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Then this year, they could have focused pretty much entirely on the iphone 8. People think, oh the 7s is similar as the 7, so i'll go for the 8.

Remember, most consumers will purchase what they can afford for an iPhone, not just because the 7S is similar to the iPhone 7. The iPhone 7S will be the most popular unit easily, because it's the most affordable under the OLED model. The starting entry-level price point for the OLED model will be priced just under $1000 for the base storage, which is a lot of money for someone to spend on a phone, which is why Apple offers two different variations.
 
Hi,

I was just wondering why Apple didn't introduce a new design for the iPhone 7 and 7+ last year?

I bounce back and forth between Apple and Android and currently have an S8 as my phone and an Apple IPad Pro 10.5 as my main computer and it's replaced my laptop. The new ipad leaves everything else in the dust by the way. However, while the iPhone 7+ I owned for a while was a solid phone, I'm still scratching my head on them using the same basic design 3 cycles in a row for the iPhone.

Any reasoning for this? Did they have a design that was not ready or something like that?

Because that is what Apple does now. Tweaks, internal improvements. Design innovation has left the building with Elvis and Jobs. But don't kid yourself. You are still going to pay a ridiculous premium for the privilege.
 
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Because that is what Apple does now. Tweaks, internal improvements. Design innovation has left the building with Elvis and Jobs. But don't kid yourself. You are still going to pay a ridiculous premium for the privilege.

Lol, in this case probably not going to pay a ridiculous sum for the privilege. When the iPad Pro 10.5 came out that was an almost instant buy for me and it cost as much as a laptop (256 gb, 4g, Smart Keyboard, etc...) but it was an updated design that the competition isn't even close too. I can't say that for the iPhone 8. Apple has serious competition from Samsung ever since the galaxy S6 came out, and I'm pretty happy with the S8 I have now. That being said, if Apple was making this just their regular iPhone and not a $1000 premium model, I'd be very very tempted.
 
The iPhone 8 won't probably be called the 8 when it comes out, I think something like Anniversary Edition or something on those kind of lines.

The iPhone 8 will more likely be next September and will follow on from the AE version of this year with a A12 and a few new extra's so new Design.

I also think they could do away with the Plus for next year at least, as the bezel-less design will make the screen bigger than the 7S Plus yet only slightly larger than the regular 7S, so no need really for 2 phones & saving costs on OLED displays if you only have to order one size, as the 8 plus next year will have to have a screen of around 6inches + and knowing Apple could would be well above the $1000 mark.
 
Hi,

I was just wondering why Apple didn't introduce a new design for the iPhone 7 and 7+ last year?

I bounce back and forth between Apple and Android and currently have an S8 as my phone and an Apple IPad Pro 10.5 as my main computer and it's replaced my laptop. The new ipad leaves everything else in the dust by the way. However, while the iPhone 7+ I owned for a while was a solid phone, I'm still scratching my head on them using the same basic design 3 cycles in a row for the iPhone.

Any reasoning for this? Did they have a design that was not ready or something like that?

During a Verge podcast last year sometime before the 7 launch, Walt Mossberg mentioned that he had heard J Ive met with Apple management and discussed his ambitious goals for the next iPhone design along with a feature set that he wanted to be standard for the next few years to come. Apparently he “asked” them to give him another year to work with engineering to be able to accomplish what he wanted in a reliable manner that ppl would expect from them.

The technology existed but only with highly specialized prototyping machines, and the team needed the time to make the assembly process accomplishable, reducing number of parts, waiting for battery and chip shrinking from suppliers etc. He mentioned the board agreed and then they went to work in the short term on what changes they would be able to implement on the 7 that wouldn’t have large assembly impact and still stir sales which would end up being the iPhone 7.

They got a lot of things right on the iPhone 1 which lasted half a decade until the 4, and then from the 4 to 6, and now the 8, which I’m sure they are hoping will set the direction for the next 3-5 years again.
 
I don't think Apple saw any compelling reason to drastically change the design. It's a great design and they continued to perfect it over the years. It is still the best selling phone out there till this day so there really isn't much rush until the technology they are waiting for becomes available to produce on a mass scale.
 
My favorite apple design is iphone 5
wish iphone 8 part of it'

613bFC-bCvL._SL1500_.jpg
 
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Because there are many suckers out there willing to buy it anyways, so why changing it if its working so well...

My favorite apple design is iphone 5
Totally agree, the 5-5s-SE had and still having the best design. Hopefully in the future they will update the SE with bezel-less\edge to edge screen, but will keep the shape, size and weight.
 
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Because there are many suckers out there willing to buy it anyways, so why changing it if its working so well...


Totally agree, the 5-5s-SE had and still having the best design. Hopefully in the future they will update the SE with bezel-less\edge to edge screen, but will keep the shape, size and weight.

The 7 is the best phone out there on a number of different levels. I think the design could have been changed, but it would have been just for the sake of it.
 
Still love this stark blue colour but Matte black will suffice for iPhone 7. I love the design. iPhone 6/6S took a while to grow on me while just about every previous design was instant attraction; for me that is.
 

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Ah the central question leading inevitably to my decision not to purchase the 7/7+ last year. Unfortunately, neither my 6s+ nor I have the answer.
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3GS to 4?
4s to 5?
5s to 6?

No reason I guess.
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I'm not sure I expected every year, but there was a certain expectation that Apple set for at least every other year. At least the 'tick' 'tock' cycle was something frequently mentioned on MacRumors as a certain gospel as to when internal upgrades would happen and when design changes would happen.
5 to 5s was a whopper of an upgrade. 5s to 6 was a 2 for one thus staving off a full fledged form factor design, which would not have made sense.
 
