Report: Apple to Launch a Less Expensive iPhone
The Wall Street Journal is (once again) reporting that Apple may launch a cheaper iPhone.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that, according to their inside sources, Apple is working on a cheaper version of the iPhone. There's no reason for excitement just yet, as Gizmodo points out, this is the second time that WSJ is reporting this rumor. The first time the rumor came around was in February 2011, when the Journal detailed the N97—a phone built out of polycarbonate plastic that was supposed to be half the size and cost of the iPhone 4.
This time, the rumor's not much different: "While Apple has explored such a device for years," wrote the Journal. "The plan is progressing and a less expensive version of its flagship device could launch later this year…"
The journal points to myriad ways that Apple could cut costs on this cheaper alternative, including the use of polycarbonate plastic (as mentioned in the previous rumor) or by recycling parts from older models.
With rising competition from Android phones—which offer much cheaper alternatives than the iPhone, no less—it makes sense that Apple needs a cheaper alternative. However, Gizmodo raises the very valid point that Apple's older models, which are still readily available and aren't a bad alternative, can be considered the cheaper iPhone 5.
Still, Apple launched the iPad mini to compete with the 7-inch tablet market, so it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility that it may offer a more affordable version of the iPhone to wage war with Android.
But those who bash another company - are simply fanboys/girls of their current phone brand.
I am using an iphone 4S right now as my main, its quick, has a smooth interface, does what I need it to do. I don't load things on it so its still got 11GB free of its 16, I don't take thousands of pictures, videos, I don't download thousands of apps, I don't need any of that.
I just need it to text, make calls, check email, and occasionally provide me with entertainment while I wait.
My next phone will probably be a Galaxy S4, why? Because I want to try something new. I've tried previous Android devices and the interface is far from being smooth. You can have all the hardware in the world but if the interface is shit, or slow, unresponsive, or "locks up" then i'm not going to enjoy the phone. The Galaxy S3 is a nice one, hence why i'm going to grab the S4 when it is released.
Till then, According to children and neckbeared overweight individuals that think they are highly educated from their google degree and slight knowledge in computers - I am an "iSheep".
As for this article? Stupid. They will make it with crap hardware then release another version with "upgraded hardware, faster!" 6 months down the road and up the price and people will buy.
It's why I'm not personally investing too much into the validity of the article. However, WSJ seems quite keen on it happening. And with Apple sacrificing the quality of their product to make an iPad mini, I'm not so sure that Apple won't be willing to do the same with the iPhone.
But yeah, you can get an iPhone 4 for free if you just sign a contract. Leaps and years ahead as a phone for the free alternatives I got.
- Catherine Cai
That, or this is literally an iPhone mini, so they can go after the emerging 7-13 year old market for smartphones with a device that has a 2.5" screen and will fit comfortably in the front pocket of a pair of junior overalls.
"less expensive iphone" hah. Steve Jobs just died a little (more) when that got printed.
I think the new leader of Apple had this thought in the back of my head " When is Steve gonna pass so I get to do what I want to do?" Ever since he passed, the company has made some strannnngeee choices
I don't know, maybe you should go on your Facebook for a Jak Islam.
Unless you meant Zak Islam and here is still posting the biggest spin jobs since Fox News about Apple.
That's right! Contract is the stupidity invented in the US and it mainly stays there. The rest of the world buys phones off-contract. That means, unlocked versions. That means, $500-800 for a high end iPhone or Galaxy. And I've read in multiple articles on various sites (previous TH article about smaller iPhone included) that this is exactly what the new cheaper iPhone will be aimed at - developing countries with customers who can't afford to pay $500+ but whine day and night how much they love Apple and how they'd like to own something from them.
Jobs wasn't trying to find the trail in the woods, he was just walking through the woods; Cook on the other hand...If you think you're lost, chances are, you are.
Last I heard, Jobs already thought of 3 generations of iPhones in advanced before he passed away.
if the plans you attache these phones to was cheaper i would understand, but if you buy the 800$ phone outright, you pay the same as someone who gets the same phone at a subsidized price.
i can buy it, it costs less for at&t and they stick it on a very high cost plan, that is sadly normal in america... it could happen just because of greed
Yeah, and the iphone mini rumour has been flying around lately...Apple's basically hit the wall of reality...that it'll have to compete.
I mean, seriously, if i had to pick between an iPhone 5 and the Lumia 920 today i'd take the Lumia. What advantage does the iphone have over the 920 except the vast and mostly useless (to me) app ecosystem (once you subtract the common apps)?
I can only think of the SoC, specifically the GPU. But that would matter to someone who buys a phone mainly to play games.