iPhone 14 Pro Max Why is the iPhone still seen as the holy grail of smartphones?

[tomekwsrod]

So, why is the iPhone still seen as the go-to smartphone for the masses?

Is it? Outside of US and forums like this one, it is not. Other brands are popular, even Nothing phone is gaining speed, especially 2(a) (plus) iPhone has stopped being innovative for some time now, and its price/value ratio is unattractive. That said I don't say it is a bad phone. It is a good smartphone, just I would not say it is a go-to smartphone.

 

[webkit]

Everything you just posted besides glass and stadia were absorbed by other products or made redundant, BY OTHER PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
The Nexus phones were replaced with the Pixel line up…..
Youre really get upset when I till you Apple doesn’t sell the IBook. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😝😛😹😹

The point is that they are ALL discontinued Google hardware products. A number of Google software products/services were also absorbed, replaced or made redundant by other products but that doesn't mean they weren't discontinued and didn't make the "Google Graveyard" list which is what the discussion was about.

 

[I7guy]

[…]) iPhone has stopped being innovative for some time now, and its price/value ratio is unattractive. That said I don't say it is a bad phone.[…]

That said, it’s your opinion only.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I'm from the central EU.


People don't, because people like new stuff and Apple's "mid range offerings" are 4 year old phones that are hardly competitive with Android phones at the same price point.

It's a mix of different factors. Apple hasn't captured the EU market as early and with as much presence as the US market.
There were, (and still are), hardly any official Apple stores in many places, language support is lacking, some features or even products being geo locked to the US only for a long time or forever...
All this has been getting better over time, but it has made its mark and in the meantime people got used to Android as the default option.

The overall market share of Android in the EU is dropping though.
The iOS dominance among younger generations applies to the US and EU alike.
And the aforementioned premium market dominance is a global figure.

And yes, I'm shamelessly including the UK in the EU umbrella term

I don't think the presence of Apple Stores has anything to do with it as they are present in most major cities and we have the internet where the majority of phones are bought anyway. There are also phone retailers, all of which stock iPhones alongside Android phones. You can buy an iPhone in nearly every Tesco, Asda and Sainbury's supermarket in the UK and I have seen a similar setup when I am travelling regularly through the Netherlands and Germany. There aren't Samsung and LG shops all over the place and probably less than Apple Stores on the whole too, they just rely on the same retailers are Apple do and always have.

In regards to the younger generation, certainly in my experience, they are probably the biggest users of older iPhones (2-4 year old devices). This is potentially down to them either being passed down or because the newer iPhones are £800 to £1800. I think teenagers and younger professionals care less about the specs and more about the cost, whereas people in my age group and upwards with good salaries have more disposable income. As I said though, its not always about price as many Android phones now cost more than iPhones and these are appealing in the market.

Personally I think the biggest factor as to why the iPhone is more popular in the US is because it is a US originated company and they are trusted. Europe has always had a rich range of Android phones since 2008 and very early on they were more competitive on price. People stick with what they know.

 

[I7guy]

After using iPhones for years, I've tried using a Pixel for a year now, and I must say, outside of AirDrop to my Mac, the Pixel is superior in almost every area. The autocorrect on the Pixel keyboard is much better, you can swipe from either side of the screen to go back in the OS (compared to iOS where you have to either touch the back button at the top left corner of the screen or use the finicky swipe left from the screen there that works half of the time), it has a functional notification system, and the material design of the UI is more modern-looking than iOS. Plus, you can have an ad blocker for YouTube and Chrome on Android is a better bowser than Safari because sites are actually optimized for it .Overall, the phone is more fun to use and smarter.

So, why is the iPhone still seen as the go-to smartphone for the masses? I don’t buy the argument that people are just sheep and buy iPhones because of the network effect. I understand why Mac and iPad are popular—they are better than the competition. But when it comes to phones, the iPhone seems to be lagging behind the Pixel. Despite this, it remains Apple's most popular product, which I find odd.

What are your thoughts on this? Why do you think the iPhone continues to dominate the market?

iPhone really doesn’t dominate the market in volume. The company though is a money machine. They(apple) have put together an attractive product, provide good support and the masses love these products. Some of the loud complaining and general nitpicking here in MR is not indicative of the general public in any way shape or form. And the loud complaining about the lack of innovation and over priced hardware is not the way imo the public sees it.

In the US the iPhone is a popular product across many demographics - no doubt about it.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

iPhone really doesn’t dominate the market in volume. The company though is a money machine. They(apple) have put together an attractive product, provide good support and the masses love these products. Some of the loud complaining and general nitpicking here in MR is not indicative of the general public in any way shape or form. And the loud complaining about the lack of innovation and over priced hardware is not the way imo the public sees it.

