Kuo: Budget 6.1-inch LCD iPhone lineup could start at $550
Apple is predicted to launch two versions of a rumored 6.1-inch LCD iPhone later this year, one with a starting price as low as $550 and another potentially outfitted with dual-SIM dual standby (DSDS) technology, according to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a note to investors seen by AppleInsider, Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple may be planning a DSDS-capable LCD iPhone with two physical SIM card slots and no eSIM support. A second LCD variant will be outfitted with a traditional single-SIM arrangement and could sell for between $550 and $650, much lower than initial estimates of $700 to $800 aired in January. Based on the new bottom-tier pricing, a DSDS model might cost between $650 to $750, the analyst says.
DSDS is also expected to show up in a rumored 6.5-inch OLED iPhone positioned at the top of Apple's 2018 lineup. Interestingly, the analyst believes the company's smallest-screened offering, a revamp of iPhone X with 5.8-inch OLED panel, will not include a dual-SIM option.
DSDS technology provides a number of benefits to end users, the most obvious being the ability to travel across borders or coverage zones without swapping SIM cards. This is a key consideration for users in China who often jump cellular providers between provinces. Dual-SIM configurations are also attractive to businesses that manage their own mobile device deployments.
Kuo in February said DSDS would arrive on iPhone thanks to next-generation Intel baseband chips. At the time, the analyst said he expects Apple to rely solely on Intel silicon to power iPhone's communications suite in 2018, ditching longtime modem supplier Qualcomm.
Mass production of the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone is estimated to begin some three to five weeks after Apple's rumored OLED versions, due in part to the last-minute addition of DSDS. Reports earlier this week claim OLED panel production will start in May, with assembly to follow shortly thereafter.
With a low price point and optional DSDS capability, Kuo believes the 6.1-inch iPhone is shaping up to be Apple's most popular 2018 iPhone.
Apple is expected to launch three iPhone models this fall. Anchored by the 6.1-inch LCD version, the lineup is said to include two OLED models in a 5.8-inch "iPhone X 2" and larger 6.5-inch "iPhone X Plus." Reports suggest Apple is looking to retain high margins by integrating mature hardware in the bottom rung iPhone, from less expensive LCD screens to Touch ID biometrics. This year's top-tier OLED models are expected to carry over the more complex -- and expensive -- TrueDepth camera that powers Face ID on iPhone X.
The 6.5-inch variant will undoubtedly be the most expensive offering, but should attract early adopters with the usual assortment of cutting edge technology befitting a flagship device. If Kuo's pricing estimates are correct, the "low end" LCD iPhone could be a huge hit with upgraders and Android switchers. Kuo sees a downside risk for the 5.8-inch OLED iPhone, saying Apple could have trouble selling customers on a smaller-screened, more expensive device that lacks DSDS.
In a note to investors seen by AppleInsider, Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple may be planning a DSDS-capable LCD iPhone with two physical SIM card slots and no eSIM support. A second LCD variant will be outfitted with a traditional single-SIM arrangement and could sell for between $550 and $650, much lower than initial estimates of $700 to $800 aired in January. Based on the new bottom-tier pricing, a DSDS model might cost between $650 to $750, the analyst says.
DSDS is also expected to show up in a rumored 6.5-inch OLED iPhone positioned at the top of Apple's 2018 lineup. Interestingly, the analyst believes the company's smallest-screened offering, a revamp of iPhone X with 5.8-inch OLED panel, will not include a dual-SIM option.
DSDS technology provides a number of benefits to end users, the most obvious being the ability to travel across borders or coverage zones without swapping SIM cards. This is a key consideration for users in China who often jump cellular providers between provinces. Dual-SIM configurations are also attractive to businesses that manage their own mobile device deployments.
Kuo in February said DSDS would arrive on iPhone thanks to next-generation Intel baseband chips. At the time, the analyst said he expects Apple to rely solely on Intel silicon to power iPhone's communications suite in 2018, ditching longtime modem supplier Qualcomm.
Mass production of the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone is estimated to begin some three to five weeks after Apple's rumored OLED versions, due in part to the last-minute addition of DSDS. Reports earlier this week claim OLED panel production will start in May, with assembly to follow shortly thereafter.
With a low price point and optional DSDS capability, Kuo believes the 6.1-inch iPhone is shaping up to be Apple's most popular 2018 iPhone.
