fred stein

Thanks for exposing the expose. Adding:

1) Apple's customer satisfaction is consistently at, or near, the top every year. Same for brand. The vast majority of customers are happy with Apple policies.
2) Batteries are inherently dangerous. Apple wisely protects consumers by making it hard to replace and expose consumers to physical safety risks.
3) As mentioned, the home key, tied to enclave, protects the users data. We don't want a thief to easily crack our phones and get our personal (and financial) data.
4) At least regarding iPhones, they remain in service longer than Android. That fact alone defeats the argument by CBC.

Can we stop using the words "mature content" and "adult content"?

I'm 71 and like sex and violence as much as anyone, unless it's just stupid, which is more than 1/2 of such content. This does not appeal to my adult self- quite the opposite. Let's go back to "R" and "X". Imperfect? Yes. "Adult" and "mature" is pretentious.

Great article. Thanks. 

First, to answer the question in the headline. Yes. Especially the Max - it's screen, better sound, the A12 chip make it THE best Smartphone for video and games. For that segment the price is not an obstacle. As the article points out, many will recoup $400 to $700 for their not-so-old high-end iPhone. With SSD prices dropping, Apple has excellent margins on the maxed out Max'es.

Another factoid. 134M (source Business Insider) used iPhone will be sold in FY18. Used iPhone sales are never counted but they are part of the SmartPhone market.  More importantly they cannibalize Android, more than new iPhone sales. Many used (sold or hand-me-down) iPhones go to kids, who grow up and aspire to better iPhones over time. Kids are avid gamers. Over time, iPhones will generate more gaming Apps and gaming App revenue.

Net: Directly and indirectly Apple delivers iPhones from $100 to $1449 to a growing Installed Base. Apple high-end buyers enjoy and pay for Apple's massive investments in the A12 chip, plus a deep and wide stack or software for App developers that keep the iPhone ecosystems - from TSMC to Apps ahead of the entire industry.

Thanks for the detail and the insights. It helps understand the future potential for Apple Watch. It tells me Apple Watch has a great future, but many people will settle for much cheaper alternatives. That's OK

You know what I think is powerful? Making Android customers feel good about Samsung. But will anyone switch from iOS to use a stylus on their phone?