iPhone XS Will XS and XR remain after iP11?

[satchmo]

The iPhone X was surprisingly axed when the XS and XR were introduced.
Do we think the same will happen this year?
Or will they be kept around and just be moved down a notch (pun intended), on the product line.

I’d like an X or XS but it’s still cost prohibitive (before you say XR, I’m not a fan of it’s size).
Older phones generally become more affordable, so hopefully this will happen with the XS.

 

[acocke]

The iPhone X was surprisingly axed when the XS and XR were introduced.
Do we think the same will happen this year?
Or will they be kept around and just be moved down a notch (pun intended), on the product line.

I’d like an X or XS but it’s still cost prohibitive (before you say XR, I’m not a fan of it’s size).
Older phones generally become more affordable, so hopefully this will happen with the XS.

My prediction for this cycle is that Apple would keep the Xs and Max but discontinue the current Xr so people would buy the new XrS this year. I mean they have done that kind of thing in the past like the X.

 

[Shirasaki]

I would say they axe everything this year but iPhone 8 line and replace XS, XS max with 11 and 11 max or whatever they will call. There is no point for them to leave xs and Xs max around.

 

[Tsepz]

I would say they axe everything this year but iPhone 8 line and replace XS, XS max with 11 and 11 max or whatever they will call. There is no point for them to leave xs and Xs max around.

I think this is definitely more likely to happen.

 

[bodonnell202]

I would say they axe everything this year but iPhone 8 line and replace XS, XS max with 11 and 11 max or whatever they will call. There is no point for them to leave xs and Xs max around.

Hmmm, and I think the XR will stick around to replace the 8 series at the mid tier (with the 8 series replacing the 7 series at the lowest tier), while I agree that XS series will be discontinued and replaced by the 11 series (or whatever). Basically I think the lineup will look like this in the fall:
11 Max*: $1099
11*: $999
11R*: $749
XR: $649
8 Plus: $599
8: $499

*Who knows what they will actually call these.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I would say they axe everything this year but iPhone 8 line and replace XS, XS max with 11 and 11 max or whatever they will call. There is no point for them to leave xs and Xs max around.

Yeah I think the iPhone 8/8+ will be around for another couple of years yet. It’s still very popular and one of the best sellers in nearly every European country as it’s priced competitively.

 

[44267547]

My prediction for this cycle is that Apple would keep the Xs and Max but discontinue the current Xr so people would buy the new XrS this year. I mean they have done that kind of thing in the past like the X.

Nah. There is zero reason to keep the 2018 XS and Max in the lineup this year when Apple will be introducing the triple lens camera for the iPhone 11. Keeping four of the exact same model is only counter-intuitive, because the consumer will likely choose the cheaper iPhone with the 2018 XS versus the 2019 XS.

As for the 2018 XR, maybe they’ll keep that in their lineup alongside the 2019 XR, but the 2019 XR is only expected to receive the dual camera and maybe some additional colors.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I think the XS and XS Max will be a good upgrade after September for those wanting a flagship experience at a cheaper price. You can still buy the X now even though it was discontinued by Apple last year which is only a positive for consumers I’d say.

My next upgrade is September 2020 and i’ll either opt for that years XR variant or get this year’s iPhone XI as it’ll be cheaper by then. Carriers are begging people to upgrade this year due to falling sales and hopefully that remains the same for next year too! There’s some cracking deals at the moment but my 8+ is only 8 months old so not worth me considering anything yet.

 

[Falhófnir]

There was a rumour which seemed to suggest it, though I think it actually said something like the XS/Max would be getting internally updated (very unlikely). Based on some of the rumours being flung around, I think the lineup after the September event could look something like:

iPhone 8 - 32GB/128GB - $449/$549 (+$100 for the plus)
iPhone XR - 64/256 - $599/749 (down to 2-3 colours?)
iPhone XIR - 64/128/256 - $749/799/899
iPhone XS - 32/128 - $899/$999 (+$100 for the max, if it's kept too; drops gold option?)
iPhone XI - 64/256/512/1TB - $999/1149/1349/1549 (+$100 for the Max)

This would be 8 model lines (8/plus; XR; XIR; XS/Max; XI/Max) which seems a lot, but is equal to the 2017/18 lineup (SE; 6S/Plus; 7/Plus; 8/Plus; X). With additional storage tiers and colours, it does come to more SKUs though.

Additionally, they are currently still making and selling the 6s and SE (and I think the X though I'm not 100% sure on that one, a suspicious number of places seem to still be stocked with all 4 colour/storage variants for a phone last manufactured at least 8 months ago!) on this basis we could see the 7 series and XS (if they don't keep it in the lineup officially) keep on being made/ sold through third party channels only.

 

[Wide opeN]

Yeah, I think the whole 2018 lineup goes away.

 

[Falhófnir]

Yeah, I think the whole 2018 lineup goes away.

Then what will slot into the current iPhone 8 price slot? If there's nothing there, that leaves a big gap between the discounted $449 iPhone 8 and the $749 iPhone XIR. Apple's lineup is now more about upselling (making the next step up as attractive as possible) than having three simple options. Having lots of little incremental steps at small price jumps is the way that's done, which is why the line is looking 'messy' and devices are starting to overlap. It's all about getting every last penny from the customer psychologically without a sales person actually having to convince them - set the lineup up in a certain way and the customer convinces themself.

 

[aakshey]

I would say they axe everything this year but iPhone 8 line and replace XS, XS max with 11 and 11 max or whatever they will call. There is no point for them to leave xs and Xs max around.

This is happening. This is true.
[doublepost=1559563681][/doublepost]

There was a rumour which seemed to suggest it, though I think it actually said something like the XS/Max would be getting internally updated (very unlikely). Based on some of the rumours being flung around, I think the lineup after the September event could look something like:

iPhone 8 - 32GB/128GB - $449/$549 (+$100 for the plus)
iPhone XR - 64/256 - $599/749 (down to 2-3 colours?)
iPhone XIR - 64/128/256 - $749/799/899
iPhone XS - 32/128 - $899/$999 (+$100 for the max, if it's kept too; drops gold option?)
iPhone XI - 64/256/512/1TB - $999/1149/1349/1549 (+$100 for the Max)

This would be 8 model lines (8/plus; XR; XIR; XS/Max; XI/Max) which seems a lot, but is equal to the 2017/18 lineup (SE; 6S/Plus; 7/Plus; 8/Plus; X). With additional storage tiers and colours, it does come to more SKUs though.

Additionally, they are currently still making and selling the 6s and SE (and I think the X though I'm not 100% sure on that one, a suspicious number of places seem to still be stocked with all 4 colour/storage variants for a phone last manufactured at least 8 months ago!) on this basis we could see the 7 series and XS (if they don't keep it in the lineup officially) keep on being made/ sold through third party channels only.

I don’t think it will be anything like this.

This is how I feel it would be:

iPhone 8 64 GB - 499
8+ 64 GB - whatever the difference is right now
256 GB - Plus 150

11R - 749 for 64GB
Plus 50 for 128 GB
Plus 100 for 256 GB

11 - 999 for base (base could be 64 GB or even 128 GB)
11 Max - 1099 for base
Probably options all the way till 1 TB with the top option roughly around 2K.

 

[Wide opeN]

Then what will slot into the current iPhone 8 price slot? If there's nothing there, that leaves a big gap between the discounted $449 iPhone 8 and the $749 iPhone XIR. Apple's lineup is now more about upselling (making the next step up as attractive as possible) than having three simple options. Having lots of little incremental steps at small price jumps is the way that's done, which is why the line is looking 'messy' and devices are starting to overlap. It's all about getting every last penny from the customer psychologically without a sales person actually having to convince them - set the lineup up in a certain way and the customer convinces themself.

Technically iPhone 8 is 2017 lineup. I'm sure it'll remain, as the last iPhone with the hideous home button.

 

[bodonnell202]

Technically iPhone 8 is 2017 lineup. I'm sure it'll remain, as the last iPhone with the hideous home button.

That's what he is asking - if the entire 2018 lineup goes away do you think they will only sell the 2017 iPhone 8 series and the 2019 iPhone 11 series? That leaves a pretty big gap in their lineup.

 

[Falhófnir]

This is happening. This is true.
[doublepost=1559563681][/doublepost]

I don’t think it will be anything like this.

