Will a cheaper iPhone damage Apple's reputation?

[AIP5]

Not really. Apple has already been going with the lowering prices way for a while now. Now that Tim Cook is in charge, he'll probably adhere to his philosophy of not making products just for the rich. It's in everyone's benefit: Apple makes more money, more people have access to it and can buy it.

Here's the way I look at Apple's reputation: it's built on quality and customer service/satisfaction, not price.

Just because something is more expensive doesn't automatically make it a good quality product. And if you rely on price to bring you status, then that's just pathetic. There's more to life than owning an expensive phone or computer.

 

[LoganT]

Apple devices are cheaper now. But the products themselves aren't cheap, they use high quality materials with great industrial design.

 

[iDuel]

If you or anyone else has to have something that you consider elite just so you can show off to your friends then I suggest spending any money that you are planning to use for a new phone on visiting a therapist to address your own personality insecurities.

Little harsh, don't you think?

It's human nature to try to promote yourself. While being a snobby "elitist" because you own an iPhone is very immature, apple makes money from this class of people.

 

[Millionin20s]

iPhones haven't been luxury phones since Apple started selling them on subsidies. There's been a "cheap" iPhone available ever since they've started letting the previous year's model go for $99. And I really don't get why people keep talking about Apple trying to make the iPhone cheaper or trying to kill the rest of the market based on the price of their phones. Apple has never priced according to competition, they've ALWAYS priced according to where they want to, essentially.

The only thing that could hurt Apple's reputation is if they begin slipping on their customer service, attention to detail, and make a dud of a phone. The price of the phone itself does not matter. As long as Apple insists on using top of the line components to build their products, they have nothing to worry about.

 

[ravensfan55]

Not really. iPhones are everywhere now. Back when I got my 3G it seemed like no one had one and everyone that knew I had one wanted to see mine. Nowadays its like "oh, you have an iPhone? Me too."

Introducing a cheaper phone just lets people who want an iPhone but don't need all the features on a full-fledged model get one for less.

 

[NachoGrande]

I am going to have to agree on this one.

The iPhone is a bit of a status symbol, if everyone can afford one then that status symbol will quickly disappear.

Just my $0.02

A phone as a status symbol?! You can't be serious?

 

[boss.king]

A phone as a status symbol?! You can't be serious?

It is. Same as the MacBook Pro. Not that it is the way it should be, it's just the way it is.

 

[Spectrum Abuser]

Isn't the 3GS already the "cheaper" iPhone?

Either way I don't honestly think price will affect Apple either way. The iPhone 4 isn't exactly cheap but on the train and at work every other person seems to have one.

No one really goes for the 3GS anymore...

That's why the 3G(s) is still the number 2 selling smartphone in the U.S even after well over two years.

 

[wordoflife]

iPhones are already "free" with a new contract in many other countries.