When I went to the Apple store to buy my 5s, I asked the sales guy generally about their stock levels. He said they had 5c's "coming out their ears" and they received "at most 20" gold 5s's. Based on the activation and sales data I think it's a pretty good bet that virtually all the 5s's reported sold are in or in transit to customer's hands, but that there are a significant number of "sold" 5c's that are still sitting in AT&T, Verizon, etc stores and warehouses. Nine million sold in a weekend is still an amazing feet even if a million or two of those are 5c's that have been purchased by carriers but not yet by consumers.
As a (small time) AAPL shareholder Cook and team seem to be doing a solid job. Really impressed how well they implemented TouchID. I do wish they would have hit the $49 on contract / $499 off contract price point on the 5c. Even though it's only $50 there is a big psychological difference between $49 and $99 and by getting below the $500 mark off contract. I think we may see some unofficial discounts on the 5c in the coming months.
Unofficially, it seems some Chinese vendors are already discounting the 5c by 17.5%.
With that line up they might as well add Performa, Quadra, and LC to the names ... Or change their name to Apple-sung.
It took me a minute to get past the shock of the names and sizes, but then I noticed the pricing structure. This guy thinks that close to a 50% larger display with presumably (at least) a larger battery and larger casing would only be $50 more. On a 16:9 display we're talking 6.84"^2 v. 9.64"^2.
Isn't it exactly the 5, with minor improvemets, but in a plastic case?
It's priced as the 5 would be priced.
It wouldn't be the first time Apple completely redesigned a case and retained the same product name, even confusingly so -- witness anyone trying to figure out which MacBook they own for support.
The iPhone 5 isn't being sold anywhere else is it?
I just don't get it. It's counter to Apple's usual simplicity of product labeling, and leads to a bunch of unnecessary suffixes. What harm comes from someone just saying they have an "iPhone 5" when referring to the 5c? Aside from the plastic case, it's virtually the exact same phone! And what happens when the iPhone 6 comes out? Will the 5c get bumped down to the "free" model and the 5s get repackaged in the plastic case and rebranded as the 5sc (or 5cs)? Talk about confusing.
Is this a prelude of things to come? Larger screens get a new model number? It's not the way Apple traditionally has done things.
The 5C isn't the 5. Some better internals in it. It's easier to say 5C rather than 2013 iPhone 5.
"C" is for cheap. It was a bad choice, in my opinion. They should have just left it iPhone 5, and marketed it as the same great iPhone with a stylish new look. Plus it deviates from Apple's standard product naming convention.
I still can't figure out the road map for it and how the plastic case is going to save them that much money in the long run, considering the retooling and redesign setup costs.
So the iPhone 5c moves down to the "free" model when the iPhone 6 comes out. So do they repackage the 5s in plastic, or offer it as is, since it will have a completely different appearance to the 6 and 5c? If they leave it alone, what happens when the 6s comes out? Do they repackage the 6 in a new plastic case as the 6c, and drop 5s to the free phone as is? Or do they repackage it in the 5c case (essentially upgrading the 5c)? This keeps the same plastic case in rotation for 3 years instead of two, which certainly saves them money in design costs which are every two years at present. But is the idea to keep 3 price points in the market place differentiated by appearance, and if so, how do they differentiate the 5s & 5c plastic cases (if it even matters); or just keep costs down with plastic? Perhaps in 3 years plastic won't necessarily save them that much money, and they can just roll with the current iPod colored metal housing option (if they still want to offer colors).
The 5C isn't the 5. Some better internals in it. It's easier to say 5C rather than 2013 iPhone 5.
Too bad Apple didnt figure this out with the MacBooks. It would be a whole lot easier to say MacBookC than Mid-2012 13" Core i7 MacBook, especially if that was also printed on the product as is the 5c.
You see why I say this deviates from Apples standard naming protocol.
The iPod Touch doesn't do this, either. It's not the iPod Touch C, it's the iPod 5th Generation 2013 16GB model (which has similar internal (and external) changes to Touch.
So it's inconsistent and will eventually lead to confusion as sog35 demonstrates above.
"C" is for cheap. It was a bad choice, in my opinion. .
Let's see if your opinion changes once we get some more data on sales. I think "c" is for either color or clever. It's certainly not for cheap. I can't recall anyone being so excited to buy last years phone before. Do you?
"C" is for cheap. It was a bad choice, in my opinion. They should have just left it iPhone 5, and marketed it as the same great iPhone with a stylish new look. Plus it deviates from Apple's standard product naming convention.
I still can't figure out the road map for it and how the plastic case is going to save them that much money in the long run, considering the retooling and redesign setup costs.
So the iPhone 5c moves down to the "free" model when the iPhone 6 comes out. So do they repackage the 5s in plastic, or offer it as is, since it will have a completely different appearance to the 6 and 5c? If they leave it alone, what happens when the 6s comes out? Do they repackage the 6 in a new plastic case as the 6c, and drop 5s to the free phone as is? Or do they repackage it in the 5c case (essentially upgrading the 5c)? This keeps the same plastic case in rotation for 3 years instead of two, which certainly saves them money in design costs which are every two years at present. But is the idea to keep 3 price points in the market place differentiated by appearance, and if so, how do they differentiate the 5s & 5c plastic cases (if it even matters); or just keep costs down with plastic? Perhaps in 3 years plastic won't necessarily save them that much money, and they can just roll with the current iPod colored metal housing option (if they still want to offer colors).
The whole exercise is just curious to me ...
I was wondering about that last week. It seems like it's going to get very confusing next year. Unless they bring back the 5 and offer it in place of the 4s and then just update the 5c internals... or they.... oh, forget it... lol
Let's see if your opinion changes once we get some more data on sales. I think "c" is for either color or clever. It's certainly not for cheap. I can't recall anyone being so excited to buy last years phone before. Do you?
I can't even recall anyone being excited about buying this year's phone...
Let's see if your opinion changes once we get some more data on sales. I think "c" is for either color or clever. It's certainly not for cheap. I can't recall anyone being so excited to buy last years phone before. Do you?
I can't even recall anyone being excited about buying this year's phone...
I don't think they were anywhere near evenly split. I saw people walk when the 5s ran out, rather than get a 5c. A lot of people were even upgrading from the 5, for which a 5c would've been a down grade. There is an audience for the 5c, but it isn't one that would stand in line or make a great effort towards getting the phone on the first roll out. Okay, I'm sure there was a small percentage willing to move to last years model with the price drop, but the vast majority of early adopters are knowledgeable enough about the product line, to know they wanted the 5s. And since there are no 5s' left and there are 5c's, I don't see his conclusion of a 50/50 split as a reasonable one.
I would say you are correct when talking about phones in the hands for consumers but the 5c seems to be over stocked at retailers so a large portion of the sales of the 5c were just into the channel. Plenty of reports over the opening weekend from retailers stating they sold hardly any, if at all. For the 5s it sold out so the number into the channel is the same as the number sold to consumers.
It seems to me that Apple went from this lineup strategy:
Budget (i.e 8GB only), Outgoing Model (last year's Elite with less margin), Elite Model (latest innovations).
To this lineup strategy:
Budget (i.e. 8GB only), Fun Model (all about the looks at this point), Elite Model (latest innovations and specs).
I think it was a smart move and it did not have much to do with saving money, instead I think it has a lot more to do with making the middle range device appealing to a different set of people for which it did not appeal to before.
For me, with the old line up strategy I was never compelled to upgrade to last year's model. It just does not make much sense with carrier sub., especially when I know I can sell my 2 year old Elite model for about the same or more as what it cost me to upgrade in the first place. Why would I just not get the latest Elite model again? I am not saving anything and the outgoing model offers me nothing more or different than the latest Elite model. So do I care the last year's model is $100 cheaper than the latest Elite model? No, why would I? It makes no sense what so ever for anyone on contract.
However, I can see the Fun model being a different value proposition. It offers something the Elite model does not. It's a fun fashion statement at this point. Something the Elite model does not attempt to do in the same way as the 5c. So it may appeal to people in a way that last year's Elite model does not. I seriously considered the Yellow or Green one vs buying the 5s. That thought would have never entered my mind if it was simply last year's Elite model. THIS...THIS point right here is what makes the C, compelling. Its not the 5. Its a different value proposition and makes it more compelling than simply last year's Elite model.
It will be interesting to see what Apples does with the Fun Model next year. I don't think it will just be about the internals spec bumps.. its going to have to be about something people can immediately see and appreciate at first sight compared to this year's fun model. Apple needs to make it even more compelling and make it stand apart even further from the Elite model. Apple is like BMW building a Mini Cooper image with the C, while still making Bimmers with the S line. It not just about the internals or saving money on the construction, its about a different kind of appeal and value proposition while keeping margins healthy for both types of products.
Comments
I just want Apple to start shipping the next round of 5s. At&t shows end of October to the end of November to ship
When I went to the Apple store to buy my 5s, I asked the sales guy generally about their stock levels. He said they had 5c's "coming out their ears" and they received "at most 20" gold 5s's. Based on the activation and sales data I think it's a pretty good bet that virtually all the 5s's reported sold are in or in transit to customer's hands, but that there are a significant number of "sold" 5c's that are still sitting in AT&T, Verizon, etc stores and warehouses. Nine million sold in a weekend is still an amazing feet even if a million or two of those are 5c's that have been purchased by carriers but not yet by consumers.
As a (small time) AAPL shareholder Cook and team seem to be doing a solid job. Really impressed how well they implemented TouchID. I do wish they would have hit the $49 on contract / $499 off contract price point on the 5c. Even though it's only $50 there is a big psychological difference between $49 and $99 and by getting below the $500 mark off contract. I think we may see some unofficial discounts on the 5c in the coming months.
Unofficially, it seems some Chinese vendors are already discounting the 5c by 17.5%.
It took me a minute to get past the shock of the names and sizes, but then I noticed the pricing structure. This guy thinks that close to a 50% larger display with presumably (at least) a larger battery and larger casing would only be $50 more. On a 16:9 display we're talking 6.84"^2 v. 9.64"^2.
The 5C isn't the 5. Some better internals in it. It's easier to say 5C rather than 2013 iPhone 5.
Yeah, I always give my kids 600 euro gifts for christmas.... not...
If you do, you got your priorities wrong in my opinion.
That or financial headroom
(And by the way, if the kids are on some kind of family plan, the cost is about 100 $ up front with 2 year commitment)
I still can't figure out the road map for it and how the plastic case is going to save them that much money in the long run, considering the retooling and redesign setup costs.
So the iPhone 5c moves down to the "free" model when the iPhone 6 comes out. So do they repackage the 5s in plastic, or offer it as is, since it will have a completely different appearance to the 6 and 5c? If they leave it alone, what happens when the 6s comes out? Do they repackage the 6 in a new plastic case as the 6c, and drop 5s to the free phone as is? Or do they repackage it in the 5c case (essentially upgrading the 5c)? This keeps the same plastic case in rotation for 3 years instead of two, which certainly saves them money in design costs which are every two years at present. But is the idea to keep 3 price points in the market place differentiated by appearance, and if so, how do they differentiate the 5s & 5c plastic cases (if it even matters); or just keep costs down with plastic? Perhaps in 3 years plastic won't necessarily save them that much money, and they can just roll with the current iPod colored metal housing option (if they still want to offer colors).
The whole exercise is just curious to me ...
You see why I say this deviates from Apples standard naming protocol.
The iPod Touch doesn't do this, either. It's not the iPod Touch C, it's the iPod 5th Generation 2013 16GB model (which has similar internal (and external) changes to Touch.
So it's inconsistent and will eventually lead to confusion as sog35 demonstrates above.
"C" is for cheap. It was a bad choice, in my opinion. They should have just left it iPhone 5, and marketed it as the same great iPhone with a stylish new look. Plus it deviates from Apple's standard product naming convention.
I still can't figure out the road map for it and how the plastic case is going to save them that much money in the long run, considering the retooling and redesign setup costs.
So the iPhone 5c moves down to the "free" model when the iPhone 6 comes out. So do they repackage the 5s in plastic, or offer it as is, since it will have a completely different appearance to the 6 and 5c? If they leave it alone, what happens when the 6s comes out? Do they repackage the 6 in a new plastic case as the 6c, and drop 5s to the free phone as is? Or do they repackage it in the 5c case (essentially upgrading the 5c)? This keeps the same plastic case in rotation for 3 years instead of two, which certainly saves them money in design costs which are every two years at present. But is the idea to keep 3 price points in the market place differentiated by appearance, and if so, how do they differentiate the 5s & 5c plastic cases (if it even matters); or just keep costs down with plastic? Perhaps in 3 years plastic won't necessarily save them that much money, and they can just roll with the current iPod colored metal housing option (if they still want to offer colors).
