A FEW BAD APPLES?
Reviews of iPhone 8 and 8 Plus overshadowed by X model,
Despite the strength of its brand, Apple Inc. occasionally releases a product to mediocre reviews — remember the original Apple TV or Apple Watch? But reviewers have rarely been as grumpy as this month, when Apple unveiled its collection of new gadgets for the holidays.
Each product was docked by reviewers for specific functional flaws, ranging from the iPhone 8’s middling design to Apple Watch Series 3 issues with wireless connectivity, and quality problems with the Apple TV 4K’s video output.
“While Apple’s new products often generate plenty of nitpicks, the lack of enthusiasm by reviewers across the portfolio seems unique this year,” said Walter Piecyk, an analyst at BTIG.
To be sure, Apple products have gotten bad reviews in the past, only to sell like hotcakes later.
And reviewers haven’t yet tested the iPhone X, which is expected to be the main object of desire when it becomes available in November.
As the only models likely to be readily available in stores ahead of the holidays, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are great phones, but their $929-to-$1,000-plus prices make them competitors for rivals’ top-end models, such as Samsung Electronics Co.’s Galaxy S8.
The problem is these iPhones look dated compared with Samsung’s top-end offerings and Apple’s own forthcoming iPhone X. Perceptually, the 8-series handsets don’t offer significant upgrades over last year’s models — or even the ones before — which are being sold at lower prices. The main additions are new camera features, a wireless charging mechanism already present on competing phones and faster chips.
“I can’t think of a single compelling reason to upgrade from an iPhone 7,” Nilay Patel of the Verge wrote.
Other reviews are more positive. “The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus will be the best phones on the market when they go on sale Friday,” Business Insider’s Steve Kovach said. “And they’ll most likely remain the best phones available until November, when the iPhone X arrives.”
Another potential sign of trouble: The iPhone 8 models didn’t sell out during preorders, another rare occurrence for Apple phones. Though each iPhone sells in the tens of millions, the 8 and 8 Plus are overshadowed by the latest designs, especially in the iPhone X. Yet Apple fans waiting for the iPhone X in November are expected to face shortages due to reported production delays and component-supply issues.
The Apple Watch was supposed to become the next big thing at Apple, but has so far mostly languished as a pricey accessory to the iPhone. That was supposed to change this year with the ability to connect to cellular networks. Yet, after testing the Apple Watch Series 3, reviewers panned its one-hour talk time, and others spotted connectivity problems.
To be sure, Apple products have gotten bad reviews in the past, only to sell like hotcakes later on
Apple blamed the issue on a bug, and said it’s working on a future software update to fix it. And other reviewers were suitably wowed, with Wired praising the Watch’s speed and microphones. The device went on sale Friday.
The latest Apple TV also has hit snags with its upgrade: 4K video streaming. Reviewing the most expensive Apple TV in years, BuzzFeed said it wasn’t a significant step forward given it’s the first major upgrade since 2015. Instead, the news site described it as essentially the previous model with a faster chip to enable 4K video support — a feature that more affordable competitors have had for more than a year.
Patel noted the device’s high price, a lack of 4K support in major apps, and a lack of support for the Dolby Atmos audio standard. Apple subsequently hinted that Atmos support will come in future software.
Yet Patel’s biggest issue with the device was its main feature: 4K video rendering, specifically outside of iTunes, where he said the new Apple TV oversharpens and adjusts the frame rates of certain videos to the point of visual distraction.