Testing agency certifying new 4GB, 32GB iPhones?

[AppleInsider]

A standards body greenlighting cellphones for carriers has supposedly approved four new iPhone models, including a new 32GB model as well as an unusual 4GB version. A Canadian rumor is now said to be showing the smaller-capacity device.

The PCS Type Review Certification Board was said on Monday to have approved new 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB versions of Apple's handsets for use with AT&T.

While most have expected a 32GB model due to advances in technology, Engadget's "trusted" source for the purported leak notes that the range of storage levels is unusually wide for Apple, which until now has never had more than two capacities on sale at a time. It sold 4GB iPhones for just three months, dropping the lowest capacity in September 2007.

The company also has a history of always upgrading the feature set of its devices with each new introduction rather than it scaling back for the sake of a new model, further casting doubt on the apparent update.

Unless the claimed certification is referring to both old and new models, however, the approval would support notions that Apple is moving capacity both upwards and downwards to catch the largest audience possible. Analysts have called for lower-priced iPhones but have until now had little to no corroborating information other than a desire for their existence as part of a market share grab.

The news comes as a purported insider at Canadian provider Fido has leaked a roadmap slide that claims Apple is introducing a 4GB iPhone. It would cost $99 on a plan, according to Boy Genius Report, but would still have the same 3G and 2-megapixel camera. No mention is made of GPS or Wi-Fi, however. The device is listed as supporting "video calling" through an iChat app and is highly suspected of being a fake.

Supposed roadmap image of a 4G iPhone destined for Fido. | Image credits: Boy Genius Report.

AT&T for its part has focused less on the price of individual phones and more on the possibility of cheaper capped data plans that shed unlimited access for a lower, more accessible monthly fee.[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ] (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=11340)

[addabox]

If true, I can't see where an 8GB model could be anything but a $99 phone (it seems reasonable to assume that the current $199 slot will be taken by a 16GB model), which might suggest that a 4GB model (if actually sold in the US) would be free.

That would certainly change the dynamic now, wouldn't it?

[brucep]

If true, I can't see where an 8GB model could be anything but a $99 phone (it seems reasonable to assume that the current $199 slot will be taken by a 16GB model), which might suggest that a 4GB model (if actually sold in the US) would be free.

That would certainly change the dynamic now, wouldn't it?


My head will explode with allL these iphoneus up dates

So if true then the itouch is going to 64g ??


TIC TOC



9

[ThatSoCALguy]

A standards body greenlighting cellphones for carriers has supposedly approved four new iPhone models, including a new 32GB model as well as, unusually, a 4GB version.

The PCS Type Review Certification Board was said on Monday to have approved new 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB versions of Apple's handsets for use with AT&T.

While most have expected a 32GB model due to advances in technology, Engadget's "trusted" source for the purported leak notes that the range of storage levels is unusually wide for Apple, which until now has never had more than two capacities on sale at a time. It sold 4GB iPhones for just three months, dropping the lowest capacity in September 2007.

The company also has a history of always upgrading the feature set of its devices with each new introduction rather than it scaling back for the sake of a new model, further casting doubt on the apparent update.

Unless the claimed certification is referring to both old and new models, however, the approval would support notions that Apple is moving capacity both upwards and downwards to catch the largest audience possible. Analysts have called for lower-priced iPhones but have until now had little to no corroborating information other than a desire for their existence as part of a market share grab.

AT&T for its part has focused less on the price of individual phones and more on the possibility of cheaper capped data plans that shed unlimited access for a lower, more accessible monthly fee.[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ] (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=11340)

Dear AI,


It appears that the 4GB iPhone is true. New evidence is supported by Boy Genius Report's photo taken image of a 4GB iPhone. The rumored $99 iPhone would feature quad-band GSM, tri-band HSDPA and a 2 megapixel camera. Do post this in your updated report of the mysterious 4 models of the new upcoming iPhone. This must point to one of the rumored lower-ended models of the iPhone.
Here's the link:http://www.boygeniusreport.com/

Regards

[lightstriker]

That's too many models. Apple usually keeps it to 2 or 3 models to reduce costumer confusion.

[P L]

4Gb:???::???:If true, probably aimed toward the young. MMS, iChat, Facebook, 2mp Camera etc. "Or China".

[Tac22]

Dear AI,


It appears that the 4GB iPhone is true. New evidence is supported by Boy Genius Report's photo taken image of a 4GB iPhone. The rumored $99 iPhone would feature quad-band GSM, tri-band HSDPA and a 2 megapixel camera. Do post this in your updated report of the mysterious 4 models of the new upcoming iPhone. This must point to one of the rumored lower-ended models of the iPhone.
Here's the link:http://www.boygeniusreport.com/

Regards

not only all that...... but it says video calling....????? look at the pic

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/06/01/fidos-2009-roadmap-leaked/

or here it is
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/wp-content/uploads/fido-leak-16a.jpg

[Tac22]

and take note that image is not actual product... so the chrome bezel still may be black in the next gen

[ThatSoCALguy]

Yes but we are still in the dark regarding full specs and design on the upcoming iPhone. True? False? Only time will tell until Apple officially sheds some light and reveals the "new" iPhone.

[Bageljoey]

That's too many models. Apple usually keeps it to 2 or 3 models to reduce costumer confusion.

They could be for different markets. But I don't know who that standards body is for...

[Cubert]

"The company also has a history of always upgrading the feature set of its devices with each new introduction rather than it scaling back for the sake of a new model."

Ummm....didn't Apple do exactly that when they introduced the iPod mini and the iPod shuffle? Both had less memory than their predecessors.

[MTO]

I hope like hell the iPhone doesn't go cheep! I like it being exclusive I don't want everyone and their brother having the same phone as me. I want them to remain jealous because their to cheep to pay for the jesus phone. Grrr
I hope the 4 gigger is for other countries and get the 32 and 16.
Oh and I am hoping that bezel is a frosted (sand blasted) chrome like every other aluminum product Apple makes. If this would be the case then with the matt back the phone would almost perfectly match my iMac.
From what I can tell from those pictures floating around the chrome logo and all the other stuff is not polished silver like on the current handset.

[andrewmcg]

what if the 4gb device isnt an iphone but a tablet device with a 3G module built right in. then it would need to go through certification just like a phone would. the low capacity makes sense given that such a device wouldnt be primarily used for carrying around copious amounts of music.

the carriers seem to be quite pleased with the netbooks on sale with 3G built in because they can offer the hardware for free up front and then charge a hefty monthly fee. such a tablet device would fit exactly with that sales model.

[macslut]

It makes no sense for Apple to come out with a 4GB iPhone. Very few people would buy it, and the cost savings would be insignificant...I'd bet it would even cost more since there would be costs associated with having the additional model, and lost sales due to people not buying as much media and apps from Apple.

[ZenTigerpaw]

I hope like hell the iPhone doesn't go cheep! I like it being exclusive I don't want everyone and their brother having the same phone as me. I want them to remain jealous because their to cheep to pay for the jesus phone. Grrr

Ok, that's funny. Doesn't everyone and their brother have an iPod these days? This will be no different and, infact, help Apple. :lol:

[Chris_CA]

Notice the "ad" doesn't mention the App store.
I would think the APp store is on of the biggest drivers of the iPhone.
However, since Apple is not getting rich off the apps, so they could make an inexpensive phone and not lose anything from App store sales.

[addabox]

It makes no sense for Apple to come out with a 4GB iPhone. Very few people would buy it, and the cost savings would be insignificant...I'd bet it would even cost more since there would be costs associated with having the additional model, and lost sales due to people not buying as much media and apps from Apple.

Plus, if the linked photo is to be believed, it would have video chat, necessitating an additional front facing camera, while still being specced as having a 2MP main camera.

So, bare bones hardware to hit a price point, but somehow including an all new front facing camera? Can't see it.

[ecking]

The fido thing is probably true, the people at fido are morons, thus the video calling mistake.

[kernkraft]

Three years' contract is just too long. Who wants a commitment that lasts for almost a third of a decade? Also, a 'cheapo' iPhone would be pretty expensive for 99USD on a three year contract. Apple might be playing with us. There is just too much manipulation with these iPhone and next-year netbook-like devices. Or the MB Air, for that matter!

[floccus]

what if the 4gb device isnt an iphone but a tablet device with a 3G module built right in. then it would need to go through certification just like a phone would. the low capacity makes sense given that such a device wouldnt be primarily used for carrying around copious amounts of music.

the carriers seem to be quite pleased with the netbooks on sale with 3G built in because they can offer the hardware for free up front and then charge a hefty monthly fee. such a tablet device would fit exactly with that sales model.

Except that a tablet would more than likely require even more on board memory b/c of the internal space available. Apple doesn't like having expanded memory capability, so to produce a tablet that would logicallyb e priced between a Macbook and the iPhone (before any subsidy) would mean having the storage capacity fall between those ranges as well. What would be the point in having a bigger screen if you can't hold more movies, tv shows, etc than you can already hold on the iPhone?

The only way this should be real is if its going to be a free with contract deal that also features a cheaper data plan to really bring in more customer. Think about it, Apple wants to sell higher margin products. Its ATT that wants more people locked in to 2 year contracts.

[charlituna]

Yes but we are still in the dark regarding full specs and design on the upcoming iPhone. True? False? Only time will tell until Apple officially sheds some light and reveals the "new" iPhone.

yep. this is all just rumor. heck we don't KNOW there is going to be new phone hardware at this point. it seems likely but it ain't fact until Apple tells us what's up.

i for one hope the data plan thing is true. I'd love to pay a bit less for a 'capped' plan and then turn off the freaking 3g (my roommate gets lousy 3g in our neighbor and just switched to edge with his blackberry) and use wifi for my data thanks to our apartment net and like 30 copy shops and coffeehouses around us (and around work)

[MacTripper]

Apple is just covering it's bases with all these models.

Jobs are still declining and people might well only be able to buy the 4GB model with stripped features and lower monthly fees.

Of course the smart people will buy the model with the most memory, this way they avoid the problem of having to need more space later, thus being able to keep their iPhone longer.

IMMO Apple is going to decide based upon what people are buying and switch gears a few weeks/months after release.

I'm excited about this iPhone, Apple has decided what people want and put those features it into this version.

[Bageljoey]

It makes no sense for Apple to come out with a 4GB iPhone. Very few people would buy it, and the cost savings would be insignificant...I'd bet it would even cost more since there would be costs associated with having the additional model, and lost sales due to people not buying as much media and apps from Apple.

Well, there can be a benefit to having a scaled down, cheap phone that no one wants. The adds can say "Get an amazing iPhone for only $49 (with contract)" and it could bring in to the stores folks who want a iPhone, but can't see paying more up front. Then when they get in the store: "well, that is a good phone, but for just XXX$ more you can have more memory and a faster processor and..." Cha ching--you sold a 200$ iPhone (with contract) to someone who never would have entered the store to spend that kind of money...

That has not been Apple's game in the past, but an argument can be made that it would work well in the cell phone arena...

[solipsism]

If true, I can't see where an 8GB model could be anything but a $99 phone (it seems reasonable to assume that the current $199 slot will be taken by a 16GB model), which might suggest that a 4GB model (if actually sold in the US) would be free.

That would certainly change the dynamic now, wouldn't it?
The 4GB extra NAND doesn’t cost anywhere $99, so unless Apple also reduces other components I can’t see that option if the 8GB is $99 and identical in every other sense.


4Gb:???::???:If true, probably aimed toward the young. MMS, iChat, Facebook, 2mp Camera etc. "Or China".
The China variable may not be relevant to this post as it relates to a standards body in the US, perhaps one of the radio testing companies that works in conjunction with the FCC. Perhaps they’d test it in the US and then again in China, but I’m thinking that would not be likely unless the 4GB model is also planned for the US market.


and take note that image is not actual product... so the chrome bezel still may be black in the next gen
I’d figure that the chrome bordered models would be the higher-end versions and the chrome-less models would be the lower-end. This is my guess based on the less attractive mock ups I’ve seen without the chrome, but what do I know, I think the Zune HD looks nice. :D


Ummm....didn't Apple do exactly that when they introduced the iPod mini and the iPod shuffle? Both had less memory than their predecessors.
Those other devices were completely different classes of PMPs geared toward different types of customers, not just customers wanting to spend less.

[al_bundy]

Apple better not price the 32gb at $399. Or they will open themselves up for another whippin like they got in the 1990's.

If the 32gb is more than $299 come next week I'm going to buy a return 16gb 3g and wait until microsoft or palm comes out with something.

New xbox features announced today are nice

[al_bundy]

It makes no sense for Apple to come out with a 4GB iPhone. Very few people would buy it, and the cost savings would be insignificant...I'd bet it would even cost more since there would be costs associated with having the additional model, and lost sales due to people not buying as much media and apps from Apple.


Just for the apps
I bought a 16gb for my wife and it's too much for her. And most music can be had streamed over the Internet

[solipsism]

Apple better not price the 32gb at $399. Or they will open themselves up for another whippin like they got in the 1990's.

If the 32gb is more than $299 come next week I'm going to buy a return 16gb 3g and wait until microsoft or palm comes out with something.

You may be disappointed. Using the iPod Touch prices released last September, the 8GB is $229, 16GB is $299 and the 32GB is $399. I don’t know how much NAND has come down since last year and we can assume that the next iPhone will have a better camera, faster CPU, and more RAM.

It would be nice if the 32GB iPhone matched the current 16GB iPhone price, but I don’t think that the price of 16GB NAND last year equals the price of 32GB NAND this year. And if the AT&T’s lowers their bottom-tier required pricing plan it may mean that the initial cost of the HW for the higher-end models will go up, which could be a reason why Apple is also releasing more models.

[al_bundy]

this is tech, every year you're supposed to get more for same price or less money

flash came down in price, a lot. check newegg for usb flash drive prices

and the touch isn't paid for over 2 years like the Jesus Phone

[solipsism]

this is tech, every year you're supposed to get more for same price or less money

flash came down in price, a lot. check newegg for usb flash drive prices

and the touch isn't paid for over 2 years like the Jesus Phone

1) Tech getting cheaper does not mean that it will necessarily double speed/capacity every year at that same price point.

2) You have to consider the other HW changes potentially arriving in the device, not just the capacity. (eg: ARMv7 Cortex-A8, double RAM, higher category HSDPA, HSUPA inclusion, higher Mpx camera, better CMOS, higher resolution display, denser battery, magnetometer, sonic screwdriver)

3) The iPhone is paid for every month to Apple, it’s AT&T that is making their initial subsidization loss back every month for two years. Hence my comment regarding initial price changes if AT&T changes their plan options.

4) Please don’t refer to gadgetry as a divine being, it’s just a tool.

[addabox]

The 4GB extra NAND doesn’t cost anywhere $99, so unless Apple also reduces other components I can’t see that option if the 8GB is $99 and identical in every other sense.


As I said in another thread, Apple doesn't tier its prices according to component costs, it tiers its prices to maximize up-sell.

[al_bundy]

1) Tech getting cheaper does not mean that it will necessarily double speed/capacity every year at that same price point.

2) You have to consider the other HW changes potentially arriving in the device, not just the capacity. (eg: ARMv7 Cortex-A8, double RAM, higher category HSDPA, HSUPA inclusion, higher Mpx camera, better CMOS, higher resolution display, denser battery, magnetometer, sonic screwdriver)

3) The iPhone is paid for every month to Apple, it’s AT&T that is making their initial subsidization loss back every month for two years. Hence my comment regarding initial price changes if AT&T changes their plan options.

4) Please don’t refer to gadgetry as a divine being, it’s just a tool.

i remember when PC's cost $5000

every year it was faster, more memory, less money. every new generation of chips is cheaper to make than the last generation.

cheapest 32GB flash card is $90 at NewEgg. Apple is probably paying no more than $20. about the same price as 16GB cost last year. chips are no twice as dense

[solipsism]

i remember when PC's cost $5000

every year it was faster, more memory, less money. every new generation of chips is cheaper to make than the last generation.

cheapest 32GB flash card is $90 at NewEgg. Apple is probably paying no more than $20. about the same price as 16GB cost last year. chips are no twice as dense

Yet none of that states that capacity doubles every year while maintaining the same pricepoint.

[solipsism]

As I said in another thread, Apple doesn't tier its prices according to component costs, it tiers its prices to maximize up-sell.
Good point.

[anantksundaram]

i remember when PC's cost $5000

every year it was faster, more memory, less money. every new generation of chips is cheaper to make than the last generation.

cheapest 32GB flash card is $90 at NewEgg. Apple is probably paying no more than $20. about the same price as 16GB cost last year. chips are no twice as dense

What part of this portion of solipsism's post did you not understand: "2) You have to consider the other HW changes potentially arriving in the device, not just the capacity. (eg: ARMv7 Cortex-A8, double RAM, higher category HSDPA, HSUPA inclusion, higher Mpx camera, better CMOS, higher resolution display, denser battery, magnetometer, sonic screwdriver)".

Please take a moment to actually read things before spouting off.

[Dunks]

I hope like hell the iPhone doesn't go cheep! I like it being exclusive I don't want everyone and their brother having the same phone as me. I want them to remain jealous because their to cheep to pay for the jesus phone. Grrr
I hope the 4 gigger is for other countries and get the 32 and 16.
Oh and I am hoping that bezel is a frosted (sand blasted) chrome like every other aluminum product Apple makes. If this would be the case then with the matt back the phone would almost perfectly match my iMac.
From what I can tell from those pictures floating around the chrome logo and all the other stuff is not polished silver like on the current handset.

I wouldn't worry too much about your iphone experience being exclusive. Your command of the English language is sure to invoke the jealousy of the masses. Grrr indeed.

[anantksundaram]

I hope like hell the iPhone doesn't go cheep! I like it being exclusive I don't want everyone and their brother having the same phone as me. I want them to remain jealous because their to cheep to pay for the jesus phone. Grrr
I hope the 4 gigger is for other countries and get the 32 and 16.
Oh and I am hoping that bezel is a frosted (sand blasted) chrome like every other aluminum product Apple makes. If this would be the case then with the matt back the phone would almost perfectly match my iMac.
From what I can tell from those pictures floating around the chrome logo and all the other stuff is not polished silver like on the current handset.

Can someone translate? :???:

[MacTel]

That's too many models. Apple usually keeps it to 2 or 3 models to reduce costumer confusion.

It is actually one model and 4 configurations. ;-)

I'm more interested in the possibility of a 64Gb iPod Touch.

[al_bundy]

What part of this portion of solipsism's post did you not understand: "2) You have to consider the other HW changes potentially arriving in the device, not just the capacity. (eg: ARMv7 Cortex-A8, double RAM, higher category HSDPA, HSUPA inclusion, higher Mpx camera, better CMOS, higher resolution display, denser battery, magnetometer, sonic screwdriver)".

Please take a moment to actually read things before spouting off.




The exact same thing happened with computers. 1994 a $5000 computer had no network card, no modem, no 3d graphics, no cd, etc. Every year the price dropped, more memory, more storage and the newest gizmo was now included and it cost less than the year before.

My work issued blackberry 8330 has a video camera. And that's like the cheapest bb around

[anantksundaram]

The exact same thing happened with computers. 1994 a $5000 computer had no network card, no modem, no 3d graphics, no cd, etc. Every year the price dropped, more memory, more storage and the newest gizmo was now included and it cost less than the year before.

OK. Good point.

[MacTripper]

Can someone translate? :???:

Yes, I'm fluent in over 6 million forms of communication.

It's a strange dialect...

...I think he said he likes the iPhone and will buy one of each version to place in his secret closet shrine. :D

[al_bundy]

and the iphone 3g is cheaper than gen1

[brucep]

Apple better not price the 32gb at $399. Or they will open themselves up for another whippin like they got in the 1990's.

If the 32gb is more than $299 come next week I'm going to buy a return 16gb 3g and wait until microsoft or palm comes out with something.

New xbox features announced today are nice

why wait just leave

[solipsism]

The exact same thing happened with computers. 1994 a $5000 computer had no network card, no modem, no 3d graphics, no cd, etc. Every year the price dropped, more memory, more storage and the newest gizmo was now included and it cost less than the year before.

My work issued blackberry 8330 has a video camera. And that's like the cheapest bb around
I honestly have no idea how your expectation that double density, double capacity NAND, assuming the same space if available for the 16GB and 32GB model iPhones is the same price year over year. On top of that, I have no idea what your comment about a Blackberry has to do with a 15 year old computer. None of it is making any sense to me as to why you are certain that Apple can double everything(?) in the iPhone while keeping it at the same price point.

and the iphone 3g is cheaper than gen1
The R&D was probably completely, mostly or at least partially paid for with the original iPhone. That would bring the price down per unit. Besides that the iPhone 3G had almost all the same internals as the original device expect for a capacity bump, GPS chip and 3G radios. If you buy an iPhone today you are getting the CPU, RAM, LCD, etc from a 2 year old iPhone so it’s a safe assumption that the cost did drop, but with the different business models (subsidization v. profit-sharing) I don’t know how you are certain of it.

Furthermore, if your theory about computer tech was true then the price of Macs model-over-model wouldn’t have increased with so many revision changes. Especially with the last major revision. You should probably consider the marketing aspects here, too; if Apple is to introduce a lower-tier iPhone platform then they very well may price the higher-tier more than they do now to help differentiate them… with better components and more features to justify the price hike, of course.

[al_bundy]

why wait just leave




It will take a few years for other phones to catch up in app functionality


Edge iphone sold very poorly with it's high price and the 3g sold due to the apps. Even then blackberry still outsold the iPhone 3g due to price. I remember years ago win ce phones had a lot more features than every phone our there. But with $400 - $500 price tags very few people bought them

And there is the Sony example. Release the best console out there with a ridiculous price and end up in last place. And watch your exclusive games dry up as developers flee to microsoft.

Anyone catch the xbox news today? Huge install base and microsoft seems to have woken up. Apple will have tough competition next few years

[BenRoethig]

Three years' contract is just too long. Who wants a commitment that lasts for almost a third of a decade? Also, a 'cheapo' iPhone would be pretty expensive for 99USD on a three year contract. Apple might be playing with us. There is just too much manipulation with these iPhone and next-year netbook-like devices. Or the MB Air, for that matter!

Actually that $99 CAD with a three year contracts. Those in the Great White North pay a bit less initially than we do, but Rogers/Fido requires three year contracts instead of AT&T's two.

[iVlad]

That's too many models. Apple usually keeps it to 2 or 3 models to reduce costumer confusion.

I don't think all 4 models will be sold in US. The cheapest one is for countries with limited infrastructure or Communist Gov. +)

[dirtyHippy]

I hope like hell the iPhone doesn't go cheep! I like it being exclusive I don't want everyone and their brother having the same phone as me. I want them to remain jealous because their to cheep to pay for the jesus phone. Grrr
I hope the 4 gigger is for other countries and get the 32 and 16.
Oh and I am hoping that bezel is a frosted (sand blasted) chrome like every other aluminum product Apple makes. If this would be the case then with the matt back the phone would almost perfectly match my iMac.
From what I can tell from those pictures floating around the chrome logo and all the other stuff is not polished silver like on the current handset.

Go ahead and try to buy your individuality. :lol:

[bsenka]

Actually that $99 CAD with a three year contracts. Those in the Great White North pay a bit less initially than we do, but Rogers/Fido requires three year contracts instead of AT&T's two.

Canadian phone companies usually offer the three year contract if you want the phone for no money up front, and still offer no contract/one yr/two yr plans if you want to pay up front for the handset.

The Rogers/iPhone deal is the only one I've seen here so far that has the mandatory 3 yr contract, AND expects you to pay up front.

[P L]

Well, there can be a benefit to having a scaled down, cheap phone that no one wants. The adds can say "Get an amazing iPhone for only $49 (with contract)" and it could bring in to the stores folks who want a iPhone, but can't see paying more up front. Then when they get in the store: "well, that is a good phone, but for just XXX$ more you can have more memory and a faster processor and..." Cha ching--you sold a 200$ iPhone (with contract) to someone who never would have entered the store to spend that kind of money...

That has not been Apple's game in the past, but an argument can be made that it would work well in the cell phone arena...
Isn't bait and switch illegal?

[addabox]

Isn't bait and switch illegal?

It's only bait and switch if they claim not to have the advertised cheaper model and offer instead a more expensive substitute.

Just trying to steer you towards a more expensive model when the cheaper one is actually available is not bait and switch and it is not illegal.

[ivan.rnn01]

the comeback of 4GB models. At the price level of 99? They must be kidding me...:err:

[Boer]

Never mind, I misread.

[kernkraft]

I don't think all 4 models will be sold in US. The cheapest one is for countries with limited infrastructure or Communist Gov. +)

Brazil, Iraq, Thailand and Poland - countries, where a cheaper iPhone would open floodgates - just to name a few - do not have communist governments. Cuba, North-Korea and China have, but I don't think that the first two are relevant to Apple. Central and Eastern Europe either and they have very good infrastructure to accommodate an iPhone. In fact, some countries are far superior to the UK or the US, when it comes to 3G.

Oh, and despite some electoral institutions and whatever Gordon Brown wants us to believe, Britain has a communist ruler elite. With fourth of the population on waiting list for social housing and great social tension, I wouldn't call it a rich country, either. Yes, they (we) have the GDP and the population, but they are just meaningless statistics. The quality of life is nowhere near to Greece, which has a lower average income. So much about social issues! Now, I want to talk about iPhone.

I want a reasonably priced one for my trip to New York in September!:)

On pay-as-you-go, presently, the 8GB version costs £350. That is around 570 USD. On a monthly contract, it starts from £30 for 18 month. I felt bad, when I bought my new 2.4GHz MacBook and a refurbished MacBook Air. I also felt bad, when my girlfriend bought the 2.53 GHz MacBook Pro. But we purchased them and we are fairly happy. However, I just couldn't bring myself to buy an iPhone yet. For me, a smaller and cheaper iPhone would be a great product. I wouldn't mind 4GB. I want the main features and not concerned with storage as long, as the product itself is comparable to the competition. After all, my very first Mac was a white plastic one - a budget machine for Apple, expensive for me at the time but it introduced us to Mac OS X.

[brucep]

It will take a few years for other phones to catch up in app functionality


Edge iphone sold very poorly with it's high price and the 3g sold due to the apps. Even then blackberry still outsold the iPhone 3g due to price. I remember years ago win ce phones had a lot more features than every phone our there. But with $400 - $500 price tags very few people bought them

And there is the Sony example. Release the best console out there with a ridiculous price and end up in last place. And watch your exclusive games dry up as developers flee to microsoft.

Anyone catch the xbox news today? Huge install base and microsoft seems to have woken up. Apple will have tough competition next few years

APPLE started in the phone biz with very tough entrenched competition .

And apple has re-defined the market . al you seem to be striving to find some doom about apple's phone future.

APPLE is at the very early stage in its phone life cycle . . And already it has accomplished amazing feats . App store etc etc . It is wonder other companies are also inventing great phones .


Well over 30 million have sold so far. And give it 4 more yrs and apple will sell 100 million more. Yet the iphone is not for every body al .

The big fight coming is over data bandwidth.

Msft has lost millions of dollars on the x box .
They have had incredible hard ware problems .
The xbox can do some amazing things now .Its even a netflix player for your TV.

9

[bigdaddyp]

First you say the 4gb won't be sold in the us, then you say
The cheapest one is for countries with limited infrastructure or Communist Gov.
So are you saying it will be sold in the Us? :wow::lol:;)

[Aizmov]

I hope like hell the iPhone doesn't go cheep! I like it being exclusive I don't want everyone and their brother having the same phone as me. I want them to remain jealous because their to cheep to pay for the jesus phone. Grrr
I hope the 4 gigger is for other countries and get the 32 and 16.
Oh and I am hoping that bezel is a frosted (sand blasted) chrome like every other aluminum product Apple makes. If this would be the case then with the matt back the phone would almost perfectly match my iMac.
From what I can tell from those pictures floating around the chrome logo and all the other stuff is not polished silver like on the current handset.


agreed agreed agreed

I want the iPhone (and Mac) to remain unique and exclusive

8-)

[Bageljoey]

agreed agreed agreed

I want the iPhone (and Mac) to remain unique and exclusive

8-)

Why, though. It is one thing not to want Apple to compromise on quality, profitability or general excellence simply for the sake of market share.

It is another thing entirely to want them to keep sales low just so you can smirk to yourself in the mirror...

[hillstones]

Amazing how many people don't read the article. The information is from Canada. Apple does make products specific to certain countries. Apple even makes better products for Japan than they do for the US (PowerBook 550c, PowerBook 2400c, Color Classic II, to name just a few). It is quite possible that Canada and their customers requested a 4GB model, and it won't be offered in the US.

What's with the moron that thinks his shit is golden? "I want the iPhone to be exclusive so cheap people can't buy it." Give me a break! Based on his amazing spelling skills, I doubt the spoiled little brat even paid for it. He probably cried like a little wussy until Mommy bought it for him. Apple products are not exclusive, many people own Apple products. But with your head so far up your ass, you would never know it.

[hillstones]

and the iphone 3g is cheaper than gen1

The iPhone 3G actual cost is more than the first model, just subsidized by AT&T. You are paying $15 more a month ($10 increase for data, $5 increase for messaging) than the original iPhone plan. Your plan is an additional $360. Without a plan, the 3G phone is $499/$599. I paid $499 for my 16 GB iPhone, which is $100 less than the actual cost of the iPhone 3G.

Average 1st Gen iPhone basic AT&T plan is $60/month, $1,440 for 24 months
Average 2ng Gen iPhone 3G basic AT&T plan is $75/month, $1,800 for 24 months

Not much of a difference when you add the prices up. However, if the iPhone 3G was not subsidized by AT&T, the iPhone 3G is more expensive than the 1st gen by about $460.

[al_bundy]

a lot of it is psychology

a lot of people support a tax system with a lot of small taxes from many sources to hide the true level of taxation. and a lot of people will gladly pay a monthly payment but when you break it down they will cry about a few items even if the total is still the same

same thing with cell phones. i remember a time when every phone required a 1 year contract. around 2002 or 2003 it went to 2 year contracts because there was a big jump in features for almost every phone. since then it's been stable with new phones costing $0 to $299 and then going free with a 2 year contract 2 years after initial release

the few phones i've seen for more than $299 in the last few years were very poor sellers even though they had a long list of features. original iphone included, as Apple cut the price drastically a few months after release. MS originally released OTA mailbox sync back in 2003 but all the phones that supported it were like $500 and Blackberry outsold in this market even though you had to pay a lot of money for the BES server. for some reason people wanted cheaper phones even though the cost was probably more with blackberry than WinCE/WinMo

[mark2005]

and the iphone 3g is cheaper than gen1

the few phones i've seen for more than $299 in the last few years were very poor sellers even though they had a long list of features. original iphone included, as Apple cut the price drastically a few months after release.

Altho Apple has cut the price drastically to boost sales, the revenue it gets per iPhone sold hasn't changed much.

The original iPhone was not subsidized up front by AT&T, thus, the high price to the consumer of $499 and $599. Instead, AT&T agreed to pay Apple a portion of the service fee every month (estimated to be $5-8), the same way RIM gets a fee for its Blackberry service from AT&T.

When Apple lowered the price to the consumer to $199/$299 for iPhone 3G, the cell carriers made up the difference in an up-front subsidy, but stopped paying the monthly fee to Apple. The exact amount of the subsidy is not public, but it's estimated (using Apple's revenue numbers) to be about $375 per phone.

If Apple starts selling a phone for $99, that would be the subsidized price, and Apple would still get another $250-350 from the carrier for it (dependent on the cost of the required cell plans).

[Aquatic]

I hope like hell the iPhone doesn't go cheep! I like it being exclusive I don't want everyone and their brother having the same phone as me. I want them to remain jealous because their to cheep to pay for the jesus phone. Grrr
I hope the 4 gigger is for other countries and get the 32 and 16.
Oh and I am hoping that bezel is a frosted (sand blasted) chrome like every other aluminum product Apple makes. If this would be the case then with the matt back the phone would almost perfectly match my iMac.
From what I can tell from those pictures floating around the chrome logo and all the other stuff is not polished silver like on the current handset.

Ever seen any movies? You're the rich kid that gets their ass kicked. Hasn't happened yet? Keep waiting, the swirly will come. This is like the fourth toolbag I've called out on here this WEEK for being an elitist snob. I mean damnit this kid is worse than the kid in the HP mini notebook thread that thought people that buy Netbooks are cheap assholes and should get a real computer. Damnit. Yeah Apple stuff is a bit more, but it doesn't have to be and shouldn't be for AAPL's long-term sake...out of reach for middle-class folks. And I'm pinching pennies like mad, I'll probably get myself an iPhone. But I can't believe someone would seriously get one to just to brag to poorer people about. Unless I'm the toolbag and you were kidding but if not like I said, just wait, someone will set you straight somewhere down the line. I don't remember people here like this until this week...wonder if rich PC users are starting to switch or something and getting their kids iPhones.