Do you remember a time when there used to be so much hype and excitement for Apple's iPhone launch events? Even people who weren't Apple fans or used iPhones tuned in to see just how the company had improved its highly popular phones. It goes without saying that the iPhone is one of the world's most popular smartphone lineups.
It has been the case for over a decade now. People across the globe, particularly in North America, swear by their iPhones. Apple has done a good job of growing the ecosystem around its flagship device to make it next to impossible for users to even entertain the idea of switching.
Over the years, Apple has introduced some incredible improvements at its iPhone launch events. From the camera technology advancements to its accomplishments in software. It used to be a joy to watch these events, even as someone who hasn't been in the iPhone camp ever.
However, in recent years, the iPhone events have lost their charm in my view. It's already widely documented that Apple isn't really focusing on making major hardware changes to the iPhone. Multiple generations of iPhones now look almost similar to the point where it feels like Apple doesn't even both about making design changes any more.
Much of what it has been introducing is incremental and evolutionary. It's been a while since we've seen something truly revolutionary related to its phones being unveiled at Apple's iPhone events. Consider the gist of the iPhone 15 unveiled this week. You get a shift from the lightning port to USB-C, a decision that Apple has basically been forced into by the EU. The biggest hardware change it has made is apparently a ripoff of Samsung's Bixby button. Even the attempt at copying the zoom capabilities of Samsung's phones has fallen short.
This is probably the second year where I haven't even bothered to watch the iPhone event. Many tech fans like me have done the same, since it's no longer exciting stuff. It's an hour long snoozefest of minor changes being amplified through the company's infamous reality distortion field, something that even its more ardent fans now see through.
You can't help but compare what happens here with Samsung's Unpacked events. Samsung has upped its game significantly over the past few years, particularly since it launched the foldable phones. With every new iteration, there's an excitement about the technological advancement and engineering prowess on display. Samsung has just knocked it out of the park with this as within just a few generations, we've gone from a finnicky first-gen foldable to water resistant, slim and sleek foldables that can take a beating and last you a long time.
This year, Samsung has taken a new approach to make its Unpacked events more exciting. The company is now going to conduct its Unpacked events in a new city every year. The venue will align with the values that Samsung holds dear. The first such Unpacked was held in July for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 in the company's home city of South Korea.
That's another way for Samsung to make its major product launch events exciting. It's taking the excitement beyond the device, connecting with people across the globe at a deeper level, thus making sure that its events aren't just glorified press conferences.
Even with all of the leaks that dent the excitement, at least you know that there's going to be something exciting to see. It won't just be an event where some presenters go through the motions of hyping up minor changes.
Perhaps that would change once Apple gets serious about making major hardware changes with every iteration again, even more so when it finally decides to launch that foldable iPhone, but until then these events aren't likely going to be much more than snoozefests.
