Rumor: Apple planning low-cost iPhone with larger display for late 2013 - Page 2

Totally agree. While I don't care for the cheap feel of the Samsung, I do like the screen. It's hard to do anything on my iPhone 4S. And the iPhone 5 ain't all that better. Really.

 

Just make another larger phone, Apple.

 

I'm sure they will.

 

I understand. Perhaps because there is an enormous profit opportunity in these emerging markets that is not accessible with their current products.

 

 

 

Understood and agreed. But again it need not be a full fleshing out like Samsung (et al) does. But think about the iPod line as the model. I have no idea how Apple might achieve this with the phone. But I think it is fair to say that Apple expanded the iPod line with different price-points for different needs without resorting to the dozens of products between two price points. I suspect, if they can, Apple would follow a similar path for the phone.

 

 

 

I agree and haven't claimed otherwise. But I suspect they are looking at what the profit opportunities are in emerging markets and at lower price points.

 

Not sure why this is so terribly controversial. It's almost like some people's identity is threatened if Apple sells a less expensive product to more people.

Edited by MJ1970 - 1/8/13 at 9:31am

I would love to see Apple to develop a more cheaper iPhone, but they have not yet do it for their computers, the only cheaper option is the mac-mini which is just a computer without monitor and keyboard. I doubt that they will make a cheap alternative for iPhone. Apple does not like to be cheap. I maybe wrong but who knows. Maybe Tim Cook think different than Steve Jobs.

 

What do you expect? What else could it possibly be?

 

But they have done it with the iPod. It's not like this is an unprecedented thing. This whole "Apple doesn't do cheap" or "Apple is premium" seems a bit specious.

 

Yes, we can see you are concerned. Nice attempt and pretty funny stuff. I assume when you say, "Google Now is a decent enough answer to Siri. And in a creepy way, it is even a bit more advanced than Siri," you are referring to the, "... he now praises the iPad," feature?

Apple doesn't do cheap as in 'cheapening its product', but Apple may offer its new phone at a lower price. If Apple does do that, great! If Apple's next iPhone has a larger screen - all technicalities why this will never happen, aside - it will sell like crazy. The iPhone 5 already does and it is awesome but who here would not like an iPhone with a larger screen (say the iPhone 5 height with the iPhone 4 aspect ratio)? I know I would love it.

Agreed. This point is key.

 

Theft with government backing usually does. So does innovation.

I didn't want to let everyone in on it, but the rumors are getting out of control.

Consider that Apple has a shortage of some products. The analysts say that this is due to supply chain problems rather than massive demand.

Consider also that a supply chain becomes more efficient when you reduce the number of products.

Finally, consider the analysts' demand for Apple to get into lower priced products.

Therefore, it should be obvious that Apple has only one way to meet the analysts' expectations. Apple is going to merge all their product lines. They will produce an Apple TV (55" or so) that can also be used as a portable phone and tablet. It will have a dozen ARM processors so that its performance is great enough for it to replace the iMac, as well. There will be only one configuration. And it will be sold inexpensively enough that even third world countries. So expect a 55" Apple TV/iPhone/iPad/iMac to be released later this year for $5.99 plus shipping and handling. And if you buy before midnight tonight, they'll double your order. You just pay shipping and handling for the second unit.

There. That should make all the analysts happy.

Apple is competing against the likes of Samsung very nicely, thank you very much; and they most certainly do NOT need to follow their competitors' pathetic attempts at "innovation" in order to maintain a competitive edge going forward.

 

I'm not trolling if that's your point.  You're welcome to look at my post history, I'm far from an Android troll or fanboy.  My concerns are legit.

 

And yeah, that was a pretty funny feature on the iPad 

 

No, my point - Google Now is pretty neat, but Google scares the hell out of me sometimes.  I hope eventually Siri will be answering questions before I think to ask them.  I am just saying that I hope Ive & Co have some new features in iOS 7.

Because the iPhone is not a Cadillac.

So, wouldn't the "low cost" phone shipping in late 2013 be the current iPhone 5?  Isn't that the current trend?  There is no new phone for "emerging markets,"  just the old phone being shipped to new markets.

 

Is this supposed to refute something I've said?

 

Yup.  DigiTimes brings to mind the old "infinite monkey theorem."  Except that instead of ending up typing the complete works of William Shakespeare, the infinitely-typing monkey will end up typing one or more Apple rumors that turns out to be true.

 

Maybe DigiTimes needs more monkeys and typewriters.  Just a thought.

iPad Nano. Or iPod Pro.

Make it a 5-6" screen and keep the aspect ratio/resolution of the iPhone 5. This way developers don't need to modify Apps for a new resolution.

Then make the same one with a cellular option. You don't have to call it an iPhone, but that's what it would basically be - a large screen iPhone.

By not calling it an iPhone they are essentially keeping to their word that people don't want "Hummers" for phones, but they still have something for those customers who do want it.

And the non-cellular version would be a great platform for a portable gaming system.

Apple sells another tablet at an even smaller size, they have a portable gaming system and a "phone" to take on the Note and others.

Apple has conquered the full size and mini tablet market, now they can create (and dominate) another market.

The plastic S3 makes the iPhone 5 look like a toy? Ok now I've heard it all.

How is the LTE iPad mini not a bigger screened iPhone? As the screen enlarges the device becomes something  very much other than a voice handset, so why bother with a voice contract the device isn't suited for? Hence the cellular LTE iPad mini: bigger screened "iPhone" (meaning not tethered to the need for a WiFi signal nearby).

 

The mini is light enough and once you've given up "pocketable" why not just go all in for functional? Plus it's cheaper overall than some phone with a contract.

Rumor: AppleInsider rehashes DigiTimes rumors for click bait. Spray and ch-ching! Ad revenue, site engagement go up, facts and real information not required.

Probably means Cadillacs are chromed up Chevys for people who can't afford a real luxury car. /s

I don't want a bigger iPhone, but I bet a lot of people do. I just hope if Apple does launch one they keep the existing profile along with it.

Precisely. The iPhone is anything but. It is NOT merely a status symbol. There are plenty of poor people who buy iPhones, and plenty of rich people who buy Androids. Assuming the poor will automatically buy an iPhone when they can afford it is a mistake.

 

 

I agree with the sentiment expressed here. Google has become better at designing software. Granted, it is easier to do when you are following the leader. For instance, the Google search App on iOS works better than Siri in some ways. First, it starts searching before you are finished talking, and second, it is fast. Further, it works on every iPhone. Same with Google Maps. Although I think it is flawed in many ways, the biggest advantage it has is it works on every iPhone model, where Apple's features are handicapped when using older model phones. 

 

I can't imagine people interested in an iPhone in the US using a subsidized carrier care about price terribly. However, when you want to go with a contract free or pay as you go plan like those offered by T-Mobile, you want the phone to cost less because you have to pay the unsubsidized price. This probably is costing Apple sales over seas (I am in the US). Apple also probably is losing sales to some people who really are fixated on tablet/phone combinations. I think it would be interesting for Apple to add cellular calling service to the iPad (especially the Mini). With a cool bluetooth head set that could be a very nice feature. You could have the iPad in the back seat, but still take calls while driving. 

 

 

I agree with this. Allow people to use the Mini as a phone. It would be especially cool if Apple designed some bluetooth headphones with Siri integration to easily access the contact book for calls. 

It already can be with Skype. I don't see the issue with this if people want to use it as a phone now.

I expect to see an iphone MINI that has the same size screen as the iphone 4/s, just that it will be thinner and the bezel on the top and bottom with be much thinner (making all dimensions smaller than the iphone 4). The iphone 6 would be an all new design with a much larger display.

 

So going back to 3.5" for no reason whatsoever and then increasing to 4.5"+ for no reason whatsoever?

I think this can be compared to the Apple TV vs. Apple HDTV.

 

Sure, Apple is constantly focused on making quality products at a high profit.  However, that only generates a smaller portion of market adoption.  If Apple sold millions of $99 ATVs they would get Millions of new adopters.  VS. if they made the HDTV which might gain a lot of profit but much fewer adopters, and a slower success rate.  What's the balance? Probably a little of both.  If you're going to be a market leader and be profitable, you need heavy adoption.  Sure they could make a lot of money going the same way they have been, but in the long term they are going to have to diversify.

 

It's the same with the iPhone.  They sell millions and get billions in profit, but they don't have the majority market share as android does.  For apple to survive in the long term as a leader in the mobile market, they need to diversify.  They will eventually have to compete.

 

I think that is also why they decided it was time to introduce the iPad Mini when they did (not to mention that the market was basically dictating that the 7"-8" tablet at a lower price point was much more desirable to many customers).  It followed the same path as the iPod and the iPod Mini (then Nano) in the early portion of the past decade.  It woks this way in many industries, not just Tech.  Look at the Auto Industry.  Toyota, GM, Honda, VW...they all have highly diverse array of products...and they are the leaders.  None of them can continue to be world market leaders in the Auto industry without a diversified product lineup.  Apple is in this same boat now.  They are no longer the underdog company.

 

Selling just high-quality, high profit-margin products worked when they were the minority in the industry...they are a leader now.

 

 

 

Now, I could easily see a "less expensive" (from a retail stand-point, not subsidized) iPhone coming from Apple.  I don't know what features it would have or what size/shape it will be, but it's definitely something they are probably looking into, I have no doubt.

 

Look at all the feature-phones and the likes of less expensive, less feature-rich smartphones out there that sell millions in developing markets and nationally.  This could be a huge opportunity for Apple to create something that is truly new, not just a trimmed-down iPhone, but an iPhone that is the bare essentials.  Email, Web, Phone, Text.  Granted this sounds a lot like iPhone Gen 1, but it could be something much more simple.  The iPad is now in a market that truly is portable and many (including myself) only use our iPhones now for a quick glance, nothing more.  Quick reply, check email, weather, etc...  If we want more functionality, the iPad Mini is now in the portability range where we could basically carry both.  Personally, i'm one of those that believes the purity of the iPhone has been too diluted, too saturated with crap functions and Apps.  The App Store was a huge factor in the success of the iPhone, but to me, less is more.  The beauty of the integrated system is lost in a way on all the saturation of features and 3rd party apps.

 

Now if all these rumors are true, I really don't see it as a watch or something smaller than the current phone, just lighter, less feature rich, and less expensive.  The iPod Touch starts at $199, That is what I see as the starting point for an unlocked iPhone that's less featured than the standard iPhone (i'm not going to call it mini or nano just yet because that infers a form factor that I won't bet on yet).  Well the $199 8GB iPod Touch only differs to the current iPhone only by camera and Cellular radio chip at this point.  So I could easily see something less featured at that price-point.

 

Who knows, but it is actually not surprising Apple hasn't come out with anything yet.  They want to keep production costs down and productivity up.  But now that the Android ecosystem has a very dominant share of the smartphone market...i think it's the time to start thinking about diversifying.

 

Until recently the only profitable market was premium phones under 4" in size. Apple was right to stick with one model and expand distribution globally.

 

Then Samsung showed that it's possible to make money in the 4.3-5.5" premium phone market. In response Apple did something truly bizarre. Rather than recognize that one size does not fit all and make two different models of iPhone, they made their top selling small phone slightly bigger and ceded the large phone market to the competition. Samsung took the ball and ran with it, quickly eclipsing everyone except Apple in profit share.

 

Good news for Apple: the market for a premium phone that fits into small pockets is never going to disappear.

 

Bad news for Apple: the market for a premium phone over 4.75" is exploding and they have nothing to offer. More and more smartphone usage is visually oriented, something that makes a large screen increasingly valuable even if it adds unwanted bulk. Siri does not replace a large screen.

 

Apple should have made the move to two models last year instead of muddying the waters with a new display resolution that did nothing to address the rapidly growing market for large display phones. Now if they go after the big phone market they'll have to add yet another display resolution to the mix. At least developers can soon drop support for 320x480, but it would have been much simpler to have just 640x960 and whatever large resolution they pick than also having to deal with 640x1136.

Stability-wise, iOS is still on top.  But I think Android is way ahead in "discovery" and "search-based" features.

If Apple is going to even compete with Android for search (which is desperately needs to), Apple has some catching up to do...by my count, probably about 5 years of catching up.

 

Couple of ways Apple can do this.  First, create a desktop version of iOS Maps.  Second, more fully integrate the "Apple ID" into the OSX and iOS ecosystem than it is now.  Similar to how Google makes you login with your Gmail address for get saved features.  And third, create a search engine for Safari, but do it on the back-side somehow so that you aren't just pulling the cord like with iOS Maps.

Actually Apple Makes about 10 phones if you include the different carriers...and that's just in the USA.

 

iPhone 4 (ATT & Verizon) [2]

iPhone 4S (ATT & Verizon) [2]

iPhone 5 (ATT & Verizon) with 3 SDD capacities. [6]

Ya, pretty much.

I wouldn't say going back to the 3.5" display for no reason whatsoever.

I hate the larger form factor of the iPhone 5. It defeats the way I use a cellphone. I'm certainly not the only one. For me and others, the phone needs to be more portable, not larger.

If Apple simply reduced the size of the home button thus scaling back the top and bottom bezel, they could keep the iPhone 5 around the same size as the 4/S while maintaining a 4" screen. Even smaller by doing this to the 4/4S. At a minimum I hope Apple continues to offer the 4/S form factor past the next two years.

The 4+ larger screen doesn't make sense to me. Then again I haven't really researched it. But I don't really see people clamoring for larger screens. I see other vendors making them and selling them for less than the iPhone, offering a perceived greater value. But I don't see people saying ... Hey, I want to carry around the biggest phone I can get my hands on which will still fit into a pocket in my pants.

 

 

 

I think Apple is going to eventually do that.

 

The 4/4S don't have lightning connectors so I could see them releasing a 3.5 inch phone with smaller bezels and an extremely thin design selling it as an all new MUST HAVE device.

 

People (analyst) would soon forget all the hubbub of oversized phones when people are lining up for the stylish contemporary iPhone Mini. Free on contract $399 off contract. High quality materials and a sexy design.

That's why I said Apple makes "basically" 3 phones.

In that case... Samsung makes even more phones because they also have to make different phones work on all those different carriers too.

A single phone won't work on Verizon and AT&T.... or Sprint and T-Mobile.

My point was... Samsung makes a ton of phone models from super-cheap to expensive... while Apple makes 3 phone models from mid-range to expensive.

And like someone else said... Apple and Samsung have different strategies, and they both seem to work.

So now they don't like a smaller cheaper but they want larger cheaper more nuts.

 

Far as I know start from iPhone 4S there is only 1 model. it works for both GSM(AT&T) & CDMA(Verizon).

iPhone 4 has antena gate issue between GSM & CDMA.. Famous death grip issue as you all remember.

Apple should drop iPhone 4. I guess they still have some unused parts left over a lot.

 

Most of other countries are using GSM.

That is the reason Verizon has lack of newer phone. Because OEM has to make CDMA version which they can sell only to Verizon and China(I think China using own CDMA version.).

 

When Jobs around, Jobs said mini iPad market is DOA. Now how many iPad mini has been sold? They can't keep up with demand.

Larger screen iPhone? Yes. Apple need it as well. So they can compete with other OEM with 5" smart phone.

I hope this time Apple bring back gorilla galss 3.

So if Apple decide to release cheaper phone, they can use those cheap Chinese glass.

 

Cheaper phone? Yes they need it. Not just for developing country. In USA, prpepaid business can use cheaper iPhone as well.

Bloomberg is saying this today:

 

 

"Apple, which had been working on a more affordable smartphone since at least February 2011, is weighing retail prices of $99 to $149 for a device that would debut in late 2013, at the earliest, according to the person, who asked not to be named because the negotiations are private. Apple has spoken to at least one of the top U.S. wireless carriers about its plans, the person said yesterday.  "

 

$99 would be insanely low for Apple.  

 

$149 at least allows for more than a few dollars' profit.

 

""The device would use cheaper parts and may be smaller than current models, people familiar with the plans said. Apple was also considering a more versatile version that would work on multiple wireless networks, according to people who were briefed on the plans."