When did the iPhone lose its sense of exclusivity to you?

[tymaster50]

The iPhone isn't exclusive any more, but everyone still views it as an expensive device. I had a friend (non-iphone owner) borrow my iPhone 5 for a phone call and she came back caressing the phone while returning it, saying she doesn't feel comfortable using my phone because it's so expensive. Yes, I paid retail for it but as far as she knows it was $199. iPhones aren't significantly more expensive than comparable android phones, so I'm not sure why people still see iPhones as so expensive.

When $649 is base price without being locked into a contract for only 16 gig its is a little steep. Monthy bills are in the range of $100 - $200 usually so $200 x 24 = 4,800 for 2 years. + the 199 = 5,000. That is a lot for a phone. That only factors in subsidized pricing on the lowest model.

 

[children]

When $649 is base price without being locked into a contract for only 16 gig its is a little steep. Monthy bills are in the range of $100 - $200 usually so $200 x 24 = 4,800 for 2 years. + the 199 = 5,000. That is a lot for a phone. That only factors in subsidized pricing on the lowest model.

Expensive is relative. 650 is pricy, but it's definitely attainable for the masses. Something like the Vertu (8k starting price) that my friend is exclusive.

In reference to fashion, a $800 Luis Vuitton is pricey, but many 'ordinary' people can afford it. A 12k Hermes birkin on the other hand, is downright exclusive

 

[aneftp]

When $649 is base price without being locked into a contract for only 16 gig its is a little steep. Monthy bills are in the range of $100 - $200 usually so $200 x 24 = 4,800 for 2 years. + the 199 = 5,000. That is a lot for a phone. That only factors in subsidized pricing on the lowest model.

100% completely false on your math.

ATT/Verizon subsidize model for primary line is roughly $90/month-$100/month (includes unlimited texting and unlimited minutes if choosing mobile sharing)

$100x24 equals $2400 for 2 years.

It's not $4800 like you claim.

People also forget 60% of users are on family plans. So if you have 3-5 lines. Your average cost per line is roughly $50-60/line a month.

Factor in discounts and its even less.

Individuals get ripped off on postpaid plans. But families save money with family plans

 

[tymaster50]

100% completely false on your math.

ATT/Verizon subsidize model for primary line is roughly $90/month-$100/month (includes unlimited texting and unlimited minutes if choosing mobile sharing)

$100x24 equals $2400 for 2 years.

It's not $4800 like you claim.

People also forget 60% of users are on family plans. So if you have 3-5 lines. Your average cost per line is roughly $50-60/line a month.

Factor in discounts and its even less.

Individuals get ripped off on postpaid plans. But families save money with family plans

I dont pay $100 I pay around $150 for 2 lines with unlimited texting, phone calls, my line has 2gb of data the other one has unlimited somehow and this is a share everything plan. Adding in the cost of 2 smartphone lines it is well over $2400

 

[erratikmind]

I think we were aiming for the fact that you're still in high school. That explains your view point on a phone being exclusive. It's not like a club you join when you buy an iPhone. They only thing stopping anyone from buying one is price and service preference. Like others have said, don't think of a phone as a status symbol and just use because you enjoy it, not because it's the cool thing to have.

Didn't know that the OP was a youngster. That may account for this thread, perhaps not.

The OP is noticing that the iPhone is no longer special/exclusive due to its popularity and being a commonplace device . . . Fallen from the pedestal, if you will.

 

[Sedrick]

Expensive is relative. 650 is pricy, but it's definitely attainable for the masses. Something like the Vertu (8k starting price) that my friend is exclusive.

In reference to fashion, a $800 Luis Vuitton is pricey, but many 'ordinary' people can afford it. A 12k Hermes birkin on the other hand, is downright exclusive

I don't know what 'masses' you hang around with that buy a $650 phone, but I'd like to live in your neighborhood.

The only thing that made the iPhone 'exclusive' for me was (back then) the $30 a month they tacked on for data (no matter how little you used). That kept a lot of folks from buying any smartphone.

Funny, though, everyone still recognized the iPhone as the Cadillac of smartphones. Even though you can get a low-end one for $.99.

 

[aajeevlin]

100% completely false on your math.

ATT/Verizon subsidize model for primary line is roughly $90/month-$100/month (includes unlimited texting and unlimited minutes if choosing mobile sharing)

$100x24 equals $2400 for 2 years.

It's not $4800 like you claim.

People also forget 60% of users are on family plans. So if you have 3-5 lines. Your average cost per line is roughly $50-60/line a month.

Factor in discounts and its even less.

Individuals get ripped off on postpaid plans. But families save money with family plans

Completely agree with you. And just because it's "family plan" it doesn't mean it has to be just family. I have had these plans with my best friend's family and this other family that I grew up with for years now. I think we average $50/month per person. I also did the same math before, if you manage your family plan properly you will pay as much as you would compare to a prepay plan. We have unlimited talk/text, and sure we don't have unlimited data, but with all the people on the plan we are able to get the 14gb+ per month if it's needed.

 

[children]

I don't know what 'masses' you hang around with that buy a $650 phone, but I'd like to live in your neighborhood.

The only thing that made the iPhone 'exclusive' for me was (back then) the $30 a month they tacked on for data (no matter how little you used). That kept a lot of folks from buying any smartphone.