In the US the iPhone is a popular product across many demographics - no doubt about it.

Its worth remembering that the comments here differ because not everyone is from the US and we are all pulling our observations together based on the countries we are from. Undoubtedly the iPhone is more popular in the US with your general public, and I think a few years ago I saw that after a few months of an initial iPhone release, the sales were a record and 40% came from the US. That would explain I think why there will be a different perspective.

If I had looked at the people in my circles 10 years ago, about 90% would be using iPhones. Now its more likely 30% as the market has matured, iPhones and Android phones have developed into products that now essentially do the same thing and have very similar quality in delivery.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

As someone who's carried both iPhone and Android for more than a decade. Both platforms have come a long way. But Apple has had a huge head start in areas that really matter. It wasn't that long ago when almost all Android phones had terrible stand-by battery life, compared to the iPhone. For a list of reasons, developers prioritized iOS over Android, and many times made some great apps exclusive. So basically, the iPhone is seen by the average consumer as the gold standard, simply because it was better first.

IMHO, If Android wasn't open source, it would have possibly died a long time ago like the Windows Phone. Certain manufacturers (mainly Samsung) kept Android afloat during the rough transition era. I was okay dealing with some of Android's woes, because the hardware of any given phone was that good or unique. Same with some of the software tweaks and features manufacturers would implement. Being that said, a vanilla Android on a vanilla type device, would have made me abandon Android years ago.

Over the last decade of owning an iPhone and Android phone, an Android phone has been used the majority of the time as my main phone line. I went back to using the iPhone as my main phone when the 15PM came out. For the most part, it's been all the little things as the reason.

If I had to choose only one platform, I would go with Android, simply because the mass amount of choices to be had. And waiting for Apple to implement tech advances into their devices is like watching paint dry.

 

[one more]

I would not go as far as the holy grail, LOL.

For me it is mostly iOS and iPadOS aesthetics, as Apple still gives quite a bit of attention to detail. The software just looks sleeker.

Hardware-wise, however, Samsung Galaxy S24 beats a regular iPhone 15 with its three cameras, 120 Hz screen, AI, etc., while also costing less.

 

[eyoungren]

iPhone has stopped being innovative for some time now…

You say that as if Android is innovative. Is it?

I see a lot of Android manufacturers throwing stuff against the wall to see if it sticks. That's hardly innovative and if it's not, then saying Apple stopped being innovative is hardly an advantage for Android.

And is that really a motivator for buying a phone for you? That it's innovative? You don't buy non-innovative phones?

IDK. I just want my phone to work, I don't need innovative.

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

IDK. I just want my phone to work, I don't need innovative.

Same.
Innovative would probably also contain first gen tech/components. I'm generally watching that sort of thing from a distance
Maybe I'm not adventurous enough, but I'd rather have a product that's _reasonably_ mature.

 

[fw85]

Is it? Outside of US and forums like this one, it is not. Other brands are popular, even Nothing phone is gaining speed, especially 2(a) (plus) iPhone has stopped being innovative for some time now, and its price/value ratio is unattractive. That said I don't say it is a bad phone. It is a good smartphone, just I would not say it is a go-to smartphone.

Above $600, its global market share is over 70%, so definitely not limited to the US.

I don't think the presence of Apple Stores has anything to do with it as they are present in most major cities and we have the internet where the majority of phones are bought anyway.

In Eastern Europe there's barely any, and even in countries with official presence, it's often like 1 or 2 stores in the entire country.
I'm not saying it's a major reason, just something that contributed to an overall lack of presence and support. An official Apple store still provides more and better services than a 3rd party reseller.
Random anecdote - there is like 20 dedicated Samsung stores in my city, 0 Apple stores.

But as I mentioned, language, features etc being the other important factors.

In regards to the younger generation, certainly in my experience, they are probably the biggest users of older iPhones (2-4 year old devices). This is potentially down to them either being passed down or because the newer iPhones are £800 to £1800.

Young people will find a way to get an iPhone if it means annoying their parents until they buy them one, or buy it from any sort of disposable income at their hands, whether they can afford it or not.

I'm somewhere at the older end of Gen Z - perhaps you're underestimating just how much young people won't be caught dead holding an Android phone - yes, even a potentially more expensive one.

If you're from an older gen in a circle of people of your age, this trend may be escaping you a bit, but it's absolutely true and statistically proven at this point.

For younger people their phone is often their main computing device and iPhone together with the entire Apple ecosystem is just too attractive, cool, status-signaling of an offer to pass up. Even if it means splurging their last cash on it.

