iPhone 5s

[Batman]

http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/7/4703888/iphone-5s-packaging-fingerprint-sensor-silver-ring-rumors

[hypochondriac]

Rubbish gimmick. Apple haven't wowed me for about three years and the absence of Steve is being felt imo.

[Colinjb]

No denying they are excellent phones, but there is no reason for the average user to have anything other then an iPhone 4/4s. It's just the same routine now.

[NickG]

Went in carphone warehouse today. Used to be half a shop of iphones. Now displays of HTC, Sony, Samsung etc - then in far corner a stand saying 'best of the rest' - halfway down.. Iphones.

 

 

Think they are miles behind android now; spec, user friendliness and even more value.

 

For example, Nexus 4, £150 plus giffgaff....how can apple compete?

 

Looking at first phone for son at secondary school - he sneered when my wife suggested an iPhone, saying they are old fashioned. I was happy as she hadn't checked prices!

[whelk]

Can't believe the market analysts haven't noticed that iPhones are halfway down the the best of the rest section. Apple are in real trouble and yet they haven't realised as they aren't paying attention to Carphone Warehouse shelves. People who slag off iPhones are normally those that can't afford them in my experience.

[Whitey Grandad]

I see no reason to change my iPhone 4S.

[NickG]

Can't believe the market analysts haven't noticed that iPhones are halfway down the the best of the rest section. Apple are in real trouble and yet they haven't realised as they aren't paying attention to Carphone Warehouse shelves. People who slag off iPhones are normally those that can't afford them in my experience.

 

Strangle post?

 

Just commenting on what I thought was a surprising and noticeable change in the profile of iphones in the largest phone retailer.

 

I prefer android, my daughter won't look at anything except iphones - personal choice. (So I can afford an iPhone for my daughter but buy android for so doesn't fit in with your theory!)

 

Apple are great company and far from in trouble, but I don't think they will ever have the automatic lead / prestige in the market they once had. "iphone" was automatic choice for many - now phones judged on their merits.

[Colinjb]

Strangle post?

 

Just commenting on what I thought was a surprising and noticeable change in the profile of iphones in the largest phone retailer.

 

I prefer android, my daughter won't look at anything except iphones - personal choice. (So I can afford an iPhone for my daughter but buy android for so doesn't fit in with your theory!)

 

Apple are great company and far from in trouble, but I don't think they will ever have the automatic lead / prestige in the market they once had. "iphone" was automatic choice for many - now phones judged on their merits.

 

Not just that, but they seem now to be going back on and undermining the business model that made them so successful in the first place.

 

Make something game changing (iPhone original, 3, 3s, 4) and offer it in a few easily adjustable variations. (Memory required changing one component) and sell it for a huge mark up at the premium end of the market. One model, mass made, standard parts, high margin.

 

Now they are going to be making a lower end model, alongside the premium new one and some of the older models too. Less profitable and undermining the brand's position as solely a high end aspirational one. Drawing themselves back into a dogfight with the HTC's, Sonys and Samsungs of the world and losing their 'prestige' as you have very well put it.

 

As I say, I utterly respect how good the handsets still are, my work iPhone 5 is an excellent device. I vastly prefer the Samsung Galaxy S3 I keep as a personal phone though.

[Batman]

iOS 7 out 18 sep

But not a great deal for an iPhone 5 user to upgrade to

Edited 11 September, 2013 by Batman

[hypochondriac]

Can't believe the market analysts haven't noticed that iPhones are halfway down the the best of the rest section. Apple are in real trouble and yet they haven't realised as they aren't paying attention to Carphone Warehouse shelves. People who slag off iPhones are normally those that can't afford them in my experience.

 

Odd. I have had a 4 and briefly a 4s.my girlfriend also had a 5 bit she now has a nexus 4 that I bought her and I have an s4 which is pretty much as expensive as the iPhone so it isn't about cost.

[Minty]

Cost alone should never be the deciding factor unless you've got too much money and not enough scruples IMO.

