With a budget phone they have to ensure top of the range sales do not suffer.
Its has to be a fine balance in the design decisions.
Agree. I worry that Apple's old reliable business model of differentiating itself by offering the premium product is being compromised in a way that will bring negative unintended consequences. Would rather see Apple create a different brand for "burners."
This seems cool and all, but how much of decrease in price will this thing ultimately have? Because no doubt the iPhone 4 will become cheaper once the 5 is launched, so in essence you'd actually have two "cheaper" iPhone 4's, the current model and the new plastic model.
Actually Apple would do it this way:
8 or 16 GB plastic iPhone 4 = entry level
16 or 32 or 64 GB glass front and back iPhone 4s/5 (same design with updated internal hardware) = 2011 premium models
I am fully expecting the next gen iPhone to look the exact same as the current iPhone 4. It is a big seller, no need to change the design.
Btw, am I the only one clueless as to what benefits a gesture-based home button would bring? I guess the only logical advantage I can see would be enabling task switching through swiping across it, but this seems too niche to compromise a physical button for.
The gesture home "button" on the Palm Pre/Pixi was probably one of the best parts of the phone. You could easily do so much and see so much by just using your thumb. Sucked that their hardware was so much of a complete failure. I still don't know why they insist on having a VERTICAL keyboard slider with tiny keys that are hard to press.
That said, with all the patent slinging, I wonder if Apple really can do gestures through the home button.
Wow, those are some of the most conclusive photos AI has ever published. They are ipso facto photos of the new cheaper iPhone; the photos provide conclusive proof. There is no way that those photos are simply photos of current iPhone 4's with little marks that align with the antenna slits.
I was thinking the iPhone 4 rectangle shape should be very easy to manufacture, with yield rate to have improved over the year. Apple would properly have some thoughts on cost saving as well. However i wonder if these savings and go without Glass plate is really enough for a $350 devices. After all we are talking about $250 cost savings from current iPhone 4.
I can tell you straight away this wont work. If both of them look the same then Most people will buy the plastic 16GB model.
If this is indeed a cheaper model. Then it is VERY likely iPhone 5 will be a new design. Old production facility can continue to make the cheaper iPhone 4, with its yield rate worked through out the year and expansion in capacity. It should be able keep up with demand on the lower end market.
New production line would properly be an upgrade from the previous iPhone 3G line, which actually has less capacity then the iPhone 4 production line, this should work well for the Higher Priced models.
Why would they make the cheap version white? White iPhone is a status symbol of sorts, so I doubt they would be giving these away for 49 bucks any time soon.
Besides, I don't doubt Apple's plastic screen would no doubt be "magical" in some way... Bulletproof, scratchproof, etc. Considering many of the entry level models end up in the hands of the younger set, a plastic screen makes some sense. As log as the touch screen operates up to Apple's standards, and the problem of scratching or hazing is addressed, why not plastic for the screen, especially for the "starter" iPhone?
If the average entry-level consumer can get them some iPhone 4 for under $50, I don't think they're going to care.
I think you are forgetting a huge factor here: Steve Jobs. He will not sell something cheesy or cheap feeling for the best margin in the world. This is a brand that is his baby. Not to many companies in the world with Apples size and value that was started with his buddy and another guy in his Mom's garage that have there original CEO. Lets see there is Apple and then there is?oh I guess it is just Apple.
Steve had the original first run (I think it was 40k units) sent back because the plastic was not the right fit. It did not have the right feel. What has changed that would make him take the classiest phone in the world and do a cheap feeling version? I don't buy plastic for the final product. We don't even know if this is a EVT unit or a DVT. It certainly isn't up to final build standards.
If they release that shitty looking thing and that's what finally comes to TMobile instead of the iPhone5, I'm gonna be pissed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PastorOfMuppets
Perhaps... perhaps not. If the next entry level model is based on the iPhone 4 design, it's becoming harder and harder to differentiate entry-level from top of the line. A plastic screen is one way to do it. I've used phones with plastic screens, and they do feel cheaper, but they get the job done.
