It wasn't meant to be taken too seriously and my opinion isn't based solely on the outcome of that survey but a number of other factors, including internal chats with colleagues via Skype, plus feedback from game developers that has been given for another feature we're working on.
Two French networks have already come out, possibly getting into trouble with Apple in due course, saying that pre-orders for the 5c have been terrible. One said it was the worst Apple launch ever.
In the UK, all the operators were only allowed to promote the 5c on the home page and take pre-orders for that, which has had at least one moaning that most people were contacting them to say they wanted the 5s and why couldn't they order in advance?
Now, you might argue that the 5c is aimed at an audience that wouldn't pre-order anything anyway (but if so, why put this all over the network sites and the Apple website?). People will just see the phone in due course when going into a phone store, or the Apple store, and go 'that's nice' and buy one.
The problem is, the 5c isn't a cheap phone. And it looks cheap, which goes against the brand that Apple tries to protect and portray. You'll come over as the person who couldn't afford the 5s to your peers. You won't be seeing any in and around Shoreditch/Silicon roundabout anytime soon!
Don't get me wrong, the 5c looks like a sound device. A colleague got one and is reviewing it for our site at the moment, and I fully expect the outcome to be positive - but I just have a feeling it won't be selling in the numbers that Apple hoped until the price comes down.. and that puts Apple in a position it doesn't want to be in - a provider of a 'cheap' product.
Apple now has a small marketshare, but enjoys something every other manufacturer would kill for - amazing profit margins. And Apple isn't going to give that up in a hurry!
hock:
