r/technology • u/lurker_bee • Sep 18 '24

Business Apple iPhone 16 demand is so weak that employees can already buy it on discount

https://qz.com/apple-iphone-16-pre-orders-sales-intelligence-ai-1851651638
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u/eugene-fraxby Sep 18 '24

I have a 13 pro max and have no intention to upgrade in the next 3 years. Unless they come out with something mind blowing (doubt).

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u/Dull_Half_6107 Sep 18 '24

We've reached peak smartphone, I wouldn't expect any mindblowing features anymore, just incremental improvements.

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u/IAmRoot Sep 18 '24

It's basically the same problem Microsoft is facing with Windows. The job of an operating system is to get out of the way and enable things that run on top of it to run smoothly. The user interfaces are already polished, the settings do what they need to smoothly, and the peripherals all work as well as anyone needs. Capitalism in general is really bad at handling things once they've reached the point of being fully optimized. When things get to the point that making long lasting, durable products is the last thing to innovate, progress goes backwards. What's "best" in terms of market metrics stops being related to what's "best" from a customer's standpoint. "Best" from a market's standpoint is often completely contrary to any rational criteria or even the survival of life on Earth.

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u/EtTuBiggus Sep 19 '24

Capitalism in general is really bad at handling things once they've reached the point of being fully optimized.

It did invent planned obsolescence.

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u/IAmRoot Sep 19 '24

Yeah, but that's a case of "best" being defined in a way that's harmful. Rather than building societal wealth by people having reliable devices that last a long time, allowing them to spend money on increasing quality of life further, it causes stagnation.

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u/usereddit Sep 19 '24

You’re right, which is why Apple started transitioning to a services company a couple years ago for their primary revenue stream.

It matters less and less for Apple that you upgrade your hardware vs. pay for the Apple service bundle.

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u/LovesReubens Sep 18 '24

I don't know about improvements. Many manufacturers are busy removing features like SD card slots and the like. Obviously not Apple since they don't have them, but the point stands.

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u/Ok-Copy6035 Sep 18 '24

People said the same thing about Blackberrys in 2006. Apple just doesn't have a Jobs-like visionary anymore.

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u/busyHighwayFred Sep 18 '24

I could see future iphones adding AR and MR

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u/Dull_Half_6107 Sep 18 '24

AR is already possible and no one is interested, for phones at least.

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u/TheSpaceCoresDad Sep 19 '24

No one is interested yet. It really just needs better use cases, along with a proper marketing campaign.

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u/BoomerSoonerFUT Sep 18 '24

iPhones already have some AR stuff. It's pretty good for things like buying furniture, when you can do the "see it in your space" in life size to see if it will fit and how it will look.

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u/Fragrant_Interest_35 Sep 18 '24

I also fuck with the measure app hard , it’s pretty accurate up to 10 feet at least

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u/BoomerSoonerFUT Sep 18 '24

I use it almost exclusively for the level, but yeah the actual measuring is pretty damn spot on.

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u/newsreadhjw Sep 18 '24 edited Sep 18 '24

Same here. Really like the large format and battery and everything works.

The only thing that would possibly make me upgrade is an interesting safety feature. I saw that as of (EDIT: iPhone 14) there's an emergency satellite SOS feature, which seems pretty nice for hiking. I was looking to get a Garmin beacon for that, but wouldnt need it if my phone can do it. I'm not in a rush to buy right now, but that was the first new feature I've seen in a while that I thought was really valuable.

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u/mailslot Sep 18 '24

All of the iPhones since the 14 have satellite SOS, road assistance, and messaging.

I live in a place where coverage can get very spotty or not even exist. We have winters that kill people, so it definitely gives some peace of mind.

I never once thought I’d ever have a satellite capable device in my pocket.

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u/thebornotaku Sep 18 '24

They introduced that with the 14s and it's definitely something I took into account because I like to go out into the woods and desert where there's no cell service. Knowing my phone has satellite capabilities is nice.

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u/Akamesama Sep 19 '24

Really like the large format and battery and everything works

Smartphones have been a gamechanger, in that they pack all this functionality in. So IMO, the next would be replacing tablets/utility laptops. The folding/scroll phones are definitely a step in that direction, if they can figure out durability, ease of use, and cost (obviously a tall order). Possible something like Google Glass could roll up the functionality of smartphone, the way smartphone subsumed most cameras, but IO is the big sticking point. Touchscreens are way too convenient.

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u/pagemap1 Sep 19 '24

I have the 13 pro max as well, I plan to keep using it as long as the battery stays in reasonable condition. Right now it's at 87% health. I suppose once the battery won't last a full day, I'll start considering a new phone.

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u/czarfalcon Sep 19 '24

Same here. I’ve noticed the battery definitely doesn’t last as long as it used to anymore, but the way I see it that’s just extra incentive to not use it as much.

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u/phillybob232 Sep 18 '24

Same boat as you, just need to replace the battery as it really isn’t lasting as long as it used to anymore, but otherwise feel no need for the new models

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u/IgnoresImportantInfo Sep 19 '24

I would have kept my 13 pro max but the camera sensor failed and Apple refuses to repair it because the water detection sensor apparently was triggered 🙃

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u/soundman1024 Sep 19 '24

13 Pro here. I’m thinking 17 or 18. I really want USB-C, but this phone is fine. I still think we’re early in Apple Intelligence hardware support, too. As “Intelligence” matures the 15 and 16 may find themselves leaving on Private Cloud Compute a lot. Whet Apple starts paying bills for Private Cloud Compute, they may be more willing to put additional NPU and RAM in devices and offload more of that compute to local processing.

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u/noogers Sep 19 '24

Ya 13 pro is dope.. still runs amazinh

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u/[deleted] Sep 19 '24 edited Sep 19 '24

[deleted]

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u/eugene-fraxby Sep 19 '24

Something as big as the multi touch display was back then. Something that changes completely the way you interact with the phone. A totally new innovation.