The 'Apple' effect

[V8covin]

abzmike said:

Ah I get you... fair point.
Doesn't mean people that do buy a branded phone don't have any sense though.

I beg to differ when it comes to flagships.
Why pay a grand for an iPhone or Samsung when you get the same spec from a phone costing half as much because it doesn't have a particular brand stamped on it ?
The argument because I can doesn't wash with me but then again I wouldn't buy anything just because of it's brand

[TheAngryDog]

JaredVannett said:

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?".

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.

I can't say I've ever worked anywhere where crowds form because someone has a new phone. Either the people you work with are all obsessed with shiny stuff or the people I have always worked with have been well adjusted..

[EddieSteadyGo]

Is having the latest smartphone really a status symbol any longer?

Whether you prefer android or apple, the days of fawning over the latest phone tech are long gone.

Pretty much, they all do a similar job and they all look similar.

Yeah, I replace mine with a new one every couple of years, but only because I want one which works at the proper speed again and hasn't been slowed down...

[V8covin]

Let's face it,Apple have been very clever with their business model and marketing.
There are millions of people who upgrade to a new iPhone when their contract ends without taking a blind bit of notice at the specs or price because it's a new iPhone hence it must be better

[Coolbanana]

V8covin said:

I beg to differ when it comes to flagships.
Why pay a grand for an iPhone or Samsung when you get the same spec from a phone costing half as much because it doesn't have a particular brand stamped on it ?
The argument because I can doesn't wash with me but then again I wouldn't buy anything just because of it's brand

Not all Flagships are equal and it is a complete and utter nonsense that a phone half the cost of the Apple and Samsung flagships will match them in every way. I like the OnePlus 6 for example. A lot cheaper than the aforementioned flagships but to say it is just as good in every respect is rubbish.

Sure, it will be just fine for the majority of users who do not want best-in-class screens or the very fastest processors or the very best cameras.

I currently have the Samsung S9+. The screen is awesome and is great for watching Netflix while on a plane. I could get the OnePlus but I can afford a better screen so why not?

The Apple iPhone X looks and feels better than the S9+ even though the Samsung looks good too. Everything it does, screen, processing etc is roughly the same - enough not to really notice unless you are a pedantic pixel-peeper or speed score geek. Some folks are happy to shell out for the mobile that they think is aesthetically more pleasing to them.

I moved away from Apple because I wanted a dual sim device. Now Apple are offering them. It'll make my next mobile decision very interesting. The cost is absolutely irrelevant. I can comfortably afford any so my decision will be based solely upon what device from any Manufacturer, provides the mobile with the most valuable tech for my purposes, has the OS that works best with my workflow and other needs, and, looks and feels the best since it is a device I use every day - the most-used device I use.

Obviously many folks will be swayed by Brand and peer envy and this too, is perfectly fine. Who cares why a person buys something providing that something returns value to the Purchaser such that they are happy with their choice. Ultimately, that is all that matters and busy-body pedants who disagree and feel they should be able to dictate why someone must own something else they are daft, are themselves bitter, sad morons.

[JaredVannett]

TheAngryDog said:

I can't say I've ever worked anywhere where crowds form because someone has a new phone. Either the people you work with are all obsessed with shiny stuff or the people I have always worked with have been well adjusted..

I work in tech.

DukeDickson said:

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.

That's more of the angle I was getting at - it's remarkable how they have done it.

The purpose of this thread wasn't to bash Apple, I have some Apple products.

It just seems whatever ground breaking advancement happens in the tech space isn't considered worthy unless Apple have done it - they appear to have the authority in the tech space.


To put it another way...

"Volkswagen announces 50% increase in electric vehicle range" = { tumbleweeds, crickets }

"Tesla announces 50% increase in electric vehicle range" = mass hype/hysteria


Just trying to deconstruct what gives Apple/Tesla that edge, and if it easily replicated.

[JaredVannett]

Coolbanana said:

Not all Flagships are equal and it is a complete and utter nonsense that a phone half the cost of the Apple and Samsung flagships will match them in every way. I like the OnePlus 6 for example. A lot cheaper than the aforementioned flagships but to say it is just as good in every respect is rubbish.

