Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Apple’s New Era Has Begun
Forbes.com ^ | Aug 10, 2020, 09:17am EDT | Dan Runkevicius

Posted on 08/12/2020 8:04:56 AM PDT by Swordmaker

Rumor has it that Apple (APPL) AAPL -3% will release its cheapest ever top-tier phone this fall.

Influential tech magazine Tom’s Guide recently posted a leak claiming iPhone 12 will retail starting at $549. That’s almost half of what Apple charged for iPhone X a few years ago.

This raises the question: Why is the most premium tech product maker all of a sudden selling itself short? I’ll show in a moment, Apple’s business is entering a new era where iPhone profits won’t matter anymore.

Low price tags might seem like a desperate move to fend off competition. But like a chess master plotting several moves ahead, Apple is using cheap phones to seize what Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, calls the “mother of all opportunities.”

iPhone is hands-down the most successful product in history. Since its introduction, Apple sold more than a trillion dollars’ worth of iPhones. And for years, iPhone generated more than half of Apple’s total sales.

But iPhone was more than Apple’s biggest money maker. It was Apple’s gateway into the pockets of over a billion people.

Take a look at this chart. It shows the growth of Apple’s active devices all across the world:


Apple’s active devices (2016-2020) DAN RUNKEVICIUS

Thanks to iPhone, Apple now has 1.5 billion active devices—phones, watches, etc.— used by over a billion people from all across the world. The company added a whopping half billion devices during the last few years alone.

Think about it, nearly one in seven people now carry around an Apple device every day.

Today, those 1.5 billion active devices are the single most important driver of Apple’s business.

Apple makes tons of money outside an Apple store

It does so through a myriad of services connected to Apple devices.

(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: applepinglist; appleservices; iphone; robinhood
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-86 next last
To: Sirius Lee
Who knew back then that this would be reality?


61 posted on 08/12/2020 4:13:39 PM PDT by SamAdams76
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: AlaskaErik
The only recurring charge Apple gets from me is 99 cents a month for cloud storage. And I buy the occasional app.

I like their digital movie downloads. Every week they offer a group of movies at 99 cents to rent for 48 hours; usually a new lineup every Tuesday. Less than a buck, and you can wait to view it up to a month before the 2 days rental takes effect.

62 posted on 08/12/2020 6:26:03 PM PDT by roadcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Rurudyne

I’m getting a Huey Lewis vibe.


63 posted on 08/12/2020 6:29:22 PM PDT by gogeo (It isn't just time to open America up again: It's time to be America again.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: diatomite
I’m considering getting a smart phone, but that considering has been going on for years. My phone has only cost about $100/year. This cheap Apple phone is interesting.

My wife and I have been using TracFone smart phones for many years - and they are iPhones. Costs us $100/year each for service and minutes, no contract. Currently on Apple iPhone 7 models, I think they cost us $200 each at TracFone. Our leftover minutes carry over from year to year. Seriously, check into TracFone.

64 posted on 08/12/2020 6:32:15 PM PDT by roadcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Sergio
I had a Samsung phone and tablet that both had micro-sd card slots. Both devices would fail to recognize the card unless I formatted it. Hopefully things have changed and the card readers in today’s devices are more reliable.

I've noticed that a lot of these small devices seem to like it when cards are at least formatted locally initially. After that, you can use it has a normal card.

Have you thought of carrying a power bank to use with your current reader?

I have had several. The one I'm using now is bloody huge. It will recharge my tablet from nothing to 100% 3 times. Kinda nice, but it sucks to have to have a separate device for recharging so often.

65 posted on 08/12/2020 6:40:21 PM PDT by zeugma (Stop deluding yourself that America is still a free country.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: SamAdams76
And I'm just scratching the surface of what a modern iPhone can do.

One of favorite functions is the flashlight. I replaced the calculator app with one that acts as a paper tape adding machine, tracking all calculations. A radio app that can access most radio stations worldwide. An app for my home security video system so I can monitor my home remotely. Another app for controlling my car. Then there is the police radio scanner app. Wish it had a taser or blowdart function.

66 posted on 08/12/2020 6:46:14 PM PDT by roadcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: Rastus

All to smart phones I surrender
Info, stats and browsing history,
I will never not carry it
For its updates daily live

I surrender all,
I surrender all.
All for Apps and for ApplePay
I surrender all.

(Like I said, I prefer dumb phones....)


67 posted on 08/12/2020 7:18:04 PM PDT by Rurudyne (Standup Philosopher)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: itsahoot

Coin shortage ... probably engineered because people have been hoarding coins forever so nothing has changed.


68 posted on 08/12/2020 7:19:34 PM PDT by Rurudyne (Standup Philosopher)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: RayChuang88; Swordmaker
iPhone 5S is the one I use. Coincidentally, today the Brightness of the screen has gotten dimmer. Does anyone have experience with this? Perhaps it's a sign to upgrade?
69 posted on 08/12/2020 7:59:49 PM PDT by The Westerner (Protect the most vulnerable: get the government out of medicine, education and forests.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Rurudyne
Coin shortage ... probably engineered because people have been hoarding coins forever so nothing has changed.

Coin shortage ... probably engineered because people have been hoarding coins forever so nothing no one has changed change.

There, fixed it for you!

70 posted on 08/12/2020 8:20:10 PM PDT by Swordmaker (My pistol self-identifies as an iPad, so you must accept it in gun-free zones, you hoplophobe bigot1)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: Swordmaker

I never use Apple. You have to update more than Windows 10.


71 posted on 08/12/2020 8:25:04 PM PDT by Fledermaus (ONLY A MORON THINKS 6 FEET IS A MAGIC NUMBER!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Westerner
iPhone 5S is the one I use. Coincidentally, today the Brightness of the screen has gotten dimmer. Does anyone have experience with this? Perhaps it's a sign to upgrade?

The iPhone 5s model is getting long in the tooth. It’s a seven year old model now. The LED backlight for the screen is likely getting worn out and dimming with age. They do have a limited lifespan, you know. The life is reduced by hours on and by each on/off cycle the undergo.

72 posted on 08/12/2020 8:30:26 PM PDT by Swordmaker (My pistol self-identifies as an iPad, so you must accept it in gun-free zones, you hoplophobe bigot1)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: Fledermaus
I never use Apple. You have to update more than Windows 10.

Speaking from experience as a cross platform consultant, and as you stated, you obviously don’t know what you’re talking about. The facts are completely opposite of what you just asserted.

73 posted on 08/12/2020 8:34:27 PM PDT by Swordmaker (My pistol self-identifies as an iPad, so you must accept it in gun-free zones, you hoplophobe bigot1)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: Swordmaker

My ITunes on 2 devices make me update bi-weekly.


74 posted on 08/12/2020 8:38:06 PM PDT by Fledermaus (ONLY A MORON THINKS 6 FEET IS A MAGIC NUMBER!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: AlaskaErik

Apple Iphones capture something like 40% of all handheld devices, but generates 90% of all handheld revenues.


75 posted on 08/12/2020 8:41:27 PM PDT by cornfedcowboy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Fledermaus
My ITunes on 2 devices make me update bi-weekly.

Shovel your BS somewhere else. You just stated "I don’t use Apple." Now you’re claiming "2 devices" and iTunes. I have managed an office with dozens of Apple devices and they’ve gone months between updates of any kind. So I repeat. BS!

If you’re using a Windows version of iTunes, turn on the auto update and you’ll never be bothered by it again. It does it in the background. By the way, iTunes is software. An app.

76 posted on 08/12/2020 10:06:29 PM PDT by Swordmaker (My pistol self-identifies as an iPad, so you must accept it in gun-free zones, you hoplophobe bigot1)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

Apple is still making at least 100% profit on the iPhone. They’re directly manufacturing more and more of it, which raises profit margin.

It’ll be exciting to see what Apple does with ARM CPUs going forward, although they may patent and monopolize certain aspects for a while.

Apple ARM laptops/desktops are only a year or two away...


77 posted on 08/13/2020 5:42:34 AM PDT by PreciousLiberty (Make America Greater Than Ever!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

Apple is still making at least 100% profit on the iPhone. They’re directly manufacturing more and more of it, which raises profit margin.

It’ll be exciting to see what Apple does with ARM CPUs going forward, although they may patent and monopolize certain aspects for a while.

Apple ARM laptops/desktops are only a year or two away...


78 posted on 08/13/2020 5:43:21 AM PDT by PreciousLiberty (Make America Greater Than Ever!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Swordmaker

I highly recommend upgrading to the iPhone SE (2020) model. And make sure to get a Lightning to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter if you want to keep your old headphones.


79 posted on 08/13/2020 6:51:23 AM PDT by RayChuang88 (FairTax: America's Economic Cure)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: Rurudyne

It seems you misunderstand. What you think of as a Smart Phone is actually a computer with a phone ap.

The computer that you can carry around has innumerable uses that are beneficial, even necessary to most users.

To insist on a dumb phone is to forgo the benefits of a computer


80 posted on 08/13/2020 6:57:07 AM PDT by bert ( (KE. NP. N.C. +12) Progressives are existential American enemies)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-86 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson