Verizon winding down stock of 32GB iPhone 5c ahead of Apple's anticipated 'iPhone 6'
U.S. carrier Verizon Wireless is burning through the last of its high-capacity 32-gigabyte iPhone 5c inventory, with almost all units now out of stock in its online store, in anticipation of a replacement with Apple's next-generation lineup of handsets, AppleInsider has learned.
An anonymous tipster reached out this week to claim that the carrier has "retired" the 32-gigabyte iPhone 5c. According to this person, the company plans to sell its remaining inventory and then will not replenish ahead of the anticipated Sept. 9 unveiling of Apple's fall 2014 iPhone lineup.
Corroborating this tip is the fact that Verizon's online store is currently sold out of the 32-gigabyte iPhone 5c in all colors except blue. The carrier remains fully stocked with 16-gigabyte models, as well as all versions of the iPhone 5s.
In contrast, Verizon's chief rival, AT&T, appears to have all colors of the 32-gigabyte iPhone 5c in stock as of Tuesday. The nearly-year-old handset sells for $199.99 at AT&T, but Verizon has discounted the 32-gigabyte iPhone 5c to $99.99 with a two-year commitment.
Verizon is also aggressively discounting the iPhone 5s, selling the entry-level 16-gigabyte model for $99.99 with contract, 32 gigabytes for $149.99, and 64 gigabytes for $199.99. When bought through Apple, those phones are priced at $199, $299, and $399, respectively.
Verizon appears to be clearing inventory ahead of Apple's anticipated Sept. 9 unveiling of the so-called "iPhone 6." But the nearly complete stock-out of the 32-gigabyte iPhone 5c at Verizon could be a sign that the model will no longer be a part of Apple's iPhone lineup going forward.
The Wall Street Journal claimed back in January that Apple would scrap the iPhone 5c this year. The mid-range model was introduced in 2013, running essentially the same components as the 2012 iPhone 5, but sporting a new plastic back that came in a colorful array of options.
Apple itself has admitted that market share of the iPhone 5c was lower than the company expected it to be, a fact that critics have used to characterize the handset as a "flop." However, Apple has also revealed that the iPhone 5c has helped the company see its highest growth in the mid-range market, outpacing year-over-year growth of its higher (iPhone 5s) and lower (iPhone 4s) priced options last quarter.
Verizon joins Walmart and other retailers in discounting Apple's 2013 iPhone lineup ahead of hotly anticipated new models. It's rumored that Apple's "iPhone 6" will come in two screen sizes of 4.7 and 5.5 inches, and if the company sticks to its usual release pattern, the next-generation handset will go on sale Friday, Sept. 19.
An anonymous tipster reached out this week to claim that the carrier has "retired" the 32-gigabyte iPhone 5c. According to this person, the company plans to sell its remaining inventory and then will not replenish ahead of the anticipated Sept. 9 unveiling of Apple's fall 2014 iPhone lineup.
Corroborating this tip is the fact that Verizon's online store is currently sold out of the 32-gigabyte iPhone 5c in all colors except blue. The carrier remains fully stocked with 16-gigabyte models, as well as all versions of the iPhone 5s.
In contrast, Verizon's chief rival, AT&T, appears to have all colors of the 32-gigabyte iPhone 5c in stock as of Tuesday. The nearly-year-old handset sells for $199.99 at AT&T, but Verizon has discounted the 32-gigabyte iPhone 5c to $99.99 with a two-year commitment.
Verizon is also aggressively discounting the iPhone 5s, selling the entry-level 16-gigabyte model for $99.99 with contract, 32 gigabytes for $149.99, and 64 gigabytes for $199.99. When bought through Apple, those phones are priced at $199, $299, and $399, respectively.
Verizon appears to be clearing inventory ahead of Apple's anticipated Sept. 9 unveiling of the so-called "iPhone 6." But the nearly complete stock-out of the 32-gigabyte iPhone 5c at Verizon could be a sign that the model will no longer be a part of Apple's iPhone lineup going forward.
