Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

iPhone 5c

apple.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

111–120 of 184 posts

Re: iPhone 5c

#111

Post by lh7777 »

mullingitover wrote: post #83
untog wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> LTE is overrated and not worth it since I spent about 98% of my life on wifi Not worth it for you

Fair enough, I imagine there are some edge cases where paying half as much for cell service doesn't justify the marginally lower internet speeds during the occasions when wifi isn't around. It's definitely working out fantastically in my case.

WiFi works great for me at home and work since I control those networks. But finding & connecting to public hotspots is often a pain and my effort's frequently rewarded with a slow, unstable connection (even for paid ones). In my area, LTE isn't marginally faster, it's way faster than 3G. For me, it's absolutely worth the extra money.

I really don't think having fast, hassle-free internet access on the go is an edge case. Isn't that one of the main reasons people buy smartphones?

Re: iPhone 5c

#112

Post by taylodl »

cliveowen wrote: post #100
antr wrote: post #5

Time will tell, but for the sake of argument: at c. $550 for the unsubsidised version this is a very high price point for the "iPhone for emerging markets" argument. I'm just very curious to see the market expansion with this "lower" tier model.

I think this lineup may backfire. People with a 4S wanting to upgrade will probably opt for the coloured, cheaper version. People who previously wouldn't have bought the iPhone because too expensive (mostly in Europe where subsidized planes aren't always available) won't buy it now anyway because the 5c is in the same ballpark of the 5s. They have basically introduced a cheaper alternative to old customers.

I think they're targeting young customers. Think of all the parents of teens that wouldn't shell out $199 for an iPhone but would happily shell out $99. Neither the kids, nor their parents, are particularly interested in quality and whether this phone has the same value as the 5s. Plus the kids would presumably be attracted to the colors.

Re: iPhone 5c

#113

Post by rz2k »

Pxtl wrote: post #104
markbao wrote: post #12

At the unlocked price of $550 for the iPhone 5c and $650 for the considerably-better iPhone 5s, it doesn't seem like there's a huge price gap here. I have doubts whether it'll sell that well as the mid-level smartphone. The 4s is $450, which is closer to the price point I would have expected.

It's basically for the American market. The after-provider-subsidy price difference will appear humongous, and consumers aren't rational about provider subsidies.

I think it is kind of a bummer that Apple is going this route.

It will be too bad if people get their first smartphone because it is $100 instead of $200, but fail to realize that they are changing their 2-year mobile phone expenses from ~$1200 to ~$2400.

Illogically though, I suspect I would have less of a problem with what they are doing if they priced the 5s starting at $300.

Re: iPhone 5c

#114

Post by dataminer »

Lots of disappointment on iphone 5c pricing, here is my theory.

I think iphone 5c was never intended to match prices of android phones, it was created to allow Apple to expand its market share in Chinese market. From what is suggested in media, one of the reason Apple had a hard time getting China Mobile on board, was the high cost of subsidizing flag ship iphones. By creating a mid tier phone Apple may have been able to convince China Mobile to carry iphone.

Tim Cook has been very bullish about Chinese market, and this move may turn out very well.

Re: iPhone 5c

#115

Post by wmf »

gareim wrote: post #78
sahaskatta wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The 16GB Nexus 4 is just 45% the cost of the 16GB iPhone 5C. The new Nexus 5 will likely start at $300 as the Nexus 4or5 did when it first went on sale a year ago. I'm not sure what market the iPhone 5C is targeting. On contract, you might as well buy the 5S.

I'm not disagreeing with you; I also think the Nexus line is a great buy off contract but that the iPhone is better subsidized ($400 value for $200 on contract or $650 value for $200? The Nexus 4 on contract was stupid). I'm excited about the Nexus 5, but if the rumors are true that it'll be based off the LG G2, I have a hard time seeing how it'll be offered for $300 when the G2 is the fastest phone on the market.

Wasn't the Nexus 4 exactly the same situation last year, also being based on the fastest phone?

Re: iPhone 5c

#116

Post by Tloewald »

pavlov wrote: post #84

There's a feeling of déjà vu about this product approach. Take yesteryear's technology, repackage it in a safe design that follows trends established by others, sell for a price that is more than twice what the competitors charge because, hey, you're Apple and your customers will happily pay for your increasing margins. At least this time around, the MBAs didn't get to name it "iPhone Performa 551c".

Certainly your comment evokes deja vu -- same old criticism of Apple that is based on tired old characterizations from 15 years ago. I don't think there are any competitive phones available for half the price (there are certainly inferior phones available for half the price).

I do think it's priced a bit high. I'm surprised it's not $50-100 cheaper. Maybe they have iPhone 4S inventory to get rid of (I don't understand why they're keeping an old phone with obsolete cables and screen format around otherwise).

Re: iPhone 5c

#117

Post by ctdonath »

hanifvirani wrote: post #45

Nokia tweeted this: https://twitter.com/nokia_uk/status/377483408043036672

Nokia's bragging point is that Apple caught up to them on...color? Hey, how's the processing power on those industry-leading colorful devices? and the biometric security?

Re: iPhone 5c

#118

Post by aespinoza »

pavlov wrote: post #84

There's a feeling of déjà vu about this product approach. Take yesteryear's technology, repackage it in a safe design that follows trends established by others, sell for a price that is more than twice what the competitors charge because, hey, you're Apple and your customers will happily pay for your increasing margins. At least this time around, the MBAs didn't get to name it "iPhone Performa 551c".

You know, you are right. It is sad to see that Apple has no new ideas. I wonder if they will ever do something innovative again ?

I also wonder if Steve Jobs would ever put a fingerprint scanner in an iPhone, make a "Gold" iPhone or keep the same hardware design for 3 consecutive iphones.

Re: iPhone 5c

#120

Post by mikeash »

aespinoza wrote: post #118
pavlov wrote: post #84

There's a feeling of déjà vu about this product approach. Take yesteryear's technology, repackage it in a safe design that follows trends established by others, sell for a price that is more than twice what the competitors charge because, hey, you're Apple and your customers will happily pay for your increasing margins. At least this time around, the MBAs didn't get to name it "iPhone Performa 551c".

You know, you are right. It is sad to see that Apple has no new ideas. I wonder if they will ever do something innovative again ? I also wonder if Steve Jobs would ever put a fingerprint scanner in an iPhone, make a "Gold" iPhone or keep the same hardware design for 3 consecutive iphones.

3 consecutive iPhones? 5, 5C/5S, what's the third?
Post reply on HN