What Apple needs to start doing...

[JerseyDoug]

It could possibly dilute the brand if the three different iPhones all looked very different to each other. But what if they all looked very similar to each other in shape and design? I think the brand would be stronger than ever, and more importantly it would be more diverse and appeal to even more people

So, you're saying Apple should make the iPhone a commodity?

Apple didn't accumulate $95+ billion in cash reserves by making poor business decisions. Their 17% market share captures approx 75% of the cellphone market's profit.

Apple is marketing and selling a brand. You don't want to dilute the brand.

This from the spouse of a CMO for a tech company.

 

[nickchallis92]

Making 3 different versions of the iPhone would take away from its premium feel. That's what apple is going for in all its products, and why they can charge as much as they like, despite often inferior hardware

 

[MacDawg]

Most of the screen size arguments boil down to "Apple needs to do xyz in order to compete with Android"

I don't think Apple's business model is built around competing with Android
I think their business model is to provide the best product with the highest margin
As the golfer Sam Snead said, "forget the competition, play against par"

There is a lot of money to be made in the smart phone market
And Apple is more concerned about profits and margin than they are market share of their device IMO

 

[MLG]

Couldn't agree more with this. Apple got it right when it came to diversifying the iPod product line. I don't see why they can't do the same with iPhone. 17% market share for a single phone is pretty spectacular though, but expanding the product line would enable Apple to start gaining back some market share from Android.

Yup...although that 17% does include the iPhone 4 and 3GS, both of which are still for sale and are cheap (or free)...maybe 10% for 4S, 5% for 4, and 2% for 3GS. So 3 phones with iOS with the same size screen vs the Andoid phones with larger screens equals a 4-1 drubbing. Why limit their appeal when they could capture a share of the apparently very large market that wants a larger screen??

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Making 3 different versions of the iPhone would take away from its premium feel. That's what apple is going for in all its products, and why they can charge as much as they like, despite often inferior hardware

Apple already sells 3 versions of the iPhone...why not make each have a broader appear to capture a larger share of the market? It just makes more business sense.

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I don't think Apple's business model is built around competing with Android

Of course it is...that's why they cut Google loose from iOS and why they are suing Samsung to try to get them out of the market.

 

[MacDawg]

Yup...although that 17% does include the iPhone 4 and 3GS, both of which are still for sale and are cheap (or free)...maybe 10% for 4S, 5% for 4, and 2% for 3GS. So 3 phones with iOS with the same size screen vs the Andoid phones with larger screens equals a 4-1 drubbing. Why limit their appeal when they could capture a share of the apparently very large market that wants a larger screen??

I would submit that not everyone on Android is on Android just for the larger screen
There are many there who want to avoid the closed Apple system
They prefer the widgets, the tweaking, rooting, custom ROMS and more
Some wouldn't consider Apple no matter what Apple offers

Just my opinion, but I think far more are on the Android system to avoid Apple than are there just for screen size

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Of course it is...that's why they cut Google loose from iOS and why they are suing Samsung to try to get them out of the market.

I don't believe they are as concerned about competing with the size of the Android screen as they are protecting their product

 

[MLG]

Their 17% market share captures approx 75% of the cellphone market's profit.

While that's true, it probably has more to do with pricing and the payment deals they have negotiated with the carriers, as the number of units sold is half that of Samsung which had less profit in the market. Remember Apple has a very favorable deal with AT&T that pays them a share of the monthly profits. And it may also include profits from apps and music sales.

 

[newyorksole]

The most important things to me are:
Ease of use
Integration in my work flow
Integration into my other devices
Availability of apps
Stability

Screen size is pretty far down for me
Would I buy an iPhone with a larger screen? Probably, likely
Would I defect to an Android phone over screen size? No

that's how I feel. I would like more screen real estate though.

we'll see how it is if they just make it taller..

 

[MLG]

I would submit that not everyone on Android is on Android just for the larger screen
There are many there who want to avoid the closed Apple system
They prefer the widgets, the tweaking, rooting, custom ROMS and more
Some wouldn't consider Apple no matter what Apple offers

Just my opinion, but I think far more are on the Android system to avoid Apple than are there just for screen size

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I don't believe they are as concerned about competing with the size of the Android screen as they are protecting their PROFIT.

