Apple reportedly probing carriers about potential $100 premium for next-gen iPhone

123468

Comments

  • Reply 101 of 159
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    grey silvy wrote: »
    C'mon, You all know by the time the new iPhone is released the prices on the GS5 will be dropped to $99, $49 and for new customers it may be free at which point people who wanted a 4.7 or 5.5 inch (whatever) iPhone will refuse to pay the $299.99 and choose the GS5.
    I just saw a Verizon commercial on TV this weekend offering BYGO on the S5. That might be why reports are saying GS5 is outselling the GS4 did at launch.
  • Reply 102 of 159
    tulkastulkas Posts: 3,757member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rogifan View Post





    It will be interesting to see how Apple would pitch this and actually have it work. When Apple went from 3.5" to 4" the price didn't increase, so why would 4" to 4.7" require a price increase? I could understand it if they're getting into phablet territory. But if the flagship iPhone goes to 4.7" and increases $100 there better be more to it than just the display size. No way does increasing the display .7" increase the BOM that much. And I doubt that .7" increase required a ton more R&D either. Unless it's a sapphire display but that's a whole other discussion.


     

    I would agree with parts of that. But as pmz has said, the $100 increase, if it happens, would likely be for the 5.5" model and the 4.7" model would maintain the current pricing structure.

  • Reply 103 of 159
    gwmacgwmac Posts: 1,807member

    There were recent rumors from other sites that the sapphire glass for the display, which is extremely strong and also scratch resistant,  could be used with an ordinary pencil as a stylus. Now that would be cool to be able to use a pencil to draw or write on your iPhone. You wouldn't have to worry about losing an expensive stylus, simply grab any pencil lying around. That could be a real game changer. 

     

    I wonder if the iPhone 6 will have a lot more surprises than just a larger display which is why apple might need to raise the price. Liquidmetal or some new type of casing material that might offer advantages over current one is a possibility. Certainly sapphire glass for the display would be a big deal as well especially if it allowed you to use a pencil though I think that relied on a new type of IGZO display. 

     

    The other possibility is to double storage since it has been 16GB as base for what 5 years now? Would be a nice gesture to go to 32/64/128. I doubt we will see a larger display, a sapphire display, liquid metal case, and also double storage though that would be amazing. We will likely see 2 possibly 3 of those but probably not all 4 at once. But if we do that will make all Android phones look 2 generations behind again just like the 1st iPhone. 

  • Reply 104 of 159
    zabazaba Posts: 226member
    Wish they'd stop showing the shitty mock ups of iPhones/iWatches, they look like Samsung devices.
  • Reply 105 of 159
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    tulkas wrote: »
    I would agree with parts of that. But as pmz has said, the $100 increase, if it happens, would likely be for the 5.5" model and the 4.7" model would maintain the current pricing structure.
    Yeah that's my guess. Though I'm still not crazy about Apple going down the phablet route. Are there really that many people who want such a large device? For me it would be too large to be my main phone and too small to be my main tablet/computer.
  • Reply 106 of 159
    gwmacgwmac Posts: 1,807member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rogifan View Post





    Yeah that's my guess. Though I'm still not crazy about Apple going down the phablet route. Are there really that many people who want such a large device? For me it would be too large to be my main phone and too small to be my main tablet/computer.

    I don't think Apple expects a 5.5" to be their lead seller but it is nice to have it as an option for people that want it. Better to allow them to buy an Apple product than be forced to go with a Samsung Note. I can see a lot of people that could really use a Phablet. Doctors for example with nice big pockets that do not want to carry an iPad mini because it is just too big. My doctor uses a Note 3 for this very reason even though he loves and prefers Apple. Realtors, architects, engineers, the list goes on and on. Don't forget that cell phone plans are a lot cheaper than data only plans on iPads and also include voice and text. There are unlimited plans for an iPhone at $45 a month. I know of no such deals for an iPad. 

  • Reply 107 of 159
    atlappleatlapple Posts: 496member

    Not sure why Apple would do this based on their current pricing. This year Apple introduced the 5C to help reduce cost for customers that didn't want a two year contract or for those in countries that either don't offer one or where a contract is not popular. Why would Apple only one model year later increase the current price with no current rumor about offering a 6C? That's a big shift in only one year. 