5 to 5s was a whopper of an upgrade. 5s to 6 was a 2 for one thus staving off a full fledged form factor design, which would not have made sense.
As much as I dislike the 6/6s/7 series, it was an entirely different design than the 5/5s.

If you're meaning internal upgrades, that isn't what I am speaking of. I'm speaking only of physical design changes.
 
As much as I dislike the 6/6s/7 series, it was an entirely different design than the 5/5s.

If you're meaning internal upgrades, that isn't what I am speaking of. I'm speaking only of physical design changes.
The 6 got the 6 and 6+ which held off a physical redesign for one more year until the iPhone "x".
 
I still can’t see any marketing scene behind releasing the 7s the 7s plus and an 8 in JR same cycle. If the 8 is a “pro” then sure. But the tick tick cycle become 8 this year and 8 plus next year and 9 the year after and so on. This year they would flood the market and the years following slow it down intentionally to recoup.
 
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I disagree. It should be the 3GS. ;)
Got to say, I love the feel of the OG, 3GS and 5c in my hands. Those phones, I never had to cases for because they were comfy. Aesthetics, I love the look of the 4/4S and 5/5s but the edges dig into my palms. The 6/6+ went back to curved edges but I have to use a grip case on them because they're too big for me and are prone to slipping off my hands otherwise.
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Lol, in this case probably not going to pay a ridiculous sum for the privilege. When the iPad Pro 10.5 came out that was an almost instant buy for me and it cost as much as a laptop (256 gb, 4g, Smart Keyboard, etc...) but it was an updated design that the competition isn't even close too.
Do iPads even have any competition left in the mid to high end tablet market? Apart from Windows 10 convertibles that are really more laptops that can occasionally work as tablets rather than well designed tablets first and foremost, that is.
 
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They had this year to think about. What would be the point in wasting a redesign in 2016 when it would make more sense to have a new design in 2017 for the 10th year of the iPhone. And it's not like they left the same design, technically it was a redesign, just not a drastic one. And that design was much better and looked a lot cleaner and more modern than the 6 and 6s.
 
They had this year to think about. What would be the point in wasting a redesign in 2016 when it would make more sense to have a new design in 2017 for the 10th year of the iPhone. And it's not like they left the same design, technically it was a redesign, just not a drastic one. And that design was much better and looked a lot cleaner and more modern than the 6 and 6s.

Agreed. The overall form factor remained the same. But there were physical tweaks with the speakers, home button, antenna lines, deleted Jack, dual camera, new 7000 Series aluminum over the 6000 Series, etc. Apple was not using the same physical casing for the 6/6s/7. They were different in retrospect, But the design remained the same.
 
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The iPhone 8 won't probably be called the 8 when it comes out, I think something like Anniversary Edition or something on those kind of lines.

The iPhone 8 will more likely be next September and will follow on from the AE version of this year with a A12 and a few new extra's so new Design.

I also think they could do away with the Plus for next year at least, as the bezel-less design will make the screen bigger than the 7S Plus yet only slightly larger than the regular 7S, so no need really for 2 phones & saving costs on OLED displays if you only have to order one size, as the 8 plus next year will have to have a screen of around 6inches + and knowing Apple could would be well above the $1000 mark.

I wonder how long they will then milk this "new design"? I'm guessing they will use the same design on the 8,8+,9,and 9+ models at least until model 10. By then, maybe $1500 for a phone? I'm getting to the end of the line.

Ironically, as phones become more and more advanced, the cost obviously goes up, but my attitude also evolves. I don't need a phone that can buy my lunch or calculate the cure for cancer. I need it to make calls, give me directions, and check my email. I'm not spending a grand for that.
 
I wonder how long they will then milk this "new design"? I'm guessing they will use the same design on the 8,8+,9,and 9+ models at least until model 10. By then, maybe $1500 for a phone? I'm getting to the end of the line.

Ironically, as phones become more and more advanced, the cost obviously goes up, but my attitude also evolves. I don't need a phone that can buy my lunch or calculate the cure for cancer. I need it to make calls, give me directions, and check my email. I'm not spending a grand for that.

If what we have been reading/listening is true, ie: difficulty engineering/manufacturing, it may be a while.
For me, the 7S-8, cost will be a significant factor. Wonder if the 8 will be called the Pro or something....
 
You're right, we should have kept the iPhone 4 design until now. I mean it's one of the best iPhone design right?

Who gives a crap about bigger screen for multimedia right? 3.5" not big enough for you? Then go somewhere else. Am i right? Am i Right??

The iPhone 4 design is my favorite iPhone. With smaller bezels , particularly top and bottom, it would still be relevant today.

Obviously this is my opinion and many might disagree :)
 
The iPhone 4 design is my favorite iPhone. With smaller bezels , particularly top and bottom, it would still be relevant today.

Obviously this is my opinion and many might disagree :)

I think is one reason why Apple offers the 4 inch SE. It's larger than iPhone, it's still small enough for pocketability and one handed use. Not everyone wants the latest specifications and features. The iPhone SE in its form, offers excellent battery, life speed from the A9 processor and comfortability holding it.

And many seem to not realize, a lot phone manufacturers do not offer a phone in this size anymore.
 
I've always hated the wasted screen from the top and bottoms of iPhones but other than that I love the look of the current phones. If they kept the overall design and gave us wall to wall screen I would be fine with it.

I don't care about changes just for the sake of changes. I feel like if it doesn't improve the phones usability or effectiveness, no need to change it.
 
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I think the tweaked design and new black/ JB options made it just different enough to be interesting, would still like to see a deep blue version though. Wonder if the glass back rumours for the 7s will come true?
 
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