 

People will pay for good quality, and that is (just one reason) why iphones used to be top of the pile, because it was worth paying more for a better phone. But now with the quality of Android phones increasing all the time, the cost factor is coming into focus more and Apple are relying somewhat on their brand to maintain prices.

 

I just got a Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini as an insurance replacement for my stolen HTC and considering it is a lower spec version of the G3, it is still way ahead of my old HTC and a very nice overall experience. Most importantly, it does what I need, and for a fraction of the cost of an iPhone.

[pap]

Odd. I have had a 4 and briefly a 4s.my girlfriend also had a 5 bit she now has a nexus 4 that I bought her and I have an s4 which is pretty much as expensive as the iPhone so it isn't about cost.

 

We don't often agree, but here we do (apart from your claims of having a girlfriend, obviously ).

 

Seriously though, it is partially about cost, but not the way whelk might mean. Time was, you'd pay the premium for an iPhone because it really was the best phone on the market, both in terms of build quality and overall experience. Think I saw my first one in the US in 2008, and I was blown away. I had the chance to go to an iPhone5 last year, but after getting my iPad, the iPhone really was just a phone and music player, occasionally filling the void as an internet device of last resort.

 

I said that Apple became a me too company when the iPad Mini was launched. With the launch of the 5C, you really are just paying for the brand, the walled garden and the customer services (which I'll happily admit are great when you need them).

[Tokyo-Saint]

What about music? I have only ever really had an iphone and although they keep changing it, itunes is not too bad. Up for a renewal at the end of the month. I don't even use half the apps I have got and I don't have many anyway. Need something with a decent amount of storage for music.

[pap]

What about music? I have only ever really had an iphone and although they keep changing it, itunes is not too bad. Up for a renewal at the end of the month. I don't even use half the apps I have got and I don't have many anyway. Need something with a decent amount of storage for music.

 

I bunged a 64Gb SD card into my S3 and have never looked back. I buy most of my music from 7digital these days. Have done since around 2007.

[Tokyo-Saint]

Don't know what any of that means Pap but if I never need to blow up a death star, you'll be the first one I contact.

[solentstars]

Can't believe the market analysts haven't noticed that iPhones are halfway down the the best of the rest section. Apple are in real trouble and yet they haven't realised as they aren't paying attention to Carphone Warehouse shelves. People who slag off iPhones are normally those that can't afford them in my experience.

what rubbish that says more about you I think.. . or that you like paying silly money for what basically is just another phone.

 

 

 

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Edited 11 September, 2013 by solentstars

[pap]

Don't know what any of that means Pap but if I never need to blow up a death star, you'll be the first one I contact.

 

doubleTwist is my music player of choice on Android too.

 

It's a very good fit for someone used to iPod-like music controls.

[Tokyo-Saint]

Would you recommend a switch then Pap? If so, what's the best of the rest. Moving away from iphone will be a big move as it's the only 'smartphone' I have ever had. I don't want some phone that tells people what phone I have, like the Nexus 4.

[Jeff Le Taxi]

I had a Nexus4 and swapped it for a Note2 (straight swap) brilliant deal as the note 2 is more expensive......or so i thought, much prefer my old Nexus4, better screen, much faster, two versions of android newer...

 

in my humble opinion the nexus is the best android on the market and a quarter of the price of the others.

[Jeff Le Taxi]

double post

[Tokyo-Saint]

I had a Nexus4 and swapped it for a Note2 (straight swap) brilliant deal as the note 2 is more expensive......or so i thought, much prefer my old Nexus4, better screen, much faster, two versions of android newer...

 

in my humble opinion the nexus is the best android on the market and a quarter of the price of the others.

 

Thanks Jeff, I will have a look at them. Better than the new iphone in your opinion? Know anywhere I can get a good deal?

[johnnyboy]

Thanks Jeff, I will have a look at them. Better than the new iphone in your opinion? Know anywhere I can get a good deal?