True, not all of those are on Android for the larger screen. Even if it was just 25% that went to Android because they preferred the larger screen, that would double iPhone sales if Apple brought them back with a larger screened model. And if they added widgets, even better...

And I fixed your last statement. There is no doubt that Apple took over maps so they could capture that money and take it away from Google. It has very little to do with giving the users a better experience. The same is true for YouTube.

 

[Jordan921]

It's not uncommon now to see Android smartphones with screens at least 4.5 inches in size. Although iPhone 5 will probably have a 4 inch screen, I still don't think this is a big enough increase from 3.5 inches. They've also kept the width the same - probably so that it can be used with one hand. This is useful but hardly necessary since touch screens demand your complete attention anyway and its difficult to do other things whilst operating a touchscreen phone.

What I think Apple need to do is essentially expand the iPhone product line into three products.

1) iPhone 5. 4 inch screen as rumored.
2) iPhone mini. Keeps the 3.5 inch screen but with the same ratio as iPhone 5. Smaller form factor than iPhone 4S. Use of smaller components will allow more room for a similarly sized battery to the iPhone 4S, in conjunction with the continued use of the same processor as the iPhone 4S but with enhanced power management and optimisations and no 4G. Cost less than an iPhone 5 so to appeal to lower end of the market. This will eliminate the need to continue to sell older generation iPhones alongside iPhone 5.
3) iPhone Pro. 4.5 inch screen. Quad core A6 processor. 12 megapixel camera with xenon flash and larger aperture lens. Bigger battery than standard iPhone to offset higher power consumption.

I'm sorry but I don't think that's a good idea.

 

[matd2100]

Just my opinion, but I think far more are on the Android system to avoid Apple than are there just for screen size

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A larger screen increases usability in itself because there is more space for more content - not only that but the keyboard can be more spread out which reduces typos. The two reasons why I chose Android over Apple was 1) S2 and even S3 contracts are a fair bit cheaper than equivalent iPhone contracts in the U.K. and 2) Bigger screen which is arguably as good as the iPhones in a different way (it might have less pixel density but it is more vibrant with greater contrasts and is therefore more pleasing to the eye [arguably]).

Considering Apple actually still sells three models of iPhone (3GS, 4 and 4S) it makes sense to build 3 current generation products instead since they will be more usable - Apple wants to make the greatest product but if they are still selling the 3GS and bundling it with iOS5 then I can pretty much guarantee you that it will not be snappy so how is that then the best product?? Wouldn't it be better to have an iPhone mini with a similar price point that actually works well with new iOS updates??


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I don't believe they are as concerned about competing with the size of the Android screen as they are protecting their product

If Apple don't see it like that then it will be Microsoft v Apple all over again and we all know that Microsoft have over 90% of the PC marketshare.

 

[nuckinfutz]

I think we're rapidly approaching a scenario where we are going to see two iPhone sizes going forward as the standard config.

I think Apple would be smart to offer a slim 4" phone and a larger 4.5" phone as well.

If the rumors are true we're going to be entering an era of two different iPad sizes.

I think a slim phone appeals to some and larger and wider phone appeals to others. Let them choose. The global market is large enough for both models and Apple appears to be working on development tools that make it easier to handle different screen sizes.

 

[SR45]

Most important:

1. Current width

2. Stability of iOS

3. Bright screen

4. Improved SIRI

5. Improved camera

6. Mature looking body. Like the current one

7. Turn by Turn GPS by Apple. Hope the new Apple turn by turn works at least as good as the competition.

 

[DanBurns91]

You don't agree with me then when I say I think Apple are being too restrictive with their product line and their idea of 'one size fits all'? I don't think I know better than Apple, I'm just giving my opinion.

Apple aren't targeting the lower end of the market with current generation phones, instead they're fobbing off previous generation phones which will need upgrading to a newer generation phone sooner rather than later. At the same time I feel iPhone Pro could target power users and have more advanced capabilities, with the standard iPhone being the happy medium for more casual users who have the extra money to spend over an iPhone mini.

Sorry, is it not working for the richest company on the planet??

 

[irDigital0l]

For me, since Apple already has a good ecosystem, good customer support, ease of use, best app store, they should focus on stuff like a bigger screen now.

4-inch is good but what have preferred a little more.

 

[matd2100]

Sorry, is it not working for the richest company on the planet??

