Why are so many going for IPhone 8?

[The-Real-Deal82]

Phone sales in general shoot up toward the end of the year. Promotions are taking place, the "holiday season" is starting... Every year it's the same drill. The 6S sales were nothing out of the ordinary. Now, if you'd told me that 6S sales were greater than 7 sales, you'd have a point. But the "better" device dramatically outsold the "inferior" device, which will always be the case, especially with Apple products.

In the UK the iPhone 7 sales were below expectation last year with iPhone 6S above expectation. This was my point and I know it's different in each country but we are Europes largest market. The BBC reported the chairman of Carphone Warehouse blamed consumers reaction to the loss of headphone jack but other reports suggest rising prices are to blame. People are keeping phones longer as spec jumps are stagnated and handsets are becoming more expensive. The fact that this time last year saw a spike in sales for the 6S proves the iPhone 7 did not get the same level of interest as previous models. In my country the 'better' device did not dramatically outsell the perceived 'inferior' 6S so I do have a point here.

We are about to see a £1k iPhone hitting stores in a couple of weeks and it'll be interesting if price plays a part in its reception. We don't get iPhone promotions here either. Their price is fixed and non negotiable with carriers.

 

[drygioni]

If this is the case i might be able to order my iPhone 8/Edition without any problems every year the dates slip after a couple of minutes.

I had zero problems getting any of my iPhones, though I usually go for whatever the mid-tier storage option is.

 

[drzen]

If you are already spending over 700 bucks on a phone might as well get the best. The difference between the 7S and the 8 is massive to me. The GM leak has uncovered so many excusives for the iPhone 8 that people will forget the price and just opt for it

I'd rather let the potential hardware issues work themselves out and wait until the edge-to-edge OLED trickles down to all 2018 or 2019 iPhone models. I will get the 8 (7s) fully paid, and use it for two years. It will be a big enough upgrade for me from my 6 which just recently died.

 

[drygioni]

I'd rather let the potential hardware issues work themselves out and wait until the edge-to-edge OLED trickles down to all 2018 or 2019 iPhone models. I will get the 8 (7s) fully paid, and use it for two years. It will be a big enough upgrade for me from my 6 which just recently died.

This is what I'm going to do provided I can keep the giddiness about the X at bay.

 

[joeblow7777]

Some people might value having the 7S over the 8. Obviously, some people will buy it. But the question of why so many people will flock to the 8 is answered by the fact that the 8 will be sporting something new, which is going to be priced and advertised as "the best". The 7S, just based on how Apple does the pricing, will be the inferior product for most people (unless you need Touch ID).

When all is said and done, I will be expecting the 8 to outsell the 7 and 7S combined.

Exactly. Thisi s something the 7S advocates just don't understand. People don't want to upgrade just for the sake of it. They want new features and latest hardware. The 7S literally has nothing the 7 owners would potentially want.

You guys are thinking like tech enthusiasts, which most people aren't. For starters, most people with an iPhone 7 will not be upgrading at all. Most people do not find it necessary to upgrade a smartphone every year, and will find that last year's model is still more than sufficient for them. Which brings me to my next point, that the majority of iPhone users are using a model that is older than a 7. If you're coming from a 5s or 6, or an even older model, the "7s" will still be a significant upgrade, and at a more reasonable price. When you factor in availability issues, I won't be surprised at all if the "7s" models outsell the "8" by quite a bit. Apple probably won't give comparative sales figures though, and just talk about how many iPhones they sell in total.
[doublepost=1504965628][/doublepost]

If you are already spending over 700 bucks on a phone might as well get the best. The difference between the 7S and the 8 is massive to me. The GM leak has uncovered so many excusives for the iPhone 8 that people will forget the price and just opt for it

I must have missed something. What exactly are all these exclusives? Because the only advantages I'm aware of a the larger (sort of. Because it's still narrower than a plus screen) OLED display in a smaller frame, and FaceID, which may or may not be an actual advantage. They also come at the expense of a home button and TouchID, which many people may actually prefer.

 

[Radon87000]

Buying outright is not the mainstream approach though. You're in a fortunate position where you can just buy in cash but the common method is purchasing on contract and spreading the cost over 2 years. That's becoming expensive though. You're also assuming everybody is judging these phone based purely on their hardware. A lot people buy the brand because it's the brand and price plays a major part.

If Apple are keeping something as simple as animated emojis for the iPhone 8, I can only laugh really. We're used to gifs and effects in iMessage as it is so an animated emoji is hardly blockbusting features. The status symbol label is a stretch too as it's hardly a demonstration of someones wealth. It's overpriced, but hardly Patek Philippe territory.