 

https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_4_16gb&hl=en

[hypochondriac]

The nexus 5 will be out soon and that will be comparable to the new iPhone for less than half the price.

[hypochondriac]

I just pay for Spotify rather than carry music around. Or fill up your Google music account and have it synced to all your devices.

[sandwichsaint]

Went in carphone warehouse today. Used to be half a shop of iphones. Now displays of HTC, Sony, Samsung etc - then in far corner a stand saying 'best of the rest' - halfway down.. Iphones.

 

 

Think they are miles behind android now; spec, user friendliness and even more value.

 

For example, Nexus 4, £150 plus giffgaff....how can apple compete?

 

Looking at first phone for son at secondary school - he sneered when my wife suggested an iPhone, saying they are old fashioned. I was happy as she hadn't checked prices!

 

Don't you just love living in a world where 11 year-olds sneer at an iphone?

[pap]

Would you recommend a switch then Pap? If so, what's the best of the rest. Moving away from iphone will be a big move as it's the only 'smartphone' I have ever had. I don't want some phone that tells people what phone I have, like the Nexus 4.

 

I'm probably going to get the Nexus 5 when it comes out, even though I've a year's contract left on the one I have. The attractive thing about that is you can buy it outright fairly cheaply. When you consider that a good part of your phone contract is hire purchase on the phone, makes a lot of sense.

[Tokyo-Saint]

Paid for by my company though Pap, just want a decent phone. I'm not a price pikey, that's the other one.

[Bearsy]

I'm not a price pikey! What I do right when negotiating iPhones contract is I say, no iphones, I don't want unlimited datas I would sooner have 1GB limit so you can charge me £438 when my broadband went down and i spent the whole month watching porns + netflix over 3G. True story!

[Batman]

The 5c is basically, the iPhone 5 with a coloured case

[pap]

The 5c is basically, the iPhone 5 with a coloured case

 

Much worse build quality. It's a budget phone.

[Essruu]

Much worse build quality. It's a budget phone.

 

How on Earth can you make a comment on the build quality without having seen, held or tested one?

 

Yes, the 5C has a 'plastic' back; but, it's a single piece of polycarbonate, with no seams or joins. It is no more 'budget' than virtually any Android handset.

 

I did a Google search for 'iPhone 5C build quality' and this is the top hit http://www.macworld.com/article/2048518/hands-on-with-the-iphone-5c.html

Every single other review I've read says similar.

 

Just because you don't want to like Apple products and the 5C rear is not made of glass, does NOT make it crāppy, 'budget' or of poor build quality (the same cannot be said of the majority of Android handsets.)

[View From The Top]

I see no reason to change my iPhone 4S.

 

Same here.

[pap]

How on Earth can you make a comment on the build quality without having seen, held or tested one?

 

Yes, the 5C has a 'plastic' back; but, it's a single piece of polycarbonate, with no seams or joins. It is no more 'budget' than virtually any Android handset.

 

I did a Google search for 'iPhone 5C build quality' and this is the top hit http://www.macworld.com/article/2048518/hands-on-with-the-iphone-5c.html

Every single other review I've read says similar.

 

Just because you don't want to like Apple products and the 5C rear is not made of glass, does NOT make it crāppy, 'budget' or of poor build quality (the same cannot be said of the majority of Android handsets.)

 

I stand by everything I said.

 

I'm not comparing Apple with Android here re: build quality. I'm comparing Apple vs Apple. The build quality is worse; it's using cheaper material than its predecessors and the whole point is to hit a group of customers who are currently priced out of Apple's market. Fair to say that budget is a big consideration?

 

Whatever. You've always had the comfort of knowing that even though they were expensive, the iPhones ( debacle with initial iPhone4 not actually being able to receive phone calls aside ) were built nicely. No longer.

 

The 5C is like Ferrari banging out a Fiat and putting their name on it.

