The iPhone 5S - Target of Misguided Perpetual Disappointment

Apple has announced the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C, and they are almost exactly as the rumors and leaks predicted. As many Apple fans suggested before the announcement, the immediate tales of disappointment have begun flowing. This is as much of an annual tradition as the iPhone announcements themselves it seems.

Just one problem...

These "disappointing" updates to the iPhone continue to result in record setting sales and very happy customers.

Misguided Disappointment

I have a theory on what drives this misguided disappointment. Two main points:

1. Smartphones are a mature market, expecting Earth-shattering news at every release is wasted effort.
2. Tech bloggers' unwillingness to accept that a few highly refined, beautifully executed, and relevant features is as good (or better) than a myriad of gimmicky features.

Smartphones are Mature

The smartphone market has flourished, and parts of it are still growing fast. Case and point, performance:

However, the point remains that the market is maturing, and deltas between product generations aren't what they were the first few years. (At least not the ones that get tech bloggers' underpants all wadded up.) Every year I hear that the updates weren't enough, yet every year the sales are higher, the reviews are better, and the iPhone is the benchmark of the entire industry.

Features that Matter

Samsung has made a name for itself by releasing a wide variety of phones, many of which contain a set of features that span the entire usefulness spectrum, albeit heavily weighted toward the bottom end. This approach gives tech bloggers more to talk about, maybe that's the appeal.

Apple's approach is, always has been, and hopefully always will be, to add features that have been incredibly well thought out, expertly designed, highly refined, and very well implemented. As Jony Ive said in the promo video today:

"We believe technology is at its best and most empowering when it simply disappears." 

This is Apple's approach; it is so evident in everything they do. It has worked well for them in the past, and there is no sign of there being a change in that trend.

Closing Thoughts

I don't know if people are really disappointed, or if they just want the clicks. Either way I don't consider the perspective to be all that well thought out. This doesn't mean you have to love or want an iPhone, it doesn't even mean you need to like the iPhone (or Apple). It just means that we're all getting tired of folks hitting send on the "I'm disappointed with the new iPhone" message that they had composed and ready to send an hour before the announcement.