If only Apple had put more effort into the 7s version i would have gotten that but it looks like Apple wants the 7 owners to upgrade to 8mdirectly by the looks of it.
]

I must have missed something. What exactly are all these exclusives? Because the only advantages I'm aware of a the larger (sort of. Because it's still narrower than a plus screen) OLED display in a smaller frame, and FaceID, which may or may not be an actual advantage. They also come at the expense of a home button and TouchID, which many people may actually prefer.

True tone display, FaceID, 3D sensor modules, curved edge oled displays, camera with AR capabilities. Taken together that's a substantial difference.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

If only Apple had put more effort into the 7s version i would have gotten that but it looks like Apple wants the 7 owners to upgrade to 8mdirectly by the looks of it.

I think Apple are more interested in people who upgraded in 2015 to the 6S as they'll be coming off 2 year contracts. Unless it's people on a yearly upgrade program leasing their phones, then those with the 7 will likely skip this launch. I know very few people who upgrade annually to be honest. The 7S from a 6S is likely a more worthy upgrade as long as we ignore the problem of the missing headphone jack. It would be the model I'd most likely be interested in if I was due to upgrade.

 

[macTW]

As the title says.

It will be limited to a larger 5.8 screen probably so why would all those with a 4.7" screen update when they refused to buy the IPhone 6, 6S and 7 plus?

Surely in 2018 they will instead offer an OLED model in smaller sizes anyway?

1) larger screen in same size
2) better graphics and battery performance wth OLED
3) lots of people value outside of phone over inside, so redesign.

 

[joeblow7777]

If only Apple had put more effort into the 7s version i would have gotten that but it looks like Apple wants the 7 owners to upgrade to 8mdirectly by the looks of it.
]


True tone display, FaceID, 3D sensor modules, curved edge oled displays, camera with AR capabilities. Taken together that's a substantial difference.

At this point you probably just think I'm being stubborn, but I'm not sure that most people will see the significance of most of those features. Apple will have to really sell them during the key note and in subsequent marketing. Again, it seems like the kind of stuff that whets the appetite of tech junkies.

Also, since when is the OLED display supposed to have a curved edge? That's news to me.

 

[Radon87000]

At this point you probably just think I'm being stubborn, but I'm not sure that most people will see the significance of most of those features. Apple will have to really sell them during the key note and in subsequent marketing. Again, it seems like the kind of stuff that whets the appetite of tech junkies.

They don't need to know the significance of it. Previously people used to walk in the store, get the top end iPhone and walk out. Now when they go,to the store to buy one, they will find yet another iPhone which is radically designed to boot and with some proper marketing, Apple could very well turn it into a sale. The 8 looks much more beautiful than the 7s and that's a very important aspect. When a customer spend 800 on an 7s this time here will always be a "it's not the best" lurking in his mind. That factor may be a game changer.

Theres a lot of people who will want to flaunt a diffrentiated iPhone for the cool factor as well

Also, since when is the OLED display supposed to have a curved edge? That's news to me.

The oled display is curved along the edges just not as much as Samsung.

 

[ForumChick]

You're assuming that there aren't many customers who might actually consider the "7s (plus)" to be a better phone. Some actually prefer the design, and the home button and TouchID, as well as the wider aspect ratio. All of that with presumably the same chip and ram of the "8", and it cost less!

Most of us here are pretty enthusiastic about iPhone so we can't see past the most premium model, but honestly, the "7s" will probably be the better buy for most consumers, if they can resist being taken in by the more glamorous option.

I think that people here are underestimating how popular the "7s" models will be because of their own personal bias to "superior" technology.

Exactly. Most people on these forums are so out of touch with regular consumers. Most people don't even know what RAM means, they just want a phone that works. There will be many who find the gestures very confusing.

 

[joeblow7777]

Exactly. Most people on these forums are so out of touch with regular consumers. Most people don't even know what RAM means, they just want a phone that works. There will be many who find the gestures very confusing.

And there's always the famous non-techy questions: "Why does this one cost so much more? What does it do that this one doesn't?"

If Apple doesn't answer those questions in a very clear and obvious way, more people will go for the less expensive model than people here might realize.

 

[Radon87000]

And there's always the famous non-techy questions: "Why does this one cost so much more? What does it do that this one doesn't?"

If Apple doesn't answer those questions in a very clear and obvious way, more people will go for the less expensive model than people here might realize.

I am not sure you realise the fashion aspect of it. The iPhone 8 looks much more premium and high end than the existing phones so much so that those questions dont need to be answered as the device itself speaks for itself
I think you are underestimating the importance of a design change. The 7S has a design from 2014. Not sure if customers upgrading would want that.

