Variety reports that Apple has already made over four million pre-sales for the iPhone 6 and 6+, and that’s just in the first 24 hours since the announcement. This is contrary to expectations. After all, what does the iPhone 6 add that’s so new? Not only did we have the typical “evolutionary, not revolutionary” complaints, but some smart aleck went so far as to create the below.
If anyone knows who made this, let us know so we can give proper credit.
Cute, right? Except the discussions implied by that image miss the important point: iPhone users aren’t buying a phone. They’re buying the next installment of the machine they use to access their stuff. Let’s use 2012 as a starting date. That means you started with an iPhone 5. Good place, right? First iPhone with LTE speed, something Android phones had featured for a year or so before that. In that time, assume the average user has downloaded several apps. Even if they just stick to free apps (which no one ever does), it’s all tied into Apple’s ecosystem. Your iCloud info, your purchase history, your iTunes Match account, and scores of other things are all handled by Apple.
People don’t want to only make digital payments or have a bigger screen. They specifically want an iPhone that does those things. They want to stay within the walled garden that Apple has built. Apple knows this. Heck, Apple created the situation. It doesn’t matter if you use Android, Windows, BlackBerry, or iOS, because switching a phone platform is now a major investment in time and money.
Like say, all the cash I spent on webOS apps.
Yes, phones exist that do things Apple’s products can’t (feel free to add wireless charging any day now, Apple). This doesn’t matter. Apple has built an ecosystem to keep users waiting patiently for Apple to add features other phones have, but allow those same users to keep using their iPhones. Don’t like it? You don’t have to. The numbers, however, show that it works.
Full disclosure: Before anyone calls me a fanboy, yes, I have an iPhone. I also have a Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and several other devices. I’m a total platform agnostic. No, I didn’t order the 6, and I do not intend to.
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