It's not just about performance any more, smartphones are reaching peak luxury lifestyle.
A few years ago, we all thought flagship smartphones were about as premium they could get. They had beautiful displays, powerful processors, and great cameras. There couldn't be anything else we'd want from a phone. Apparently, we were wrong. Apple, Samsung, and now Huawei, have proven there’s a tier beyond flagship. Now, there’s regular flagship for mere mortals - the Galaxy S9, the iPhone XR, the Mate 20 - and another, more premium tier – the Note9, iPhone XS Max, and Mate 20 Pro - for power-users, enthusiasts and, to put it quite simply, those with more money.
Welcome to the age of the ultra-premium flagship phone.
HOW DID WE GET TO THE POINT WHERE A PHONE COSTS NEARLY $2,500?
Apple may just be the king of the ultra-premium flagships with this year’s iPhone XS Max 512GB model costing a whopping $2,349. In 2016, Apple’s most expensive phone, the iPhone 7 Plus 256GB, only cost $1,588. That’s a 48% increase in price in just two years. But just how did we get here?
Samsung was actually the first brand to explore the potential of an ultra-premium phone with its Galaxy Note line. Launched in 2011, the Note stood out thanks to its large screen and bundled S Pen stylus, promising to be a powerhouse of productivity. It was marketed as a mobile office on the go, and the first Note phone sold for $998, making it one of the most expensive smartphones available at the time. Fast-forward to 2018, the Note9 512GB model has an SRP of $1,728, which is a 73% price jump.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Should I Buy Cyberinsurance?
Personal cyberinsurance covers a range of cybercrimes such as cyber extortion, cyberbullying, online fraud, and data loss.
Quick Tips: Five Things To Do If You Get Hacked
It might seem like an obvious choice at first, but many people often resort to panic-clicking device options, rebooting, Googling for solutions, calling tech support (or that tech-savvy friend) for help, all while leaving the compromised device connected.
CLASH OF THE EXECUTIVE SALOONS: BMW 5201 VS MERCEDES-BENZ E200
The BMW 5 series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are motoring institutions.
SENNHEISER TULLAMORE FACTORY TOUR: HOW THE WORLD'S BEST HEADPHONES ARE MADE IN IRELAND
It’s a relatively common practice for brands to have separate facilities for parts manufacturing and product assembly, whether it’s for cost or other reasons.
Tech Awards 2024 Readers' Choice
BEST OF PERSONAL COMPUTING
Good For Nothing
After a rocky start with the Nothing Phone (1), the company turned things around by releasing the incredible Nothing Phone (2).
A For Affordable AI
The Google Pixel 8a has arrived, offering many features from its flagship siblings at a more affordable price. It maintains a sleek, compact design, making it easy to handle with one hand.
Mercedes Benz EQS SUV
Mercedes-Benz's adoption of electricity has been impressively rapid.
5 Steps To Secure Your Home With A Mesh Network
Firewalls filter data in network traffic to protect the network from a wide variety of malicious attacks and malware.
The Best Hair Straightener
When I first saw the Dyson Airstrait straightener, my immediate feelings were one of cautious optimism.
