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It'd have been pretty hard to find that article at the time I posted the message you quoted considering it hadn't been published yet.
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There are undoubtedly people who would buy it - I just don't see the numbers being significant enough.

In the end it's all rumours and speculation and I'm just as likely to be wrong as the next forum member.

True, we're all just speculating, but I think there might be more demand than you expect. Lots of people don't care about all the fancy bells and whistles, or can't afford them. I think it largely depends on what the price difference is.
 
I wouldn't say the rumour is false, but I do believe the rumour is based on the pricing for the highest tier. If there are three storage options, I'd predict they'd come in at £769, £869 and £969.

£769 is a big jump from the current entry price, but it's a jump I can see Apple risking.
You could well be right. If they do, I think it will be the nail in the coffin for me in regards to any interest i'll have on new releases. The moment a company shifts attention so publicly to implementing such a price hike on loyal customers, it gives the impression profit is more important than the product. iPhone pricing has been fairly consistent over the years with prices 'slowly' creeping up. I think this has been accepted even though my last contract would have risen £200 had I bought an iPhone 7. A further £200 I think is taking the mick.

I know some people here are a little more than consumers and feel they need to defend moves like this, but I like to be a little more logical. I could afford the next iPhone if I wanted it, but when I feel Apple are reacting to the competition but further putting a premium price tag on it just for kicks, it starts to make me question my buying choices. I'm not losing anything at the end of the day, just the enthusiasm a company like that needs in the wider sense. We will see...
 
True, we're all just speculating, but I think there might be more demand than you expect. Lots of people don't care about all the fancy bells and whistles, or can't afford them. I think it largely depends on what the price difference is.
You could well be right. If they do, I think it will be the nail in the coffin for me in regards to any interest i'll have on new releases. The moment a company shifts attention so publicly to implementing such a price hike on loyal customers, it gives the impression profit is more important than the product. iPhone pricing has been fairly consistent over the years with prices 'slowly' creeping up. I think this has been accepted even though my last contract would have risen £200 had I bought an iPhone 7. A further £200 I think is taking the mick.

I know some people here are a little more than consumers and feel they need to defend moves like this, but I like to be a little more logical. I could afford the next iPhone if I wanted it, but when I feel Apple are reacting to the competition but further putting a premium price tag on it just for kicks, it starts to make me question my buying choices. I'm not losing anything at the end of the day, just the enthusiasm a company like that needs in the wider sense. We will see...

Exactly my thoughts. I've got the savings sitting there to buy the thing twenty times over if I wanted to - but when I'm in the middle of buying a house, suddenly a £1000 price tag for a phone doesn't seem like such a good way to spend hard-earned money. I'd rather buy some nice new doorhandles or something.
 
I think the 7S will exist (look at the budget Macbook Pro) to still gobble up sales of people who expect to spend the standard amount on the new iPhone. The iPhone 8 will debut at 1k, but in the second year Apple will make a big show of how they want everyone to have this great new design so they'll drop the price a bit to something like 750-800 for the entry model.

Apple has done this for years with the Macbook Pro line by having a huge price spike when a new innovation happens, and then lowering the price in the subsequent year, but with a price still higher than previous models. This year will be the last year you can get a just released iPhone for 650. From here on out it'll be closer to 750 and 850.
 
iPhone 6
iPhone 6s
iPhone 7 = 6ss

#truth


I agree it sounds odd that there would be a 7S and an 8 in the same year. As you say the 7 was essentially a 6SS in any case, to make yet another iterative update to the iPhone 6 in 2017 at the same time as finally launching a whole new design seems peculiar and un-apple like. Unless that is the iPhone 8 is going to be so incredibly expensive that it simply won't do the numbers by itself..
 
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I'm still not convinced the OLED iPhone is going to be as premium as so many of you think. What, exactly, is so "premium" about this new iPhone compared to a nearly bezel-free OLED Galaxy S8 I can pickup at Best Buy for cheaper than an iPhone 7 right now? Not much based on what we know.

If there is a 7S or something similar, NO ONE is going to care about it. The 6, 6S, and 7 were all the same design...many of you literally think this year's volume model (still a flagship phone) is going to be a FOURTH year of the same recycled design commanding the same price points when competitors are already way ahead in this regard? That would be absolutely ridiculous. No one that cares about tech will want a 7S, it would immediately be branded a "budget model" and it would generate no buzz. The OLED iPhone is all that matters this year. It's going to be huge, generate a ton of buzz, and everyone is going to want it assuming it's competitive. If they price it way above competitors, it will most definitely hurt them. As I've said before...I'm a total Apple fan, but even I would buy a (admittedly pretty solid) Galaxy S8 over a warmed over iPhone 7 if that's all my budget allowed. I think a lot of others would as well. There is no chance of Apple doing this. None.

My prediction....They will carry over the 7 for another year (likely re-branded with modest physical changes but mostly carryover specs similar to how they launched the 'new' low cost 2017 iPad), and it will be at a lower price point to cover the entire lower end of the spectrum as the 6S and 7 will be discontinued. The iPhone 8/Pro/Whatever will be the true flagship model this year. I'd estimate an $849-1049 price range (in the US). Anything above that is unlikely.

"iPhone/iPhone Plus" (carried over iPhone 7 specs with modest physical changes, price drop, likely re-branded)
32gb - $549/649
128gb - $649/749
256gb -$749/849

"iPhone Pro" (new flagship)
64gb - $849
128gb - $949
256gb - $1049

Eventually the Plus models will be phased out and there will simply be iPhone (smaller) and iPhone Pro (larger, more feature-rich)...but the Plus will likely stick around at a lower price point during this transition year. All of this is guesswork on my part...though based on logic and moves Apple has been making to streamline its lineup as of late.
 
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What, exactly, is so "premium" about this new iPhone compared to a nearly bezel-free OLED Galaxy S8 I can pickup at Best Buy for cheaper than an iPhone 7 right now?.

Because it is Apple and it is running iOS, so millions of people are willing to pay an arm and a leg for its "premium-ness". If iPhone 8 is running Android OS and does not have Apple brand, it would only worth half of its asking price.
 
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Because it is Apple and it is running iOS, so millions of people are willing to pay an arm and a leg for its "premium-ness". If iPhone 8 is running Android OS and does not have Apple brand, it would only worth half of its asking price.

I don't think so. Not anymore. Very few people (only loyal fans) would be willing to pay over $1000 for a phone that has specs very similar to the significantly cheaper (by several hundred dollars) S8.

I expect it to crest $1000, but not start there.
 
I'm still not convinced the OLED iPhone is going to be as premium as so many of you think. What, exactly, is so "premium" about this new iPhone compared to a nearly bezel-free OLED Galaxy S8 I can pickup at Best Buy for cheaper than an iPhone 7 right now? Not much based on what we know.

If there is a 7S or something similar, NO ONE is going to care about it. The 6, 6S, and 7 were all the same design...many of you literally think this year's volume model (still a flagship phone) is going to be a FOURTH year of the same recycled design commanding the same price points when competitors are already way ahead in this regard? That would be absolutely ridiculous. No one that cares about tech will want a 7S, it would immediately be branded a "budget model" and it would generate no buzz. The OLED iPhone is all that matters this year. It's going to be huge, generate a ton of buzz, and everyone is going to want it assuming it's competitive. If they price it way above competitors, it will most definitely hurt them. As I've said before...I'm a total Apple fan, but even I would buy a (admittedly pretty solid) Galaxy S8 over a warmed over iPhone 7 if that's all my budget allowed. I think a lot of others would as well. There is no chance of Apple doing this. None.