I've had the same conversation with a co-worker... he was trying to persuade me to get the One-plus and how amazing it was for the price. As soon as I saw the screen quality in comparison to my galaxy I was no longer interested. It's a good phone but isn't on the same shelf as a Galaxy.

[TheAngryDog]

JaredVannett said:

TheAngryDog said:

I can't say I've ever worked anywhere where crowds form because someone has a new phone. Either the people you work with are all obsessed with shiny stuff or the people I have always worked with have been well adjusted..

I work in tech.

Then you and your colleagues are easily pleased..

[Scootersp]

Coolbanana said:

Not all Flagships are equal and it is a complete and utter nonsense that a phone half the cost of the Apple and Samsung flagships will match them in every way. I like the OnePlus 6 for example. A lot cheaper than the aforementioned flagships but to say it is just as good in every respect is rubbish.

Sure, it will be just fine for the majority of users who do not want best-in-class screens or the very fastest processors or the very best cameras.

I currently have the Samsung S9+. The screen is awesome and is great for watching Netflix while on a plane. I could get the OnePlus but I can afford a better screen so why not?

The Apple iPhone X looks and feels better than the S9+ even though the Samsung looks good too. Everything it does, screen, processing etc is roughly the same - enough not to really notice unless you are a pedantic pixel-peeper or speed score geek. Some folks are happy to shell out for the mobile that they think is aesthetically more pleasing to them.

I moved away from Apple because I wanted a dual sim device. Now Apple are offering them. It'll make my next mobile decision very interesting. The cost is absolutely irrelevant. I can comfortably afford any so my decision will be based solely upon what device from any Manufacturer, provides the mobile with the most valuable tech for my purposes, has the OS that works best with my workflow and other needs, and, looks and feels the best since it is a device I use every day - the most-used device I use.

Obviously many folks will be swayed by Brand and peer envy and this too, is perfectly fine. Who cares why a person buys something providing that something returns value to the Purchaser such that they are happy with their choice. Ultimately, that is all that matters and busy-body pedants who disagree and feel they should be able to dictate why someone must own something else they are daft, are themselves bitter, sad morons.

Agree largely with this, it's not a lot different when talking of clothes, cars etc it's each to their own but I think some healthy discussion on things is just that. If like you it's disposable income that has to/can be spent on something like this then why not, it's not like it's a con and not a quality product. I think it's the fad aspect, the sort of atmosphere it creates of social standing, peoples expectations/desires when they aren't necessarily in your position that is more concerning.

But ultimately it's (good) business and personal (not always so good!) choice, I'm 45 and so am largely free from peer pressure and essentially a phone luddite so have largely resisted the phone craze, just use it to message and call people, use a PC at work and an Ipad at home for all I imagine people use a smart phone for? Others in my peer group are into it and there is teasing both ways on the pros and cons. For me getting to know how a smart works and all it's settings is a chore when to others it's exciting. I do have a Sony M2 Aqua bought on a deal via built up vodafone points but other than a couple of whatsap groups i would not miss it at all!

A top of the range phone is within the reach of pretty much everyone and perhaps that's attractive for some as it can elevate them to looking in the made it/cutting edge category, same as Jimmy Choos, Mulberry Handbags etc etc? An old works colleagues husband was involved in 'pho-jazzle' where your boggo Nokia's etc were adorned in Jewels and cases in gold etc presumably to create a phone to stand out from simply being cutting edge/top of the range, to make a statement of wealth/status to the presumably super rich.

It's all relative the £200 pair of Jeans the £1,000 bottle of Champagne, the £20K holiday etc etc etc it's all nuts or normal depending on your circumstances, only again any of us can get those Jeans and try and latch onto some sort of feel good factor from doing it (moving into psychology and marketing). We are nearly all guilty of drifting into this in some area, someone may have no smart phone and yet saved for a Rolex/Tag etc watch for thousands and that just tells you the bloody time and looks nice but then might be too precious to the owner to even bloody wear/use!! Anyone who collects stuff is largely wasting their time and money according to the vast majority of other people who don't 'get it'.

So lots of rambling but in essence do what you like but just occasionally sit back and make sure it's your decision, question yourself and your wants vs needs and whether your being influenced unduly, if not and you can afford it buy what you like.

