The XR hype is a little funny to me because it is in many ways an inferior product and yet there’s this push in the media that it’s the ‘one to wait for’. But the year old X is in many ways superior and the XS is definitely the better product. Sure it’s cheaper but the majority of buyers never pay these things off anyways so we’re really talking about a few dollars difference in monthly payments. Wonder how many more XS’s would be selling if Apple offered them in colors.
In today's age, the media always has an agenda. And that agenda is not always grounded in truth or fairness. You have to look at the narrative and think independently.
To me, it's obvious that the media is trying to drive the stock price down. The Xr gives them a few ways to control the narrative to drive AAPL down.
1. Claim that the Xr is the iPhone that will be the most popular iPhone (note - I'm not saying that it isn't, it very well may be the best value. In fact, it probably is since the most expensive is rarely the best value). This leads to point 2.
2. Since Xr has a lower retail price than both the Xs and Max, the media will then claim that the ASP will go down.
3. Next, the media knows full well that an "s" upgrade cycle typically has better availability, but they will still point to the fact that shipping dates are falling as quickly as they did previously. Thus, they claim that the sales of the Xs/Max are "underwhelming".
4. Do all of this during the "Quiet Period" where Apple is forbidden to make public statements, therefore Apple cannot refute the narrative.
5. Wait for the stock price to drop.
6. Tell their clients to buy at AAPL's low point.
7. Wait for Apple to make a public statement (usually a few days after the iPhone is available) indicating that the iPhone has had broke another sales record.
8. Profit when AAPL goes up.