     

    Could the increased cost rumor be based on a possible 5.5 inch high resolution iPhone and not the 4.7 inch? Just a thought. 

  • Reply 108 of 159
    macxpressmacxpress Posts: 5,801member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by pmz View Post

     

     

    What do you want me to say? 16 GB is not enough for you. It is not enough for ME either, as I already stated and must now repeat.

     

    For the overwhelming majority of people...it does just fine. Do you not realize that there are 8 GB offerings too? In fact, brand new iPhone 5c 8 GB version? There is a big market for these devices.....people that care more about saving a $100 at time of purchase than the permanent storage capacity of the phone.

     

    Stop being pedantic and insisting I properly define the "average user". Others understand what I mean.

     

    Furthermore, WISHING that the $199 iPhone was 32 GB in capacity (guess what, I "wish" it was too)...does not mean that it SHOULD be, by any stretch.


     

    Do you have any stats to back up the bold comment above? 1 person doesn't qualify as "others" so no, I don't think others understand. Yes, I realize they offer an 8GB phone too and its a fuc$%#! joke to be honest. 

  • Reply 109 of 159
    rolyroly Posts: 74member
    rogifan wrote: »
    I'm sure retina had a cost associated with it but the 3rd gen iPad didn't become more expensive than the 2nd gen.
    But the iPad mini retina did cost more than the iPad mini 1st gen
  • Reply 110 of 159
    tulkastulkas Posts: 3,757member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Roly View Post





    But the iPad mini retina did cost more than the iPad mini 1st gen

    True, but that was notable because it was an exception to their normal pattern of generational releases maintaining a consistent price.

  • Reply 111 of 159
    rolyroly Posts: 74member
    tulkas wrote: »
    True, but that was notable because it was an exception to their normal pattern of generational releases maintaining a consistent price.
    Fair point, well made. :-)
  • Reply 112 of 159
    drewys808drewys808 Posts: 549member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SolipsismX View Post



    Based on the amount of supposed leaks I have to wonder if Apple will change up the iPhone release schedule again, this time bringing it back close to a Summer release. Sure, it doesn't work well for iOS testing but it could allow them to build more supply for the Holiday quarter and allow the next event in their Autumn to allow for more devices.

    I think that could be a good thing...wouldn't it be a positive for new iPhone to be released first (Summer), have the new iOS tested by developers and then have new iOS released in the Fall?

  • Reply 113 of 159
    pmzpmz Posts: 3,433member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rogifan View Post





    It will be interesting to see how Apple would pitch this and actually have it work. When Apple went from 3.5" to 4" the price didn't increase, so why would 4" to 4.7" require a price increase? I could understand it if they're getting into phablet territory. But if the flagship iPhone goes to 4.7" and increases $100 there better be more to it than just the display size. No way does increasing the display .7" increase the BOM that much. And I doubt that .7" increase required a ton more R&D either. Unless it's a sapphire display but that's a whole other discussion.

    You're distorting the obvious reality. The 4.7" model will not go up to $299 starting point. It will start at $199. It is the 5.5" device that will command the $299 starting price.

     

    Meanwhile, the 5s as we know it, or a 5s inside of a new shell to match the new design of the new lineup, will be the 4" offering at $99.

  • Reply 114 of 159
    tulkastulkas Posts: 3,757member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by pmz View Post

     

    You're distorting the obvious reality. The 4.7" model will not go up to $299 starting point. It will start at $199. It is the 5.5" device that will command the $299 starting price.

     

    Meanwhile, the 5s as we know it, or a 5s inside of a new shell to match the new design of the new lineup, will be the 4" offering at $99.


    I agree with you, except that I don't think it is so obvious. First, we don't know that there will be 2 new sizes. Even if there will be, the article certainly doesn't imply it will be the 5.5" that Apple wants to increase by $100. In fact it says the justification for the possible increase is the fact that the iPhone 6 will be the only "must have" launch this year. That holds whether there are one or two models.

  • Reply 115 of 159
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    pmz wrote: »
    You're distorting the obvious reality. The 4.7" model will not go up to $299 starting point. It will start at $199. It is the 5.5" device that will command the $299 starting price.

