Promotions: A Red Flag?
Some believe that the speed and aggressiveness of holiday-season promotions will quickly reveal whether the iPhone 18 Pro is a misfire. As one observer put it:
“Anyway, we’ll see soon enough based on how quickly and aggressively the promos kick in. That should tell us the scale of the flop (if there even is one). If you see a promo starting at Christmas, that’s a pretty clear sign things aren’t going well. Apple will need to be careful not to discount Pro models right before the next regular iPhone 18 appears… Personally, I just want to say: serves them right! I’m tired of being treated like a fool.”
The frustration is palpable. Many feel the yearly cycle is all too familiar: a new iPhone arrives, prices climb, there might be a new color, but for most users, the changes seem minor.
Same Phone, Higher Price?
“At some point, the public was going to realize they’re just buying the same phone every year for more money, maybe in a different color, since for most users, the measurable improvements have no practical impact.”
Whether this marks a true turning point or simply more grumbling about tech cycles remains to be seen.
Is the iPhone 18 Pro Actually an Upgrade?
Some defend this year’s model, noting that there are real advances—mainly in photo and video capabilities and battery life. But, they say, these benefits mostly matter to professional users and may not affect everyone else. As another comment summed up:
“Honestly, it’s a really good year—real improvements in camera and battery life. But those camera upgrades? They’re mostly for pros.
– The smartphone market is mature. We can’t expect major jumps every year, or even over two or three years.
– The Pro Max, the best-seller, has become quite heavy.
– Some might be waiting for the Duo model, or maybe the Duo has just stolen all the hype from the Pro.”
For the typical user, checking emails or texting over morning coffee, big changes may not register at all.
Economic Reality Sets In
There’s also the matter of rising prices—not just for smartphones, but for tech essentials like SSDs and RAM. Shrinking purchasing power might make Apple’s price hikes harder to swallow. As one perspective notes:
“Buying power is going down, SSD and RAM prices are rising. Honestly, it was fairly predictable.
I don’t think they’re treating us like fools, especially when you look at how expensive RAM is across the market, and how all competitors have bumped their prices too…
The much longer battery life this year is a tangible, measurable improvement in day-to-day use.
Apple will likely make up for this with the launch of smart home devices in the coming weeks. The timing is no accident.”
Maybe the iPhone 18 Pro isn’t a failure, just a casualty of tough economics and a maturing smartphone market. For some, it’s just good not to feel like the butt of the joke anymore—what the French refer to as being taken for “jambon,” or ham.
