Cell Phones

[Kin]

Are we using every iteration of iPhone to make that call though? I'd like to see the stats. It makes more sense to go model by model numbers rather than overall numbers through a product line - an original iPhone is significantly different than an iPhone 5S for example.

To make what call?

 

[Frank E]

Does anyone use a new windows OS phone?

I was looking into one of those, and I've got a Q10 right now...it's tough to get away from the keyboard.

 

[Bender]

Are we using every iteration of iPhone to make that call though? I'd like to see the stats. It makes more sense to go model by model numbers rather than overall numbers through a product line - an original iPhone is significantly different than an iPhone 5S for example.

To make what call?

Sorry, that the iPhone the most widely used smartphone. Shouldn't that be a model by model determination? The Galaxy S line has had far less time in the market and much tougher competition.

 

[Kin]

Sorry, that the iPhone the most widely used smartphone. Shouldn't that be a model by model determination? The Galaxy S line has had far less time in the market and much tougher competition.

Well, if busta's point is that the Iphone has been the market leader for the last seven years then, yes, I suppose the thing to do would be go year by year and see where the Iphone was compared to it's nearest competitor but looking at the numbers that still seems like a pretty fair bet.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

That's always what I understood too. Samsung as a whole has Apple beat, but each generation of the iPhone has typically been the individual leader.

 

[Kin]

That's always what I understood too. Samsung as a whole has Apple beat, but each generation of the iPhone has typically been the individual leader.

Although that does raise the question of whether or not Samsung's strategy, which seems to be giving their customers a range of options at varying price points, shouldn't be looked at as more of a cohesive thing if the argument is that the reason for Apple's declining market share is that they're not doing the same thing. If some people really like the Galaxy but others really like the same platform on a bigger screen then it'd be tough to argue that the Iphone offered a superior product to either one as opposed to just less flexibility.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

That's always what I understood too. Samsung as a whole has Apple beat, but each generation of the iPhone has typically been the individual leader.

Although that does raise the question of whether or not Samsung's strategy, which seems to be giving their customers a range of options at varying price points, shouldn't be looked at as more of a cohesive thing if the argument is that the reason for Apple's declining market share is that they're not doing the same thing. If some people really like the Galaxy but others really like the same platform on a bigger screen then it'd be tough to argue that the Iphone offered a superior product to either one as opposed to just less flexibility.

Has Apple not acknowledged with the 5c that Samsung's strategy may be the way to go.

 

[Kin]

Has Apple not acknowledged with the 5c that Samsung's strategy may be the way to go.

Maybe although, and I'm far from an expert on the subject(I bought my first smart phone a few months ago), I thought that was just about the price point as opposed to a more substantive option in terms of technology.

 

[bustaheims]

Maybe although, and I'm far from an expert on the subject(I bought my first smart phone a few months ago), I thought that was just about the price point as opposed to a more substantive option in terms of technology.

Well, a large reason for Samsung's wide range is to have phones in most of the various price points, whereas, before the 5C, the iPhone was really only available in the higher end.

 

[Kin]

Maybe although, and I'm far from an expert on the subject(I bought my first smart phone a few months ago), I thought that was just about the price point as opposed to a more substantive option in terms of technology.

Well, a large reason for Samsung's wide range is to have phones in most of the various price points, whereas, before the 5C, the iPhone was really only available in the higher end.

True. I was just referring to how, with the Galaxy and the Note, Samsung seems to give you options even within that higher price point.

 

[bustaheims]

True. I was just referring to how, with the Galaxy and the Note, Samsung seems to give you options even within that higher price point.

Apple does, too, to an extent. They may only offer one base model per price point, but, they offer different options in terms of storage, which impacts the unit's price. The biggest differences I see between the two companies right now is that Apple only has mid-range and high-end models, whereas Samsung has some lower-end options, and that Apple hasn't introduced a phablet to compete with the Note yet.

 

[Bullfrog]

Does anyone use a new windows OS phone?

I was looking into one of those, and I've got a Q10 right now...it's tough to get away from the keyboard.

With the "gesture input" keyboard functionality on my phone, you won't miss the keyboard. I just swipe my finger around on the keypad and it types the word out flawlessly. Here's a demonstration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0s_k_3KwJ0

It's very fast. It's built into my phone (and probably most new phones) but there's an app called Swype that does the same thing.