My prediction....They will carry over the 7 for another year (likely re-branded with modest physical changes but mostly carryover specs similar to how they launched the 'new' low cost 2017 iPad), and it will be at a lower price point to cover the entire lower end of the spectrum as the 6S and 7 will be discontinued. The iPhone 8/Pro/Whatever will be the true flagship model this year. I'd estimate an $849-1049 price range (in the US). Anything above that is unlikely.

"iPhone/iPhone Plus" (carried over iPhone 7 specs with modest physical changes, price drop, likely re-branded)
32gb - $549/649
128gb - $649/749
256gb -$749/849

"iPhone Pro" (new flagship)
64gb - $849
128gb - $949
256gb - $1049

Eventually the Plus models will be phased out and there will simply be iPhone (smaller) and iPhone Pro (larger, more feature-rich)...but the Plus will likely stick around at a lower price point during this transition year. All of this is guesswork on my part...though based on logic and moves Apple has been making to streamline its lineup as of late.
Exactly what I think will happen too.

The rumour mill this year just seems to fixated on a lot of things that were said a long time ago that don't have a huge amount of logic behind them.
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Because it is Apple and it is running iOS, so millions of people are willing to pay an arm and a leg for its "premium-ness". If iPhone 8 is running Android OS and does not have Apple brand, it would only worth half of its asking price.
I can't deny that because iOS is the reason I've never gone back to Android since 2013 but even at the prices KRG suggested, that's still a significant premium over an S8.
 
Hypothetically, what if Apple made one iPhone 8+ with all the rumored feature of the iPhone OLED model and another iPhone 8 with the features of the 8+ minus wireless charging, OLED screen, dual cameras, RAM, Face ID, etc? Wouldn't that be better? Or have 3 models already been confirmed?

I've always found such a question odd to ask. So '
What If There Is No 7S?' ... really so what? Then we'd have other choices, and Apple would be at a HUGE expense replacing warranty defective or AppleCare+ iPhone 7/7+ models over the course of 2-3yrs! Investors would NOT like that. Wasn't so bad with the 3G to 3GS but with 6 to 6S it really costed Apple for a bit (even if small I'm sure TC wasn't thrilled)
 
Personally I think the only thing that apple can do that will not royally piss off a lot of customers is to place the 7S at a lower price point that the current 7 and either sell the 8 for the normal price of a new iphone or slightly more. Why would people spend a lot of money to get a phone that is pretty much the same as the 7 (to a certain extent its 90% the same as the 6 and 6S as well) when apple are selling a much better, new phone that is actually comparable to a flagship android device.

I have never compared the latest iPhone to the latest android and felt like apple were really lagging behind. This year if they release the 7S at the usual price thats exactly what I will think.

If they do that I also think that their sales numbers will suffer. If you can't afford and 8 and don't desperately need a new iPhone why would you buy the 7S.
 
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Totally. the 7S (which will almost certainly be called 'iPhone') will very likely be at a lower price point than the current 7 range to remain competitive. If Apple actually tries to market this dated smartphone at top tier prices, they will fail.
 
Personally I think the only thing that apple can do that will not royally piss off a lot of customers is to place the 7S at a lower price point that the current 7 and either sell the 8 for the normal price of a new iphone or slightly more. Why would people spend a lot of money to get a phone that is pretty much the same as the 7 (to a certain extent its 90% the same as the 6 and 6S as well) when apple are selling a much better, new phone that is actually comparable to a flagship android device.

I have never compared the latest iPhone to the latest android and felt like apple were really lagging behind. This year if they release the 7S at the usual price thats exactly what I will think.

If they do that I also think that their sales numbers will suffer. If you can't afford and 8 and don't desperately need a new iPhone why would you buy the 7S.

I hope you're right that the 8 is at the normal price or just a tad bit more. My hope is that it will be $850, at most, for it since the 7+ starts at $769 USD. If T-Mobile has the same iPhone SE trade in promo at the launch of the new iPhone, I am looking to pay $489.50 after tax and trading in my device if last year remains the same. If it's $1000, then I am paying $650 out of pocket, which is a huge difference.
 
Totally. the 7S (which will almost certainly be called 'iPhone') will very likely be at a lower price point than the current 7 range to remain competitive. If Apple actually tries to market this dated smartphone at top tier prices, they will fail.

Aside from remaining competitive, it needs to remain affordable. The iPhone 7s if launched, will be one of the more popular models because of the affordable price point and two sizes that will be offered. And the "S" models traditionally are nice upgrades.
 
I wouldn't say the rumour is false, but I do believe the rumour is based on the pricing for the highest tier. If there are three storage options, I'd predict they'd come in at £769, £869 and £969.

£769 is a big jump from the current entry price, but it's a jump I can see Apple risking.

There will be two options I think, 64 and 256, starting at the price of £820 for 64gb (or the equivalent mid-sized Plus model). I wouldn't be surprised if the Pro did come in higher though, due to currency fluctuations here. Maybe they will increase to:
7S - £650/750/850
7S+ - £770/870/970
Pro - £870/£970 (or straight £899/999)

At the moment Android flagships drop from anywhere between £650 and £700 for the 'small' sized phones (e.g. G6/S8), with the larger phones (S8+/Pixel XL) around £750-£800, and the supersized (e.g. Note 8) likely to come in just under £900.
 
Aside from remaining competitive, it needs to remain affordable. The iPhone 7s if launched, will be one of the more popular models because of the affordable price point and two sizes that will be offered. And the "S" models traditionally are nice upgrades.
I quite agree. On previous releases we've seen stock of 16GB models selling out first purely because they are the cheapest. It's always the same with any base model iPhone. The 7S I predict will be the most popular due to it being cheaper. I know the 8 will be considered the best of the lot but it's price limits it's appeal. You don't have to be a high earner to afford an iPhone these days. Contracts have been lowered and the user base has increased ten fold over the past 5 years, especially in my country. The iPhone 8 if the price is true is going to be aimed at not your average user. It will be the elite model and in this day and age that's risky IMO.
 
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I quite agree. On previous releases we've seen stock of 16GB models selling out first purely because they are the cheapest. It's always the same with any base model iPhone. The 7S I predict will be the most popular due to it being cheaper. I know the 8 will be considered the best of the lot but it's price limits it's appeal. You don't have to be a high earner to afford an iPhone these days. Contracts have been lowered and the user base has increased ten fold over the past 5 years, especially in my country. The iPhone 8 if the price is true is going to be aimed at not your average user. It will be the elite model and in this day and age that's risky IMO.
It's not exactly a good comparison. The lowest storage tier of the iPhone 7 is functionally and visibly the same phone as the highest storage tier. The only compromise you have to accept in buying it is that you may have to rely on cloud storage.

The alleged 7s would be a vastly inferior and dated alternative to the iPhone 8 - but still with a premium price tag, regardless of the storage tier. The compromise is enormous.

Consumers are not stupid and they don't like feeling they're being cheated.
 
At some point they need to drop the number - or we're going to end up iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 16s+.. etc.

So, now would be a good time to ditch it, and just have iPhone, iPhone +, iPhone Pro. (and iPhone SE)
 
With the latest leaks, the 7S is all but confirmed. Not really a hypothetical any longer.

Lol, I’ve seen 20+ iPhone 8 dummies, schematics, etc.
Please link even one iPhone 7S schematic or dummy.
It’s supposed to be roughly iPhone 7 form factor, but would have to have glass back for wireless charging.
I haven’t seen a single leak showing that & I doubt you have either... wouldn’t it have been posted here on MacRumors and we’d ALL have seen it?
 
I am still not sure we will get a 7S, then again I think the 7S could be this iPhone 8...
it is very clear Apple has controlled the leaks superbly this year, all the rumours have contradicted themselves one week to the next, that's not by accident. And neither are the supposed leaks in the Home Pod firmware. That's all planted by Apple and it still does not offer conclusive proof their is no Touch ID included.

