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Lol so it's the logo and marketing. Gotcha.

JumpCrisscross 2y ago
I mean yes, that’s a big part of what distinguishes luxury goods. Again, luxury doesn’t mean better. When I say machine quality, though, I’m referring to their titanium and aluminum. I’ve machined some aluminum and know people who have done titanium. It’s really hard, and they do it well. What does that add to the user experience? I can’t say it’s anything tangible. But I appreciate it. That’s luxury. It’s orthogonal to utility in many ways.
- whatisthiseven 2y ago
  I think when you say "luxury goods" you mean to say Veblen Goods, which are about signaling wealth or status through the purchase of a particular brand. When the functions of a good are divorced from its price and the brand is what defines "the luxury", it ceases to signal quality and instead is a signal all its own.
  - JumpCrisscross 2y ago
    > when you say "luxury goods" you mean to say Veblen Goods, which are about signaling wealth or status through the purchase of a particular brand No, I mean luxury good. I upgraded my phone for satellite-based emergency SOS and the titanium form factor. Those are luxuries. Same for my 2020 Mac and M1. Apple’s products aren’t priced high enough to function as Veblen goods in most developed-country social circles. They’re a mass market product.
- dismalaf 2y ago
  I know you're referring to the materials. And I'm saying you can find those same materials in Android phones. I'm used to actual luxury goods, watches and clothing for example, where the quality is very much noticeably better. A Rolex or Audemars has way more attention to detail than, say, a Tissot or Tag which has far nicer materials than a Timex. Or suits, the kinds of fabric on higher end suits are very noticeable. Or luxury restaurants. Where the ingredients, techniques, staffing levels and attention to detail far surpass normal restaurants. Whereas with iPhone versus Samsung S24 Ultra, both are titanium, Samsung has nicer glass, less bevel and more utility (also costs more). The only real difference is Apple has much better marketing and their stores are nicer. Better logo too. Beyond that, there's no quantifiable quality advantage.
  - JumpCrisscross 2y ago
    > I'm used to actual luxury goods Yes. Me too. We’re rich and accustomed to luxury on HN. News at 11. I don’t like the S24. Part of that is familiarity with iOS, which makes Android’s interface and design language feel clunky. Part of that is the squared-off look. I don’t deny that it’s a luxury product, too. > Rolex or Audemars Good example. I know plenty of watch connoisseurs who don’t believe Rolex makes a luxury product. They use similar arguments to yours, down to details of the movement and price. I think they’re wrong on designation even if I, too, don’t like Rolex either. (Patek and Vacheron Constantin.)

I mean yes, that’s a big part of what distinguishes luxury goods. Again, luxury doesn’t mean better. When I say machine quality, though, I’m referring to their titanium and aluminum. I’ve machined some aluminum and know people who have done titanium. It’s really hard, and they do it well. What does that add to the user experience? I can’t say it’s anything tangible. But I appreciate it. That’s luxury. It’s orthogonal to utility in many ways.

whatisthiseven 2y ago
I think when you say "luxury goods" you mean to say Veblen Goods, which are about signaling wealth or status through the purchase of a particular brand. When the functions of a good are divorced from its price and the brand is what defines "the luxury", it ceases to signal quality and instead is a signal all its own.
- JumpCrisscross 2y ago
  > when you say "luxury goods" you mean to say Veblen Goods, which are about signaling wealth or status through the purchase of a particular brand No, I mean luxury good. I upgraded my phone for satellite-based emergency SOS and the titanium form factor. Those are luxuries. Same for my 2020 Mac and M1. Apple’s products aren’t priced high enough to function as Veblen goods in most developed-country social circles. They’re a mass market product.
dismalaf 2y ago
I know you're referring to the materials. And I'm saying you can find those same materials in Android phones. I'm used to actual luxury goods, watches and clothing for example, where the quality is very much noticeably better. A Rolex or Audemars has way more attention to detail than, say, a Tissot or Tag which has far nicer materials than a Timex. Or suits, the kinds of fabric on higher end suits are very noticeable. Or luxury restaurants. Where the ingredients, techniques, staffing levels and attention to detail far surpass normal restaurants. Whereas with iPhone versus Samsung S24 Ultra, both are titanium, Samsung has nicer glass, less bevel and more utility (also costs more). The only real difference is Apple has much better marketing and their stores are nicer. Better logo too. Beyond that, there's no quantifiable quality advantage.
- JumpCrisscross 2y ago
  > I'm used to actual luxury goods Yes. Me too. We’re rich and accustomed to luxury on HN. News at 11. I don’t like the S24. Part of that is familiarity with iOS, which makes Android’s interface and design language feel clunky. Part of that is the squared-off look. I don’t deny that it’s a luxury product, too. > Rolex or Audemars Good example. I know plenty of watch connoisseurs who don’t believe Rolex makes a luxury product. They use similar arguments to yours, down to details of the movement and price. I think they’re wrong on designation even if I, too, don’t like Rolex either. (Patek and Vacheron Constantin.)