On your question, I'm using an android-based phone. But, the more comfortable I get with Windows 8.1, the more I'd be open to getting a windows phone. I'm strongly considering getting a windows 8 tablet or ultrabook, probably even the Microsoft Surface.

 

[Kin]

Apple does, too, to an extent. They may only offer one base model per price point, but, they offer different options in terms of storage, which impacts the unit's price.

Yeah, but two different amounts of hard drive space isn't a fundamental difference in terms of actual functionality. Especially not considering the Samsungs support external storage.

Anyways, you're right, should Apple introduce something to compete with the Note it'll be interesting to see how the Galaxy does vs. the Iphone then. Although it does have to be said that it's pretty significant that we're talking about Apple as playing catch-up now rather than much in the way of innovation.

 

[Bullfrog]

Is there anything innovative about the Note, other than being big and having good hardware?

It's maddening that Apple continues to refuse to make expansion slots for micro SD cards.

 

[bustaheims]

Although it does have to be said that it's pretty significant that we're talking about Apple as playing catch-up now rather than much in the way of innovation.

This is true, though, if we're being entirely honest, Apple is less about innovation and more about finding a better way to market and distribute in areas where others have failed. They won't have that opportunity so much with the phablet, though, but my guess is if/when they release one, it will gain a significant enough portion of the marketshare for it to be considered a success.

 

[bustaheims]

It's maddening that Apple continues to refuse to make expansion slots for micro SD cards.

Yes and no. I get why people are upset about that, but, I opted for the 64gb iPhone 5, and I'm nowhere close to filling it. I figure by the time I need more space I'll be looking to upgrade my phone any way, and by then, Apple will have almost certainly released a 128gb model.

 

[Zee]

It's maddening that Apple continues to refuse to make expansion slots for micro SD cards.

Yes and no. I get why people are upset about that, but, I opted for the 64gb iPhone 5, and I'm nowhere close to filling it. I figure by the time I need more space I'll be looking to upgrade my phone any way, and by then, Apple will have almost certainly released a 128gb model.

The problem with that thinking is, they increase the price for each model to the point of being a ripoff.  You jump $100 going from 16GB to  32GB and then another $100 from 32GB to  64GB.  You could buy SD card storage for a lot cheaper.

 

[Deebo]

iPhones also cost way more than phones like the S4 and Nexus 5.

32GB (non-expandable) iPhone 5S - $320 on a 2 year plan with rogers

16GB (expandable) Galaxy S4 - $79 on a 2 year plan

16GB (non-expandable) Nexus 5 - $29 on a 2 year plan

 

[Zee]

iPhones also cost way more than phones like the S4 and Nexus 5.

32GB (non-expandable) iPhone 5S - $320 on a 2 year plan with rogers

16GB (expandable) Galaxy S4 - $79 on a 2 year plan

16GB (non-expandable) Nexus 5 - $29 on a 2 year plan

That's what's always bugged me about Apple.  They talk about a premium product and they charge a premium price, but then when sites tear down the phones to look at the actual cost of the parts, the iPhone costs no more to make than any other smartphone.  The difference in money goes straight to Apple's profit margin, which they're soaking consumers for.

 

[TimKerr]

iPhones also cost way more than phones like the S4 and Nexus 5.

32GB (non-expandable) iPhone 5S - $320 on a 2 year plan with rogers

16GB (expandable) Galaxy S4 - $79 on a 2 year plan

16GB (non-expandable) Nexus 5 - $29 on a 2 year plan

That's what's always bugged me about Apple.  They talk about a premium product and they charge a premium price, but then when sites tear down the phones to look at the actual cost of the parts, the iPhone costs no more to make than any other smartphone.  The difference in money goes straight to Apple's profit margin, which they're soaking consumers for.

That is 100% true.
Except Apple is completely transparent about it. They are the most profitable company in the world. Their goal isn't market share or revenue, it is profit through and through.
Previously in this thread there was talk of their strategy about how to sell and how they only have a small offering of phones and not much diversity in their offerings. This is because that is the way for them to remain the most profitable.

Compare Apple to a company like Amazon who wants to take over everything but does so at little to no profit.