Hong Kong’s iPhone grey market cashes in on the 6s
Whenever a new iPhone launches in Hong Kong, local folks would seize the opportunity to make a quick profit from the grey market. They would get their brand new phones from either Apple or local carriers, and then sell them off to specialists who would later offer bulk orders to mainland Chinese buyers. The quicker they act, the more cash they get. The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are no exception. This morning, I was the first customer to pick up my 128GB rose gold 6s Plus from a carrier store (the shop assistants even took a photo to mark the occasion), but I quickly sold it for HK$10,000 or about US$1,290 at the Sincere Podium mobile phone mall just around the corner. That’s roughly a US$250 profit based on the device’s local price, which isn’t bad at all.
In general, such iPhone opportunists prefer getting their devices directly from Apple, as they can then walk out of the Apple stores with the packaging still shrink-wrapped. On the contrary, getting an iPhone from carriers would require in-store activation, which would give grey market specialists an excuse to lower their offer; not to mention that you’d also have to buy a cellular plan to go with the device. Had I been able to up my 6s Plus from Apple instead, I would have gotten an extra US$65 for the intact shrink-wrap. I did try placing an order on Apple’s website two weeks ago, but as usual, it was near impossible to load due to heavy traffic. Clearly, many want in on the easy money.
Inside the shop that bought my brand new iPhone 6s Plus.
Hong Kong’s active iPhone grey market is largely fueled by the fact that mainland China imposes an import tax on foreign consumer goods, whereas Hong Kong doesn’t. In the case of the iPhone, China’s prices cost about 15 to 17 percent more than their Hong Kong counterparts, which is why smugglers do their best to dodge the so-called “Apple tax” at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen border. Of course, some eventually get caught because of their hilariously poor attempts. The more professional smugglers hide their goods inside vans, trucks and even boats, but even they get caught once in a while.
On launch day, the iPhone grey market trade-in prices may fluctuate by the minute, depending on the demand from mainland China and the number of units already received. Those specialists would use WeChat or make quick phone calls to check with whoever is in charge of their operation. After a quick observation in Mongkok and around the Apple Store in Kowloon Tong this morning, it’s clear that the new rose gold color is definitely a hit, though the trade-in prices are still much lower than what the iPhone 6 saw at launch last year.
Business is good for this street vendor in Mongkok.
According to ePrice, the first round of iPhone 6 Plus managed to rake in a profit of between a whopping US$1,110 to US$1,290 per unit in the grey market, which is a stark contrast to the measly US$250 I made with the 6s Plus today. The smaller 6s took a hit as well, making just US$90 instead of US$340 with the iPhone 6 last year; and that’s if you were even lucky enough to sell yours before the specialists stopped accepting the 6s. In Mongkok, crowds formed around some of the street vendors, mostly because they were waiting for the specialists to start accepting the 6s or the 16GB 6s Plus again.
The lower demand this time round comes as no surprise. Unlike last year, this time both Hong Kong and mainland China are on the list of first wave launch markets. And judging by the availability status on the earlier pre-order pages, Apple has allocated plenty of stock to mainland China, so it’s just a matter of whether the folks over there mind paying the slight premium. If it was Apple’s intention to cull the iPhone grey market, then it’s safe to say that it won this round.
iPhone 6s teardown confirms smaller battery, heftier display
The launch of a new iPhone means the iFixit team also has something new to take apart. This year, the team’s teardown efforts have confirmed that the iPhone 6s sports a 1715 mAh battery that’s comparably smaller to the previous generation’s (1810 mAh). As we mentioned in the past, it’s most likely to make sure that the phone isn’t that much bulkier than its predecessor despite the addition of a Taptic engine (the silver component below the battery above) and a heftier display. The whole display assembly is apparently thicker than before and is 15 grams heavier at 60 grams, due to the extra capacitive sensors that enable 3D Touch. iFixit has also taken a closer look at the device’s other components, including its more pixel-rich cameras and two microphones, giving it a decent repairability score of 7 out of 10. By the way, if you’re wondering, the rose gold iPhone comes with screws colored to match.
Source: iFixit
iPhone 6s Teardown: 1715 mAh Battery, Taptic Engine X-Ray, 3D Touch Display
iFixit is in the process of taking apart the brand new iPhone 6s. While the internals aren’t arranged too differently from the iPhone 6, there are some major visual differences worth noting. These include the new Taptic Engine, a smaller battery and the 3D Touch display.
The most instantly recognizable difference is the smaller battery. While Apple’s 3D Touch video previously confirmed that the iPhone 6s would carry a 1715 mAh batter, which is smaller than the iPhone 6’s 1810 mAh battery, iFixit’s teardown provides further confirmation.
Another major visual difference comes in the presence of the new Taptic Engine, which takes up a large amount of space below the battery and is likely to account for the smaller size of the iPhone 6s’ battery. iFixit blasted the Taptic Engine with x-rays, providing a peek into the oscillating mechanism under the aluminum shell.
The new 3D Touch display weighs 60 grams, making it 15 grams heavier than the iPhone 6’s display. Much of the weight comes from the additional capacitive sensors Apple installed into the display backlight. Additional changes to the display include a reduction in cables and a slightly different LCD plate design. Other than that, iFixit notes the 3D Touch display and previous displays “seem pretty similar”.
iFixit’s iPhone 6s teardown is ongoing and this post will be updated if significant discoveries are made.
Adobe Unveils Photoshop and Premiere Elements 14 for Mac
Adobe today released new versions of Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, its lower-cost photo and video editing software aimed at consumers. In this year’s update, both Photoshop Elements 14 and Premiere Elements 14 have gained several new features and refinements to existing tools, making it easier than ever to use Adobe’s software for improving photos and videos.
Photoshop Elements 14, Adobe’s image editing software, has gained tools for removing camera shake and for removing haze. Adobe first introduced haze removing tools with its 2015 Creative Cloud update, and has now brought that capability to Photoshop Elements 14. While the haze removal tool is useful for improving the look of outdoor shots, it can also be used to clean up old photos and improve the lighting in backlit shots.
Adobe’s shake removing tool introduces auto shake reduction. It’s able to analyze a photo and fix it to remove blur caused by camera movement, with tools for fine tuning the final look of the image.
In addition to these two new tools, Adobe has also included new capabilities for several existing features. Guided Edits, the built-in tutorial tool in Photoshop Elements has been updated with new options that walk customers through adding motion blur and resizing photos to specific frame sizes. Guided Edits also include new before and after effects to make it clearer what each one does.
There are enhanced auto correct tools that provide five correction options after subject, color, composition, and lighting for each image have been analyzed, and there are much improved tools for selecting fine details in like hair and pet fur in a photo.
Facial recognition capabilities have been improved and faces are now recognized faster and more accurately, and there’s a map that shows where photos with GPS included were taken.
Premiere Elements 14, Adobe’s video editing software, now includes support for importing and editing 4K video from a range of different cameras, which is this year’s biggest addition. As with Photoshop Elements 14, Premiere Elements 14 has gained improved Guided Edits for adding dramatic effects to videos.
Audio enhancement tools have been moved front and center in the app, making them more accessible, and motion titles have also been improved. It’s easier to manage video clips with improved organizational tools and better facial recognition to sort by people, place, and event, and both photos and videos with GPS information embedded will be displayed on a map.
Both Photoshop Elements 14 and Premiere Elements 14 for Mac and Windows can be purchased from Adobe’s website for $99.99 each. Bundles are available for $149.99, and existing users can upgrade for $79.99 for one product for $119 for the bundle.
4K Video from iPhone 6S Plus Shows Striking Advantage of Optical Image Stabilization
Last year, the iPhone 6 Plus had one camera feature the iPhone 6 did not: optical image stabilization, which automatically adjusts the camera sensor to make up for any shakiness the camera may endure. With the iPhone 6s Plus, Apple has added optical image stabilization for video as well as still images. Tonight, Giga Tech has uploaded a new video that shows off the 6s Plus’ optical image stabilization versus the iPhone 6s.
While the iPhone 6s doesn’t have optical image stabilization, it does have digital image stabilization, which is the camera’s software accounting for any shakiness. Giga Tech notes that digital image stabilization works well when the iPhone 6s is shooting in Full HD 1920×1080, but that it’s not as effective when shooting in 4K.
The video, which takes place in an old, abandoned airplane, offers a striking comparison of the two device’s video capabilities. While the iPhone 6s footage looks fine on its own, the contrast to the smoother iPhone 6s Plus footage makes its shakiness seem more pronounced.
iPhone 6s Plus Subjected to Bend Test in New Video
Last year, iPhone 6 Plus users began noticing that their phones were bent after carrying the devices in their pockets for a few days. The issue, known as “BendGate”, became widespread after a video test revealed that it didn’t take much pressure for the 6 Plus to bend near the volume buttons. Apple strengthened the weaker points of the 6s Plus and added a new, stronger 7000 series aluminum to the device. Today, YouTube channel FoneFox subjected the iPhone 6s Plus to a bend test to see if Apple’s improvements help.
In the video, the phone is given the same bend test it was given a year ago. FoneFox’s Christian simply wraps his hands around the device and attempts to bend it in the middle. While the phone starts to bend under more and more pressure it snaps back to its normal shape once the test is over. Christian notes that he can feel his thumb sink into the back of the device, but that the phone doesn’t stay bent.
FoneFox then adds a second person to the test, getting each person to pull one side of the phone. In this situation, the iPhone 6s Plus does bend. However, FoneFox notes that the pressure exerted with two people is unlikely to occur in situations where the phone is in a user’s pocket.
For comparison, the iPhone 6 Plus bent in just a couple seconds in the original bend test video, available to watch below.
Netflix for iOS Updated With Support for In-App Subscriptions
Netflix today announced that it’s adding the ability for users to subscribe to the video streaming service within its iPhone and iPad apps. The announcement was made in a new ad featuring two characters from Netflix show Orange is the New Black who discover and talk to Siri.
Like Hulu, Netflix is opting to not raise its subscription price for in-app subscribers to make up for the App Store’s 30/70 revenue split, with Apple getting 30 percent and developers getting 70. Other streaming services, like Spotify, pass the loss onto subscribers, raising the price for their service within the app.
However, it was reported in June that Apple was considering changing the 30/70 revenue split to benefit streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Instead, Apple would discuss new commercial terms with media companies. On Apple TV, Apple is offering a more generous revenue split, with the Cupertino company taking 15 percent of revenue generated from HBO Now and other Apple TV apps.
Netflix is a universal app that’s available in the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
iPhone 6s: Early Unboxing, Drop Test and Teardown
It’s September 25 in Australia, which means the first customers who pre-ordered the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are now beginning to receive their shipments or are getting home from purchasing one at an Apple Store. Australians and those who went to Australia to receive their phones have now taken to YouTube to show off the device in unboxing videos, drop tests and more.
YouTube user Lachlan Likes A Thing unboxes a Rose Gold iPhone 6. The video was a part of Lachlan’s live stream of iPhone 6s coverage, and features him answering questions from his viewers. He also shows off the standard in-box iPhone accessories, which include the EarPods, wall charger and Lightning cable. Lachlan also unboxes a pink iPhone 6s silicone case, showing off what the phone looks like in the case.
YouTube channel TechSmartt got their hands on both the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus and subjected them to drop tests on a marble floor. The drop tests occur at three levels: from pocket height, from around 6 feet and from around 10 feet. Both phones hold up well, with host Keaton Keller noting the new 7000 series aluminum only suffered minor scratches. However, the iPhone 6s had its display shatter when it landed display down. The iPhone 6s Plus, which also fell on its display, did not shatter.
Franz Pirkl, another YouTube user, unboxed his Space Gray iPhone 6s and then proceeded to do a video teardown of the device. While the video doesn’t provide in-depth explanation of the insides of the new device, it does provide a look inside the device as well as individual parts like the new Taptic Engine.
Pebble Announces New ‘Pebble Time Round’ Smart Watch
Pebble today updated its smart watch lineup with its first-ever smart watch that includes a round face, the Pebble Time Round. The new watch is an iteration of its existing Pebble Time device, which first debuted on Kickstarter earlier this year.
Pebble says its new round smart watch is the “thinnest and lightest smart watch in the world,” measuring in at 7.5mm thick and weighing 28 grams. Comparatively, the Apple Watch is 10.5mm thick with weights between 25 grams (38mm Apple Watch Sport) and 69 grams (Gold Edition Apple Watch).
The Pebble Time Round is available in Black, Silver, and for the first time, Rose Gold, with band sizes of 20mm or 14mm. Pebble plans to sell several quick-change leather bands for the watch, with metal band options to come later in 2015.
While the Pebble Time’s battery lasted for seven days and the Pebble Time Steel had a 10 day battery life, the small size of the Pebble Time Round means more frequent charging is required. Battery life is around two days, but there is a quick-charge battery option that gives a day of power in 15 minutes.
Like all of the Pebble watches, the Pebble Time Round includes an e-paper screen, but it does not offer full water resistance, with Pebble instead stating that it’s able to withstand splashes.
Customers who ordered a Pebble Time Steel have an option to purchase a Pebble Time Round at a $50 discount. Customers can keep both watches or use the Pebble Time Round on a trial basis, returning one of the two watches at the end of 30 days for a full refund.
The Pebble Time Round can be pre-ordered from Pebble.com beginning today for $249. It will ship out in the United States in early November, expanding to the UK later in 2015 and other EU retailers in early 2016.
Verizon Announces Yearly Upgrade Program for iPhone Users
In response to low-cost yearly upgrade programs from T-Mobile and Sprint, Verizon this afternoon announced a new program that will let iPhone customers upgrade to a new iPhone each year provided half of the device cost has been paid and the old device is traded in.
News of Verizon’s program was shared by Re/code, and the site says Verizon’s program will be available to all Verizon customers who purchase an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus and pay for their phone in installments. This includes customers who have already pre-ordered their devices.
According to Verizon, its new plan is superior to those offered by competitors because there is an option to pay off the phone over 24 months or pay half and trade it in each year.
“If you’re not interested in upgrading, you still have the option to pay your phone off in 24 low monthly payments,” Verizon said in a statement. “That’s a better option than those “lease plans” offered by other companies, which can include surprise balloon payments just 18 months into your agreement, or ask you to turn over your phone without getting anything for it.”
Earlier this week, T-Mobile introduced a JUMP! On Demand promotion that offers the iPhone 6s for as little as $5 per month with a qualifying smartphone trade in. Under the JUMP! On Demand program, customers can upgrade to a new phone as many as three times a year with device trade-ins.
Following the announcement of T-Mobile’s promotional pricing, Sprint this morning announced limited time lower prices for its iPhone Forever program, letting customers get an iPhone 6s for as little as $1 per month with the trade-in of an iPhone 6.
With both programs, pricing varies based on iPhone 6s and 6s Plus capacity and the smartphone being traded in.
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