Apple rumored to debut cheaper iMac and 8GB iPhone 5s at WWDC [update: nope]
With Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference coming up next week, pundits are speculating on hardware the company may introduce in its first major media gathering of the year. One well-informed analyst believes the stars of the show will be a cheaper iMac and maybe an 8GB iPhone 5s.
In a research note obtained by AppleInsider, noted KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts Apple will announce cheaper versions of existing hardware alongside the expected debut of iOS 8 and OS X 10.10.
Update: In his trademark style, well-connected insider Jim Dalrymple of The Loop put the kibosh on Kuo's predictions, saying "nope" to both a cheaper iMac and 8GB iPhone 5s launch at WWDC.
Specifically, Kuo believes less expensive iMac and iPhone 5s models will be unveiled when WWDC 2014 kicks off next Monday. The prediction is in line with the analyst's report from April, which claimed Apple was on track to launch a low-cost iMac in the near future.
According to Kuo, Apple will cut iMac production costs by improving panel lamination and casing yields while incorporating parts-bin components being used in the MacBook lineup.
With the new cost-saving measures, Apple's low-end all-in-one will be able to compete with PC manufacturing giants Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo. Despite a more attractive price tag that will likely boost sales, Kuo revised his 2014 iMac shipment forecast from 4.8 million units to between 4 million and 4.5 million units citing sluggish desktop sales.
Kuo's prediction comes after iMac ship-by dates slipped to 3-5 days on the Online Apple Store on Monday. Another clue that a new iMac is on the horizon was discovered on Wednesday in code from the latest OS X 10.9.4 beta, which revealed references to heretofore unknown iMac identifiers.
As for the iPhone 5s, savings will likely come from a decrease in internal storage, with Apple possibly opting to launch an 8GB version of its flagship handset like it did the iPhone 5c in burgeoning markets. The cheaper iPhone model is a wild card for WWDC, however, as Kuo notes Apple may hold off on such an announcement given the update is minor.
Aside from the iMac and possible iPhone 5s reveals, Kuo doesn't expect much more hardware-related information to be disclosed at the event. There is an outside possibility that the much-rumored iWatch may make an appearance as part of iOS 8's introduction, though chances of that happening are slim.
In a research note obtained by AppleInsider, noted KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts Apple will announce cheaper versions of existing hardware alongside the expected debut of iOS 8 and OS X 10.10.
Update: In his trademark style, well-connected insider Jim Dalrymple of The Loop put the kibosh on Kuo's predictions, saying "nope" to both a cheaper iMac and 8GB iPhone 5s launch at WWDC.
Specifically, Kuo believes less expensive iMac and iPhone 5s models will be unveiled when WWDC 2014 kicks off next Monday. The prediction is in line with the analyst's report from April, which claimed Apple was on track to launch a low-cost iMac in the near future.
According to Kuo, Apple will cut iMac production costs by improving panel lamination and casing yields while incorporating parts-bin components being used in the MacBook lineup.
With the new cost-saving measures, Apple's low-end all-in-one will be able to compete with PC manufacturing giants Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo. Despite a more attractive price tag that will likely boost sales, Kuo revised his 2014 iMac shipment forecast from 4.8 million units to between 4 million and 4.5 million units citing sluggish desktop sales.
Kuo's prediction comes after iMac ship-by dates slipped to 3-5 days on the Online Apple Store on Monday. Another clue that a new iMac is on the horizon was discovered on Wednesday in code from the latest OS X 10.9.4 beta, which revealed references to heretofore unknown iMac identifiers.
As for the iPhone 5s, savings will likely come from a decrease in internal storage, with Apple possibly opting to launch an 8GB version of its flagship handset like it did the iPhone 5c in burgeoning markets. The cheaper iPhone model is a wild card for WWDC, however, as Kuo notes Apple may hold off on such an announcement given the update is minor.
Aside from the iMac and possible iPhone 5s reveals, Kuo doesn't expect much more hardware-related information to be disclosed at the event. There is an outside possibility that the much-rumored iWatch may make an appearance as part of iOS 8's introduction, though chances of that happening are slim.
Comments
Or, it could all be a big pile of hooey.
With memory being so cheap, Apple should just announce the 16GB iPhone will be the promotional iPhone and the 32GB iPhone will be the normally offered iPhone.
Normal app hogs like me just can't get by with 16GB these days.
I would imagine the margins / mark-up is different for each component. They may be marking up the flash storage more than other components because it is a differentiator, possibly up to 500% more. What if they actually priced the 8GB model way below the 16GB assuming the 16GB is already inflated, making it much more expensive than the actual 8GB difference would indicate? That might be another way to down-market the iPhone into an economy class.
-kpluck
Kuo has jumped the shark.
The iMacs are $1299 and $1799 for the 21.5 and 27" models. Expected new prices (by me): $1199 and $1699 (yup. -$100).
What would be nice would be $999 and $1499, but if Apple did that, they'd probably ship with 2GB ram and 500GB HDDs.
So, is there anything left that Apple "might" do? I think these analysts have covered every fucking permutation of every possibility, with the exception of Apple opening a grocery store chain or something.
The new Apple- cheap with rap headphones
Don't you get fucking tired of your own trolling?
Also I'm sick and tired of your signature. You think you're the only one on the planet that's noticed there's no new Apple TV yet? What a special unique snowflake you are.
It's easy enough to block them. Nice to get rid of the useless clutter on these boards.
As for the iPhone 5s, savings will likely come from a decrease in internal storage, with Apple possibly opting to launch an 8GB version of its flagship handset like it did the iPhone 5c in burgeoning markets. The cheaper iPhone model is a wild card for WWDC, however, as Kuo notes Apple may hold off on such an announcement given the update is minor.
Trying to manage media on an 8 GB iPhone would be my definition of hell.
Given the 2x (and now potentially 3x) graphics assets bundled into every app anything under 32 GB quickly becomes unusable for all the reasons you might actually need to purchase a smartphone. Considering the markup on flash memory this comes across as a cynical move.
Instead of pushing a subpar experience onto new users I'd really love to see Apple focus on getting the cost of the higher end models down. I'm sure they have years of experience and there are some strong reasons for their pricing strategy. But from the consumer side it's a real pain. I've personally skipped two generations for both iPhone and iPad now primarily over local pricing.
Don't knock it: This website serves a very important role in promoting noted analyst Ming-chi Kuo's "notes".
Also, I agree with whoever said they'd probably just double the iPhone storage across the board and keep prices the same.
Both of these completely baseless predictions (hopes really) spring from the memory of iPhone 5c rumors, and how everyone decided that Apple would finally make a cheaper iPhone... and then what actually came out (that in fact sold like crazy).
In closing... I shall demand adulation adamantly from the users of the web should either of these fanciful theories come to be.
-RD42
*Sir Ives must have his extra i, it's whence the power flows.
I don't see what the purpose of an 8G iPhone would be? To sell more phones? If 16G is the lowest tier now, and the cost difference between just the storage is mere pennies or perhaps a dollar, where does that leave them in regard to price movement before cutting margins?
They'll do what they want I'm sure, but I just keep thinking of their own words when I try to understand the logic... "Is there a reason for it to exist?"
Why cripple a phone so much if you're supposedly trying to give your customers the best possible experience? It's not like you can just pop in more storage. They made sure you can't.
It's getting kind of comical all the predictions for WWDC.
Here's my wild look into the crystal ball: Apple will announce new software at their World Wide Developer's Conference since the attendees like to write....well, software. I know it's going out on a limb, but it's what I see happening.
Obviously it’s a new low-end device.
iOS doesn’t use anywhere near 4 gigabytes. Stop the FUD.
It’s an iPhone. Seven years down the line. Are you SERIOUSLY still doing this?