On September 22nd, Apple officially launched the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, with both online and offline stores opening for sales simultaneously. However, this time around, the excitement wasn’t as intense as in previous years. Consumers seemed to have cooled off a bit, and there were no long queues outside Apple stores or massive online traffic. The stock at physical stores and e-commerce platforms was more than sufficient, and the usual rush of fans lining up was nowhere to be seen.
Many people are reportedly holding out for the upcoming iPhone X, which has been generating a lot of buzz. After the Apple event, numerous netizens expressed that with the iPhone X on the horizon, why would anyone buy an iPhone 8? This sentiment is likely contributing to the lower demand for the newer models.
At the Beijing Wangfujing Apple Store, one of the first locations to open, the staff had prepared a grand welcome. But instead of a crowd, only four people were waiting at the entrance. There were no long lines, no chaos—just a quiet start to the day. Eventually, Apple staff even removed the barriers that had been set up for potential customers.
The situation wasn’t just limited to physical stores. Online platforms and Apple’s official website also saw surprisingly low sales. According to reports from users, many chose to cancel their iPhone 8 orders, leading to a surplus of units in SF Express warehouses across the country. In some cases, prices at offline dealers dropped below the official retail price, which is unusual for Apple products.
Some resellers who had planned to profit from the initial launch ended up facing losses, marking the first time in iPhone history that the product “broke†financially. This outcome has raised questions about the market's reception of the new models.
Apple’s stock was also affected by the weak sales performance. Last week, its share price fell nearly 5%, causing a loss of over $43 billion in market value—equivalent to the entire value of eBay. Despite this, CEO Tim Cook visited an Apple Store to check the sales firsthand. When asked about the performance, he still said, “We are really satisfied with today’s sales.â€
Another point of concern came from social media, where users shared that the cost of repairing an iPhone 8 or 8P screen was extremely high—$2,888 and $3,288 respectively. Many users joked that the repair costs alone could buy a domestic smartphone. Some even suggested that Apple devices are more like art pieces than practical tools, and they recommend buying them only when necessary.
So, the big question remains: Is the iPhone 8 worth buying? What do you think caused its lack of popularity? If you're considering purchasing the iPhone 8 or 8 Plus, there are some reviews and guides available that might help you make a decision. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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