The 'Apple' effect
Discussion
So I watched the Apple event earlier today, revealing the next generation of iPhones.
Just like every year, we gasp at the pricing - and some dismiss ever buying one all together.
... and yet there will be early adopters eager to whip out the card and buy the '$1099 max s' on day one.
Will these early adopters be mocked at the workplace by colleagues for paying such a premium? In my experience, no.
Whenever someone has the latest iPhone in the office, crowds form - people love seeing it in the flesh and gaze in wonder.
These people also become the spotlight... "hey did ya know he/she has the latest iPhone?".
As prices eventually soften to psychologically attractive area ($999?), they'll likely be a horde of folk ordering them, paying in full or on a plan.
My point is, if Android or Huawei had the same tech and tried to market their new phones at similar pricing, would it work?
If someone brings in the latest Samsung/Huawei into the workplace, virtually no one will care.
It's a similar thing with Apple Macbooks vs Microsoft Surface offerings. No one gives any attention to the Surface hardware... even though it's clear it takes clean design cues from Apple hardware.
Is there a term in economics to describe what's going on here. It seems like a 'Bernays' thing; "make them feel they need it".
Whatever it is, Apple has a connection with it's consumers like very few others.
Just like every year, we gasp at the pricing - and some dismiss ever buying one all together.
... and yet there will be early adopters eager to whip out the card and buy the '$1099 max s' on day one.
Will these early adopters be mocked at the workplace by colleagues for paying such a premium? In my experience, no.
Whenever someone has the latest iPhone in the office, crowds form - people love seeing it in the flesh and gaze in wonder.
These people also become the spotlight... "hey did ya know he/she has the latest iPhone?".
As prices eventually soften to psychologically attractive area ($999?), they'll likely be a horde of folk ordering them, paying in full or on a plan.
My point is, if Android or Huawei had the same tech and tried to market their new phones at similar pricing, would it work?
If someone brings in the latest Samsung/Huawei into the workplace, virtually no one will care.
It's a similar thing with Apple Macbooks vs Microsoft Surface offerings. No one gives any attention to the Surface hardware... even though it's clear it takes clean design cues from Apple hardware.
Is there a term in economics to describe what's going on here. It seems like a 'Bernays' thing; "make them feel they need it".
Whatever it is, Apple has a connection with it's consumers like very few others.
V8covin said:
There are android phones that cost as much as iPhones
Apple support phones for years longer with OS updates, plus their used prices are much higher. So iPhones can could be considered to be considerably better value than even a much cheaper android phone.But really, who cares? Any smartphone is a brilliant piece of technology that most of us get a hell of a lot of use out of.
Apple has built up their reputation since the original iPod. Some of their products have been amazing and genuinely game-changing, where as some are more mediocre. But the pricing, marketing, quality, design and ease of use associated with the name means people aspire to own Apple products, as most people can afford them if they are willing to sacrifice something else for it.
Android doesn't have the same aura about it. Just compare the Apple event to previous Google/Samsung/Microsoft events. Jony Ive getting whimsical about a slight redesign and the presenters telling us the products are "really great" helps sell the product.
The difference with iPhones in particular is it's the one device that people use all the time, and are seen using it. There are materialistic people out there who will spend £1449 on the 512GB XS Max just to say they have one, but the iPad sitting at home is probably three years old. Social media and peer pressure are big factors.
Android doesn't have the same aura about it. Just compare the Apple event to previous Google/Samsung/Microsoft events. Jony Ive getting whimsical about a slight redesign and the presenters telling us the products are "really great" helps sell the product.
The difference with iPhones in particular is it's the one device that people use all the time, and are seen using it. There are materialistic people out there who will spend £1449 on the 512GB XS Max just to say they have one, but the iPad sitting at home is probably three years old. Social media and peer pressure are big factors.
Brainpox said:
Apple has built up their reputation since the original iPod. Some of their products have been amazing and genuinely game-changing, where as some are more mediocre. But the pricing, marketing, quality, design and ease of use associated with the name means people aspire to own Apple products, as most people can afford them if they are willing to sacrifice something else for it.
Android doesn't have the same aura about it. Just compare the Apple event to previous Google/Samsung/Microsoft events. Jony Ive getting whimsical about a slight redesign and the presenters telling us the products are "really great" helps sell the product.
The difference with iPhones in particular is it's the one device that people use all the time, and are seen using it. There are materialistic people out there who will spend £1449 on the 512GB XS Max just to say they have one. Social media and peer pressure are big factors.
Android doesn't, due to being across manufacturers and being more underlying, in a sense, so the manufacturers in that camp can put their own overlays on the basic system & lots of other stuff. Probably doesn't help that it can be had in very cheap and not cheap phones at the same time.Android doesn't have the same aura about it. Just compare the Apple event to previous Google/Samsung/Microsoft events. Jony Ive getting whimsical about a slight redesign and the presenters telling us the products are "really great" helps sell the product.
The difference with iPhones in particular is it's the one device that people use all the time, and are seen using it. There are materialistic people out there who will spend £1449 on the 512GB XS Max just to say they have one. Social media and peer pressure are big factors.
What they have got absolutely nailed is the Scientology/Mormon/Soylent Green angle. If you believe and/or the generally not that consequential differences work for 'you', then the ever increasing cost seems not to matter one iota.
ninepoint2 said:
Apple is mostly style over substance, appeals to the fashionistas I guess, but why pay Apple around £20 for a charging cable when you can get one for a Samsung (which are a lot less proprietary) and in MHO better for a quid?
