New 3D renderings show expected design of Apple's low-cost iPhone

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  • Reply 21 of 105
    pmzpmz Posts: 3,433member
    gazoobee wrote: »
    Right, because the "low cost" iPhone is going to be made out of the finest aluminium with the exacting chamfered edge. :rolleyes:

    This thing will obviously have a much larger battery, and probably internals similar to whatever the previous generation had. If it is also made out of aluminium like this, is much cheaper, and can be bought off contract, that would cannibalise something like 90% of the sales of the "pro" iPhone. Who's gonna buy a $600 iPhone, when there is a $100-$200 one with double the battery life and slightly slower specs?

    It has to be a different value proposition aimed at a different segment of the market. This thing is done up to be almost identical to the current iPhone 5.

    Because you don't seem to get the fact that Apple is NOT going to make a $300 off contract iPhone. It doesn't exist, and that's not what they're going for here.

    They are going for an iPhone 4/4S/5 replacement.....ONE phone to rule them all...from last year. Do you get it yet?

    This iPhone will be $99 on contract. It will REPLACE the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 will not continue to exist after the iPhone 5S launch.

    There will very simply be 2 iPhone models. Cheap and Expensive. Both are brand new, despite the fact the specs and internals of this plastic one will be so old and cheap and out of demand that they will be able to have a device that looks nice, sells new, but is actually old.

    I think with 8 GB of storage, they may be able to get this down to around $399 off contract / $99 or possibly FREE subsidized.

    But $299 off contract isn't happening. $399 is stretch as it is.

    Remember, these are same people that told you the iPad mini would debut for no higher than $249 "because they just can't compete any higher".
    shervin wrote: »
    Very nice. I'm shocked that most new sites, analysts and even people have not caught on to the fact that Apple will eliminate the old connectors and all products that contain them. Lightning is the new standard, which is why the iPhone 4 and 4S will be gone! This is the opportunity to do it. I highly doubt the 4S will stick around. The low end, plastic iPhone might just replace both the 4 and 4S.

    As i said, its going to replace the 5 too, because of price point.

    It is NOT going to be radically cheap as some delusional people are pretending it will be.
  • Reply 22 of 105
    512ke512ke Posts: 782member
    Who is going to buy a high end iPhone if this one is available?

    If this phone is coming out at a lower price point, then a clearly better flagship phone must also be coming out

    Maybe the new flagship iPhone has a larger screen.

    Otherwise the phones look too similar, no?
  • Reply 23 of 105
    mstonemstone Posts: 11,510member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rogifan View Post




    And if this new phone is to be made out of plastic do we really expect it to have polished chamfered edges?



    From an engineering perspective the metal bead around the face seems like a logical way to join the plastic side walls to the glass face. It would not necessarily be a chamfered polished detail but perhaps just a simple rounded bead. Think about how the edge of the glass would be exposed without it or how the top edge of the plastic wall would look without that metal part. To me this representation appears reasonable.

  • Reply 24 of 105
    pmzpmz Posts: 3,433member
    jonshf wrote: »
    Who said anything about aluminum? The pictures show a plastic phone (with some metal parts, like the buttons). It's going to be bigger in all dimensions than the iPhone5 because plastic needs to be thicker for structural strength. This phone will probably have almost the same internals as the iPhone 5.

    It looks like there will be 3 phones this fall: iPhone 5S (metal body), iPhone 5 (metal body) and then this phone (plastic) which will be free on contract in the US. They will all have the same size screen and the same lightning connector. That will leave only the iPod Classic with the old 30 pin connector but maybe they'll replace that with a new 200GB iPod Touch.

    You almost get it.

    There will be 2 iPhones going forward.

    Flagship: iPhone 5S
    &
    Budget: iPhone neue cheapo
  • Reply 25 of 105
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    2oh1 wrote: »
    I see nothing low end about that look, even if it does end up costing less. Apple doesn't do "cheap." The fact that case makers are already making cases for this design doesn't mean it's right. They've screwed up before, and I'm sure they understand the risk they're taking in order to have cases ready to ship on day one.
    Yep, remember all the teardrop designs? Everyone was so sure Apple would release an iPhone 5 in a teardrop design and we got the 4S with the 4 design.
  • Reply 26 of 105
    pmzpmz Posts: 3,433member
    512ke wrote: »
    Who is going to buy a high end iPhone if this one is available?

    If this phone is coming out at a lower price point, then a clearly better flagship phone must also be coming out

    Maybe the new flagship iPhone has a larger screen.

    Otherwise the phones look too similar, no?

    Who is gonna buy the iPhone 5S when the iPhone 5 becomes $99!!!?? :no:

    Pay attention.
  • Reply 27 of 105
    gwmacgwmac Posts: 1,814member


    I have no idea how accurate this rendering is or even if Apple will release a less expensive version of the iPhone. Since this is all pure speculation I can say that if such an iPhone is released that is what I would imagine it to look like. If both phones will be 4" versions they will have to differentiate them on other specs like the CPU, camera, case, storage, and other features. I don't see Apple selling this unsubsidized for less than $449. At that price that would still allow this phone to be $99 or possibly free on contract and still affordable to pre-paid plans.Even some pre-paid are now offering a $100 subsidy for the iPhone 5 so that might drop the end price to the consumer down to $349.  I also don't think you would see as many storage options for such a phone. They might limit it to only 1 or 2 models with 16GB and 32GB. That would allow them to move to 32/64/128 with their standard iPhone. 


     


    Apple management would only release such a phone if they were extremely confident in their margins and any repercussions in terms of cannibalizing sales from the standard iPhone. I see very little downside to offering choice and variety and expanding their price range to cover an entire new group of consumers numbering in the tens of millions. Steve Jobs once said at the original iPhone intro he would be happy with around 1% of the market share for cell phones since it was such a huge market. It has become so successful for them that they simply will need to expand their product lineup to cover more markets. The history of the numerous iPod models suggests they are not afraid to venture into new territories. 2013 will be all about iOS 7 and standardizing on lightning and 4" displays and then 2014 we will likely see them introduce the last piece of the puzzle which is an iPhone with a larger display and then they will be set for a decade or more. 

  • Reply 28 of 105
    cyniccynic Posts: 124member
    Am I the only one still believing that something such as a low-cost iPhone is not going to happen?
  • Reply 29 of 105
    mstonemstone Posts: 11,510member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by 512ke View Post



    Who is going to buy a high end iPhone if this one is available?


    There are all kinds of things that could differentiate from a high end phone.


     


    As someone else mentioned leave off the LTE


    One speaker instead of two


    Lower res camera


    Less memory


    Lower res screen


    Single camera flash 


    Heavier


    Bulkier


    Slower processor/GPU


    If the new one comes in colors as rumored this low end only only Blk/Wht


     


    You can probably think of other differences

  • Reply 30 of 105
    charlitunacharlituna Posts: 7,217member
    macxpress wrote: »

    And who said they were going to stop making the the iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 once the new regular iPhone arrives?

    The only way keeping them would make any sense is if you could only get this 'low cost' phone at full price. Which actually fits with the rumored markets since carriers don't subsidize in China, India etc
  • Reply 31 of 105
    asdasdasdasd Posts: 5,686member
    pmz wrote: »
    Because you don't seem to get the fact that Apple is NOT going to make a $300 off contract iPhone. It doesn't exist, and that's not what they're going for here.

    They are going for an iPhone 4/4S/5 replacement.....ONE phone to rule them all...from last year. Do you get it yet?

    This iPhone will be $99 on contract. It will REPLACE the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 will not continue to exist after the iPhone 5S launch.

    There will very simply be 2 iPhone models. Cheap and Expensive. Both are brand new, despite the fact the specs and internals of this plastic one will be so old and cheap and out of demand that they will be able to have a device that looks nice, sells new, but is actually old.

    I think with 8 GB of storage, they may be able to get this down to around $399 off contract / $99 or possibly FREE subsidized.

    But $299 off contract isn't happening. $399 is stretch as it is.

    Remember, these are same people that told you the iPad mini would debut for no higher than $249 "because they just can't compete any higher".
    As i said, its going to replace the 5 too, because of price point.

    It is NOT going to be radically cheap as some delusional people are pretending it will be.

    Lol. Who? I have seen one poster who suggested a $99 argument ever. And one thread.

    The great rewriting of history begins again on AI. Deny that Apple will have a cheaper phone, then say I told you so when the rumours firm up because "the phone wasn't sold for $99"

    And an iPad mini will someday be $249 or less when they sell last years model - or a cheaper this years mode (maybe without retina if retina is in the high end ).
  • Reply 32 of 105
    charlitunacharlituna Posts: 7,217member
    pmz wrote: »
    Who is gonna buy the iPhone 5S when the iPhone 5 becomes $99!!!?? :no:

    Pay attention.

    We don't know the spec difference yet. That will answer the question for many.
  • Reply 33 of 105
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    pmz wrote: »
    Because you don't seem to get the fact that Apple is NOT going to make a $300 off contract iPhone. It doesn't exist, and that's not what they're going for here.

    They are going for an iPhone 4/4S/5 replacement.....ONE phone to rule them all...from last year. Do you get it yet?

    This iPhone will be $99 on contract. It will REPLACE the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 will not continue to exist after the iPhone 5S launch.

    There will very simply be 2 iPhone models. Cheap and Expensive. Both are brand new, despite the fact the specs and internals of this plastic one will be so old and cheap and out of demand that they will be able to have a device that looks nice, sells new, but is actually old.

