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Apple’s New iPhones Get a Lukewarm Reception from Buyers

wsj.com

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Re: Apple’s New iPhones Get a Lukewarm Reception from Buyers

#51

Post by jdc0589 »

beamatronic wrote: post #21

I'll buy a $3000 MacBook Pro if you bring back USB ports, an SD slot, an HDMI port, a user replaceable battery. And the escape key. But no, why don't you just leave this money on the table instead and I'll make do with the 2013 model. You go on ahead, Apple, wondering how to ignite more revenue growth.

The downside for me is the older ones can't drive high res displays at a decent refresh rate. I have a (single) 4k monitor for windows gaming, but I use it a ton with my (company) 2015 macbook pro for work/development, which works great so long as you use thunderbolt -> displayport.

Using my personal 2013 macbook pro (13in) with the monitor is a freaking nightmare. It just can't handle the higher res monitor, the mouse looks like its moving in slow motion. Same story on the 2015 macbook pro via hdmi.

This on its own will be a huge factor when/if I replace my personal laptop. I'm gonna hold on to it for as long as I can though...

Re: Apple’s New iPhones Get a Lukewarm Reception from Buyers

#52

Post by JimDabell »

TazeTSchnitzel wrote: post #18

The problem with the iPhone X is its only selling point is the huge screen. It looks cool, perhaps. But it doesn't really bring anything new or useful to the design, and requires so many compromises: the (less secure and less convenient) Face ID instead of Touch ID, no home button, all the basic OS functionality having completely different gestures or button sequences than before, the notch at the top covering the sc…

> The problem with the iPhone X is its only selling point is the huge screen.

The iPhone X is basically an iPhone 8 Plus in a smaller form factor and a better screen. For those of us who don't like the larger form factor, it's ideal. Otherwise, I'd have to choose between a better camera and bigger screen, or the smaller phone I wanted. With the iPhone X, I don't have to choose. That's the selling point of the iPhone X – you don't have to make those compromises.

Re: Apple’s New iPhones Get a Lukewarm Reception from Buyers

#53

Post by jedberg »

rock_hard wrote: post #38
TazeTSchnitzel wrote: post #18

The problem with the iPhone X is its only selling point is the huge screen. It looks cool, perhaps. But it doesn't really bring anything new or useful to the design, and requires so many compromises: the (less secure and less convenient) Face ID instead of Touch ID, no home button, all the basic OS functionality having completely different gestures or button sequences than before, the notch at the top covering the sc…

This couldn’t be farther from the truth! Happy iPhoneX user here. FaceID is a complete game changer IMO...a paradigm shift! Not just for unlocking the phone but the fact all of my apps (banking, etc) also support it makes authentication be a problem of the past...all friction gone! It’s amazing and can probably only be expierenced in person...which might be why sales have been weak.

> Not just for unlocking the phone but the fact all of my apps (banking, etc) also support it makes authentication be a problem of the past...all friction gone!

Those all work with TouchID too. But with TouchID I can add my wife's fingerprint, so when I'm driving she can unlock my phone and use it to do banking or set up the navigation for me or whatever. Or when I'm showering. Or bathing the kids. Or cooking, or working in the yard, or....

Re: Apple’s New iPhones Get a Lukewarm Reception from Buyers

#54

Post by pwinnski »

byte1918 wrote: post #28
zitterbewegung wrote: post #24

This is a joke. I love my iPhone 8 and my brother has an X and he really like it too. I see many people buying the X and the 8

Solid argument.

It's anecdotal, but given the track record of industry analysts regarding iPhone sales and demand, it's no less solid than the linked article, IMO.

Re: Apple’s New iPhones Get a Lukewarm Reception from Buyers

#55

Post by grimgrin »

Keyframe wrote: post #48

What's the average upgrade cycle of iphone users? I feel like there's diminishing features in every new iteration of phones in general now. I have a few years old Xperia Z2 and have been looking at new phones in stores when I'm near one. Cool screen, this and that, but in general absolutely nothing that I would need to buy vs what I have, and I'm even inclined towards parting ways with cash for it - just can't find a…

I would imagine a lot of people are on 12 month upgrade cycles. Either going straight through the carrier's 12 month program, or the iPhone Upgrade Program.

Re: Apple’s New iPhones Get a Lukewarm Reception from Buyers

#56

Post by rconti »

on_and_off wrote: post #42
TazeTSchnitzel wrote: post #18

The problem with the iPhone X is its only selling point is the huge screen. It looks cool, perhaps. But it doesn't really bring anything new or useful to the design, and requires so many compromises: the (less secure and less convenient) Face ID instead of Touch ID, no home button, all the basic OS functionality having completely different gestures or button sequences than before, the notch at the top covering the sc…

I am curious to see how this gesture based UI will be received. Apple is probably the only company that can push such an UI (with people willing to take the time to learn it) but I have still rarely seen it work for normal users : if a button is not visible; it won't be used. If I were to buy an iPhone X; I would just wait a generation or 2 for this notch to hopefully disappear (also hopefully to have a more resistan…

Where do you think they're gonna put the earpiece or camera if the notch disappears? You're either gonna have the notch, or a taller phone with a huge band of wasted real-estate. I think the notch was the perfect solution. shrug

Re: Apple’s New iPhones Get a Lukewarm Reception from Buyers

#57

Post by torstenvl »

dilap wrote: post #29
TazeTSchnitzel wrote: post #18

The problem with the iPhone X is its only selling point is the huge screen. It looks cool, perhaps. But it doesn't really bring anything new or useful to the design, and requires so many compromises: the (less secure and less convenient) Face ID instead of Touch ID, no home button, all the basic OS functionality having completely different gestures or button sequences than before, the notch at the top covering the sc…

As the very happy owner of an iPhone X, I couldn't disagree more. The (nearly) full screen display is fantastic. The notch and rounded edges don't bother me at all; it gives the phone screen an organic shape, previously only seen in sci-fi movies. FaceID is fantastic; it's super reliable and incrdibly seemless. Touch ID was far worse. Swipe motions instead of the home bar works great. I've never been happier with a p…

"Reliable" and "seamless" don't really go together when you're talking about a combination authentication/authorization mechanism.

To know you truly have the user's authorization to do something, there needs to be a discrete, conscious act. Touch ID had that. Face ID got rid of it. That's a net loss for users.

Re: Apple’s New iPhones Get a Lukewarm Reception from Buyers

#58

Post by tolmasky »

rock_hard wrote: post #38
TazeTSchnitzel wrote: post #18

The problem with the iPhone X is its only selling point is the huge screen. It looks cool, perhaps. But it doesn't really bring anything new or useful to the design, and requires so many compromises: the (less secure and less convenient) Face ID instead of Touch ID, no home button, all the basic OS functionality having completely different gestures or button sequences than before, the notch at the top covering the sc…

This couldn’t be farther from the truth! Happy iPhoneX user here. FaceID is a complete game changer IMO...a paradigm shift! Not just for unlocking the phone but the fact all of my apps (banking, etc) also support it makes authentication be a problem of the past...all friction gone! It’s amazing and can probably only be expierenced in person...which might be why sales have been weak.

A paradigm shift indeed. Anyone can pick up your phone, point it at you, and then get access to all your apps (banking, etc).

I recently went to Disneyland and the way it works with normal passes now (not year round), is that they point an iPhone at you and take your picture. If you enter a new country, they take your fingerprint and take a picture of you. We are training people to use the two pieces of information that most companies and countries are now readily collecting from you, your thumb print and your face picture, as the password to your most sensitive information.

Re: Apple’s New iPhones Get a Lukewarm Reception from Buyers

#59

Post by Aloha »

whoisjuan wrote: post #34
TazeTSchnitzel wrote: post #18

The problem with the iPhone X is its only selling point is the huge screen. It looks cool, perhaps. But it doesn't really bring anything new or useful to the design, and requires so many compromises: the (less secure and less convenient) Face ID instead of Touch ID, no home button, all the basic OS functionality having completely different gestures or button sequences than before, the notch at the top covering the sc…

I hate the freaking Face ID... With my iPhone 7 unlocking was second nature. Almost never had to enter the pin. With the iPhone X I found my self, entering the pin at least 50% of the times. Usually when I'm in bed and this thing can't get a good shot of my face (because my face is smooshed into my pillow) or when I'm at work and I have the phone flat on my desk. They can try to defend Face ID as much as they want bu…

I'm having exactly the opposite with FaceID - it works brilliantly and more consistently than TouchID

Re: Apple’s New iPhones Get a Lukewarm Reception from Buyers

#60

Post by hitgeek »

the cost of new phones has really changed my purchasing behavior.

when it was $200-$300 to upgrade with a contract renewal, I tended to get a new phone with every iteration, regardless of the new features or condition of my current phone.

Now that the latest phones are $700+, or $40+ per month with insurance, I evaluate the purchase in the same way I've always looked at new laptops/desktops. If the current model meets my needs and there are no new features I will get much value from, I have no interest in upgrading.

have others experience this shift?

the only new feature that has me interested in a the iPhone X is portrait mode in a smaller form factor.

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