Apple is expected to launch three iPhone models this fall. Anchored by the 6.1-inch LCD version, the lineup is said to include two OLED models in a 5.8-inch "iPhone X 2" and larger 6.5-inch "iPhone X Plus." Reports suggest Apple is looking to retain high margins by integrating mature hardware in the bottom rung iPhone, from less expensive LCD screens to Touch ID biometrics. This year's top-tier OLED models are expected to carry over the more complex -- and expensive -- TrueDepth camera that powers Face ID on iPhone X.
The 6.5-inch variant will undoubtedly be the most expensive offering, but should attract early adopters with the usual assortment of cutting edge technology befitting a flagship device. If Kuo's pricing estimates are correct, the "low end" LCD iPhone could be a huge hit with upgraders and Android switchers. Kuo sees a downside risk for the 5.8-inch OLED iPhone, saying Apple could have trouble selling customers on a smaller-screened, more expensive device that lacks DSDS.
Comments
Apple was criticized because Apple Pencils, at $99, was too expensive. Today they are the best selling tablet stylus.
Apple was criticized because the Apple Watch, at $329, was too expensive. Today it outsells the entire Swiss watch industry.
Apple was criticized because the iPhone X, at $999, was too expensive. Available for only 2 of 3 months in the December quarter it generated more profit than 600 Android handset manufacturers combined.
Apple is being criticized because the HomePod, at $349, is too expensive. We don't even have full launch quarter results, yet Kuo is saying that WS's first year 10 million units sold estimate is too high by 8 million units.
The iPhone 7 4.7" (base unit) was $649 at launch. A year later Apple reduced the price to $549.
The iPhone 8 4.7" (base unit) was $699 at launch.
Now, Kuo is telling us that the next LCD iPhone, with DSDS technology, a much larger (6.1") screen and FaceID will start at $550 (just over half the price of iPhone X base unit).
Does anybody see how so out of character this would make Apple? There isn't enough margin in a $550 iPhone, that will cost more to build than did the iPhone 7, possible.
I've said it before, Kuo is an idiot, but gets massive recognition because some (about 40%) of his many predictions come true. If I threw 20 lbs of spaghetti against the wall I'm sure some of it will stick. That doesn't make me an expert spaghetti thrower. It does give the media something to drive clicks and enhance my reputation.
Kuo's reputation as an expert predictor of Apple's product plans is the result of selective reporting his prognostications by this and other Apple-centric blogs.
Also likely, given that the dual-SIM feature is really only necessary in China, is that this cheaper dual-sim model will be sold only in China, India, etc., and eventually only brought over here to the US when Apple does away with the legacy iPhones.
Also, your initial statements are largely and completely inaccurate. There were very few complaints about the AirPods being too expensive, most of the complains revolved around other aspects of them. And the Apple Pencil, which was panned for being too expensive, may be the "Best selling tablet stylus," but that isn't saying much. Nobody uses tablet styluses. The Apple Pencil was an attempt by apple to move the stylus into the educational and professional settings, and despite being the best seller in those segments, it has largely failed at that goal. I will give you the Apple Watch -- but again, most of the original Apple Watch complaints did not revolve around price, or if they did, it was more aimed at the "Apple Watch Edition" models and/or the obscenely overpriced watch bands, etc. We'll see on the HomePod, of course.
Sigh
International roaming. That's what Dual SIMs are for. Very few carriers have reasonable International roaming rates, so it's a better option to swap in a local SIM or a specialist Travel SIM. Dual SIMs means if you travel a lot, you don't have to keep swapping out your home SIM, where you might lose it (or have it stolen along with the other stuff in your Passport wallet, not that I'm bitter).
There are other benefits. If you have a separate business and personal phone line, say your work provides you with a SIM for business purposes, or you just want to account for business calls separately, you can have both SIMs in the one phone, and cut down the number of things you have to carry with you.
It's part of the reason I got the 8 plus instead of the X.. Once I got the X in my hands it felt too small to me. So now I am patiently waiting for a plus version of the X or whatever it will be called this year?
Its much like having a large phone, everyone has one, the rise of Asian smart phone makers is linked to it. That period where Apple didn’t have large screens is when they really started to grow amongst my friends here in Asia. When it’s your only device, big is better.
A large dual sim phone will be huge in Asia and it’s why the X didn’t sell well. Too small.