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That’s not true. The issue isn’t that the same device will be cheaper in a year, but that the latest device will be the same or close to it. As a result, people

by borski 3y ago

That’s not true. The issue isn’t that the same device will be cheaper in a year, but that the latest device will be the same or close to it. As a result, people are more likely to hang on to their devices (for example) if they assume that next year’s latest model will be cheaper than this year’s. A great example is the Apple Vision Pro. How many people didn’t buy it simply because the price is too high? Betcha they would if it were cheaper, which they know it will be eventually. The same is not true of phones, which don’t generally get cheaper for the flagship products.

laserlight 3y ago
> The issue isn’t that the same device will be cheaper in a year, but that the latest device will be the same or close to it. I can't see how this is not a matter-of-degree of what GP comment said. If the latest-tech device is going to be cheaper next year, I will still have to use the old tech for another year before I upgrade. I don't think the equation changes at all.
- borski 3y ago
  You misunderstood, I think. If the iPhone 5 is the latest and greatest this year and is $1000, next year it may be $600. But the iPhone 6, which only exists next year, will be at or around $1000. Therefore, there is no benefit to waiting until next year, as it is unlikely that the latest device (which is the device most people buy) is going to drop in price.
  - ndriscoll 3y ago
    Of course there's a benefit; you can buy the iPhone 5 for $600. If you would be happy with it this year, you'll be happy with it next year too. The existence of an iPhone 6 doesn't make the iPhone 5 any worse.
    - laserlight 3y ago
      I agree. And if I decide to wait a year, I'll be using iPhone 4 for the next year, regardless of which model I'll choose.
      - borski 3y ago
        I understand this. But most people do not, and will buy the most recent one and wait two or more years before buying the next one. They buy the most recent one, aka the most expensive one, because they believe (correctly) it will last them the longest. But the price changing doesn’t affect their decision.
jokethrowaway 3y ago
Of course there's a benefit, you get more value per dollar the more you wait. When the first androids came out I waited for the first 300€ model and bought it. Over the years I always hovered around the 200€-300€ range and kept upgrading. The last phone was 200€ and it's the best phone I've ever had. I can get the same (even better!) value from cheaper models over time.

by borski 3y ago

laserlight 3y ago

> The issue isn’t that the same device will be cheaper in a year, but that the latest device will be the same or close to it. I can't see how this is not a matter-of-degree of what GP comment said. If the latest-tech device is going to be cheaper next year, I will still have to use the old tech for another year before I upgrade. I don't think the equation changes at all.

borski 3y ago
You misunderstood, I think. If the iPhone 5 is the latest and greatest this year and is $1000, next year it may be $600. But the iPhone 6, which only exists next year, will be at or around $1000. Therefore, there is no benefit to waiting until next year, as it is unlikely that the latest device (which is the device most people buy) is going to drop in price.
- ndriscoll 3y ago
  Of course there's a benefit; you can buy the iPhone 5 for $600. If you would be happy with it this year, you'll be happy with it next year too. The existence of an iPhone 6 doesn't make the iPhone 5 any worse.
  - laserlight 3y ago
    I agree. And if I decide to wait a year, I'll be using iPhone 4 for the next year, regardless of which model I'll choose.
    - borski 3y ago
      I understand this. But most people do not, and will buy the most recent one and wait two or more years before buying the next one. They buy the most recent one, aka the most expensive one, because they believe (correctly) it will last them the longest. But the price changing doesn’t affect their decision.

jokethrowaway 3y ago

Of course there's a benefit, you get more value per dollar the more you wait. When the first androids came out I waited for the first 300€ model and bought it. Over the years I always hovered around the 200€-300€ range and kept upgrading. The last phone was 200€ and it's the best phone I've ever had. I can get the same (even better!) value from cheaper models over time.