    I think with 8 GB of storage, they may be able to get this down to around $399 off contract / $99 or possibly FREE subsidized.

    But $299 off contract isn't happening. $399 is stretch as it is.

    Remember, these are same people that told you the iPad mini would debut for no higher than $249 "because they just can't compete any higher".
    As i said, its going to replace the 5 too, because of price point.

    It is NOT going to be radically cheap as some delusional people are pretending it will be.
    I won't be surprised if a device like this is more expensive than we think but if its going to be plastic that will be a harder sell. Why can't they make an iPod touch like device with cellular capabilities? Whether plastic is really "cheap" or not that's what it would scream to the market, and if its plastic and $400-$450 off contract people will scream rip off. If its not going to be a super cheap phone price wise then I think Apple should stay away from plastic.
  • Reply 34 of 105
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Shervin View Post



    Very nice. I'm shocked that most new sites, analysts and even people have not caught on to the fact that Apple will eliminate the old connectors and all products that contain them. Lightning is the new standard, which is why the iPhone 4 and 4S will be gone! This is the opportunity to do it. I highly doubt the 4S will stick around. The low end, plastic iPhone might just replace both the 4 and 4S.


    I think this, and the screen difference, is the most compelling reason to believe that there's any fire to these rumours.  Normally I'd expect Apple to just carry on carrying on, doing exactly what they normally do.  But if they keep their normal pattern of using last year's model as this year's cheap model, and with two iterations of old model, then that would mean they'd still be selling an iPhone with a dock connector and a 3.5" screen until fall 2014.  I can't imagine anyone at Apple would be happy with that, I'm actually surprised they've kept selling the 4 and 4S for a whole year after their latest and greatest connector was introduced.


     


    Both 4 and the 4S are gone in a couple months, and the lineup is all Lightning and all 4".  That's my prediction.  5S at the top, 5 in the middle, and whatever this new one is called as the lowest cost iPhone available, where you would have normally expected the 4S to end up.  Possibly a bit cheaper.


     


    I think that makes sense.  Plastic body, and 8GB only, and probably a bit thicker and weightier than its bigger siblings, but otherwise same/similar internals to the 4S - same camera, same 512MB RAM, etc.

  • Reply 35 of 105
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member
    512ke wrote: »
    Who is going to buy a high end iPhone if this one is available?

    People who actually care about products that do things.
    cynic wrote: »
    Am I the only one still believing that something such as a low-cost iPhone is not going to happen?

    I believe they'd do a drastic price cut on the 4S, but not a brand new, cheap phone. They've had six years to follow the iPod model; they haven't.
  • Reply 36 of 105
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    charlituna wrote: »
    We don't know the spec difference yet. That will answer the question for many.
    A phone with the iPod touch design would be hot. Plastic is just going backwards IMO. And I can imagine the press having a field day considering how many Apple fans have a go at Samsung for their plastic devices.
  • Reply 37 of 105
    asdasdasdasd Posts: 5,686member
    mstone wrote: »
    There are all kinds of things that could differentiate from a high end phone.

    As someone else mentioned leave off the LTE
    One speaker instead of two
    Lower res camera
    Less memory
    Lower res screen
    Single camera flash 
    Heavier
    Bulkier
    Slower processor/GPU
    If the new one comes in colors as rumored this low end only only Blk/Wht

    You can probably think of other differences

    It's amazing that people understand a $200 difference for just extra RAM will still see the top end model sell but not get a $100 payment extra for LTE or a better processor etc.
  • Reply 38 of 105
    philboogiephilboogie Posts: 7,675member
    rogifan wrote: »
    philboogie wrote: »
    Answered...
    Before asked.
    Ok but we still don't know that these are Apple's blueprints. It's all guessing at this point. And if this new phone is to be made out of plastic do we really expect it to have polished chamfered edges? I think these 3D renderings are pointless. They're just filler for when there's no real news/rumors to report on.

    You're absolutely right. And I should've opened my post with a 'Lame post alert'.
  • Reply 39 of 105
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    People who actually care about products that do things.
    I believe they'd do a drastic price cut on the 4S, but not a brand new, cheap phone. They've had six years to follow the iPod model; they haven't.
    Exactly. But I can see them wanting to move away from the 30 pin connector. So iPad 2, iPhone 4 and 4S would be gone. Perhaps what they replace the 4/4S with will be similar to the new touch they released (with camera of course included).
  • Reply 40 of 105
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member
    rogifan wrote: »
    Exactly. But I can see them wanting to move away from the 30 pin connector. So iPad 2, iPhone 4 and 4S would be gone. Perhaps what they replace the 4/4S with will be similar to the new touch they released (with camera of course included).

    Maybe they'll throw us for a loop and keep the 4S on contract in the first world but do a very stripped-down 5 off contract elsewhere?
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