Considering I have a total of... zero Lightning cables and accessories, but a ton of standard USB-C? I would consider the 2019 iPhone line totally useless (but given by my lack of Lightning accessories, you can assume I use Android phones and thus consider all of the iPhones useless).
No, he's a potential new customer, which actually makes him more valuable. He's someone who, in large numbers, would change the market-share of the product. Getting people off competitors' products and onto yours is a higher priority for businesses, or do you think it's just an odd accident people switching from one broadband provider to another get discounts and loyal customers get nothing? Or that people get bonus rebates at their local Ford dealer when they trade in a similarly-classed Chevy vehicle?
No, he's a potential new customer, which actually makes him more valuable.
Not necessarily. Not all customers are equal and sometimes the cost of winning a new customer exceeds the value that customer brings.
Getting people off competitors' products and onto yours is a higher priority for businesses
Definitely not in Apple's case. Apple has never tried to chase market share at any cost. They have always been happy having a smaller but more profitable and stable portion of the market. In the case of the iPhone they get the vast majority of the profits in the industry so it's unclear what point there would be to them in chasing low margin customers unless their market starts eroding under them. Apple exists to make money, not to get the largest possible market share.
do you think it's just an odd accident people switching from one broadband provider to another get discounts and loyal customers get nothing?
Rolling Eyes (Score:2, Interesting)
Most customers want to keep the same connector, because they already have chargers and cables, and sometimes even accessories, for it.
USB-C is better in the long run, but that doesn't make it better now.
Re: (Score:1)
Considering I have a total of ... zero Lightning cables and accessories, but a ton of standard USB-C? I would consider the 2019 iPhone line totally useless (but given by my lack of Lightning accessories, you can assume I use Android phones and thus consider all of the iPhones useless).
Re: (Score:5, Insightful)
Considering I have a total of ... zero Lightning cables and accessories, but a ton of standard USB-C?
Who cares? You’re not a customer.
Re: (Score:4, Insightful)
Who cares? You're not a customer.
No, he's a potential new customer, which actually makes him more valuable. He's someone who, in large numbers, would change the market-share of the product. Getting people off competitors' products and onto yours is a higher priority for businesses, or do you think it's just an odd accident people switching from one broadband provider to another get discounts and loyal customers get nothing? Or that people get bonus rebates at their local Ford dealer when they trade in a similarly-classed Chevy vehicle?
Once
Not all customers are worth the trouble (Score:2)
No, he's a potential new customer, which actually makes him more valuable.
Not necessarily. Not all customers are equal and sometimes the cost of winning a new customer exceeds the value that customer brings.
Getting people off competitors' products and onto yours is a higher priority for businesses
Definitely not in Apple's case. Apple has never tried to chase market share at any cost. They have always been happy having a smaller but more profitable and stable portion of the market. In the case of the iPhone they get the vast majority of the profits in the industry so it's unclear what point there would be to them in chasing low margin customers unless their market starts eroding under them. Apple exists to make money, not to get the largest possible market share.
do you think it's just an odd accident people switching from one broadband provider to another get discounts and loyal customers get nothing?
Different markets with different dynamics.
Re: (Score:2)
Apple has never tried to chase market share at any cost
Right, they seem more inclined to chase away market share with high prices.