Funny, though, everyone still recognized the iPhone as the Cadillac of smartphones. Even though you can get a low-end one for $.99.

key word: attainable, not affordable
even teens can buy an iPhone outright with some christmas part-time job..

here in Australia, the cheapest plan for an iPhone 5 is $47/month (handset included) which makes it $1128 over 24 months. again, maybe pricy for some, but not much more expensive than other smartphones (actually cheaper than the 4g Galaxy)

 

[Deacon-Blues]

I was at my doctor's office Wednesday, and in the waiting room, apart from myself there were four other people on their iPhones. I was the only one with a 5, but out of seven people, four had an iPhone.

The next day I was at the lab waiting to get blood drawn, and there were about twelve other people waiting. I saw five other people with iPhones. Everyone has iPhones now. They are no longer exclusive. It's a shame, but then again it's good for the platform.

 

[IUBall22]

For me I would say right around the 4S launch when Verizon and Sprint both had it at the time. From then on it seemed like EVERYONE had an iPhone.

Exclusivity never mattered to me. What has mattered is using a great phone. I don't care if other people can get it or not.

 

[jlake02]

I have to admit.. in the early years it was cool being one of the only people around with an iPhone.

However, on a practical level, I wouldn't care if they gave everyone on earth a free iPhone. I'd still use my i5 and love it.

 

[Jimmy James]

Wirelessly posted

I've never considered it exclusive. I just use it.

Now my Dell Axim and old Palm devices. Those were "exclusive". And junk.

 

[robanga]

All product lines that go from trailer to leader experience this. Mass market products in general can never be very exclusive.

I suppose it was sometime in the 3GS era that i noticed more people carrying iPhones than other phones. I remember at that time a sharp decrease in the amount of Blackberries you saw at airports etc. By the time the 4 arrived it was a product that you saw everywhere.

I don't really "get" the feeling of specialness that comes from feeling like you have an exclusive product though....How does that make you feel? ( and then tell me about your relationship with your mother ...<just kidding>)

I remember a few people coming up to me as an early adopter.."Wow is the the new iPhone or iPad?" ...i never liked that. Its like buddy the information is all over online. Go look there.

If you really want a fairly low volume phone- get something from China unlocked, or that Vertu phone, or the Porsche designed Blackberry. You will rarely if ever see another in the wild. A Windows Phone would also be like that right now, i saw one of those on a plane the other day.

 

[ek9max]

I'm glad it's not exclusive.

The iPhone for me is better if all my peers have it too.

Game Center, iMessage, etc.....

Especially iMessage. I use my MacBook and iMac a lot.

 

[aneftp]

Exclusivity never mattered to me. What has mattered is using a great phone. I don't care if other people can get it or not.

The iPhone 2007/first gen was a horrible "phone". Yet it was considered exclusive. Bad antenna design. Horrible RF. no MMS. EDGE only. No GPS.

Go figure.

 

[robanga]

The iPhone 2007/first gen was a horrible "phone". Yet it was considered exclusive. Bad antenna design. Horrible RF. no MMS. EDGE only. No GPS.

Go figure.

Horrible looking through today's lens maybe but compared to the phones it competed with? (ie. Samsung Blackjack etc.) Not in agreement.

 

[vastoholic]

I'm glad it's not exclusive.

The iPhone for me is better if all my peers have it too.

Game Center, iMessage, etc.....

Especially iMessage. I use my MacBook and iMac a lot.

This is why I don't want the iPhone to be exclusive. You get so much more fun out of it when all your friends have it. I never thought I'd be able to do online gaming on a freakin cell phone.

 

[bushman4]

When did the iPhone lose its sense of exclusivity to you?

Like everything else its only 'unique' when most people do not own it. A perfect example of this would be Plasma or LCD TVs. When they first came out everyone was mesmorized and now everyone has one .big deal.
However, that being said keep in mind that its now the 'Best of the Rest' that is the exclusivity you should know you have.

 

[Scrub175]

I didn't buy for exclusivity. I bought because it fit my needs, the ecosystem, and consumer acceptance. As the iPhone gains a larger ownership base we will reap the benefits of iPhone community functions and services like iMessage, passbook, and hopefully a baked in bump transfer service. These concepts will be a benefit to ownership vice the exclusivity and elitism associated with having the only one on the block.

 

[Dennis187]

The moment you bought one.

 

[jimmer-uk]

If the iPhone was exclusive the huge eco system that now supports it would never exist. I for one am glad it is common as muck!

 

[IUBall22]

The iPhone 2007/first gen was a horrible "phone". Yet it was considered exclusive. Bad antenna design. Horrible RF. no MMS. EDGE only. No GPS.

Go figure.

Interesting...great marketing I guess. My first iphone was the 3GS...then 4...and now 5, which I am absolutely loving!

 

[darster]

Another 1st world problem. Just to put the warm feeling of exclusivity back in your heart, the majority of the world can not afford an iPhone, including the workers that made yours. Feel better now?

 

[tucker3434]

For me I would say right around the 4S launch when Verizon and Sprint both had it at the time. From then on it seemed like EVERYONE had an iPhone.

It's a phone, and not a very expensive one. It isn't like anyone was even "chosen" to receive one.

 

[hkfan24]

It's a d@mn phone for Christ sake. If anyone bought an iPhone to feel exclusive, they need some help. Anything that is mass produced in millions and sold globally is the opposite definition of exclusive. This thread is what gives us the "Apple Fanboy" label in the most negative way. No phone adds value to my life and self worth.

You want exclusive? Go purchase a Lamborghini Gallardo SL and add a stage 3 package from Underground Racing, a 70 inch Sharp Elite, or even a decked out built to order Mac Pro. These are a few better examples of exclusivity.

A phone doesn't propel you up the status totem pole.