Why the 2017 iPhone Cycle Will Be a Huge Flop for Apple

[JM]

I agree, the facts that they are releasing 3 phones is a mistake. They should have removed the Plus version, because the iPhone 8 has a bigger screen than the iPhone 7 Plus and will probably have a better camera also. But since Apple must absolutely sell the iPhone 8 at higher price. They kept the Plus version, now they need a margin between every phone, which cause the iPhone 8 to be $1000+

Why don't they release the 7s and the 8pro as the +. Apple already says FU to 4.7 inch lovers, "you can't have dual cameras".

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

Why don't they release the 7s and the 8pro as the +. Apple already says FU to 4.7 inch lovers, "you can't have dual cameras".

Exactly what I'm thinking.

 

[44267547]

Why don't they release the 7s and the 8pro as the +. Apple already says FU to 4.7 inch lovers, "you can't have dual cameras".

Apple does not say "FU" to the 4.7 users. Apple is a company that is in position to make money. They want iPhone users to upgrade to the most expensive, latest device. That is one of the reasons why they incorporate some of the latest technology into the larger devices the smaller iPhone variants do not have.

When the Phone 7 launched, almost entirely all of their marketing went directly towards the iPhone 7 Plus and the dual camera. This is Apple's way of defining why the user could be compelled enough to upgrade to the Plus model that offers these capabilities and to enhance their experience.

If Apple offered the same features in the 4.7 iPhone as the Plus, then that would not create a separation of the iPhone capabilities and it would be conflating.

And furthermore, consumers should be grateful that Apple even offers a 4.7 inch iPhone, when most other cell phone manufacturers are graduating to devices that acquire minimal size of 5.5 or larger. Even the 4 inch SE is rare for any other smart phone manufacturers to offer.

I also don't forsee the 4.7 inch iPhone being retained in the line up in the 2018 iPhone launch.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

Apple is a company that is in position to make money. They want iPhone users to upgrade to the most expensive, latest device. That is one of the reasons why they incorporate some of the latest technology into the larger devices the smaller iPhone variants do not have.

Well said. If any of the members here were in the position that Apple is in, they'd do the same thing. To do otherwise would be self-defeating.

No PMs, eh? 🙂

 

[jimbo1mcm]

The new Iphone will not be $1,100. It will be only $45.83 a month for 24 months. Everyone can afford that....maybe.

 

[44267547]

The new Iphone will not be $1,100. It will be only $45.83 a month for 24 months. Everyone can afford that....maybe.

Overall, the MSRP of the iPhone will be priced as XYZ, But yes, there are a majority who will make monthly installed payments and will not envision the price as a whole because of how they will factor and budget for the new iPhone on a monthly basis.

And some choose to pay for the iPhone out right, because they want the advantage of owning the device versus something that they are physically paying off.

 

[Dave245]

So are you going to upgrade to a phone that looks almost just like the 6/6S/7? are you going to pay $1200 for an 64gb iphone Pro?

Personally I'm going to pay the £1000 for the iPhone 8/"Pro"/Edition, the iPhone 7 Plus cost me £820 so this new phone with OLED, 3D camera, facial recognition, glass back, wireless charging and so in is going to be worth the extra cash.

But in regards to the thread itself, i don't think the iPhone will be a flop at all what i think is that a LOT of people are waiting to upgrade (those that are on the 6 and 6 Plus for example) and most don't buy outright like i do, most people have contracts so the average bill might go up by a little bit a month but it won't be that noticeable.
[doublepost=1502177367][/doublepost]

The new Iphone will not be $1,100. It will be only $45.83 a month for 24 months. Everyone can afford that....maybe.

I don't do contract, i buy outright and put a sim only in. Contract prices here in the UK work out more expensive than just buying the phone outright, plus they only do 24 months and sometimes i like to upgrade yearly (depending on what's released).