 

[eyoungren]

Young people will find a way to get an iPhone if it means annoying their parents until they buy them one, or buy it from any sort of disposable income at their hands, whether they can afford it or not.

I'm somewhere at the older end of Gen Z - perhaps you're underestimating just how much young people won't be caught dead holding an Android phone - yes, even a potentially more expensive one.

If you're from an older gen in a circle of people of your age, this trend may be escaping you a bit, but it's absolutely true and statistically proven at this point.

For younger people their phone is often their main computing device and iPhone together with the entire Apple ecosystem is just too attractive, cool, status-signaling of an offer to pass up. Even if it means splurging their last cash on it.

I'm 53, so Gen-X. However, my kids are Gen-Z. My son is 20 and my daughter is 16. While both have iPhones, my son's first computer was an iBook G3 and my daughter's first computer was a TiBook 400.

Both my kids primarily use their computers and not their iPhones. Although, for my daughter, since she killed her last computer she's been forced to use her phone because I haven't replaced it. Neither kid uses Macs now.

When my son was in High School (he graduated in 2020) I asked him if those in his group of friends that had Androids were looked down on. He said no.

However, my son graduated from a tech high school (STEAM school) so possibly you could argue he wasn't a typical high school student.

I'll have to ask my daughter the same question about Android. She's a junior in High School this year.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Above $600, its global market share is over 70%, so definitely not limited to the US.

In Eastern Europe there's barely any, and even in countries with official presence, it's often like 1 or 2 stores in the entire country.
I'm not saying it's a major reason, just something that contributed to an overall lack of presence and support. An official Apple store still provides more and better services than a 3rd party reseller.
Random anecdote - there is like 20 dedicated Samsung stores in my city, 0 Apple stores.

But as I mentioned, language, features etc being the other important factors.

Young people will find a way to get an iPhone if it means annoying their parents until they buy them one, or buy it from any sort of disposable income at their hands, whether they can afford it or not.

I'm somewhere at the older end of Gen Z - perhaps you're underestimating just how much young people won't be caught dead holding an Android phone - yes, even a potentially more expensive one.

If you're from an older gen in a circle of people of your age, this trend may be escaping you a bit, but it's absolutely true and statistically proven at this point.

For younger people their phone is often their main computing device and iPhone together with the entire Apple ecosystem is just too attractive, cool, status-signaling of an offer to pass up. Even if it means splurging their last cash on it.

My 14 year-old had a choice of Android or iPhone that we were buying. She picked out a Pixel.

It probably helps that they aren't allowed to carry phones at school and her and her fiends all chat via Snapchat.

 

[fw85]

When my son was in High School (he graduated in 2020) I asked him if those in his group of friends that had Androids were looked down on. He said no.

Yeah the fact that it was a tech focused school might have helped, but also since 2020 the dominance of iPhones went up at record pace.

Maybe due to the fact that around this time, Apple finally caught up with some crucial features that were missing.

My 14 year-old had a choose of Android or iPhone. She picked out a pixel.

It probably helps that they aren't allowed to carry phones at school.

Statistically, there's still like 10-30% of people aged 14-29 that will pick Android.
Still, the writing is on the wall and in the future it will only get worse for Android...

 

[thegerman]

iPhones are good for communication. Android are a better tool in therms of working/business. When you want a real smartphone go with Android for the open system and features

 

[fw85]

iPhones are good for communication. Android are a better tool in therms of working/business. When you want a real smartphone go with Android for the open system and features

Please enlighten me how Android phones are better for working/business, I'm curious.
I've only been using my not-a-real-smartphone for this purpose so far...

 

[WarmWinterHat]

iPhones are good for communication. Android are a better tool in therms of working/business. When you want a real smartphone go with Android for the open system and features

The last three companies I've worked for, all hospitals, only offered iPhones. For computers, it's Windows only.

For tablets, we offer iPads or Surfaces.

 

[thegerman]

Please enlighten me how Android phones are better for working/business, I'm curious.
I've only been using my not-a-real-smartphone for this purpose so far...

Androids are better in connectivity and cellular = Better phone calls (it’s proof)
You can send easy pictures with Bluetooth to all phones in the world. You can use sideloading for much better software experience, because for business 90% use windows. That’s not bashing that’s true.

*Written from iPhone 13 PM*

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Androids are better in connectivity and cellular = Better phone calls (it’s proof)
You can send easy pictures with Bluetooth to all phones in the world. You can use sideloading for much better software experience, because for business 90% use windows. That’s not bashing that’s true.