 

[ForumChick]

I am not sure you realise the fashion aspect of it. The iPhone 8 looks much more premium and high end than the existing phones so much so that those questions dont need to be answered as the device itself speaks for itself
I think you are underestimating the importance of a design change. The 7S has a design from 2014. Not sure if customers upgrading would want that.

The s8 looks way more premium than the 7. Why aren't people buying it? It's much more confusing to use. People are so used to have one button to press to get to home, and with gestures, this will be a learning curve.

 

[joeblow7777]

I am not sure you realise the fashion aspect of it. The iPhone 8 looks much more premium and high end than the existing phones so much so that those questions dont need to be answered as the device itself speaks for itself
I think you are underestimating the importance of a design change. The 7S has a design from 2014. Not sure if customers upgrading would want that.

I don't think that the "fashion" aspect of smartphones is as big a deal as it used to be. There have been much sleeker looking phones than the iPhone for some time now, which is why they're trying to play catch up, so the people who just want the fanciest looking phone probably could have picked up an Galaxy S8 by now.

What I am familiar with is lots of what I would call "average consumers" who are only now looking to upgrade their iPhone 5 because the battery is starting to die or the storage is too small, but don't understand why anyone would spend $1000 on a phone when they pretty much just use it for calls, texts, social media, and the camera. Coming from a 6 series or earlier, the "7s" will still be a beast of an upgrade and do everything that such people want for hundreds of dollars less.

I hear what you're saying though. I have no doubt that the "8" will sell like hotcakes! but the "7s" models are definitely not without their market, and I anticipate them selling very well. Possibly better than the "8". The "7s" is the Honda Civic. Not sexy, but it's solid and does everything that you need. The "8" is the Ferrari. People will know that it's better. They'll look at it and be impressed, but many will simply say, "I just don't need that".

 

[OllyW]

But then why are customers like those even consdiering the 7S? Your opinion is that that 300 isnt worth the extra features offered by the 8. But what does spending 700 on the 7s get you. An iPhone 7 with wireless charging and glass back and some camera improvements which will likely be miniscule. Thats just throwing money away imo.

Not everyone upgrades every time a new model is released. It will be a decent upgrade from my current iPhone 6 and I'm hoping it will start at the same £599 entry level price as the iPhone 7.

 

[Shanghaichica]

They don't need to know the significance of it. Previously people used to walk in the store, get the top end iPhone and walk out. Now when they go,to the store to buy one, they will find yet another iPhone which is radically designed to boot and with some proper marketing, Apple could very well turn it into a sale. The 8 looks much more beautiful than the 7s and that's a very important aspect. When a customer spend 800 on an 7s this time here will always be a "it's not the best" lurking in his mind. That factor may be a game changer.

Theres a lot of people who will want to flaunt a diffrentiated iPhone for the cool factor as well


The oled display is curved along the edges just not as much as Samsung.

Yes some will be interested but many will just want to save money. The 7S will now be the mid tier option with the SE being at the lower end and the iPhone X being the top tier. I would imagine the 7S being the middle tier will be the most popular.

 

[Radon87000]

Apple is not a brand like Ferrari. They are not comparable. The average customer is going to look at his own phone, find the iPhone X looks better, has a notcieably different screen to look at and get it. Its either spend $969 on an incremental update or spend 200-300 more and get a radically different version since 2007.

Of course if you are on a 6s the 7s is a upgrade but it still has the same design and not really that much to look forward to. You get a DCI-P3 screen which means a slightly more vibrant LCD,waterproofing, a slightly better camera, wireless charging.

I can say the 6S-7S Plus can be a huge upgrade but a 6S-7S isnt because it doesnt have dual cameras for potrait mode nor does it have 3gb of ram

The 8 is a dramatically bigger upgrade for 200 more. Even if I couldnt spend $1300 on a phone I would still at least get the 64GB variant which costs the same as my 7 PLus
[doublepost=1504979982][/doublepost]

Not everyone upgrades every time a new model is released. It will be a decent upgrade from my current iPhone 6 and I'm hoping it will start at the same £599 entry level price as the iPhone 7.

Its a huge upgrade from the iPhone 6 but not that big for 6s or 7.
[doublepost=1504980115][/doublepost]

Yes some will be interested but many will just want to save money. The 7S will now be the mid tier option with the SE being at the lower end and the iPhone X being the top tier. I would imagine the 7S being the middle tier will be the most popular.

The sad part of it is the middle tier wont see updates on the scale that we used to see anymore. Apple will devote major resources to the top tier. Expect some small trickle down features from the iPhone 8 every year or so

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Apple is not a brand like Ferrari. They are not comparable. The average customer is going to look at his own phone, find the iPhone X looks better, has a notcieably different screen to look at and get it. Its either spend $969 on an incremental update or spend 200-300 more and get a radically different version since 2007.

