2025 Apple Devices

[wco81]

They did say the crystal is more resistant to scratching.

The iPhone I traded in had a mall scratch on the screen. I didn't know if they'd reject it but I turned it in anyways because the 17 were suppose to have less scratch-resistant screens.

Got full credit too.

 

[ant1pathy]

They did say the crystal is more resistant to scratching.

The iPhone I traded in had a mall scratch on the screen. I didn't know if they'd reject it but I turned it in anyways because the 17 were suppose to have less scratch-resistant screens.

Got full credit too.

Scratches generally won't impact trade-in. Cracks will unless someone lets you slide.

 

[skazz]

They did say the crystal is more resistant to scratching.

The iPhone I traded in had a mall scratch on the screen. I didn't know if they'd reject it but I turned it in anyways because the 17 were suppose to have less scratch-resistant screens.

Got full credit too.

Is it really the glass which is scratched, or the anti-fingerprint / anti-reflective coating on top?

 

[wco81]

Is it really the glass which is scratched, or the anti-fingerprint / anti-reflective coating on top?

Think it was the glass. I could feel it catch when I ran my fingernail across it.

You had to look for it though. If you watched some video, you would not notice it unless specifically looking at that spot.

 

[cateye]

Stopped into the local Apple Store Zoo this afternoon to pick up a new phone for the wife who has been struggling with battery life on her aging 14 Pro. Decided the base model 17 was more than enough for her needs. Super efficient and friendly service as usual, we were in and out in 30 minutes, despite it being incredibly busy with holiday shoppers and going through the trade-in process with her old phone a well.

I will note, anecdata of one, that with all the crowds fondling the various display models, I didn't see a single person touch or even look at the three iPhone Airs on display at the table we were being helped at. The store was packed and yet here was this bare stretch of display space with not a soul.

Again, nothing more than one person's observation on a Sunday afternoon, but it does make me wonder if all the rumors of the Air selling poorly are likely true.

 

[Schpyder]

Again, nothing more than one person's observation on a Sunday afternoon, but it does make me wonder if all the rumors of the Air selling poorly are likely true.

I can't see why they wouldn't be true. The Air was a science project without a target market segment. The number of people who value thinness at the cost of significantly worse battery life and cameras and a higher price point has to be absolutely minuscule. You're literally paying more for less! I always figured it was just a packaging trial for the folding iPhone, and I'd honestly be surprised if it survives as a model longer than one additional year.

 

[wco81]

I'm not sure what it is about the iPhone 17 but it helped Apple gain marketshare in Q1:

In a new report, Counterpoint Research says that Apple saw a 1.3% year-over-year bump in iPhone sales in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2026, in stark contrast to a 5.7% decline in the overall market.


As Counterpoint notes, Apple’s performance was driven in part by stronger-than-expected demand for the base iPhone 17, as well as Samsung’s delayed launch of the Galaxy S26 series.


Historically, Samsung’s Galaxy S flagship phones have reached stores in January or February every year since 2021. This year, however, the Galaxy S26 lineup only hit shelves in mid-March, “leaving somewhat of a vacuum in the premium space for an extra month in Q1,” according to Counterpoint.


This helped the iPhone account for 75% of smartphone sales at the Big 3 US carriers in Q1 2026, up from 72% a year earlier.

Read in 9to5Mac: https://apple.news/Af9A2UoK5SwSZVCcYflKh5g

Since they didn't have an AI story, maybe it just hit when there were enough people in the iPhone installed base who had devices older than 2 years.

Also a few years ago, Apple was doing well when it had over 50% market share in the US on new phone sales. It would usually be the Oct-Dec quarter, right after they announced and shipped the new iPhone model. I think the Jan-March quarter may be there second highest quarter for iPhone unit volume shipped.

So 75% is really surprising, even 72% is high. Consumer spending overall, including some luxury goods like designer goods are flat or slightly down. So with inflation up, maybe it helped that Apple didn't raise prices, at least in the US.

In fact, in the face of the RAM price hikes from AI data centers hoarding RAM and flash storage, maybe that's part of the reason iPhone sales held up while phone sales overall dropped by 5.7% year over year.

 

[cateye]

At a time when a lot of products across all sorts of industries are facing delays, shortages, or price fluctuations, and the news cycle is nearly universally bad, don't underestimate the marketing power of stability. Apple has likely done a lot behind the scenes to insure that the iPhone not only has price stability, but remains effortlessly available. There's plentiful stock of all models pretty much everywhere, the pricing ladder remains what it's been for years so you're not asking people to reevaluate which iPhone they can "afford," all while advancing features and value (particularly in the base iPhone 17 model).

Whether or not they'll be able to maintain that with the 18 series, I don't know. I suspect they'll let all sorts of products succumb to pricing and availability pressures, like the Neo, Mini, and Studio currently, if it allows them to maintain stability in the iPhone lineup. That ~50% share of revenue looms large.

 

[japtor]

Since they didn't have an AI story

And? Apologies for being a bit snarky, but does the mass market really care about AI that much? Like all the big AI stuff is in the cloud and runs on any phone, so would "an AI story" actually be a big deal for end user sales or just a buzzword for the stock market?

Yes yes privacy and Apple polish all that sure, but would that make an appreciable impact vs just like the usual better cameras, or the occasional different appearance, or different colors?

And yeah as mentioned, just being a regular iPhone and availability when the rest of the world is going to shit has value in itself.

 

[Ashe]

And? Apologies for being a bit snarky, but does the mass market really care about AI that much? Like all the big AI stuff is in the cloud and runs on any phone, so would "an AI story" actually be a big deal for end user sales or just a buzzword for the stock market?

Yes yes privacy and Apple polish all that sure, but would that make an appreciable impact vs just like the usual better cameras, or the occasional different appearance, or different colors?

And yeah as mentioned, just being a regular iPhone and availability when the rest of the world is going to shit has value in itself.

Don’t underestimate the AI factor. I know people who have switched from iPhone to the latest Samsung flagship for both the AI features and the camera. They generate AI images for fun and share it with all comers. However Samsung has it integrated to their phones makes it a no brainer for them to use as opposed to me trying to figure out which app to download to do the same (not particularly inclined mind you). As these competitors are more and more able to tie into some of Apple’s continuity features thanks to EU mandates, who knows what the future holds.

 

[wco81]

Yeah I just meant there's a lot of hype.

Analyst types have said AI will drive incremental sales or upgrades of the iPhone.

Others, like how iPhone will be one of the most common gateways to AI use for millions of people so once Apple "gets" AI right, it would drive more sales and upgrades.

I'm not gung ho on AI but if you think about the kind of tentpole features which Apple annually tries to roll out, I'd have to say some AI features might come across as showy or flashy and generate some buzz. Like when Steve Jobs showed off pinch zooming and even smooth inertial scrolling the first time.

 

[Bonusround]

And? Apologies for being a bit snarky, but does the mass market really care about AI that much? Like all the big AI stuff is in the cloud and runs on any phone, so would "an AI story" actually be a big deal for end user sales or just a buzzword for the stock market?

Yes yes privacy and Apple polish all that sure, but would that make an appreciable impact vs just like the usual better cameras, or the occasional different appearance, or different colors?

Bingo. The onus is on Apple: show the world how an AI agent tightly integrated with your phone can be a major convenience and net time-saver for the average user. Do this convincingly and it'll boost iPhone numbers, no question.

Until then bots will remain specialized tools for those who want to learn / know how to use them, or social entertainment for those seeking amusement or companionship. Other AI features, like photo editing/manipulation, just seem like next steps on a long path of ever-advancing camera/photo improvements.

 

[analogika]

Guys.

It’s the orange.