Are you interested in upgrading your iPhone this fall? But you’re not sure how much is too much, to drop on a phone? I don’t exactly blame you. The cost of phones have gone up over the last few years. Presumably this has more to do with the technology inside the devices, than the devices themselves. I have mentioned that iPhone’s tend to be associated with a certain kind of social status. Which I’m not saying is a good or a bad thing. It just is. Since Apple announced three new phones last week, you might be wondering which phone is best for you. But more importantly, should you spend $1000 on a phone?
Lets put that into perspective for a moment. That could be a mortgage payment for some of you. Or a partial mortgage payment. It could be 2 (or more) months of a car payment. And, in some cases, you can actually get a low end MacBook for that same price. Or maybe even a refurbished or gently used MacBook. All of these things should be taken into consideration when you think about getting a new iPhone. When it comes to the iPhone X, it seems like it’s a new experience. Some have said that it doesn’t even feel like an iPhone because of the curved corners. There is also no home button at the bottom. Which is going to ruffle some feathers, I’m sure.
One interesting theory about why the phone costs so much, has more to do with failing hardware sales, rather than getting something more out of the phone and its technology. Some others theorize (like myself) that is more about a status symbol than the technology itself. Which I don’t agree with, as I think that you should be able to get these devices for a cheaper price. Maybe not a lot cheaper, but $1000 does seem a bit extravagant.
What’s interesting is that Samsung also announced a new phone last week, which will cost almost as much. Their phone will cost $960. Which is why I think this is more about status than anything. I would like to note that the kind of technology that we carry around in our pockets is incredible. So, like I said earlier, I think it’s fair to charge a premium for the phone, but I wonder if $1000 is too much. I also wonder if the Samsung phone is worth the price as well? Or is this just competition? And if so, in this case, it’s not benefiting the consumer. I am usually on board with technology when there is a benefit to the consumer. But in this case, the prices just keep going up. So you have to decide which one you’d prefer.
Samsung and Apple are going head to head on three fronts:
- Designing a better overall software ecosystems and then try to keep consumers within it.
- Virtual assistants
- Augmented reality
Both companies have a good chance to “win” this battle. But I highly doubt there will be a winner considering how quickly technology keeps changing. I am interested to know if people will be spending this kind of money on a new phone, and what is the reason for it?