Of course if you are on a 6s the 7s is a upgrade but it still has the same design and not really that much to look forward to. You get a DCI-P3 screen which means a slightly more vibrant LCD,waterproofing, a slightly better camera, wireless charging.

I can say the 6S-7S Plus can be a huge upgrade but a 6S-7S isnt because it doesnt have dual cameras for potrait mode nor does it have 3gb of ram

The 8 is a dramatically bigger upgrade for 200 more. Even if I couldnt spend $1300 on a phone I would still at least get the 64GB variant which costs the same as my 7 PLus

Why did 16GB iPhones always sell better than 32GB and 64GB despite being only £100 cheaper? Why didn't consumers buy more storage when it was known the base model severely lacked in this regard?

Don't you think it could have been because it was the cheapest new iPhone available both to buy and on contract? This opened up the iPhone to many demographics. You seem to think people are going to see an OLED screen and instantly buy it regardless of whether they can afford it or not. The same people who have resisted buying android flagships with OLED screens but will change their minds with the iPhone. I'm looking forward to seeing the figures in a few months time.

 

[Nozuka]

Apple is not a brand like Ferrari. They are not comparable. The average customer is going to look at his own phone, find the iPhone X looks better, has a notcieably different screen to look at and get it. Its either spend $969 on an incremental update or spend 200-300 more and get a radically different version since 2007.

Of course if you are on a 6s the 7s is a upgrade but it still has the same design and not really that much to look forward to. You get a DCI-P3 screen which means a slightly more vibrant LCD,waterproofing, a slightly better camera, wireless charging.

I can say the 6S-7S Plus can be a huge upgrade but a 6S-7S isnt because it doesnt have dual cameras for potrait mode nor does it have 3gb of ram

The 8 is a dramatically bigger upgrade for 200 more. Even if I couldnt spend $1300 on a phone I would still at least get the 64GB variant which costs the same as my 7 PLus
[doublepost=1504979982][/doublepost]
Its a huge upgrade from the iPhone 6 but not that big for 6s or 7.
[doublepost=1504980115][/doublepost]

The sad part of it is the middle tier wont see updates on the scale that we used to see anymore. Apple will devote major resources to the top tier. Expect some small trickle down features from the iPhone 8 every year or so

the average customer is not well informed about any of the things you listed. they need a phone, they go into a store and they already know how much they are willing to spend on a new phone. "incremental update" is something they wouldn't even know of. maybe a good salesperson can sometimes convince them to spend a little more.

but apple is not going to try and convince everyone to buy an iphone X, because they need and want to sell the other phones too.
(they wouldn't even have enough OLED screens for everyone, which is how the X and iphone 8 debacle started to begin with)

 

[joeblow7777]

Why did 16GB iPhones always sell better than 32GB and 64GB despite being only £100 cheaper? Why didn't consumers buy more storage when it was known the base model severely lacked in this regard?

I was going to raise that same point. Many people simply want "a new iPhone" and don't discriminate much between models, so they go for what's less expensive.

I doubt that Apple will release a by model breakdown of sales anytime soon though. We'll just hear about xx million "iPhones" sold.

 

[OllyW]

Its a huge upgrade from the iPhone 6 but not that big for 6s or 7.

Wouldn't it be a good idea to wait for all the specs and prices to be confirmed before coming to that conclusion?

 

[SoN1NjA]

Because I've been waiting for OLED since 2014 and it's ****ing ridiculous it's taken this long and I'm tired of waiting

 

[HarryWild]

Higher price point the more status associated with the iPhone! Many people especially middle class will be buying the iPhone 8 or X or Edition OLED 5.8" iPhone. Those 1%ers, many still on the Razr or 4" iPhone!

 

[ForumChick]

I was going to raise that same point. Many people simply want "a new iPhone" and don't discriminate much between models, so they go for what's less expensive.

I doubt that Apple will release a by model breakdown of sales anytime soon though. We'll just hear about xx million "iPhones" sold.

This needed to be said. Most people don't care about OLED, and I mean average consumers. I asked my sister the other day if she thought the IPhones bezels were too big, and she said that she didn't know what bezels were! People are so out of touch. People I know actually like big bezels, because it gives the phone color. Many females(including me) also like big bezels because they like a white front. Again, so out of touch
[doublepost=1504984370][/doublepost]

And there's always the famous non-techy questions: "Why does this one cost so much more? What does it do that this one doesn't?"

If Apple doesn't answer those questions in a very clear and obvious way, more people will go for the less expensive model than people here might realize.

They want people to go for the LCD model. That's why the x's price is so high. They need people to buy the 8, or they're going to lose a lot. Plenty of demand but not enough units.