This is how I feel it would be:

iPhone 8 64 GB - 499
8+ 64 GB - whatever the difference is right now
256 GB - Plus 150

11R - 749 for 64GB
Plus 50 for 128 GB
Plus 100 for 256 GB

11 - 999 for base (base could be 64 GB or even 128 GB)
11 Max - 1099 for base
Probably options all the way till 1 TB with the top option roughly around 2K.

The XS is 50:50 they might decide to keep it, they might not. I suppose it ultimately depends on if they think it will cannibalise the cheaper '11R' more than it will the more expensive '11'. I think the XR will definitely remain in the lineup though, as explained below:

Technically iPhone 8 is 2017 lineup. I'm sure it'll remain, as the last iPhone with the hideous home button.

Yep, as @bodonnell202 says I mean removing the XR from the lineup leaves a big gap when the 8 is discounted to replace the 7 and the new '11R' or 'XIR' replaces the XR at the same price point.

2018/19:
7/plus ($449)
8/plus ($599)
XR ($749)

2019/20:
8/plus ($449)
Missing model ($599)
XIR ($749)

 

[JPack]

Yep, as @bodonnell202 says I mean removing the XR from the lineup leaves a big gap when the 8 is discounted to replace the 7 and the new '11R' or 'XIR' replaces the XR at the same price point.

2018/19:
7/plus ($449)
8/plus ($599)
XR ($749)

2019/20:
8/plus ($449)
Missing model ($599)
XIR ($749)

I think it's pretty obvious the 2018 XR will remain in the lineup. I made the same argument in another thread. Apple isn't about to leave a huge gap between $600-750 completely empty. As much as Apple wants to target $750 and up, the reality is smartphone sales growth has plateaued.

 

[Wide opeN]

That's what he is asking - if the entire 2018 lineup goes away do you think they will only sell the 2017 iPhone 8 series and the 2019 iPhone 11 series? That leaves a pretty big gap in their lineup.

Yes, that is my belief. No different than 2018.
[doublepost=1559580963][/doublepost]

The XS is 50:50 they might decide to keep it, they might not. I suppose it ultimately depends on if they think it will cannibalise the cheaper '11R' more than it will the more expensive '11'. I think the XR will definitely remain in the lineup though, as explained below:


Yep, as @bodonnell202 says I mean removing the XR from the lineup leaves a big gap when the 8 is discounted to replace the 7 and the new '11R' or 'XIR' replaces the XR at the same price point.

2018/19:
7/plus ($449)
8/plus ($599)
XR ($749)

2019/20:
8/plus ($449)
Missing model ($599)
XIR ($749)

Who said the 7 was going anywhere!? Not me... Sorry if that's what it seems I indicated. All I meant was everything will remain as is today except 2018 iPhones will be replaced with 2019 lineup and the SE possibly 6S will be dropped.

 

[bodonnell202]

Yes, that is my belief. No different than 2018.
[doublepost=1559580963][/doublepost]

Who said the 7 was going anywhere!? Not me... Sorry if that's what it seems I indicated. All I meant was everything will remain as is today except 2018 iPhones will be replaced with 2019 lineup and the SE possibly 6S will be dropped.

But in 2018 they didn't discontinue the entire 2017 lineup, just the 2017 X, while reducing the the price of the 2017 8 & 8+. Also the 6s & SE were dropped in 2018 (although the 6s is still produced in India, and it appears that it is still sold by some carriers even in Western markets).

 

[WingsAndBeer]

This is happening. This is true.
[doublepost=1559563681][/doublepost]

Evidence?

 

[Falhófnir]

Yes, that is my belief. No different than 2018.
[doublepost=1559580963][/doublepost]

Who said the 7 was going anywhere!? Not me... Sorry if that's what it seems I indicated. All I meant was everything will remain as is today except 2018 iPhones will be replaced with 2019 lineup and the SE possibly 6S will be dropped.

I find it unlikely the 7 will remain in the lineup a further year. Like the 6s and SE it might continue to be made and sold through third party channels only, but it won't still feature in Apple's official lineup. The 8 will almost certainly drop down into the price slot currently occupied by the 7, leaving a gap where the 8 currently is to be filled by the XR. Unlike with Macs and iPads where devices do remain around for multiple years at the same price, I don't think Apple want to risk their keystone iPhone lineup becoming stagnant.