The thing with consumers is that we’re a very conformist group. We flock towards that which is in fashion and then rush away just as fast when something else emerges. Products can then almost even lose their appeal inexplicably, as something else indescribably seems cooler. The BlackBerry brand is the perfect example of how quickly a product can go up and down in a trend; although their demise and loss of trendiness was also down to inferiority in the product compared to its rivals. Nonetheless, along with Nokia, BlackBerry provided us with a complete illustration of: what comes up must come down and every dog has its day. It is now time to wonder whether such time has come for Apple and the iPhone.
Have Apple Just Become Too Good for Their Own Good?
Sometimes a branded item can gain so much of a following that everywhere you turn you see that specific product. The positive of this is obviously that the product owned by everyone is the trend and the trend is what generates the most sales. However the problem is that the trend always comes to an end and gets old very quickly.
We therefore have a potential route of the problem: have Apple simply gotten too good for their own good? Have the American tech giants simply become so popular that they’ve become so common, which has removed the spark and coolness of the product. Consumers usually want a product everybody gets, not one everybody has. There is a major difference between the two.
Of course the introduction of new iPhone models keeps things fresh, however one suspects Apple really have to pull something out of the bag with their next one to wow customers. In a way, even their most ardent followers have become spoilt, expecting significant technological superiority over Apple’s rivals with each new model.
The mere word ‘rivals’ has reminded me of another reason why Apple seem to be losing their spark.
Competition from Rivals
While Apple are still undoubtedly ahead in the popularity polls for smartphones, there are a number of other branded models that rival the iPhone. The Samsung Galaxy S2 has been the most threatening competitor to the dominance of the most current iPhone, the 4S.
The Galaxy S2 holds greater RAM storage at 1GB compared to the 4S’s 512MB, which means better multi-tasking and overall speed is to be expected of the Galaxy S2. However, although Samsung hold superiority in that aspect, the 4S’s graphics chip is far greater than that of the Galaxy S2, which consequences in better video streaming and gaming capabilities.
Nevertheless, without going into too much detail, it’s fair to say that the Galaxy S2 is at the very least a fierce competitor to the current iPhone and that it is priced £100 less, is enough cause for many consumers to choose it over any iPhone deals.
The Samsung Galaxy S3 is coming out soon also, and this will provide even further competition to the 4S and lay down the high standards for the upcoming iPhone to match.
Competition from Themselves
The introduction of the iPad has undoubtedly pulled a significant number of consumers away from the iPhone and unto Apple’s tablet PCs instead. The reason is simple. On the face of it, the iPad gives consumers everything that can be found on the iPhone and more.
It therefore, just seems a wiser choice for consumers to buy another brand’s smartphone and choose Apple for their tablet PCs. Remember what was previously said about trends? Well the iPad generations are a trend at the moment and this has perhaps been the catalyst that makes the iPhone models old news.
Price
In regards to the price of the 4S to the Galaxy S2 the following can be said: unless Apple’s products are ultimately superior, there is little justification to it costing significantly more. While superiority was indeed the case before, it isn’t much so now.
Tahar Rajab