    Meanwhile, the 5s as we know it, or a 5s inside of a new shell to match the new design of the new lineup, will be the 4" offering at $99.
    I'm no distorting anything, just going off what the rumor says IF Apple does release a 5.5" device we don't even know if they'll call it an iPhone. I certainly doubt they would consider it their flagship device. I guess the real question is why is Peter Misek releasing this? There's always a reason behind these investment guys and the notes they release. I doubt it's just "ooh I got some good gossip and I'm going to leak it".
  • Reply 116 of 159
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    tulkas wrote: »
    I agree with you, except that I don't think it is so obvious. First, we don't know that there will be 2 new sizes. Even if there will be, the article certainly doesn't imply it will be the 5.5" that Apple wants to increase by $100. In fact it says the justification for the possible increase is the fact that the iPhone 6 will be the only "must have" launch this year. That holds whether there are one or two models.
    I'd be curious to know what Peter Misek thinks the "must have" thing will be that will justify the price increase. Is it materials like sapphire or liquid metal or some feature that no other phone has?
  • Reply 117 of 159
    tulkastulkas Posts: 3,757member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rogifan View Post





    I'd be curious to know what Peter Misek thinks the "must have" thing will be that will justify the price increase. Is it materials like sapphire or liquid metal or some feature that no other phone has?

    Could be a number of things. Could be simply that there is pent up demand for a larger iPhone or just the fact that it is an iPhone launch, which still tends to be an evert in and of itself. I think he is more saying that none of the other vendors have anything to offer this year that blows the doors off for anyone.

  • Reply 118 of 159
    pmzpmz Posts: 3,433member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SolipsismX View Post



    Based on the amount of supposed leaks I have to wonder if Apple will change up the iPhone release schedule again, this time bringing it back close to a Summer release. Sure, it doesn't work well for iOS testing but it could allow them to build more supply for the Holiday quarter and allow the next event in their Autumn to allow for more devices.

     I've been thinking the same thing given the amount of detailed leaks from manufacturing this early. But perhaps they are just ramping up sooner (finally!) In order to meet that demand come launch....

     

    But I have to wonder....with an obvious new resolution on the way....devs are going to have to update apps. Apple has rarely allowed much lead time for this to happen from announcement to release. Sure they give plenty of time for a new iOS update, but they had barely 2 weeks to update to Retina, and the same for updating for a 4" display.

     

    I don't foresee Apple giving more lead time than previously though...they don't want sales waning for a month or more with new models "on the way". They don't do that with iPhone.

     

    But it does seem an Apple-desire to ship the new iPhone with the new OS. So they may be content to ramp up production and inventory instead of releasing early, and wait to ship until iOS 8 is ready to be included.

  • Reply 119 of 159
    grey silvy wrote: »
    C'mon, You all know by the time the new iPhone is released the prices on the GS5 will be dropped to $99, $49 and for new customers it may be free at which point people who wanted a 4.7 or 5.5 inch (whatever) iPhone will refuse to pay the $299.99 and choose the GS5.
    Some people don't care about OS or Brand wars, they want cheaper prices.
    When has Apple ever sought out those consumers?
    tulkas wrote: »
    True, but that was notable because it was an exception to their normal pattern of generational releases maintaining a consistent price.
    Then explain The New iPad (iPad 3) going retina and not increasing in price while the mini did. I still don't get that logic.
    macxpress wrote: »
    Do you have any stats to back up the bold comment above? 1 person doesn't qualify as "others" so no, I don't think others understand. Yes, I realize they offer an 8GB phone too and its a fuc$%#! joke to be honest. 
    Aren't a majority of their purchases the 16 GB model? Most people must feel that is enough space. From what I've seen the 32 GB version is usually the least purchased and 64 GB is second.
    zaba wrote: »
    Wish they'd stop showing the shitty mock ups of iPhones/iWatches, they look like Samsung devices.
    I don't think they look like Samsung devices myself but feel free to make some new mockups.
  • Reply 120 of 159
    pmzpmz Posts: 3,433member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rogifan View Post





    I'd be curious to know what Peter Misek thinks the "must have" thing will be that will justify the price increase. Is it materials like sapphire or liquid metal or some feature that no other phone has?

    Why would material ever make an iPhone a must have? Do you think anyone cares what its made of? Besides people on a website like this, I mean.

     

    This kind of conjecture is so much fun. We don't actually know if Apple is really doing 2 new sizes....but if they are, we have to have a completely rational explanation for it already prepared. <img class=" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />

Sign In or Register to comment.