4 ms·

PR - Apple's review embargoes during iPhone X launch week

8 points by epaga 9y ago

eganist 9y ago
Tl;DR: Upstarts given early access will probably (unjustifiably?) laud the phone moreso than reviewers and sites who actually try to give a fair review, useful when your phone now costs as much as mid-powered laptops. My guess: Apple needs to justify a 4 figure pricetag after taxes. This isn't necessary with the other devices, but since the X probably needs a hand, this was the strategy: fish for higher odds of good reviews from the upstarts and ones who'd stand to gain traction by claiming "First to review!" Source: I've been through this exercise in the late 00s with other hardware vendors.
- valuearb 9y ago
  The cheapest smart-phone you can buy right now costs $1,100. That’s the 2 year cost of a typical service plan, assuming you replace your phone every 2 years and the phone costs near zero. By comparison, an iPhone X costs $1,700, only $600 ($25 per month) more than a “free” phone . The reason is in two years, you’ll be able to sell your used X for around $400.
chrisseaton 9y ago
What does this mean? > Create a multitude of reasons for consumers, of all types, to justify spending $1,000 on a phone. Although it’s a subsidized cost, many consumers have not considered the true cost of their iPhone ever. Now, with many press outlets leading with the $1,000 total cost angle, Apple needs to combat that perception. Who is subsidising the costs of iPhones? Apple? Do they sell them at a loss? And why would consumers want to consider the true cost if they never have to pay it themselves?
- wodenokoto 9y ago
  The carrier subsidizes the up front cost by charging more for a binding contract. In the end, the consumer pays the subsidy.
  - chrisseaton 9y ago
    Ah right. I think in Europe most people just buy the iPhone standalone from an Apple store without going through their carrier and put their own SIM in.
    - wodenokoto 9y ago
      I don't think "most people" do that in Europe, though I do think it is a lot more common in Europe than in my impression is of how things are typically done in the states.

8 points by epaga 9y ago

Tl;DR: Upstarts given early access will probably (unjustifiably?) laud the phone moreso than reviewers and sites who actually try to give a fair review, useful when your phone now costs as much as mid-powered laptops. My guess: Apple needs to justify a 4 figure pricetag after taxes. This isn't necessary with the other devices, but since the X probably needs a hand, this was the strategy: fish for higher odds of good reviews from the upstarts and ones who'd stand to gain traction by claiming "First to review!" Source: I've been through this exercise in the late 00s with other hardware vendors.

valuearb 9y ago
The cheapest smart-phone you can buy right now costs $1,100. That’s the 2 year cost of a typical service plan, assuming you replace your phone every 2 years and the phone costs near zero. By comparison, an iPhone X costs $1,700, only $600 ($25 per month) more than a “free” phone . The reason is in two years, you’ll be able to sell your used X for around $400.

chrisseaton 9y ago

What does this mean? > Create a multitude of reasons for consumers, of all types, to justify spending $1,000 on a phone. Although it’s a subsidized cost, many consumers have not considered the true cost of their iPhone ever. Now, with many press outlets leading with the $1,000 total cost angle, Apple needs to combat that perception. Who is subsidising the costs of iPhones? Apple? Do they sell them at a loss? And why would consumers want to consider the true cost if they never have to pay it themselves?

wodenokoto 9y ago
The carrier subsidizes the up front cost by charging more for a binding contract. In the end, the consumer pays the subsidy.
- chrisseaton 9y ago
  Ah right. I think in Europe most people just buy the iPhone standalone from an Apple store without going through their carrier and put their own SIM in.
  - wodenokoto 9y ago
    I don't think "most people" do that in Europe, though I do think it is a lot more common in Europe than in my impression is of how things are typically done in the states.