[gibbon]

It strikes me as ironic that this conversation has been conducted on a motoring forum.

There are few products as emotive and which carry as much inherent bias as none 'white goods' cars.

Is a phone really that different?

[The Selfish Gene]

my current iPhone is broken, old and battery not really very good.

So i'm in the market - I shall buy the new X and the new apple watch........it's just time.

[Kewy]

With regards to it being 'just a brand'

I work in branding and yes, Apple are very good at it – but its worth remembering that branding alone doesn't make a product or service and you need to have the reputation and customer care to back it up. Apple have this and have worked hard to get it.

A few months back I went into apple with a slight glitch on my camera on my 7+, I came out with a brand new 7+ (he was going to repair it but then said 'tell you what, I'll just give you a new one'), whilst I was waiting I was on my laptop (MBP) and the guy serving me noticed there were some marks on my screen. He went and spoke to another member of staff and then came back and asked if I was able to leave my laptop with them for a couple of days so they could replace my screen.

I walked in hoping to get a bug fixed on the camera of my phone and walked away (well two days later) with about £1700 worth of repairs/replacement. Name me another company that gives that sort of customer care.



With regards to the hardware/software

I fully accept that Apple are never at the forefront of technology, personally I'd rather have a reliable piece of tech than the most up and coming tech. The benefit of Apple over Android is that Apple develop their OS's in line with their hardware. its designed and tested specifically for their hardware and thus has very little bugs or unreliability. Android is designed to run on so many different hardware variations that inevitably its going to be less reliable at times and compromises are made in places for it to be so versatile.

I've had both Apple and Android devices and they both have their pro's and con's. I loved the way I could customise my Android experience exactly to how I wanted it, but ended up getting bored of tinkering and customising and decided I just wanted a device that worked, did the job it was designed for and didn't distract me with so many different settings, personalisation and customisation.

[Zetec-S]

Kewy][b said:

I've had both Apple and Android devices and they both have their pro's and con's. I loved the way I could customise my Android experience exactly to how I wanted it, but ended up getting bored of tinkering and customising and decided I just wanted a device that worked, did the job it was designed for and didn't distract me with so many different settings, personalisation and customisation.

Very much the same for me. When I was younger I could spend hours (sometimes days) messing around configuring a new PC/laptop/phone, whereas nowadays I just want to turn it on and use it.

[0000]

JaredVannett said:

I've had the same conversation with a co-worker... he was trying to persuade me to get the One-plus and how amazing it was for the price. As soon as I saw the screen quality in comparison to my galaxy I was no longer interested. It's a good phone but isn't on the same shelf as a Galaxy.

The Galaxy has a higher res screen, but by default doesn't it run at a lower res for the sake of battery life? At which point it's not dissimilar.

They both have better screens than I need.

[Integroo]

My Galaxy S9+ has an RRP of £869. The 512Gb Galaxy Note 9 has an RRP of £1,099 (USD 1440). It isn't exclusively Apple.

[LivingTheDream]

bongtom said:

LivingTheDream said:

There's no way I would buy a phone named after a crappy Ford

Says an owner of an X type Jag which based on a Mondeo!

Lol.

Ha! 'Twas but a joke - it's the first thing I think of when reading S Max

Sold the Jag and now have double shed action going on - Subaru Forester and a Volvo V70.

Living the dream indeed

[mike9009]

Not sure I am able to join this thread with my £200 Nokia in my pocket. But I felt compelled to offer that my phone can make calls and texts.

[DonkeyApple]

JaredVannett said:

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".

Giffen goods.

[survivalist]

DonkeyApple said:

JaredVannett said:

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".

Giffen goods.

Not really, as a Giffen good is typically thought to be an inferior good. The theme of this thread is that Apple products are seen as premium or superior, even if that is largely due to perception rather than reality.

[DonkeyApple]

survivalist said:

DonkeyApple said:

JaredVannett said:

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".

Giffen goods.

Not really, as a Giffen good is typically thought to be an inferior good. The theme of this thread is that Apple products are seen as premium or superior, even if that is largely due to perception rather than reality.

Then it must be the other one, Veblen goods?