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Are iPhone Users Ready for Another Model?

Posted January 28, 2008 7:00 AM by Gregory Ng
Categories: Poll 

Mike Elgan of Computerworld is predicting a new iPhone this summer. Elgan cites the amazing but less than expected iPhone sales numbers released by Apple as one of the reasons why iPhone 2.0 is inevitable this summer or fall at the latest.

“The only way Apple could possibly feel “confident” of reaching 10 million units by the end of 2008 is if the company were to sell more iPhones during next year’s holiday season than it did during the 2007 season. And the only way to do that is to sell to existing users. And the only way to do that is to come out with a new iPhone.”

This may very well be the strategy that Apple is planning. But are iPhone users ready to pony up for a new model? Despite the current gripes by existing iPhone owners for the lack of 3G, true GPS, software flexibility, and Outlook support, will those same people be prepared to pay for another iPhone only half way through their 2-year contract?

For me, a new iPhone with all of the above additions is a must-buy. But I am a member of the 1% of Mac Lovers that tend to buy most everything Apple puts out. What about the other 99%? I would find it hard to believe that those that received iPhones this past Christmas would be the type who would upgrade right away. After all, if they were willing to upgrade, they probably would have purchased one for themselves pre holiday.

What do you think?

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Comments

  1. I have been waiting for the iphone to come out in italy for a while now and if it does come out in the next month or so i would still not buy it because im waiting for a at least a 16gig iphoe to come out.

    Posted by Olly on January 28, 2008 8:25 AM

  2. Not only am I waiting for at least 16gb, 3G is a must have.  Doubt we will see one with a replaceable battery or a memory card slot, but those would also be nice-to-haves.

    Posted by Jim on January 28, 2008 8:48 AM

  3. I think Apple underestimates how many of us are waiting to buy an iphone when it has basics such as GPS and video.

    I really want one, but am not going to shell out 500 bucks for a cell phone that does not have video and gps.  3G would be nice too.  If they came out with the exact same phone tomorrow with these features, I would buy one.

    Posted by homer on January 28, 2008 9:37 AM

  4. I think you’ll find that there will be alot of people including myself who were waiting for a 2nd gen iPhone before purchasing one. The lack of 3g was always going to put myself and many others of purchasing a 1st gen iphone. Also i didnt want to act as a beta tester for the iphone, i prefer to wait until some of the issues have been ironed out.

    Posted by Wobbly Dave on January 28, 2008 9:39 AM

  5. The thing with Apple is that it’s not just focusing on current customers. A lot of people, myself included, is waiting for Apple to release the 3G and 16GB upgrade of the iPhone. Apple will also have the fanboys/girls upgrade their phone, along with the high tech users. When it comes down to it, the people who have iPhones already are either people who love apple, love high tech, love the fashion, or received it as a gift. I think the latter two will probably not upgrade their phone, but there’s a good chance the first two categories will.

    Posted by Frank on January 28, 2008 9:40 AM

  6. I bought an iPhone the first day it came out.  You can bet that I will upgrade whenever a new model comes out!

    Posted by Travis on January 28, 2008 10:21 AM

  7. My wife and I will both upgrade when a new iPhone comes out. Then we will give one old iPhone to our 6 year old, and the other old iPhone to Grandma…

    Posted by Darin R. McClure on January 28, 2008 10:51 AM

  8. I am waiting for the next gen iphone, Why buy something that is very old technology in Europe (no 3g, no GPS, no memory card support) just because the software is fantastic, come on apple, surely you can keep up with the rest of the world…..
    Also, look at the low takeup for the phone in europe, we are all waiting for the 3G model.

    Posted by Rick on January 28, 2008 10:56 AM

  9. I have been holding out for the next generation because I want 3g and enterprise support. I believe the 10 million mark will be achieved by gaining those of us who have not bought a phone yet. Not having those who currently have one getting another.

