lewchenko

I live in the UK. I remember the golden period when just about everyone in my extended family were getting themselves a new iPhone (around the time of the 6S and 7). 

This last 2 years only a fraction upgraded to the X or XS series. A couple went to Android. Most stayed with their 6S or 7. 

three obvious reasons:

1. New phones just too expensive
2. No features on new phones justify the price
3. Current phone works fine. 

I did upgrade and love my XS. But it’s not worth a grand!  Wife thinks I need my head checked for spending so much on a phone (she is a happy 7 user). 

So I fully believe it when the EMEA market share looks poor. 

Sadly none are the best for me either. 

Too many compromises on each model for the relatively exorbitant prices. 
Bad keyboards, limited ports, a difficult to explain poor choice in screen (Air) - quite dim, price options for upgrading memory and disk are daylight robbery. 

After much deliberation ,my 2013 MBP isn’t getting upgraded any time soon. 

Im not sure Apple and I see the future the same way any more. But hey, they seem to be selling lots of them to the coffee shop crowds. 

People can can dismiss the keyboard issue but nobody can deny there are a volume of people who hate it. (And for Apple to ignore them says one thing plus the fact there are a volume of people making noise about the keyboard also tells you it’s a polarising design - no computer maker should want or have to keep justifying a keyboard design choice- no other vendor has to like Apple does. Wish they could admit their mistake here.  )

Good article though. Appreciated the comparison.  

Went to see 3 options today in person 
1. The Air 
2. The MacBook Pro (is it worth the extra)
3. A surface laptop 2 (could I switch ?)

the keyboard on the Air is better than the pro (a little) but not much. I would still “tolerate it” , not love it by a long long way. 

The biggest problem with with the Air was the screen. No other way to say it.. it was quite a bit dimmer than the pro. Quite noticeable. And quite off putting when the cost is almost as much as the pro. 

Build quality wise I preferred the Air design over the pro. 

The keyboard on the surface laptop was superior to both Air and Pro, and the screen ratio was better too (3:2). High res as well so no issue there.  Slightly more reflective screen but noticeably brighter than the Air. It’s ports , whilst older (mdp, usb a, surface connector) actually work better for me as I have no usb C stuff.  Build wise ... better than expected and light ,but nowhere near the prestige level of the Air.  If only it didn’t come with windows. 

Came away sonewhat undecided. Trade offs on all options which was disappointing . Quite disappointed with the Air’s screen.  Not good when you drop this kind of money... Sigh. 

StrangeDays said:

goldenclaw said:

While I like this product marginally better than the revised MacBook Air, I feel that Apple is still missing the mark with its price point on the Mini. An existing Windows user should be able to unplug their existing box and plug in a Mac mini at a price that doesn't break the bank. You can get a powerful PC desktop for this price.

When Apple produced a very-cheap mini for switchers, the complainers said it wasn't powerful enough. Now they've gone more powerful, and the complainers say it costs too much. Do you see the catch-22 here? Anyway, I'd argue the mini is no longer a cheap intro product designed for switchers -- that job was fulfilled by iPods, iPads, and iPhones. This is a small Mac.

It doesn’t have to be a catch 22. 
Apple decides the price and spec and could have easily accommated an affordable specification in the line up. 
But that’s not who Apple are. Ultimately they don’t care about low end switchers. By not having one forces people to pay more or go elsewhere.
The price of these things buys quite a powerful PC in comparison. People have to decide whether the Mac OS is worth the premium over and above a PC (far more expandable no doubt)

to sum up apple these days - “for people with boat loads of money, or those willing to consider older tech for slightly less money - eg old Air, older 7 iPhone, older mini” 

canukstorm said:

midwestapplefan said:

airnerd said:

Inflation is a thing.  You know gas, bread, milk, etc all cost more each year as well.

If gas was $6 a gallon, bread was $4 a loaf, and milk cost $6 a gallon right now, you would have a valid comparison.  Unlike those commodity goods, consumer electronics typically go down in price over time.  Cameras, televisions, hard disks, even drones just get getting cheaper and cheaper.  Only Apple seems to be able to buck this trend.  It will probably work for a few more years.  But with higher prices you get more intense competition.  It will be interesting to see where Apple is in 4-8 years when iPhone are more like the commodity goods you listed.

I think Gruber sums it up pretty well:

https://daringfireball.net/2018/10/iphone_xr_review_roundup

"A cell phone used to be just a wireless telephone. No longer. They are our ever-present personal computers. They are also our most important cameras (and often our only cameras). A decade ago, point-and-shoot cameras ran $200-400, easily. It’s your watch, it’s your alarm clock, it’s your Walkman, it’s your map and GPS. It’s your wallet full of photos of your family and friends. It’s also, increasing, your actual wallet.

If you took an iPhone XR back to 2006 people would be amazed. If you told them they could buy one for $750 they’d think you were lying.

On a related note, I would argue that iPhone prices aren’t really going up. Last year’s X and this year’s XS models are a new premium tier. The iPhone XR is the phone at the previous “regular” top-of-the-line tier. New top-tier iPhones used to cost $600-650, yes, and the iPhone XR starts at $750. But when you account for inflation that starting price is about the same. The iPhone 4 was introduced in June 2010 starting at $600. $600 in June 2010 dollars is about $700 today. That $600 got you a 16 GB iPhone in 2010. The 32 GB model cost $700. That’s about $810 in today’s dollars — $10 more than the price of a 128 GB iPhone XR, which I think is the sweet spot in the lineup for most people. Inflation adjusted, the iPhone XR is right in line with the iPhone 4 prices from 2010.

Considering how much more capable an iPhone XR is compared to an iPhone 4, I’d say $750 is an amazing bargain."

You have been drinking too much of the apple kool aid. 
The X range is not a super class tier at all. I have the Xs. It’s a great device but no better in real terms than my old 7 Plus was when that was released either in its flagship clothes. Its what I expect from apple’s best iPhone , as always. It’s not like it’s made of a special rare alloy or something.  Hardwire wise , there is nothing that unique about it. Spec wise, many android phones come with as good sceeens and not memory for much less cost.  It’s a solid device that Apple could have sold for a lot cheaper and still made a ton of money. But can’t really fault apple here if mugs like me are willing to spend a grand on it lol. 
Technology tends to get cheaper as the years go by not more expensive. (Think how DVD players got better and cheaper over the years). The iPhone is doing the opposite. That’s not good for us consumers. And whilst we could keep the device for 4 years , we probably won’t when we see what Apple releases in in the next two years (starting at just  $1200 for the top tier!)