priced at the 8 pricing points. Then, we are talking about selling millions and millions of both models! All my die hard Apple friends are also thinking about alternatives which the exception of a couple of them - this used to be the case, the products remained at last years pricing.

Apple could afford to price at this level and take a hit, but it’s not just pure greed and sadly, they will learn the hard way. The X should have priced lower, on the assumption of selling even more which in turn, bumps up the profits. Uber in London cover around 30% of the fare to make it cheaper for riders, they now have 40,000 drivers on the road and are cleaning up! Had they remained the same price or more to the London black cabs, they’d be nowhere near the size they are now or potentially not even operating.

Let me point out that I love Apple products however, as a loyal fan that’s spent thousands wobbly apple over the years, I’m starting to look at alternatives. I already have the S8 which I use alongside my Jet Black 7 plus 256 and 2017 MBP with my SBS2 link Apple Watch.

I think this year, people will vote with their wallets, even if it’s only 20% of people, that will hit Apple when they sell these things in the tens of millions, hopefully, a clear message that some people will not pay premium money for re-branded old tech (screen/older wireless charging).

 

[Keniutek]

A company as big and rich as Apple can't fart about with minor upgrades in this day and age. The competition has caught up now and are actually two years ahead in their own 'innovations'. By the time the oddly named X launches wonders of Face ID will have paled further. Samsung have had bezelless OLED screens over a year i.e. And induction charging double that. The novelty isn't the concept of these things it's that Apple has adopted them at last and lost th stuff people wanted (headphone jacks) then hiked up the price. The only thing keeping folks from going Android is the fear of leaving the Apple ecosystem. I can't blame them. Jobs' original foresight and legacy of simplicity and inter-usability can still be seen today a decade on. Such was his amazing ability to demand the best. Get it out there now before the rivals and challenge the markets laziness and complacency. No more. The simplicity has gone. As has the ground breaking stuff. And that's what the newer users can't see. Loyalty lasts just so long before common sense and finances take over. Eventually.