*Written from iPhone 13 PM*

Enterprise services work just fine with iPhone; email, calendar, Teams, Outlook, MDM, it's all there, and has been for years. Enterprise customers have also been able to sideload apps to iOS devices, without the app store and with full support from Apple, for years. I have company apps on my iPhone that aren't available from the App Store.

As for your other nonsense, I'll not bother......

Written from my company provided 2022 SE.

 

[fw85]

Androids are better in connectivity and cellular = Better phone calls (it’s proof)
You can send easy pictures with Bluetooth to all phones in the world. You can use sideloading for much better software experience, because for business 90% use windows. That’s not bashing that’s true.

*Written from iPhone 13 PM*

I'd like 15 seconds of my time back reading this nonsense.

I'd expect higher effort even if this is an attempt at trolling...

 

[ric22]

I bought an iPhone way back when because I already had an iPod Touch and a Mac, which I was happy with already. Years ago work gave me an Android phone to use and I didn't enjoy it much. Never given Android much of a chance since. I really like my iPhone 15PM. Is my partner's Android phone superior in some ways? Sure. But they've mostly also taken away reasons to switch, like lower prices for flagship devices, SD card port and headphone jack.

I'm waaaay more likely to switch away from Mac now than from iPhone, as the specs I value in Macs are far far too low for the price they charge. I really don't need a super fast CPU or GPU for home use, but I do want a lot of internal storage, and won't pay simply unrealistic prices just to keep using Mac, when Windows really isn't bad.

 

[Devyn89]

I can’t speak for everyone but for me it’s the hardware consistency. They don’t change things for no reason, and usually do a pretty good job of adding features and expanding on them over time. Of course there’s exceptions (3D Touch is the biggest I think) but I know what I’m getting with iPhone.
The other piece is the real and perceived privacy benefits. Apple stakes its reputation on being a privacy focused company and, though I have nothing to hide, that matters to me.

 

[Tomasulu]

It’s the ecosystem. I have almost all of apples products and services and generally happy with them. So despite the phone being the least competitive member in the family it’s also the hub for other Apple products. But I’m at a point where I’m so dissatisfied with the same old iPhone that I've decided not to upgrade the rest of the Apple products I’ve. So when it’s time to upgrade my Apple Watch Ultra I’ll not get another Apple Watch even though I like it. Same for iPads, Apple TV, HomePods, AirPods Pro etc. I’ll still keep my macs though. Eventually I’ll get rid of the iPhone.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

After using iPhones for years, I've tried using a Pixel for a year now, and I must say, outside of AirDrop to my Mac, the Pixel is superior in almost every area. The autocorrect on the Pixel keyboard is much better, you can swipe from either side of the screen to go back in the OS (compared to iOS where you have to either touch the back button at the top left corner of the screen or use the finicky swipe left from the screen there that works half of the time), it has a functional notification system, and the material design of the UI is more modern-looking than iOS. Plus, you can have an ad blocker for YouTube and Chrome on Android is a better bowser than Safari because sites are actually optimized for it .Overall, the phone is more fun to use and smarter.

So, why is the iPhone still seen as the go-to smartphone for the masses? I don’t buy the argument that people are just sheep and buy iPhones because of the network effect. I understand why Mac and iPad are popular—they are better than the competition. But when it comes to phones, the iPhone seems to be lagging behind the Pixel. Despite this, it remains Apple's most popular product, which I find odd.

What are your thoughts on this? Why do you think the iPhone continues to dominate the market?

Why? Because
1) The Android OS is brought to us by a vendor, Alphabet/Google, whose primary business model is to collect our personal data. Apple's primary business model is to make and sell good products. That essential core difference between Android products and Apple products impact everything.
2) Apple redefined the category of what a smart phone is and has consistently provided new products at the very top of the genre.
3) As one gets more involved in using products in the Apple ecosystem, the various products interact synergistically. The Android ecosystem (to the extent that there is one) does not perform with anywhere near as much synergy.
4) Apple provides support at levels unheard of on the Android side of things.

Etc.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

What a strawman question. I reject the premise. There is no objective standard supporting your view. US market share is 60/40 iPhone, worldwide it's the opposite but skewed even more toward Android. I own both platforms. Sometimes I like steak for dinner, sometimes salmon. Which is better?

And I reject your premise as totally flawed, too simplistic. The important issue is not overall marketshare. You ask "Which is better?" Easy. Apple. If one disregards the huge number of cheap crap low-end phones it is obvious that Apple owns the high end - - and for good reason.

Edit: Note that of course there are a number of excellent phones at the high end running Android. But their market share of the high end is far subordinate to Apple's.