    Posted by ed on January 28, 2008 11:22 AM

  10. <i>will those same people be prepared to pay for another iPhone only half way through their 2-year contract? <\>

    Yes

    Posted by Dawn on January 28, 2008 2:39 PM

  11. I too bought the iPhone on the release date, and believe it or not, I’m still in the honeymoon phase.  I used to grow weary of new cell phones after 6 months or so, but I’m going into my 8th month and I’m still loving it.  What do I find so great about it?  All the features for sure, but the biggest attraction are the constant software updates, the latest being the GPS-like feature tied to google maps.  It totally rocks.  So, yeah, I like how the phone “evolves.”  So will I drop another few hundred smackaroos for the latest iPhone when it comes out?  Yo, come to daddy.

    Posted by Alex on January 28, 2008 4:46 PM

  12. Well, I am definitely NOT upgrading. I like my iPhone, so why should I? 3G? Bah. I use wireless when I need to go online. GPS? I don’t get lost that often. 16GB? I haven’t even filled my 8.

    I bought it the day after release, and still love it, wouldn’t be without it. I need a really compelling reason to spend that kind of $ again.

    Posted by MikieMikie on January 28, 2008 4:56 PM

  13. I am not likely to upgrade right away.  I still love my phone hardware as is.  I have not missed 3G since Edge+wifi has worked fine for me(especially with iphone designed sites).  I also don’t have much use for the battery drain and extra expense of GPS on a phone.  I could imagine 16GB might be useful when new programs become available though.  8GB has been great for me for music and video, but might seem tight if I were to add a few programs.  In general, most of what I want should be available in program upgrades (cut and paste, MMS, etc.).  Also-am I the only one who thinks you should be able to answer an incoming call by just pushing one of the buttons on the phone?  So I am likely to wait until iphone 3.0 to upgrade-unless Apple comes up with something cool besides 3G and 16GB…..

    Posted by Joe on January 28, 2008 8:41 PM

  14. I will buy the one after the next one..

    Posted by rishi o' on January 29, 2008 3:14 AM

  15. Very nearly bought one the other week like them VERY much but without 3g or gps dont see it wearth the money,not over such a long contract. Bought the N95 Nocia fantastic phone Video out of this world.
    Will most likely buy the Iphone if it comes out in the near future with all the features it should have had when first released.
    Pete

    Posted by Peter Cowell on January 29, 2008 12:03 PM

  16. I bought the 4GB iphone when it fell to $299.00 before Apple discontinued it in Oct 07’.(Not everyone can afford the $600 phone) I bought it because I had neither an ipod nor a laptop (which every 28 yr old male should have). It has changed my life completly. The built in wifi capabilities in your pocket are it’s bread and butter and the 4 gigabyte video-ipod is sooo crisp. Of course if they put out a slighly quicker 3G supported 16GB or more memory, I’d buy it. I bet I wouldn’t be the first in line though, why should I be, I’m already living the “ilife”.

    Posted by Jason on January 29, 2008 2:29 PM

  17. The thing is about the iphone is yea some of the features it has are not the best technology out there like 3G and GPS, but the 8GB of memory is plenty for me. the websites i go to most of them are designed for the iphone and even though edge network can be slow at times, where i live wifi networks are everywhere, and videos from youtube and quicktime are much quicker on the iphone than on 3G smart phones that friends of mine have. Bottom line, The break through technology is the software and interface of the iphone. The software for the 1st generation will only get better, and unless Apple makes dramatic advances the next time around (which is not likely this soon) then i wont be buying another iphone until the 3rd or 4th generation. That is if this iphone holds on for that long. The thing that scared me about getting this phone is the fact that insurance on the phone is not possible here in the US. That’s something we need to be able to see with the next generation of the iphone. This product is much to expensive for the average person to lose it or shatter the screen and just go out and by another one.

    I guarantee if there is a 3G iphone in the summer we are going to see the price back up around $500. I can’t fork out that kind of cash again for a couple of minor upgrades.

    Posted by Brent Edwards on January 30, 2008 1:36 PM

  18. I hope that eventually the iphone can make these changes to their phone. A video rec would make this phone a lot more complete, also some things that the iphone need to fix is the ringtone volume is too low and also the ear volume is way low it is almost impossible for me to hear the person im talking too. And no im not death it is a complaint that many people have about their phones. I think for a 700 dollar phone it should have all the things neccesary in one phone.


    one love

    Posted by zperry on March 5, 2008 5:07 PM

  19. also an aim service on the iphone would be amazing

    Posted by zperry on March 5, 2008 5:08 PM

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