The whole exercise is just curious to me ...
I was wondering about that last week. It seems like it's going to get very confusing next year. Unless they bring back the 5 and offer it in place of the 4s and then just update the 5c internals... or they.... oh, forget it... lol
Let's see if your opinion changes once we get some more data on sales. I think "c" is for either color or clever. It's certainly not for cheap. I can't recall anyone being so excited to buy last years phone before. Do you?
I can't even recall anyone being excited about buying this year's phone...
I can't even recall anyone being excited about buying this year's phone...
Somewhere around 9 million people beg to differ!
Somewhere around 9 million people beg to differ!
We're talking about the 5c.
Keep focused.
I can't even recall anyone being excited about buying this year's phone...
Looks like you've been waking up on the wrong side of the bed a lot lately...
I used to enjoy your posts. Too bad.
We're talking about the 5c.
Keep focused.
Have it your way! 4-5 million!
Have it your way! 4-5 million!
LOL!
Sure, right!
Anything you say.
Fits his screen name.
I don't think they were anywhere near evenly split. I saw people walk when the 5s ran out, rather than get a 5c. A lot of people were even upgrading from the 5, for which a 5c would've been a down grade. There is an audience for the 5c, but it isn't one that would stand in line or make a great effort towards getting the phone on the first roll out. Okay, I'm sure there was a small percentage willing to move to last years model with the price drop, but the vast majority of early adopters are knowledgeable enough about the product line, to know they wanted the 5s. And since there are no 5s' left and there are 5c's, I don't see his conclusion of a 50/50 split as a reasonable one.
I would say you are correct when talking about phones in the hands for consumers but the 5c seems to be over stocked at retailers so a large portion of the sales of the 5c were just into the channel. Plenty of reports over the opening weekend from retailers stating they sold hardly any, if at all. For the 5s it sold out so the number into the channel is the same as the number sold to consumers.
Looks like you've been waking up on the wrong side of the bed a lot lately...
I used to enjoy your posts. Too bad.
I used to enjoy reading your posts, too... but so what.
Fits his screen name.
Is that a personal attack?
It seems to me that Apple went from this lineup strategy:
Budget (i.e 8GB only), Outgoing Model (last year's Elite with less margin), Elite Model (latest innovations).
To this lineup strategy:
Budget (i.e. 8GB only), Fun Model (all about the looks at this point), Elite Model (latest innovations and specs).
I think it was a smart move and it did not have much to do with saving money, instead I think it has a lot more to do with making the middle range device appealing to a different set of people for which it did not appeal to before.
For me, with the old line up strategy I was never compelled to upgrade to last year's model. It just does not make much sense with carrier sub., especially when I know I can sell my 2 year old Elite model for about the same or more as what it cost me to upgrade in the first place. Why would I just not get the latest Elite model again? I am not saving anything and the outgoing model offers me nothing more or different than the latest Elite model. So do I care the last year's model is $100 cheaper than the latest Elite model? No, why would I? It makes no sense what so ever for anyone on contract.
However, I can see the Fun model being a different value proposition. It offers something the Elite model does not. It's a fun fashion statement at this point. Something the Elite model does not attempt to do in the same way as the 5c. So it may appeal to people in a way that last year's Elite model does not. I seriously considered the Yellow or Green one vs buying the 5s. That thought would have never entered my mind if it was simply last year's Elite model. THIS...THIS point right here is what makes the C, compelling. Its not the 5. Its a different value proposition and makes it more compelling than simply last year's Elite model.
It will be interesting to see what Apples does with the Fun Model next year. I don't think it will just be about the internals spec bumps.. its going to have to be about something people can immediately see and appreciate at first sight compared to this year's fun model. Apple needs to make it even more compelling and make it stand apart even further from the Elite model. Apple is like BMW building a Mini Cooper image with the C, while still making Bimmers with the S line. It not just about the internals or saving money on the construction, its about a different kind of appeal and value proposition while keeping margins healthy for both types of products.