[saintbletch]

Interesting piece from an Apple fan:

 

http://gigaom.com/2013/09/11/what-i-like-and-what-i-dont-like-about-the-new-apple-iphones/

 

Summary is that he loves the new tech in the 5S, but per pap's comments above, he thinks the 5C is not up to Apple's luxurious standards. He goes on to say that he thinks that Apple's lack of cloud-centric thinking will cause it to lose out to Google.

 

Also a reaction from the markets; which speaks to the point about analysts that someone posted above. Seems that the inability to sign up China mobile for the launch of the 5C, which the market analysts had expected, spooked investors. Shares fell 5% following the announcement of a new flagship product, and a completely new budget phone strategy. That's not good.

 

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24058630

 

I'm guessing that the price of the 5C is too steep for emerging markets. But if Apple does sign the deal with China mobile, or enters into similar agreements then all will be rosy. If not then this could be a big blow for Apple.

[The9]

Laughing the point about "people who sneer at iPhones can't afford them"... I had the first two iPhones and switched because Android overtook them, cost wasn't even a consideration. That was only 2 years ago so I had 3-4 years of iPhone use, jumped with the Flash decision (and having decided I wanted configuration and a decent sized display on my phone) and there's literally no reason to go back. Fingerprint security ? Firstly, big deal, secondly, there are already rumours the HTC Max has the same if you want it.

 

Even now, with my contract expiring and the new contracts at the same tariff as I was paying until fairly recently, I'd rather keep the SII I switched to 2 years ago on a cheaper monthly tariff than go back to the iPhone - or any of the other current devices for that matter. There's nothing in speed, reliability or functionality that I want and don't already have, and getting something like an S4 is basically pointless as there are so few changes.

 

I'll get a new phone when this one breaks or when there's something like a Nexus 5 but with some extendable storage in it. Completely over the "new phone for new phone's sake" thing - until my bank goes to NFC connectivity there's no functional reason to upgrade.

[Patrick Bateman]

I stand by everything I said.

 

I'm not comparing Apple with Android here re: build quality. I'm comparing Apple vs Apple. The build quality is worse; it's using cheaper material than its predecessors and the whole point is to hit a group of customers who are currently priced out of Apple's market. Fair to say that budget is a big consideration?

 

Whatever. You've always had the comfort of knowing that even though they were expensive, the iPhones ( debacle with initial iPhone4 not actually being able to receive phone calls aside ) were built nicely. No longer.

 

The 5C is like Ferrari banging out a Fiat and putting their name on it.

 

What's the big deal with it being plastic anyway? The first thing everyone does is bung some cheap crappy cover over it, normally made of plastic ...

[pap]

What's the big deal with it being plastic anyway? The first thing everyone does is bung some cheap crappy cover over it, normally made of plastic ...

 

I didn't. My iPhone4 went commando for its entire run, on the kept promise that the screen wouldn't scratch. Juvenile Unit #2 still uses it to this day.

 

Anyway, the point relates to the plastic iPhone diluting what was a very strong brand. Apple should take a good look at the demise of BlackBerry, who changed their product line to capitalise on the popularity of BBM amongst teenagers. The cheaper sets damaged the brand to the point where it's almost an irrelevance.

[Restark19]

Can't believe the market analysts haven't noticed that iPhones are halfway down the the best of the rest section. Apple are in real trouble and yet they haven't realised as they aren't paying attention to Carphone Warehouse shelves. People who slag off iPhones are normally those that can't afford them in my experience.

 

In the last 5 years I've had iPhone 4, iPhone 5 and now have a Galaxy S4 (which incidentally costs about the same as an iPhone). You are obviously pretty clueless or have never used anything other than an iPhone as my Galaxy is miles ahead of any iPhone out there. I'm a converted apple fanboy and will not be going back any time soon. You are obviously a bit of a tit as you clearly think that money guarantees quality, which it doesn't.

