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0 pointspauldino10mo ago0 comments

The iPhone is really big in Japan (it's one of the few countries where it has a higher market share than in the US) which probably makes it more worthwhile for Apple

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aikinai10mo ago

That doesn't make any sense. It's supported on local phones for both iOS and Android. What iOS does that's special is enable FeliCa for all regions globally. It only affects people from outside Japan traveling there.¹

Since it's not free for them, I assume they determined the amount of people in their key demographic that visit Japan was worth providing a stellar experience. Considering 2.7 million Americans visited last year, it was probably a bet that's paying off.

¹ Or, incidentally, people who live there but purchase phones overseas to avoid an obnoxious camera shutter sound forced on at all times.

aidenn010mo ago

I do wonder who it is that has all of these android phones in the US (nearly 40% by the statistics). In my extended friend group only one person other than me uses an Android phone.

ValentineC10mo ago

> I do wonder who it is that has all of these android phones in the US (nearly 40% by the statistics).

I'm guessing it's largely the working class and undocumented immigrants. And probably lots of burner phones?

supertrope10mo ago

People who can't afford to spend $599 on a phone. Or those who can afford it but can send picture messages all the same on a phone that costs hundreds less.

neckro2310mo ago

Android is overwhelmingly preferred by working-class people, in my experience. The phones are simply cheaper.

ulfw10mo ago

Or more powerful and more expensive, such as every single foldable phone on the market, including my Oppo Find N5.

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