With the screen increasing so vastly in size, the new phone would be categorized as a "phablet," similar to other phones such as the Galaxy s5 created by Samsung. For those that may not know, a phablet is a product in the domain caught in the middle of a smartphone and a tablet. This is beneficial to Apple because it creates a parallel for them with other popular products in their market. It also gives them a slight edge because they have models that are smaller in size but still have the same capabilities, giving the customer the option of phone size.
Cissarse chose to give the concepts a curved back, this being very different than what IPhone users are use to seeing. The Journal, however, indicated that the new models would be flat. I'm curious as to how consumers would feel about all these changes coming at once. Many IPhone consumers are loyal to the brand and love the design it currently uses. Would changing it have a bad effect for Apple?
This design is very different from anything Apple has ever offered before. It will be interesting to see how customers respond to such a change and if they will feel differently, for better or for worse, about Apple products. Although a dislike in the new design is a possibility, history tends to show that improvement and updates to Apple products keep the consumers interested and satisfied.
The new phones will be released in the later part of the year. Until then, the anticipation regarding the new design will be growing, presumably creating great interest in the product. Only time will tell if there will be a change in the Applesphere, and if so, how well the consumers react.
To see an article related to the topic, check out: http://mashable.com/2014/02/07/iphone-6-concept-phablet/
I also question whether straying from their typical design will help or hinder sales. The new plans look a lot like already-available Android phones- the new IOS for iPhones also resemble those of Android smartphones. Instead of making their products look like other companies' phones, maybe Apple should focus on expanding the number of programs and accessories that are compatible with their products.
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ReplyDeleteApple seems to go through this cycle of introducing things that are incredibly innovative, such as the original Mac (the first computer to use a graphic interface), the iPhone, iPad and even the iPod. For a while they enjoy first-mover advantage with the products, and make a lot of money from premium pricing for unique products.
But then, the rest of the market catches up and even surpasses them for market share. (I would want to double-check stats to be certain but I am pretty sure Android phones and tablets now outsell iPhones and iPads.) At that point, Apple goes through a bit of a down phase for sales and popularity -- at least in relative terms to the other products on the market. The phone/tablet market seems to be reaching that level now.
The interesting thing to wonder about is what Apple is cooking up next in terms of hardware. These little innovations that Garrett points out are interesting but aren't so far ahead of current devices to really count as the next "wow" breakthrough like the iPhone and iPad were. The situation is especially interesting since Google seems to have the first-mover advantage in what could have been the next big thing -- wearable devices -- with Google Glass
What will save Apple in terms of the next iPhone is not, in my estimation, screen size. Rather, it will be an impeccably stylish phone with the new rumored sapphire display. Cracked iPhone screens have plagued consumers for ages, so I think Apple will win consumers back with stronger displays. The larger iPhone 6 models resemble Android phones far too much. I don't think Apple would put their stamp of approval on such a design. I predict we will see a slightly larger screen, but the real changes will come in processing speeds, the camera, and the aesthetics of the phone. Time will tell how this will play out, but as a tried and true Mac lover, I think Apple will surpass our expectations.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a cool post, Garrett. I recently just switched from Samsung to Apple (the dark side) and seeing this post makes me wonder how far phone designs can actually go. Sure, technology will develop significantly in the next ten years, but how much more can the appearance of a smartphone be altered? The new, bigger iPhone 6 reminds me of the Galaxy Series. iPhones have been progressively getting smaller but now they are deciding to make it bigger? I personally don't think it is convenient to hold in one hand and think that phones should be handheld devices, not tablets or "phablets." Anyways, Apple has half the market in its grips so no matter what they put out, will be bought. Any guess on what the iPhone 7 will look like?
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