The case for an iPhone in 2020
Dear Reader,
This week saw OnePlus unveil the 8 and 8 Pro, Apple unveil the new SE, and renders leak of the upcoming iPhone 12, one feels the urge to write to you on the subject.
Over the last decade new iPhones have grown more and more expensive with every new release, Samsung has diligently copied them, introducing evermore of the kitchen sink with each new Galaxy, to the point that they’ve now over-incumbered themselves, similar perhaps to a late career Elvis.
OnePlus, Xiaomi and their sister brands (and Google, when they remember they should be working) have been able to feed on the rich layer of customers for whom Apple and Samsung were no longer providing.
This year really could have been the year that OnePlus hit the motherload, the 8 and 8 Pro are objectively just as good as the flagship Galaxies and iPhones but crucially they’ve upped the price and thus one would argue have perhaps equally crucially abandoned the rich layer of customers for whom Apple and Samsung were no longer providing.
Google appears to see what is happening, the Pixel 5 is believed to be a sub-flagship experience, and the Pixel 4a was due to build upon the darling of 2019, the 3a. With OnePlus moving up, the market was clear for Google and the Realmes, Xiaomis et al. to feed, unthreatened.
And then Apple did the ‘unthinkable’, yes dear Reader, ‘unthinkable’ and released the SE. In short it’s $400, has the A13 chip, a decent camera and wireless charging. Sure, it’s based on the old design, but a dedicated finger print sensor is not to be underestimated at this price point and I would argue appeals to much of the general population (i.e. older users)
Apple is now in a unique position to be able to offer its flagship chipset at any price point, I might argue this gives them an unassailable platform advantage.
We note that the Snapdragon 865 requires a 5G modem, a burden in terms of cost, packaging and battery life that makes it unattractive to those building for $400, leaving those in 2020 looking at the 730 series chips. The A13 wipes the floor with the 730s in terms of performance per watt.
The fact that the SE has the ‘latest’ chip at the lowest price point is really remarkable and offers the buyer very significant advantages, including the ability to run the most demanding apps on the platform for several years to come, giving the device unmatched longevity at this price point.
Anyway, to the subject line at last.
Reader …. you’ve got a Mac, you’ve just got an iPad, you’ve got a Samsung S7.
I don’t believe there is a great choice for you on Android in 2020.
I think you should buy into Apple and benefit from the platform OS continuity features such as handoff and automatic personal wifi hotspot amongst others.
I don’t think the $400 SE is right for you, I think you should either get the ‘right’ colour of iPhone 11 on a 0% finance deal (Apple is offering this direct from their site these days) or wait for the new iPhone 12/12 Pro, which given the leaks this week, will have the same design language as your new iPad and even more performance.
The main issue I fear that will hold you back is migrating your WhatsApp archive. Hmmm, I sense my next article!
