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0 pointsamrrs5y ago0 comments

On a different note, Isn't it weird to see companies launching new phones when the whole world is fighting a pandemic?

It's not like an essential that we can't live without. OnePlus just did a few days back. Do these companies expect people to buy new phones when they're are being laid off or is it just an annual ritual or a desparate move to be the first to capture the market when things become normal?

Any insights please!

0 comments

crazygringo5y ago

They've already manufactured them. This rollout was all planned far, far, far in advance of COVID-19.

What are they going to do? Not sell them and let them just sit in a warehouse?

A ton of people are looking to upgrade their original SE and a lot of people who can work remotely and haven't been laid off are likely doing fine.

I think that's all the insight needed.

JumpCrisscross5y ago

> It's not like an essential that we can't live without

For $399, you can buy a device with the computing power of a networked workstation within a lifetime of memory. That lets you dial into e.g. VoIP calls, answer e-mail, manage your calendar and interact with workflow apps.

Put another way, this could be seen as a substitute for a laptop for some users. That's absolutely essential.

addison-lee5y ago

Plenty of people still working, and this is a budget iPhone; this is the perfect time to launch a cheap phone.

OrangeMango5y ago

It's likely to cannibalize sales from their higher-priced phones, but better to sell a cheaper phone than to lose the customer entirely.

I noticed that if you scroll down to the bottom of the press release, they are also accepting orders for the magic iPad keyboard as of today...

addison-lee5y ago

As Apple moves to be more of a service-based company, they are likely factoring in the increase in service value for newly acquired/retained customers.

fishbacon5y ago

Most of this was developed way before the pandemic started. Not launching would be wasted effort and you might end up looking like you are lagging behind phonemakers that announced/launched before the pandemic.

Gadgets are seen as a status symbol in some groups, having the newest thing could be more desirable than paying rent to some. There is also still a large group of people that were not laid off, they still want that money.

I do not know about the logistics of manufacture and shipping, there might be a shortage after they sell though the initial launch stock.

chadlavi5y ago

> It's not like an essential that we can't live without.

it's not? sure seems like it is to me. And if you have to get a new one, maybe it's nice that there's a cheaper one newly on the market?

calvin5y ago

From Apple’s perspective, this is a good time to have a more affordable phone available for people who need to upgrade (broken, damaged, or lost phone) or are getting their first phone (kids).

matz15y ago

Because phone are essential item these days. Can't live without.

Krasnol5y ago

You can live without a NEW phone though ;)

Krasnol5y ago

People who have been able to afford overpriced hardware before the pandemic will still be able to do so. No reason to postpone the launch for them.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

crazygringo5y ago

They've already manufactured them. This rollout was all planned far, far, far in advance of COVID-19.

What are they going to do? Not sell them and let them just sit in a warehouse?

A ton of people are looking to upgrade their original SE and a lot of people who can work remotely and haven't been laid off are likely doing fine.

I think that's all the insight needed.

JumpCrisscross5y ago

> It's not like an essential that we can't live without

Put another way, this could be seen as a substitute for a laptop for some users. That's absolutely essential.

addison-lee5y ago

Plenty of people still working, and this is a budget iPhone; this is the perfect time to launch a cheap phone.

OrangeMango5y ago

It's likely to cannibalize sales from their higher-priced phones, but better to sell a cheaper phone than to lose the customer entirely.

I noticed that if you scroll down to the bottom of the press release, they are also accepting orders for the magic iPad keyboard as of today...

addison-lee5y ago

As Apple moves to be more of a service-based company, they are likely factoring in the increase in service value for newly acquired/retained customers.

fishbacon5y ago

I do not know about the logistics of manufacture and shipping, there might be a shortage after they sell though the initial launch stock.

chadlavi5y ago

> It's not like an essential that we can't live without.

it's not? sure seems like it is to me. And if you have to get a new one, maybe it's nice that there's a cheaper one newly on the market?

calvin5y ago

From Apple’s perspective, this is a good time to have a more affordable phone available for people who need to upgrade (broken, damaged, or lost phone) or are getting their first phone (kids).

matz15y ago

Because phone are essential item these days. Can't live without.

Krasnol5y ago

You can live without a NEW phone though ;)

Krasnol5y ago

People who have been able to afford overpriced hardware before the pandemic will still be able to do so. No reason to postpone the launch for them.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse