ASSIGNMENT : Product Lifecycle

Please read and respond to the questions being asked below.

When I think of a branded product I think Apple and their Iphones. Every 6 months or a year they come out with the latest version and it is interesting how every year the majority of the people get the new phone. I find it very interesting that Apple can just do little upgrades every 6 months then a bigger one later and people will switch their phones after a few months. This is a very interesting life cycle for a product because other companies like Sony who does Playstation will not release anything for many years and they still sell well. I think is shows how popular the Iphone is and how people want the latest thing. It is also interesting that every year the phone price goes way up, I remember when the Iphone was only 200 dollars now it is upwards of 1000 dollars and more. The phone itself is still the same but it is a little faster and it is a lot bigger than when it first came out years ago.

Dr. Luis De La Cruz
Hi Arlene and Class,

Thank you for sharing your perceived observations about what a product life cycle stage is. The statement, I find it very interesting that Apple can just do little upgrades every 6 months then a bigger one later and people will switch their phones after a few months, begs a question: what product life cycle stage are you acknowledging here: It is upgrading at a growth stage or at a maturity stage. What market changes drive such gradual product improvements?

These questions reflect a substantive focus of this week discussion question. So, what say you?

SAMPLE SOLUTION

Apple’s iPhone is at the maturity stage of the product life cycle. The product’s total industry sales and revenues are slowing over time. Although the product is still becoming very popular among consumers, the company undertakes incremental innovations to improve certain functionalities of the iPhone. As a result, the iPhone is experiencing upgrading at the maturity stage. This incremental upgrade is the reason behind the products’ high number of re-purchasers implying that its loyal customers are consistently buying the product without switching brands.
There are two major market changes that drive the gradual product improvements that the iPhone is undergoing. They are market competition and changing consumer tastes and preferences. Increasing competition in the smartphone market is the major reason behind iPhone’s incremental innovation. These gradual improvements…