 

[44267547]

But in regards to the thread itself, i don't think the iPhone will be a flop

As Gathomblipoob alluded to, there has never been an iPhone launch that has been a flop and there never will be If they Retain there core standards. Simply because Apple isn't concerned about being the first to release the latest technology or hardware specifications. Their goal is to put out the best product in terms of hardware and software experiences. When you have the bar set at the expectations Apple does, it's very evident why 70% of their net worth is due to the iPhone. It's very difficult to measure up to Apples stringent Qualities, which which is the reason they are at the top.

 

[SwissGuy93]

70 million is for the year. It's the reason there is a 7s and 7s Plus. Supply cannot meet demand of the 8.

It will be sold out virtually all year most likely. Trickling in small amounts throughout the year which immediately sell out.

70 Million is for Q1 of Apple. The iPhone 8/Pro/X will likely be launched somewhere between mid-September to late October. Now the revenue Projection for Apple Q4 (which ends on September 30) is higher than last year. Even with the accelerated growth of the iPad and the Services it's hard to belive that those are the only factors for the higher revenue stream. Hence, Apple belives that there will be a higher demand in iPhones in September. So there must be something coming that we do not yet see. Or those rumors about constrained quantities and higher prices are bullcrap. Now, we are talking about 70 Mio. Devices. The super-sized quarter Q1 in 2015 (the first full quarter with the iPhone 6 / 6 Plus) was low and behold 74.5 Mio Devices. Now, those 70 Mio. ordered OLED displays are far more than enough for the initial demand if your little high-price-theories stick.
There are only a couple of theories that work now:

• The iPhone 7s / 7s Plus (or whatever they are called) will be priced lower than the 7 / 7 Plus and the iPhone 8 will start somewhere between 700-800 USD.
• The iPhone 7s / 7s Plus will be priced similarly to the 7 / 7 Plus and the iPhone 8 will still be priced somewhere between 750-900 USD.
  
• The iPhone 7s / 7s Plus also recieve the OLED display
• [add your own theory here, because frankly we don't know **** acctualy.]

Now, to recap: We assume, that 70 Mio. OLED displays have been ordered for 2017. Now, 2017 will only be the middle of September and Q1 as a sales window. That means if Apple really only puts the OLED in the iPhone 8 that they will be selling 70 Mio by years end. There are even reports that Samsung projects to produce 95 Mio (!) OLED displays for 2017 alone. Now, that number could also come from the high yield loss (they increase the order so they will deliver the quantities Apple demands).
If the iPhone 8 should be priced higher than 1000 USD I don't see them selling 70 Mio in 2017. There is no way they could pull that off. No marketing in the world could justify the high prices to so many people.
Either Apple knows what it's doing or else they will not meet the projections, which would be a grave mistake with investors.

 

[torana355]

I don't even use Apples phones but I will tell you the new iPhone will sell like hotcakes, no doubt about it.

 

[Thaddeuz]

I am getting a feeling they wont use OLEDs nor other better hardware upgrades.

Only go with a design update this year...people will buy it anyway!
And next year come with the bomb, with better specs.

Its marketing. It would be stupid of Apple to release a huge hardware upgrade + design update. They would lose money on that.

I woudnt be suprised if the 7S would be better in terms of hardware compared to the Iphone 8/pro

 

[Dave245]

As Gathomblipoob alluded to, there has never been an iPhone launch that has been a flop and there never will be If they Retain there core standards. Simply because Apple isn't concerned about being the first to release the latest technology or hardware specifications. Their goal is to put out the best product in terms of hardware and software experiences. When you have the bar set at the expectations Apple does, it's very evident why 70% of their net worth is due to the iPhone. It's very difficult to measure up to Apples stringent Qualities, which which is the reason they are at the top.

Exactly this! i think people are judging what Apple are going to do based on the leaks which is fine but we don't know the specifics of how Apple have implemented these technologies, as you said Apple never enters an area to be first and the same can be said for the technology they implement, facial recognition has been in other devices long before the iPhone 8/"Pro"/"Edition" the same with wireless charging, it's going to be more about HOW Apple implement it and how they have advanced the technology. Just looking at how they managed to make fingerprint readers popular with Touch ID i think it will be the same with facial recognition in the 8/"Pro"/"Edition"

 

[TheRealAlex]

With modern looking phones like the Galaxy S8 on the market... How many people will be willing to upgrade to a new iPhone that looks more or less like the iPhone 6/6S/7? Well I hate to break it to you guys but that’s what apple is giving most of its consumer base. It’s true, Apple will have a new bezel-less iPhone that looks amazing, but the truth is that awesome new iPhone isn’t for you and me. The bezel-less iPhone is actually Apples attempt at creating a new pro phone market. So unless your willing to pay $1200 - $1500 to be an elite member of that club, you will have to look at Apples other option.

The iPhone for the rest of us is expected to look very similar to the iPhone 7. It will have a glass back panel to accommodate wireless charging, but other then that not much has changed. It will still have a back lit LCD panel, it will still have the huge bezels, and it will still have a home button. Sure it will receive Apples regular hardware bumps and i'm sure they will be impressive, as usual... but I don’t think that’s enough anymore. Apple already caught a lot of flack over the iPhone 7 keeping the same design in 2016. That is only going to get worse this time around.

I have been loyal to the iPhone brand since day one, and it still makes me sick to think about having to switch to Android, but when I look at phones like the Galaxy S8 it honestly makes me a bit jealous... and i'm not alone. I look at other phones and think “When is Apple going to give us something fresh and modern looking?” Then all the stuff about a bezel-less iPhone starts leaking, but then reality hits and i'm still left wondering.

I don’t think Apple is wrong for creating a new pro market for its product. The problem is that Apple is neglecting its mainstream iPhone. An OLED screen and smaller bezel are not “pro” features. They are things that are becoming pretty standard with other phone manufactures. So for Apple to market those things as something for a “Pro” line of product is a huge slap in the face to a majority of its consumer base. Yes, I’m sure that they iPhone Pro will have a lot more then OLED and a smaller bezel, and that’s okay... but OLED and smaller bezels are things that the main iPhone should be getting as well.

I think people are going to be disappointed when they see this new iPhone design and then find out that its not for them. They are going to have to look at the regular iPhone and then at the competition.... and its getting harder and harder to ignore the competition. Wireless charging just isn’t enough, in fact its old news that other manufactures have been doing for years. I'm sure some people will upgrade, but people with iPhone 5S and older are becoming a lot less and people with an iPhone 6 and newer wont see much of a point... I predict that this iPhone will sell less units then anything in the 6/6S/7 line... because its just become outdated.

As for the iPhone pro. I think Apple will be successful at creating a new market, but its not going to be a huge market. most people will not pay $1200 + for an iPhone, when they can get a very nice looking Galaxy for a lot less. Sure the Galaxy wont do everything that the iPhone Pro will, but most people don’t need it to. A lot of people just want a modern consumer level phone... and Apple has failed to give them that.

So that why I think 2017 is going to be a huge flop for Apple. They are alienating their base in favor of focusing on a pro product. That is fine for a niche product line like iMac and MacBook, but the iPhone is a much more mainstream product and has become Apples bread and Butter.... They are making a huge mistake here.

It’s also been revealed that the iPhone Pro will not have TouchID in any form. FaceID will be nice but can’t replace a lot of the convenience of TouchID... and there is no guarantee that banks will even allow FaceID to be used for Apple Pay... this is going to be a huge hit to the value of the iPhone Pro and make it even less enticing.

I wouldn't say "Flop" but I'll say less successful. For 3 Reasons.

#1. We all know a MUCH better Version will be Out next year. And that Apple Is tricking customers into buying the Small device this year when it's lack of Bezels makes it as small as the 4.7" iPhone with Bezels and Home Button. And latest insiders say it's just 5.1" OLED Display because the Rest is Taken up For Virtual Controls. 5.1" makes its Smaller than the 5.5" IPhone 7 Plus Display wise.
#2. Apple buys these displays from Samsung and the Note line of 5.8" OLED panels. Well Next Years. IPhone 8 Plus or Pro will have a 6.3" OLED display Remeber Apple lovers the Plus Size phones now out sell the Small sizes.
#3. Timing, As the OP said NO ONE wants a 4 Year Old design 7s Plus again. Everyone Wants the New IPhone 8
BUT you won't be Able to buy one until Mid 2018 when you can walk into a store and buy. Some will stay up until 12 midnight hitting F5 trying to score a Pre-Order. But if it's Mid 2018 whey not just wait for a Much better device the IPhone 8s Plus or Pro. 6.3" OLED Display with embedded Touch ID.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I will bet that all the new iPhones will sell well, very well, and life will just keep moving along.