[Batman]

I just prefer ios to andriod

i had an s3 briefly. it died within a month so got the iphone 5 and just used to it now

[trousers]

Just seen the price of the 5c... £469 for a "budget" smart phone? Hmmm, that'll go down well...

[Whitey Grandad]

In the last 5 years I've had iPhone 4, iPhone 5 and now have a Galaxy S4 (which incidentally costs about the same as an iPhone). You are obviously pretty clueless or have never used anything other than an iPhone as my Galaxy is miles ahead of any iPhone out there. I'm a converted apple fanboy and will not be going back any time soon. You are obviously a bit of a tit as you clearly think that money guarantees quality, which it doesn't.

 

I had a Galaxy for my last update opportunity. It went back to the factory within a week because of problems with the power switch. My son has it now.

[whelk]

In the last 5 years I've had iPhone 4, iPhone 5 and now have a Galaxy S4 (which incidentally costs about the same as an iPhone). You are obviously pretty clueless or have never used anything other than an iPhone as my Galaxy is miles ahead of any iPhone out there. I'm a converted apple fanboy and will not be going back any time soon. You are obviously a bit of a tit as you clearly think that money guarantees quality, which it doesn't.

 

Alas that was not my point, 'twas that I would not use a Carphone warehouse shelf as a barometer for Apple's success. I actually don't have an allegiance to a brand and think it is amusing how strongly people feel. Will I next get criticised for having a Sony TV not Samsung or a Hotpoint washing machine not a Bosch?

 

I work in IT with many tech lads who all love Andoid but still doesn't change the Apple experience has been great for me as a rule and so whatever android allows me doesn't interest me although who knows one day I might look. It is similar tat when someone becomes huge dues to producing an excellent product people like to side against - yeah I should be running Linux not Windows cos Bill Gates is a big baddie.

 

Having re-read my post it was probably a little snide. Oh and my wife has an S3 and can't wait for contract to end to go back to iPhone.

[Batman]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151918245941663&set=a.25147596662.46508.532121662&type=1&theater

[Barry Sanchez]

I have an I Phone and a Samsung Android tablet, the I Phone apps **** all over the Andorid ones, as phones go I Phone has never been the most powerful, who uses absolute raw power on their phones? Its user friendliness and apple ****es all over the competition with that.

[pap]

I have an I Phone and a Samsung Android tablet, the I Phone apps **** all over the Andorid ones, as phones go I Phone has never been the most powerful, who uses absolute raw power on their phones? Its user friendliness and apple ****es all over the competition with that.

 

Lets have some examples then Bazza.

 

I am seriously considering ditching the iPad for a Nexus of some sort. When I moved from my iPhone to the S3, I was able to download an Android version of pretty much every app I use.

 

What are you missing?

[Barry Sanchez]

Lets have some examples then Bazza.

 

I am seriously considering ditching the iPad for a Nexus of some sort. When I moved from my iPhone to the S3, I was able to download an Android version of pretty much every app I use.

 

What are you missing?

 

Of the top of my head the game I am playing at the moment on my I Phone, Plants v's zombies, you probably did not realise a tablet is in fact a large phone and expected your Ipad to fly you to the moon.

[sotonjoe]

If the iPhone isn't the best, why does it seem to be the phone that all over phones are compared to?

[pap]

So Plants vs Zombies is available for Android too. What would you say the failings of the Droid version are when stacked up against the iOS version?

[Barry Sanchez]

So Plants vs Zombies is available for Android too. What would you say the failings of the Droid version are when stacked up against the iOS version?

What version of Android? And there lies in another problem. I meant to say 2 not the original, there is also nearly 4 times the amount of apps on iphone over android. Edited 15 September, 2013 by Barry Sanchez

[Barry Sanchez]

I will add I have an iphone and used to be all for others, until I got a Windows based phone, truly awful, my contract ran out ages ago and I was waiting for the all new s****y iphone but am disappointed with this latest offering, I will still get it though I would imagine. They are easy and they work, its a phone for dummies and thats why its so successful, plus they are made extremely well.