Because the Samsung charge wouldn't fit in the Apple phone?You can get £1 apple chargers BTW.
I won't be buying a new iPhone. My last brand new iPhone was the 6 back in September 2014. Cost about £1100 over the 24 month contract, then £17 a month for the next 12 months, then sold at £150.
£1 a day for something that takes my daily photos, plays my music in the car and lets me text and call the wife. Not too bad for an essential everyday item.
The Huawei P20 Pro has caught my eye lately with its camera quality however I before the iPhone 6 I did try a Samsung S4 and just didn't get on with it. Software felt clunky. brilliant screen and camera though.
You pays your money and makes your choice... I don't understand why folks that don't use Apple products get so exercised about those that do.
For me it is more than the sum of the parts. Individually the phone, computer and online services may have their flaws, but the seamless integration between them just works very well. That is the value for me, rather than a screen with 20 bazillion pixels, and a watch that can call an ambulance.
For me it is more than the sum of the parts. Individually the phone, computer and online services may have their flaws, but the seamless integration between them just works very well. That is the value for me, rather than a screen with 20 bazillion pixels, and a watch that can call an ambulance.
A few years back new phones would have compelling features and each years crop would be noticeably better than the previous, they have now plateaued and any gains are marginal.
Last years iphone X caused a bit of a stir in the office simply due to the bezel plus most people wanted to see the poo emoji, the P20 caused quite a commotion as well, people expected uber pics from the adverts.
I doubt anyone is going to be that bothered in the office about this years offerings as Apple haven't really done anything 'groundbreaking' this time around apart from the fall detector which outside of a carehome is a bit useless.
Last years iphone X caused a bit of a stir in the office simply due to the bezel plus most people wanted to see the poo emoji, the P20 caused quite a commotion as well, people expected uber pics from the adverts.
I doubt anyone is going to be that bothered in the office about this years offerings as Apple haven't really done anything 'groundbreaking' this time around apart from the fall detector which outside of a carehome is a bit useless.
V8covin said:
With an unknown branding it could be any Chinese import so £200-300 at a guess.
With Samsung or Sony on it the same as their current flagships.
Anyone with any sense knows you're paying for the name
See? The usual 'Apple buyers are idiots' mantra... You're paying for a solid, reliable device (my iPhone 6+ is 4 years old and never skips a beat), support that lasts for years, the ecosystem that seamlessly connects multiple devices together. I could go on but some people who don't buy Apple gear are obsessed with those that do and there is no point.With Samsung or Sony on it the same as their current flagships.
Anyone with any sense knows you're paying for the name
You could ask why isn't a Galaxy s9 £200-£300.
It's no different than any other successfully branded product.
Why pay £50+ for a t-shirt when you can get one for a fiver from Tesco?
Why pay hundreds of pounds for a handbag when you can pick one up from the market for a fraction of the price?
Why buy something like an Audi or BMW when a Ford/Vauxhall/Kia is perfectly fine (and in many ways better)?
Why spend thousands on a watch when a cheap Casio will also tell you the time?
Each to their own, the world would be a boring place if we all bought the same stuff.
(FWIW I have t-shirts ranging from £5-£40ish, drive a Ford, own a fitbit and a £200ish watch, Mrs ZS has 1 designer handbag, and I feel I've for good value for money from my 4 year old iPhone 5S, and when the time comes will replace with another Apple phone
)
Why pay £50+ for a t-shirt when you can get one for a fiver from Tesco?
Why pay hundreds of pounds for a handbag when you can pick one up from the market for a fraction of the price?
Why buy something like an Audi or BMW when a Ford/Vauxhall/Kia is perfectly fine (and in many ways better)?
Why spend thousands on a watch when a cheap Casio will also tell you the time?
Each to their own, the world would be a boring place if we all bought the same stuff.
(FWIW I have t-shirts ranging from £5-£40ish, drive a Ford, own a fitbit and a £200ish watch, Mrs ZS has 1 designer handbag, and I feel I've for good value for money from my 4 year old iPhone 5S, and when the time comes will replace with another Apple phone
)IPhone XS only has a faster chip, better camera options (bit the same dual camera) and that’s about it. It looks exactly like the X, plus option of 500GB memory.
I’ll stick to my X 256GB, which I’m no where near filling in 10 months!
I will buy the IPhone 11 though!
I heard a rumour last week that Apple will be re issuing the original IPhone but with modern internals and screen etc next year.
That was from an Apple employee but he works in HR so...
I’ll stick to my X 256GB, which I’m no where near filling in 10 months!
I will buy the IPhone 11 though!
I heard a rumour last week that Apple will be re issuing the original IPhone but with modern internals and screen etc next year.
That was from an Apple employee but he works in HR so...
abzmike said:
See? The usual 'Apple buyers are idiots' mantra... You're paying for a solid, reliable device (my iPhone 6+ is 4 years old and never skips a beat), support that lasts for years, the ecosystem that seamlessly connects multiple devices together. I could go on but some people who don't buy Apple gear are obsessed with those that do and there is no point.
You could ask why isn't a Galaxy s9 £200-£300.
You misinterpreted my post.You could ask why isn't a Galaxy s9 £200-£300.
I wasn't just referring to Apple.
I'll stick with my £200 phone that does everything a £1,000 one can do AND lasts 2 days between charges
Gassing Station | Finance | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff