iPhone 6

[RobDeer 45]

Not sure if anyone else is excited about the new iPhone but I really am. I have been a loyal Apple guy for quite awhile. I've been waiting for a long time for the bigger phone, so I can't wait to get my hands on it.

 

Will you be able to get the iPhone 6 plus at a store like Best Buy on Friday? Or will it be sold out right away? I've never gotten a new phone the day it came out so I have no idea how it all goes down.

[owbc]

Just got a 5C yesterday. AT&T gave me a $200 credit for my ancient iPhone 4. It was nice to finally upgrade. Had been thinking about a 6 but the new features didn't seem worth it. The larger screen is a downside to me (I use the phone for GPS tracking while running). Plus, $200 more and still 16 GB of storage?

 

My understanding is that you can preorder the phone now. They will be in short supply on Friday.

[lcbj68c]

I am due for a new work phone and have to make a decision by Sept 24th. I have had the HTC One X for the past two years and am satisfied with Android phones and the google play store.

 

That said, I am eyeing the M8, Note4, G3, or Iphone6. I am NOT an "Apple Guy", but for those that are, could you explain why I might want to reconsider becoming an "Apple Guy" again? I had the original IPhone and wasn't terribly overwhelmed with my experience to continue. I think the Google PlayStore is a far superior ap market compared to apple or windows.

 

I am leaning towards the M8, but wanted to hear from an "Apple Guy" as to why I should go back?

[owbc]

In my opinion, there isn't much difference between Apple and Samsung/Android at this point. They are both great phones.

[Teatoe993]

I'm still rocking an original 4. It still works fine but I've noticed it slowing down and becoming somewhat glitchy lately. I think that's pretty good for a 4-year old phone. I know the day is coming that I'm gonna have to replace it. Why do they make phones so damn big? I love the size of the 4 and am dreading having to deal with the gargantuan size of the 6. It's gonna look so ridiculous having that thing wedged into my front pocket (if it even fits). I hate progress.

[RobDeer 45]

I guess I have been an Apple guy first because my family has always used them for our computers. I use a pc for work, but our personal computers have always been Macs. So it started there and then loved the iPod, the first iPhones, the iPad, new computers, and the train just keeps coming. I think part of it is I'm used to it. The other part is the quality of the product. I've just never had issues and that keeps me coming back. I have not doubt I would love some of the other phones out there, but I'm hooked.

 

As for the size, I just really like the bigger size. It's like a hybrid iPad Mini/phone. I do so much reading on my phone as it is, the bigger screen is perfect for me. It might be awkward at times, but I'm sure I will be fine with it.

[fondybrewfan]

I have an 8 year old flip phone. These things are too darn expensive for me. I got my wife a pretty basic smart phone on a prepaid plan and that is plenty good enough. I could never justify spending so much on a phone; but I understand it is a necessity for many people nowadays.

[adamb100]

I have an 8 year old flip phone. These things are too darn expensive for me. I got my wife a pretty basic smart phone on a prepaid plan and that is plenty good enough. I could never justify spending so much on a phone; but I understand it is a necessity for many people nowadays.

 

The iPhone is an expensive device, yes, but smart phone prices have fallen in the past 2 years. You can get decent Android smartphones for less than $200 now, and Windows Phones for less than $100.

 

I think the iPhone 6 is a solid update to the 5S. I think the inclusion of NFC is bigger than the larger screen though. Being able to pay without pulling out a card or signing your signature is huge.

[superfly]

Laugh if you wish, but I really enjoy my Blackberry Z10. I had the first few versions of the Iphone and got tired of the same old crap. I might reconsider now that they FINALLY listened to people and made a larger screen, but IDK. Being a "fan boy" isn't really my cup o tea.

[AZBrewCrew]

Ive been enjoying my large screen and NFC on my Android for a while now

[LouisEly]

Not sure if anyone else is excited about the new iPhone but I really am. I have been a loyal Apple guy for quite awhile. I've been waiting for a long time for the bigger phone, so I can't wait to get my hands on it.

Just curious, and it's hard to ask this question in writing without sounding condescending, but why do you reward a company that doesn't listen to the wants of their customers with your loyalty?

 

I had a 4S that I received as a work phone in mid-2012 with a new job. It was almost the exact same overall size/dimensions as my personal phone, a HTC Evo 4G that I got in early 2010. However the Evo 4G had a much larger screen, even though the phone was about the same size. I found the iPhone screen painfully small and difficult to read compared to my Evo, and overall I found the iPhone to be inferior to the Evo, a phone using technology that was over two years old at the time.

 

I think that when I got my 4S in mid-2012 the 5 was just coming out with a slightly bigger screen, but still, what took Apple so long to make a product that was more user-friendly? Apple isn't known for doing any customer insights/marketing research, and it shows.

[1992casey]

There's plenty of evidence that Apple listens a lot to customer feedback. But feedback is the operative word here. Because Apple doesn't use focus groups or ask for input during the initial design process, the impression is given that they don't listen to customers at all.

 

I think that owbc and Teatoe993 make good points about the value of smaller phones. There seems to be a segment of the market that prefers them, and unfortunately, to get a smaller screen, customers generally need to settle for older technology.

[thebruce44]

In my opinion, there isn't much difference between Apple and Samsung/Android at this point. They are both great phones.

 

Agreed, the difference between the two now really is just what ecosystem you are connected to.

 

If you want something different, and in my opinion better especially in terms of value, get in on the Nexus program or even the MotoX.

[RobDeer 45]

Not sure if anyone else is excited about the new iPhone but I really am. I have been a loyal Apple guy for quite awhile. I've been waiting for a long time for the bigger phone, so I can't wait to get my hands on it.

Just curious, and it's hard to ask this question in writing without sounding condescending, but why do you reward a company that doesn't listen to the wants of their customers with your loyalty?

 

I had a 4S that I received as a work phone in mid-2012 with a new job. It was almost the exact same overall size/dimensions as my personal phone, a HTC Evo 4G that I got in early 2010. However the Evo 4G had a much larger screen, even though the phone was about the same size. I found the iPhone screen painfully small and difficult to read compared to my Evo, and overall I found the iPhone to be inferior to the Evo, a phone using technology that was over two years old at the time.

 

I think that when I got my 4S in mid-2012 the 5 was just coming out with a slightly bigger screen, but still, what took Apple so long to make a product that was more user-friendly? Apple isn't known for doing any customer insights/marketing research, and it shows.

 

Ha, no worries man. No I get it, and I'm not blind to other companies. It's hard to explain for me but I just always have an excitement for their products. Like I said, it started a long time ago with their computers. It just seemed they always had such a great product. I agree it took them too long to come out with a larger screen, but I just couldn't see myself jumping off to another company. I'm not here trying to say that Apple is the best, just that Apple is the phone that excites me the most. Kind of like how some people like blondes and others like brunettes!

 

As for size of the phone, I'm really surprised that someone hasn't come out with a tiny phone that is the size of a stick of gum. That will be the next big thing I bet!! Especially if everyone has a tablet.

[nate82]

 

As for size of the phone, I'm really surprised that someone hasn't come out with a tiny phone that is the size of a stick of gum. That will be the next big thing I bet!! Especially if everyone has a tablet.

 

I just have to say one thing and that is I hate tablets. I just do not get the hype for them as they are just over sized smart phones that a majority of them can not make a call from. I also hate laptops that are tablets but not tablets but are not actually laptops. I also hate the smart watches.

[FVBrewerFan]

I hate sliced bread, the wheel, and indoor plumbing. Oh yea, and fire.

[DHonks]

I'm really ready for it. I've long said I didn't like the size of the iPhone 5, preferring the iPhone 4. It's a bit awkward in my hands as it's so thin and light. I think something more substantial may feel better. I've also been a huge fan of my iPad mini since it first came out, using it everywhere. But the 4.7" iPhone isn't much bigger than the 5, and I think it should be a good comfy size.

 

As a teacher with 185 students each semester (this year 305 students), I see that 85-90% of teenagers in suburbia have iPhones. When I've polled them about tech in the past, I find that they prefer the iPhone 4 size. I figured guys might, but I thought girls would prefer bigger. But it turns out that teenage girls don't carry phones in their purse/bag, but in their jeans and they don't want anything bigger than a 5S/5C. So the consensus among most students has been they prefer a 3.5-4" phone. I think when I polled students last semester, the result was over 90% iPhones, a few HTC, LG, Samsung, or Chinese phones, several with flip/qwerty phones, and 2 with no phone. Also surprisingly considering the coverage is they overwhelmingly like the 5c. I had a student buy a Windows phone 2 years ago, but he returned it within a week and got an iPhone. It was shocking as he was really looking forward to being different from the rest until he hated the device. I have never had a student with a Surface, but in fairness most don't have iPads either. I did see 2 Surface tablets in the wild at an airport a few months ago....only two I've ever seen.

 

I cover computer buying at the end of each semester with my Econ classes (some real world stuff for seniors about to leave for college and likely buy a computer), and while I explain processors, RAM, etc, I now pretty much just show them deals on Apple devices since they've told me to stop wasting their time with Windows, and they would never consider a Crap-book (aka, Chromebook as they call them).

 

Somehow I got on this rant....but yes, I'm looking forward to the iPhone 6. I don't foresee needing an iPhone 6 plus, but I do want to see it in the store before I order my upgrade. I'm making fewer calls with my phone to my ear, so the plus may be viable. Most of my calls are in the car via bluetooth. I've made plenty of calls on my iPad mini over the last 2 years, too. If I don't get to a store to check out an iPhone, my students will have them starting next week. I definitely love how iCloud links my Pages and Numbers docs and spreadsheets instantly on my devices. After giving up on Microsoft Office years ago in favor of OpenOffice, I've been converting all my documents to Pages and Numbers over the last year and a half. It's also been great as I haven't used a flash drive in probably 4 years, although I have a ton of old ones lying around in drawers

[RobDeer 45]

Dhonks - Very interesting insight in to the youth of today. I really enjoyed hearing all the tech stuff you get in to with your students. Also, I love hearing how you try to help them learn real world stuff. Very valuable.

[FVBrewerFan]

I'm hearing from my child in college that it's becoming popular to dump Iphone for Android. I don't know much about it, other than there seems to be a lot of dissatisfaction with itunes among that age group. Not sure if that's widesprread, or just this group of "kids."

 

I do think people aren't aware there are TWO sizes of 6, depending on whether it is 6 Plus or not. Either way, I get my phone through work, and it's Android. I do get a few choices whenever Im eligible for a new phone, and the size is a tough decision. Can't have it both ways, I like it smaller so it's easy to carry around, but then when I use it I wish it was bigger. I'm guessing at some point they will figure out how to make it expandable so we have the best of both worlds.

 

Finally, ipad. I never wanted one, didn't see the point. But my got a mini, and I find myself using it a lot. Just easier to grab quick and use than my laptop when I'm sitting around at night.

[owbc]

It seems that my friends (grad students in their 20s) have about an even mix of iPhone and Android. Many of them are older models. I also know several people who do not have smart phones.

 

The smart watch is intriguing to me because it would be much more portable than a phone. The technology isn't there yet. I would like to see one that is waterproof, has a GPS, and a much longer battery life than a phone. I think that in 3-5 years, the watch will become the 'tiny' phone that some of us are looking for--which will be a nice compliment to a larger, tablet-sized phone.

[RobDeer 45]

Owbc - it would be nice to be able to leave the phone at home and still be able to communicate if needed. I'm guessing that is where Apple is headed. I think you can now continue what ever you are doing on one device and move it to the next, including calls. It would great to have interchangeable devices depending on your day (take the watch to the gym, phablet to work, watch when you go out, etc).

[TheCrew07]

I have the 4s, I'm eligible for a new phone, but I think I'm going to go cheap and do a 5c as opposed to jumping on the 6 bandwagon out of the gate. My buddy has a Galaxy S5 (I think) and it's like a mini tablet, he's a bigger dude so can still carry it in a coat pocket but that doesn't appear to be a phone to have a conversation with, it's a monster, I laughed the first time he showed me it. I'd rather talk than text, I have fat/stubby fingers so I've always hated texting because I have to constantly fix my messages, it's easier for me to just to have a 20-30 second phone conversation than send a series of 3-4 text messages.

 

Work is finally dumping the Blackberries, we have our choice of the iPhone 4s or the Galaxy S4 as a replacement device. My first smart phone was an Android device but Motorola and AT&T wouldn't upgrade the OS on the phones and there was a major bug which basically meant having to reset the phone to factory defaults every 6 months so I ended up on the iPhone and was extremely pleased. Granted, my smart phone experience really only had one way to go, but after all the hassle of getting my music library converted over to iTunes I couldn't see moving away from Apple now. I did chose a S4, just so I have 2 completely different phones, but it will be interesting to be able to personally compare iOS and Android side by side like I could compare them against the aging Blackberry OS of year's past.

 

We have a bring your own smart phone option as well but that wouldn't work for me as the company doesn't let us use their WiFi and my data would be awful with all of the emails and attachments we get, not to mention the company doesn't give those devices the same access to our secure internal content. As much as I dislike carrying 2 phones it's preferable to footing the bill for work stuff and losing functionality.

[logan82]

I just have to say one thing and that is I hate tablets. I just do not get the hype for them as they are just over sized smart phones that a majority of them can not make a call from. I also hate laptops that are tablets but not tablets but are not actually laptops. I also hate the smart watches.

 

I think a tablet would cover 99% of home use for most people. Unless you are gaming or doing work at home I see little use for an actual computer anymore. If I am on the web or even forums like this a tablet works just fine. I would actually prefer a 10" tablet and a normal phone instead of a smart phone. That is what I would do if I didn't need the phone for work.

 

I still love this skit from years ago. about 4:30 in.

[Invader3K]

I refuse to get an iPhone and deal with all the requisite Apple junk that goes along with it. I know many love them. Personally I love my Note 3, so to each their own.

[MJLiverock]

I'm really ready for it. I've long said I didn't like the size of the iPhone 5, preferring the iPhone 4. It's a bit awkward in my hands as it's so thin and light. I think something more substantial may feel better. I've also been a huge fan of my iPad mini since it first came out, using it everywhere. But the 4.7" iPhone isn't much bigger than the 5, and I think it should be a good comfy size.

 

As a teacher with 185 students each semester (this year 305 students), I see that 85-90% of teenagers in suburbia have iPhones. When I've polled them about tech in the past, I find that they prefer the iPhone 4 size. I figured guys might, but I thought girls would prefer bigger. But it turns out that teenage girls don't carry phones in their purse/bag, but in their jeans and they don't want anything bigger than a 5S/5C. So the consensus among most students has been they prefer a 3.5-4" phone. I think when I polled students last semester, the result was over 90% iPhones, a few HTC, LG, Samsung, or Chinese phones, several with flip/qwerty phones, and 2 with no phone. Also surprisingly considering the coverage is they overwhelmingly like the 5c. I had a student buy a Windows phone 2 years ago, but he returned it within a week and got an iPhone. It was shocking as he was really looking forward to being different from the rest until he hated the device. I have never had a student with a Surface, but in fairness most don't have iPads either. I did see 2 Surface tablets in the wild at an airport a few months ago....only two I've ever seen.

 

I cover computer buying at the end of each semester with my Econ classes (some real world stuff for seniors about to leave for college and likely buy a computer), and while I explain processors, RAM, etc, I now pretty much just show them deals on Apple devices since they've told me to stop wasting their time with Windows, and they would never consider a Crap-book (aka, Chromebook as they call them).

 

 

I cover stocks and work in the finance area and found it funny that much of the criticism leveled at Apple in 2012 and 2013 was related to not having a cheap phone and not having a bigger screen phone and now that both have come out the same bashers complain about the c and the bigger phone. The demand mix between the C and S last year skewed heavily toward to the S, so much that they were out of stock in many stores while the C filled the shelves. I think it sort of proved that Apple was right all along and that their customers aren't looking for the cheapest devices and will pay up. I wonder if this bigger size will result in a similar phenomenon. The bigger sizes tend to be more popular in Asia where the phablets are the one internet enabled device a customer may have, no owning a desktop/laptop/tablet/phone, etc.

 

Apple doesn't sell the most smart phones, but they do make the most profits doing so. So many of the pure volume phones are very low end Android models that barely classify as a smart phone so the unit #'s of market share are skewed.

 

It doesn't matter that some Android phones had NFC capabilities prior because there really wasn't anywhere to use it. The interesting thing about NFC being on the phones now makes it a viable payment system because merchants covet iPhone users because of their much higher spend rates vs. Android users so they will be willing to start down the path of accepting payments that way. Every year at Christmas the stats come out showing how high the percentage of $'s spent onlinie skews toward iPhone purchases vs. Android and the amount of $'s spent in the app store for Apple dwarfs the Android market. Notice how quickly Apple signed up major banks and credit card networks to work with ApplePay.