Not saying it isn't working RIGHT NOW, but how long can Apple 'do their own thing' before 'their own thing' becomes not as good as what Android are doing?

 

[batting1000]

Not saying it isn't working RIGHT NOW, but how long can Apple 'do their own thing' before 'their own thing' becomes not as good as what Android are doing?

It's like that with every company. How long will it be before _(insert popular brand here)_ will not be able to _(insert what popular brand does here)_ anymore?

 

[racer1441]

Yes, clearly Apple has destroyed their company. What, they are making billions?

Never mind.

 

[AFDoc]

Not quite sure how Apple has gotten to where they are without you.
Will never understand why people here think they know better than Apple what Apple should do. And this comes from a VP of Marketing.

Ahh sure you do. Arrogance, immaturity, youth, bravado ect ect. You most likely didn't get to your position in life without a bit of ego right? Nor did I BUT I'm sure you would agree with me when I say we were never so presumptuous to believe we knew what was best for a major corporation.

The most important things to me are:
Ease of use
Integration in my work flow
Integration into my other devices
Availability of apps
Stability

Screen size is pretty far down for me
Would I buy an iPhone with a larger screen? Probably, likely
Would I defect to an Android phone over screen size? No

Agree. I am using an s3 right now and am not impressed overall. It does have some great features and the screen size is pretty kick butt but I just can't get into the UI and the way it "works". I guess I could get used to it but probably not. I'm a PC guy and no matter how much I use the wifes MBA, I can't make my self like it. I do dig the trackpad though.

 

[Mr Hill]

Some people? The numbers don't lie. Apple has a 17% share of the smartphone market, compared to 68% for Android. That's a 4 to 1 advantage for the larger-screened Android phones, and this from an OS that was introduced well after the iphone. Still think that people don't want a larger screen? Apple is leaving millions and millions of sales on the table by not diversifying their line, and it's getting worse over time. People can stick their heads in the sand, but the market is speaking.


http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/08/technology/smartphone-market-share/

The flaw in this is that you assume that the high end 4.8" premium Android handsets are what make up the majority of that 68% when it is in fact not. That 68% mostly comes from the lower end and cheapest of the Android handsets. The ones that are usually given away for free when users sign up for service. Samsung's own sales numbers showed one of their low range devices greatly outselling its highest end offerings.

http://www.phonedog.com/2012/08/10/...ce-sales-figures-revealed-in-court-documents/

This shows that the consumer is buying more based on price than anything else. Most people's mentality is "it's a smartphone, it's free, it has apps" I'm good. Don't ever expect Apple to start releasing those types of handsets.

Apple is more focused on profit than marketshare. Android as a whole has much larger marketshare but Apple still dominates profit (the part that the manufacturers care about the most). iOS is still the dominant platform for development due to the vast disorganization and range of devices on Android despite that 68% marketshare. Usually the platform with the largest marketshare is the one that is primarily used for software development but Android thus far has not been able to achieve that so for the most part that 68% is only a number and doesn't do anything for them.

 

[lbhskier37]

but from a good business standpoint Apple should appeal to as wide an audience as possible. The only way to do that is to offer a variety of different phones to appeal to different people.

Kinda like the "good" business that they did in the early 90s with the tons of different Mac models with only slight differences to cover every possible niche?

 

[Pompiliu]

The most important things to me are:
Ease of use
Integration in my work flow
Integration into my other devices
Availability of apps
Stability

Exactly. I don't care what screen the next iphone will have, but i will buy it. Because of these reasons.
Would i buy an Android with 5 inch screen and octo-core cpu and yada yada gpu? lolno!

 

[lazard]

It's like that with every company. How long will it be before _(insert popular brand here)_ will not be able to _(insert what popular brand does here)_ anymore?

Apple - Jobs = Apple after they forced out Jobs in '85.

 

[beamer8912]

I can see it now. "I need the Pro version for my work. The extra power is a MUST for my elite professional job."

 

[Rennir]

That would lead to hardware fragmentation and at least most people here (from my observation) are repulsed by it

/thread

 

[macingman]

so your saying that if they only release a 4.7" phone everybody will buy it even the people that dont like larger screen. just because its an iPhone?

Apple isn't going to release a 4.7" phone but a 4" phone which is only taller and not wider then then current screen.

And yeh I'm sure many people but iPhones "just because its an iPhone".