Why iPhone Sales are Collapsing

Despite its market dominance, the iPhone posted some underwhelming numbers to start 2024 leading some to question whether this is the beginning of the end for Apple's smartphone juggernaut. So what is it that seems to be holding the iPhone back?

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[yomanyo]

I realised a few weeks ago that my phone is ALMOST 7 YEARS OLD. I got it second year of college, I've got kids now, I've moved countries twice. And still, there isn't anything I'd call a "must-have" feature that I'm missing out on.

[ZackHipps]

This video made me realise their HQ is literally a walled garden 😂 excellent editing there

[jamessullenriot]

This video could have been "Because they are expensive and it's not only iPhone, most phones are expensive". That is it. Spending $1k on a phone with minimal improvements is ridiculous.

[matthewf]

Under Tim Cook apple went from a company focused on innovation, to a company focused on profit, and the stagnation in R&D is finally showing.

[irtwiaos]

Too expensive and lack of innovation.

It is getting to the point we are gonna have smartphone loans like we do auto loans.

[asimpleguy]

1. expensive
2. no innovation
3. no design change
4. boring
5. better competitors
6. useless
7. people are getting smarter
8.inflation

[Nope-wc]

I was fine with paying 1600 dollars for a phone. But that did mean I was going to keep that same phone for 5-10 years. You did this yourself Tim Apple.

[ausden]

Probably not because people are switching but because there's no reason to upgrade...

I still have my iPhone 12 from 2020 and it works flawlessly, I don't see a point in paying a premium for minor improvements

[mekG]

iPhone compatibility with anything non-apple is such a pain. I was so happy when I switched back to Android phone. It is so clear, the Apple tactics is to extract as much money as possible from their users and prevent them from using better non-Apple accessories:/

[KC-ufrg]

The assumption that they expect people to buy iPhones every year is foolish

[FromDesertTown]

Galaxy S24 is killing it, with sales up 14% from the S23 series last year. It's not really surprising that Samsung's flagship is taking some marketshare from Apple this year - they did a significant redesign, added intuitive AI features, and did a large marketing push.

[movingforward]

People are getting over their "brand loyalty." At least where I'm living.

[SingularityZro]

I think the profit margin is insignificant. What they will be really worried about is that the phone is the key to the super profitable - and walled ecosystem. Personally, I think it is excellent that the EU breaks that up regarding compatibility and the blatant anti-consumer behavior of Apple, when it comes to repairs. As a first time iPhone user, I had quite some WTF moments, e.g. in the App store. Like. Oh well, the calculator on this phone is really shitty, how is this possible. Ah here are some other calculators. - For 5, 99 SUBSCRIPTION per month. WHAT. THE. HELL. ...

[fleshreap]

It's not really the "durability". It's just that phones used to be fairly slow, so people replaced them with faster ones (and for some new features). Now a mid range phone that's a couple years old is totally fine for basic use. Why buy a new one?

Same happened with PCs.

[muhammad-bin-american]

Apple is a victim of their own success. They became so successful that they ignored past mistakes of past great companies thinking "oh please! We are Apple. We're the best". Basically Apple's business model in recent years under Tim Cook can be summarized in two words: RIP OFF. Never liked Steve Jobs but the man loved tech and his attention to detail was top notch. Tim Cook is all about money.

[Mr.Zen_]

iphones are too expensive for a lot of people, and when people buy them there's not enough difference with newer models now to always be updating. Same thing is happening with Macbooks

[Keepingthefaith]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the main reason people are not buying the latest iPhone, And that is the extortionist price they are asking for them...

[MsNIKITA]

The last iPhone I had was an Iphone 5S., Switch to android, not looked back. Been able to side load apps without jail breaking my phone, so much more freedom!!

[ironbolt]

I love how economists hate good products. This view of “endless growth” in economy must end. It’s going to kill us all.

I mean how is people not replacing phones every year because they are so good a BAD THING?

[ariellau]

i have been an android user and switched to Apple 3 years ago. Now i'm switching back to Samsung because iphone cameras are just not great if you're not using Pro Max.