The OP should let Apple do the marketing.

I would bet that Apple knows exactly what they are doing.

Comments like this are typical before an Apple launch.

 

[rasputin1969]

With modern looking phones like the Galaxy S8 on the market... How many people will be willing to upgrade to a new iPhone that looks more or less like the iPhone 6/6S/7? Well I hate to break it to you guys but that’s what apple is giving most of its consumer base. It’s true, Apple will have a new bezel-less iPhone that looks amazing, but the truth is that awesome new iPhone isn’t for you and me. The bezel-less iPhone is actually Apples attempt at creating a new pro phone market. So unless your willing to pay $1200 - $1500 to be an elite member of that club, you will have to look at Apples other option.

The iPhone for the rest of us is expected to look very similar to the iPhone 7. It will have a glass back panel to accommodate wireless charging, but other then that not much has changed. It will still have a back lit LCD panel, it will still have the huge bezels, and it will still have a home button. Sure it will receive Apples regular hardware bumps and i'm sure they will be impressive, as usual... but I don’t think that’s enough anymore. Apple already caught a lot of flack over the iPhone 7 keeping the same design in 2016. That is only going to get worse this time around.

I have been loyal to the iPhone brand since day one, and it still makes me sick to think about having to switch to Android, but when I look at phones like the Galaxy S8 it honestly makes me a bit jealous... and i'm not alone. I look at other phones and think “When is Apple going to give us something fresh and modern looking?” Then all the stuff about a bezel-less iPhone starts leaking, but then reality hits and i'm still left wondering.

I don’t think Apple is wrong for creating a new pro market for its product. The problem is that Apple is neglecting its mainstream iPhone. An OLED screen and smaller bezel are not “pro” features. They are things that are becoming pretty standard with other phone manufactures. So for Apple to market those things as something for a “Pro” line of product is a huge slap in the face to a majority of its consumer base. Yes, I’m sure that they iPhone Pro will have a lot more then OLED and a smaller bezel, and that’s okay... but OLED and smaller bezels are things that the main iPhone should be getting as well.

I think people are going to be disappointed when they see this new iPhone design and then find out that its not for them. They are going to have to look at the regular iPhone and then at the competition.... and its getting harder and harder to ignore the competition. Wireless charging just isn’t enough, in fact its old news that other manufactures have been doing for years. I'm sure some people will upgrade, but people with iPhone 5S and older are becoming a lot less and people with an iPhone 6 and newer wont see much of a point... I predict that this iPhone will sell less units then anything in the 6/6S/7 line... because its just become outdated.

As for the iPhone pro. I think Apple will be successful at creating a new market, but its not going to be a huge market. most people will not pay $1200 + for an iPhone, when they can get a very nice looking Galaxy for a lot less. Sure the Galaxy wont do everything that the iPhone Pro will, but most people don’t need it to. A lot of people just want a modern consumer level phone... and Apple has failed to give them that.

So that why I think 2017 is going to be a huge flop for Apple. They are alienating their base in favor of focusing on a pro product. That is fine for a niche product line like iMac and MacBook, but the iPhone is a much more mainstream product and has become Apples bread and Butter.... They are making a huge mistake here.

It’s also been revealed that the iPhone Pro will not have TouchID in any form. FaceID will be nice but can’t replace a lot of the convenience of TouchID... and there is no guarantee that banks will even allow FaceID to be used for Apple Pay... this is going to be a huge hit to the value of the iPhone Pro and make it even less enticing.

I totally agree. The only flaw in your argument is this is all rumor and conjecture - I really can’t see Apple making such a marketing FooBar. At the very least they really need something that can compete with the design of the S8 (A six month phone) for around the same price (or typically 10 percent more) and an iPhone 6SSS won’t cut it.

 

[akash.nu]

I totally agree. The only flaw in your argument is this is all rumor and conjecture - I really can’t see Apple making such a marketing FooBar. At the very least they really need something that can compete with the design of the S8 (A six month phone) for around the same price (or typically 10 percent more) and an iPhone 6SSS won’t cut it.

The iPhone branding is huge. Every year people speculate exactly the same thing about the galaxy s series being the best in design and every year iPhone sells prove that wrong. Just a pretty design doesn't mean anything if it's a usability nightmare.

 

[rasputin1969]

The iPhone branding is huge. Every year people speculate exactly the same thing about the galaxy s series being the best in design and every year iPhone sells prove that wrong. Just a pretty design doesn't mean anything if it's a usability nightmare.

The consensus within the tech community has been near unanimous in saying that the iPhone has lost its industrial design crown to Samsung with the S8. I fully expect this to be quickly remedied with the iPhone 8, but if these rumours are correct, not the more mainstream 6SSS.

 

[Dave245]

This looks very interesting. https://9to5mac.com/2017/08/08/appl...ht-proximity-sensors-for-health-measurements/

The thing is if the technology within the iPhone 8 justifies the price i don't see a problem, personally i ask myself what technology is in the new device compared to the one i already own (in my case the 7 Plus) IF the 8 has OLED display, 3D camera (AR features) and so on as well as the rumoured upgrade features to the camera itself then i think i will justify the price! if some of the features from this end up inside the new iPhone i certainly think it will be worth the upgrade.

 

[akash.nu]

The consensus within the tech community has been near unanimous in saying that the iPhone has lost its industrial design crown to Samsung with the S8. I fully expect this to be quickly remedied with the iPhone 8, but if these rumours are correct, not the more mainstream 6SSS.

I've used every latest S series phone from Samsung since S6 and I agree that they're good looking devices but while using them I found them to be of lacklustre experience compared to the iOS devices at that point. Although, I will agree, the camera on them were awesome. Albeit a bit too much of post processing.

This looks very interesting. https://9to5mac.com/2017/08/08/appl...ht-proximity-sensors-for-health-measurements/

The thing is if the technology within the iPhone 8 justifies the price i don't see a problem, personally i ask myself what technology is in the new device compared to the one i already own (in my case the 7 Plus) IF the 8 has OLED display, 3D camera (AR features) and so on as well as the rumoured upgrade features to the camera itself then i think i will justify the price! if some of the features from this end up inside the new iPhone i certainly think it will be worth the upgrade.

I'll be a bit careful with new technology. I'd like to take my time to see if all these new hardware come up with any issues.

 

[Dave245]

I'll be a bit careful with new technology. I'd like to take my time to see if all these new hardware come up with any issues.

I can't say as I've had a bad experience with any of my Apple technology that's one of the reasons why i use their devices and also why I'm an Apple fan. My MacBook Pro 2011 still works fine (a little old now 😳 but still works) as does my 2012 iMac, iPad Pro, 3rd gen Apple TV, iPhone 7 Plus and Apple Watch, i've never had an issue with any of them. It's not to say that everyone's experience is like that, of course it isn't as there are defective units in anything it's just a matter of statistics and so on.

 

[Jimmy James]

Thread bookmarked for future reference.

 

[noobinator]

It will flop right into my pocket along with a few million other people doing the same.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

Thread bookmarked for future reference.

This is as good as a few years ago when a member here kept insisting that there would be no 5.5" iPhone. 😀

 

[AFEPPL]

You could well be correct, but only time will tell.
Personally this year will be the one i wont be upgrading. Its all got too boring and i have little to no excitement around the new iPhone.

 

[Jimmy James]

Any modern smartphone is so capable and good that I'm more interested in what I can do with it, rather than the hardware for its own sake. We've reached hardware sufficiency. That's certainly not a bad thing.