As for pricing, if they have a 7S it will be the same price as current models and they WILL sell in the millions, they ALWAYS do.. and the iPhone 8 will be priced at a higher cost and will be marketed as some premium anniversary edition.
It is frankly crazy to think otherwise, this is Apple, the company that has never been known for being cheap...

The best scenario we can hope for is that the iPhone 8 IS the 7S and so will have the same pricing, or it is the only model launched this year and the iPhone 7 is kept on at reduced pricing, and the iPhone 8 is priced somewhere around the high end 7 Plus is today.

However I doubt either of those scenarios will happen.

The thing is... if we get a 7S and an 8, what will they do next year? They will have set a very high bar and price tag for OLED and reduced bezels, I can't see them bringing those features to lower spec models. Perhaps they will then totally restructure the iPhone line up?
 
Lol, I’ve seen 20+ iPhone 8 dummies, schematics, etc.
Please link even one iPhone 7S schematic or dummy.
It’s supposed to be roughly iPhone 7 form factor, but would have to have glass back for wireless charging.
I haven’t seen a single leak showing that & I doubt you have either... wouldn’t it have been posted here on MacRumors and we’d ALL have seen it?

https://9to5mac.com/2017/08/05/iphone-7s-dummy-unit-glass-back/

http://bgr.com/2017/08/09/iphone-8-iphone-7s-plus-leak-dummy-models-wireless-charging/
 
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Lol, I’ve seen 20+ iPhone 8 dummies, schematics, etc.
Please link even one iPhone 7S schematic or dummy.
It’s supposed to be roughly iPhone 7 form factor, but would have to have glass back for wireless charging.
I haven’t seen a single leak showing that & I doubt you have either... wouldn’t it have been posted here on MacRumors and we’d ALL have seen it?
There are rarely “S” model leaks, as the form factors are generally identical. Historically, they’re generally internal spec upgrades.
 
The thing is... if we get a 7S and an 8, what will they do next year? They will have set a very high bar and price tag for OLED and reduced bezels, I can't see them bringing those features to lower spec models. Perhaps they will then totally restructure the iPhone line up?

They won't have set a really high bar, they will have released a handset that is comparable to the best offering from Samsung. Thats all. OLED and small bezels are standard on the top android phones so why shouldn't they be on the iPhone which already costs more than the comparable samsung. If all their phones don't adopt the small bezels and OLED display next year it really would be taking the pee.

In my opinion the only thing they can do this year that will be popular will be the following:

iPhone 7S/+ at reduced price
iPhone 8 at slight premium over normal + model price if at all.

Then next year they can release the 8/+ at the usual price points.
 
They won't have set a really high bar, they will have released a handset that is comparable to the best offering from Samsung. Thats all. OLED and small bezels are standard on the top android phones so why shouldn't they be on the iPhone which already costs more than the comparable samsung. If all their phones don't adopt the small bezels and OLED display next year it really would be taking the pee.

In my opinion the only thing they can do this year that will be popular will be the following:

iPhone 7S/+ at reduced price
iPhone 8 at slight premium over normal + model price if at all.

Then next year they can release the 8/+ at the usual price points.

Well in my opinion, the iPhone trounces the S8, because iOS is better for apps, is faster running, doesn't lag half as much. The Pixel and One Plus phones are proper Android models, Touch Wiz just has far too many options and bucket loads of bloat ware that slow them down.
The S8 design is great, yes, bar the stupid finger print sensor placement which is something Apple would never do.
I was talking about a high bar for Apple themselves, not for others.

They won't reduce the price of anything, they don't need to, the ease of use and smoothness of iOS plus the App Store guarantees the iPhone will sell in the millions.
 
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Supply and demand boys and girls. There's a shortage of OLED, so the way to alleviate demand is to jack up the price. Econ 101. The 7s/non premium models are happening, but consumer perception will decide if the "8" is worth it.
 
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