3 ms·

So 50% plus of Americans only buy a phone because of the “look”? Bluetooth headphones and not taking them off has been a thing since they first became popular.

So 50% plus of Americans only buy a phone because of the “look”? Bluetooth headphones and not taking them off has been a thing since they first became popular. Even before that as far back as the Walkman people have walked around with headphones.

danparsonson 3y ago
> So 50% plus of Americans only buy a phone because of the “look”? Again, not what I said. I feel like we're talking across each other really, sorry about that. Incidentally I'm not an Apple fanboi if that's your concern - I own an iPod nano from about 2010 but that's it. edit to add: nor do I intend to knock Apple products, just trying to make an objective assessment of their marketing strategy.
danparsonson 3y ago
Maybe "premium" would be a better word than "luxury"? Apple are trying to be the premium option and people like showing off the premium items they own (which is referred to in scientific circles as 'costly signalling'). Does that make it clearer?
- scarface74 3y ago
  Again have you ever thought that something is “premium” based on its feature set and how well it works - not just to impress people? The difference is that you can buy an iPhone for $17-$25/month compared to $4-$12/month for an Android phone. It’s like going to McDonalds and choosing not to eat off the value menu. Over 50% of the market including my 80 year old mom are not buying iPhones to impress people.
  - danparsonson 3y ago
    Sure, but Apple usually don't market based on features and their feature set on paper is often less impressive than competing products. Remember the iPod ads? https://youtu.be/NlHUz99l-eo https://youtu.be/NlHUz99l-eo What does that advert say? We have the best sound quality? We have the most storage? We have the best value for money? None of those things - it says you should buy this because it will make you look cool. I didn't say every single person who buys an iPhone is just trying to look cool. But that is first and foremost how they sell their products.

danparsonson 3y ago

> So 50% plus of Americans only buy a phone because of the “look”? Again, not what I said. I feel like we're talking across each other really, sorry about that. Incidentally I'm not an Apple fanboi if that's your concern - I own an iPod nano from about 2010 but that's it. edit to add: nor do I intend to knock Apple products, just trying to make an objective assessment of their marketing strategy.

danparsonson 3y ago

Maybe "premium" would be a better word than "luxury"? Apple are trying to be the premium option and people like showing off the premium items they own (which is referred to in scientific circles as 'costly signalling'). Does that make it clearer?

scarface74 3y ago
Again have you ever thought that something is “premium” based on its feature set and how well it works - not just to impress people? The difference is that you can buy an iPhone for $17-$25/month compared to $4-$12/month for an Android phone. It’s like going to McDonalds and choosing not to eat off the value menu. Over 50% of the market including my 80 year old mom are not buying iPhones to impress people.
- danparsonson 3y ago
  Sure, but Apple usually don't market based on features and their feature set on paper is often less impressive than competing products. Remember the iPod ads? https://youtu.be/NlHUz99l-eo https://youtu.be/NlHUz99l-eo What does that advert say? We have the best sound quality? We have the most storage? We have the best value for money? None of those things - it says you should buy this because it will make you look cool. I didn't say every single person who buys an iPhone is just trying to look cool. But that is first and foremost how they sell their products.