Besides, I don't doubt Apple's plastic screen would no doubt be "magical" in some way... Bulletproof, scratchproof, etc. Considering many of the entry level models end up in the hands of the younger set, a plastic screen makes some sense. As log as the touch screen operates up to Apple's standards, and the problem of scratching or hazing is addressed, why not plastic for the screen, especially for the "starter" iPhone?
If the average entry-level consumer can get them some iPhone 4 for under $50, I don't think they're going to care.
Quote:
Originally Posted by _BeAsTMaSteR_
This seems cool and all, but how much of decrease in price will this thing ultimately have? Because no doubt the iPhone 4 will become cheaper once the 5 is launched, so in essence you'd actually have two "cheaper" iPhone 4's, the current model and the new plastic model. The iPhone 4 is pretty fast right now, so is a "seemingly" faster iPhone 4s really going to be all that great? I know having last years model as the cheaper version of the iPhone (as opposed to having a lower end yet newer model) isn't exactly the same thing, but it seems to have worked out so far. I don't know I guess what I'm wondering is how much better will a cheaper plasticy (newer) iPhone be when compared to a year old model that is still a very nice phone and cheaper because of age? I guess time will tell.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shrike
The iPhone 4 is currently quite cheap to manufacture right. iPod touches too. They are carrying >41% gross margin on the product. So, they can put in a downclocked A5, use the iPod touch display, 16 GB storage, etc, and hit a $350 price point, no contract, with 35% margin quite easily I think.
Replacing the glass front and back is also a nice change for a so-called iPhone "lite". This would be the iPod touch w/3G and a cheap pre-paid iPhone. A lot of kids will be using it and it needs to be durable.
The difference between the two isn't all that great here. If this is the new low end version (3GS:4::4S:5), it's just the same old strategy of using last years phone as the budget model. If that is all Apple is doing, it'll be business as usual.
A big change would be if this model was a no-contract model for $350 or less. That's iPod touch w/3G category and selling into prepaid market territory, which is something like 70% of the cell phone market out there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ksec
I was thinking the iPhone 4 rectangle shape should be very easy to manufacture, with yield rate to have improved over the year. Apple would properly have some thoughts on cost saving as well. However i wonder if these savings and go without Glass plate is really enough for a $350 devices. After all we are talking about $250 cost savings from current iPhone 4.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ksec
I can tell you straight away this wont work. If both of them look the same then Most people will buy the plastic 16GB model.
If this is indeed a cheaper model. Then it is VERY likely iPhone 5 will be a new design. Old production facility can continue to make the cheaper iPhone 4, with its yield rate worked through out the year and expansion in capacity. It should be able keep up with demand on the lower end market.
New production line would properly be an upgrade from the previous iPhone 3G line, which actually has less capacity then the iPhone 4 production line, this should work well for the Higher Priced models.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sheff
Why would they make the cheap version white? White iPhone is a status symbol of sorts, so I doubt they would be giving these away for 49 bucks any time soon.
You guys don't get that this is a PROTOTYPE.
The finished phone probably won't look anything like this. They probably only made this phone look like an iPhone 4 to throw people off. If this is a real prototype, Apple was likely testing the feasibility of a plastic touch screen and the durability of using plastic in general. The plastic screen and back have to match Apple's standards hence why they would be testing the plastic in the wild like this.
My guess is the actual phone will look like an all plastic 3GS, more or less, like the Samsung Galaxy S.
Maybe they want to make it look so bad Samsung won't even want to rip it off.
Although the people posting these pictures have had accurate leaks in the past, this could be a false prototype sent through to weed them out but I suspect it's just a hoax. By running jailbroken software, they can detail the processor, RAM, storage capacity etc.
Couple this with the fact Apple said they are doing a product transition in September suggests this isn't genuine.
Apple has said several times it will address the need for an iPhone on prepaid networks, Apple does a ton of business overseas, and prepaid in much more popular overseas.
Apple needs a "cheap" phone for BIC, Brazil, India, China...
The cheap version of iPhone should simply be a smaller version of the iPhone. Like the first iPod mini that caused the real explosion in sales numbers for ipod back in 2004.
I for one would actually prefer a smaller phone that fits better in you pocket.
Comments
With a budget phone they have to ensure top of the range sales do not suffer.
Its has to be a fine balance in the design decisions.
Agree. I worry that Apple's old reliable business model of differentiating itself by offering the premium product is being compromised in a way that will bring negative unintended consequences. Would rather see Apple create a different brand for "burners."
This seems cool and all, but how much of decrease in price will this thing ultimately have? Because no doubt the iPhone 4 will become cheaper once the 5 is launched, so in essence you'd actually have two "cheaper" iPhone 4's, the current model and the new plastic model.
Actually Apple would do it this way:
8 or 16 GB plastic iPhone 4 = entry level
16 or 32 or 64 GB glass front and back iPhone 4s/5 (same design with updated internal hardware) = 2011 premium models
I am fully expecting the next gen iPhone to look the exact same as the current iPhone 4. It is a big seller, no need to change the design.
Btw, am I the only one clueless as to what benefits a gesture-based home button would bring? I guess the only logical advantage I can see would be enabling task switching through swiping across it, but this seems too niche to compromise a physical button for.
The gesture home "button" on the Palm Pre/Pixi was probably one of the best parts of the phone. You could easily do so much and see so much by just using your thumb. Sucked that their hardware was so much of a complete failure. I still don't know why they insist on having a VERTICAL keyboard slider with tiny keys that are hard to press.
That said, with all the patent slinging, I wonder if Apple really can do gestures through the home button.
Apple engineers gotta stop 1) taking their work home with them and 2) stopping at the local pub on the way.
They have. This isn't one.
They have. This isn't one.
I forgot the <joke> tag on my comment. Sorry. Heh.
Good find, guys.
If this is indeed a cheaper model. Then it is VERY likely iPhone 5 will be a new design. Old production facility can continue to make the cheaper iPhone 4, with its yield rate worked through out the year and expansion in capacity. It should be able keep up with demand on the lower end market.
New production line would properly be an upgrade from the previous iPhone 3G line, which actually has less capacity then the iPhone 4 production line, this should work well for the Higher Priced models.
Besides, I don't doubt Apple's plastic screen would no doubt be "magical" in some way... Bulletproof, scratchproof, etc. Considering many of the entry level models end up in the hands of the younger set, a plastic screen makes some sense. As log as the touch screen operates up to Apple's standards, and the problem of scratching or hazing is addressed, why not plastic for the screen, especially for the "starter" iPhone?
If the average entry-level consumer can get them some iPhone 4 for under $50, I don't think they're going to care.
I think you are forgetting a huge factor here: Steve Jobs. He will not sell something cheesy or cheap feeling for the best margin in the world. This is a brand that is his baby. Not to many companies in the world with Apples size and value that was started with his buddy and another guy in his Mom's garage that have there original CEO. Lets see there is Apple and then there is?oh I guess it is just Apple.
Steve had the original first run (I think it was 40k units) sent back because the plastic was not the right fit. It did not have the right feel. What has changed that would make him take the classiest phone in the world and do a cheap feeling version? I don't buy plastic for the final product. We don't even know if this is a EVT unit or a DVT. It certainly isn't up to final build standards.
No way on a plastic screen.
If they release that shitty looking thing and that's what finally comes to TMobile instead of the iPhone5, I'm gonna be pissed.
Perhaps... perhaps not. If the next entry level model is based on the iPhone 4 design, it's becoming harder and harder to differentiate entry-level from top of the line. A plastic screen is one way to do it. I've used phones with plastic screens, and they do feel cheaper, but they get the job done.
Besides, I don't doubt Apple's plastic screen would no doubt be "magical" in some way... Bulletproof, scratchproof, etc. Considering many of the entry level models end up in the hands of the younger set, a plastic screen makes some sense. As log as the touch screen operates up to Apple's standards, and the problem of scratching or hazing is addressed, why not plastic for the screen, especially for the "starter" iPhone?
If the average entry-level consumer can get them some iPhone 4 for under $50, I don't think they're going to care.
This seems cool and all, but how much of decrease in price will this thing ultimately have? Because no doubt the iPhone 4 will become cheaper once the 5 is launched, so in essence you'd actually have two "cheaper" iPhone 4's, the current model and the new plastic model. The iPhone 4 is pretty fast right now, so is a "seemingly" faster iPhone 4s really going to be all that great? I know having last years model as the cheaper version of the iPhone (as opposed to having a lower end yet newer model) isn't exactly the same thing, but it seems to have worked out so far. I don't know I guess what I'm wondering is how much better will a cheaper plasticy (newer) iPhone be when compared to a year old model that is still a very nice phone and cheaper because of age? I guess time will tell.
The iPhone 4 is currently quite cheap to manufacture right. iPod touches too. They are carrying >41% gross margin on the product. So, they can put in a downclocked A5, use the iPod touch display, 16 GB storage, etc, and hit a $350 price point, no contract, with 35% margin quite easily I think.
Replacing the glass front and back is also a nice change for a so-called iPhone "lite". This would be the iPod touch w/3G and a cheap pre-paid iPhone. A lot of kids will be using it and it needs to be durable.
The difference between the two isn't all that great here. If this is the new low end version (3GS:4::4S:5), it's just the same old strategy of using last years phone as the budget model. If that is all Apple is doing, it'll be business as usual.
A big change would be if this model was a no-contract model for $350 or less. That's iPod touch w/3G category and selling into prepaid market territory, which is something like 70% of the cell phone market out there.
I was thinking the iPhone 4 rectangle shape should be very easy to manufacture, with yield rate to have improved over the year. Apple would properly have some thoughts on cost saving as well. However i wonder if these savings and go without Glass plate is really enough for a $350 devices. After all we are talking about $250 cost savings from current iPhone 4.
I can tell you straight away this wont work. If both of them look the same then Most people will buy the plastic 16GB model.
If this is indeed a cheaper model. Then it is VERY likely iPhone 5 will be a new design. Old production facility can continue to make the cheaper iPhone 4, with its yield rate worked through out the year and expansion in capacity. It should be able keep up with demand on the lower end market.
New production line would properly be an upgrade from the previous iPhone 3G line, which actually has less capacity then the iPhone 4 production line, this should work well for the Higher Priced models.
Why would they make the cheap version white? White iPhone is a status symbol of sorts, so I doubt they would be giving these away for 49 bucks any time soon.
You guys don't get that this is a PROTOTYPE.
The finished phone probably won't look anything like this. They probably only made this phone look like an iPhone 4 to throw people off. If this is a real prototype, Apple was likely testing the feasibility of a plastic touch screen and the durability of using plastic in general. The plastic screen and back have to match Apple's standards hence why they would be testing the plastic in the wild like this.
My guess is the actual phone will look like an all plastic 3GS, more or less, like the Samsung Galaxy S.
You guys don't get that this is a PROTOTYPE.
No, it's a conversion kit for existing phones.
The finished phone probably won't look anything like this.
Because these images have nothing to do with anything that even remotely concerns a future product.
They probably only made this phone look like an iPhone 4 to throw people off.
No, it's a conversion kit.
If this is a real prototype,
It isn't.
Apple was likely testing the feasibility of a plastic touch screen
They did. In January 2007. It sucked, so they went with optical quality glass before the first-gen iPhone even went into production. For a REASON.
My guess is the actual phone will look like an all plastic 3GS, more or less, like the Samsung Galaxy S.
"If you see a plastic screen, they did it wrong."
"If you see a plastic screen, they did it wrong."
I agree with your assessment?Apple will never go the cheap plastic route.
Wow, matte finish on the display. What is that, scratch-easy plastic? LOL, reverse Apple's obsession with shiny, reflective displays
Scratch-easy plastic! Quick, somebody patent it!! LOL.
Scratch-easy plastic! Quick, somebody patent it!! LOL.
Maybe they want to make it look so bad Samsung won't even want to rip it off.
Although the people posting these pictures have had accurate leaks in the past, this could be a false prototype sent through to weed them out but I suspect it's just a hoax. By running jailbroken software, they can detail the processor, RAM, storage capacity etc.
Couple this with the fact Apple said they are doing a product transition in September suggests this isn't genuine.
I see borders around the home button and speaker hole.
Apple needs a "cheap" phone for BIC, Brazil, India, China...
Hmmm mm mm........
I for one would actually prefer a smaller phone that fits better in you pocket.
iPhone mini (or nano). 2 inch screen. 3G
iPhone 4 inch screen 4G
This would be a major success.