The Wall Street Journal claimed back in January that Apple would scrap the iPhone 5c this year. The mid-range model was introduced in 2013, running essentially the same components as the 2012 iPhone 5, but sporting a new plastic back that came in a colorful array of options.
Apple itself has admitted that market share of the iPhone 5c was lower than the company expected it to be, a fact that critics have used to characterize the handset as a "flop." However, Apple has also revealed that the iPhone 5c has helped the company see its highest growth in the mid-range market, outpacing year-over-year growth of its higher (iPhone 5s) and lower (iPhone 4s) priced options last quarter.
Verizon joins Walmart and other retailers in discounting Apple's 2013 iPhone lineup ahead of hotly anticipated new models. It's rumored that Apple's "iPhone 6" will come in two screen sizes of 4.7 and 5.5 inches, and if the company sticks to its usual release pattern, the next-generation handset will go on sale Friday, Sept. 19.
Comments
iPhone pro
iPhone air
iPhone 6c
iPhone 5c
I'm not sure if that has any relevance to a new product cycle in September, but it's a good time to get your phone replaced if it's a 4 or 5!
I do not believe they will repackage the 5S in plastic, as this would then appear too similar to the 5C to justify the price differential. It would be simpler to continue with both the 5C and the 5S exactly as they are now. This avoids having to make any alterations to their production lines. Also these models are well-known in the market, and any changes would require advertising support which would detract emphasis from the new 4.7 and 5.5 phones.
iPhone Color - 4.0 - basically 5S in plastic - $550
I'm trying to remember the last time "color" was an effective marketing differentiator.
Printers, sure. And the original iMac made use of color, but that wasn't integral to its name.
Maybe it says something about my age that when I hear the word "color" in a marketing context, I flashback to this:
Or maybe it says something about your prediction.
iPhone Pro - 5.5 - $750
iPhone Air - 4.7 - $650
iPhone Mini - 4.0 - $550
lines up with Mac pro/air/mini
iPhone 4S - 3.5 - will still be sold in other countries as the cheapest option.
iPhone 5C (16GB only, one color only - probably white) - FREE on contract
iPhone 5SC (the 5S in plastic, multiple colors, various memory sizes) - 16GB will be $99 on contract
iPhone Air (the 4.7" iPhone 6, in gold/silver/spacegray) - lowest memory size is 32GB at $199 on contract
iPhone Pro (the 5.5" iPhone 6, or "6L") - 32GB at $299 on contract
In the Netherlands, telco KPN isn't offering [B]any[/B] iPhone in leu of the impending refresh.
No iPhone 5C, no iPhone 5S.
Only offer is the iPhone 5c 8GB.
All models aren't being stocked due the impending iPhone refresh in October.
Can submit proof if needed, but given September announcement , all orders are cancelled.
What a horrible name for a product unusable to consumers and professionals alike.
He said ‘effective’.
At least you got the name right. Now all we can hope is that it doesn’t exist at all.
Check with Benjamin Frost. He might be up for it.
Not as effective as Apple wanted. Meaning they sold less than Apple wanted. MEANING THAT APPLE WANTED MORE OF THEM TO BE SOLD THAN WERE SOLD. Meaning that your theory of purposely gimping devices to sell the new one is WRONG.
I already told you how this behavior makes you appear. Just answer questions when people ask them instead of acting this way.
-rebuttal-
I see that "integral to the product name" (bolded and italicized) sailed right past you.
Your mileage may vary, but the literal "Color" in a product name strikes me as trite and overused.
So what does the C in iPhone5C mean?
Explain to the class why Apple chose NOT to name the 5C "iPhone 5 Color" last year.
And, using your own argument ("5C"=="Color"), explain why Apple would choose to label two different products with virtually the same non-differentiating concept this year.
IF they are goinging away from the number designation they should do so across the whole line:
iPhone Pro - 5.5
iPhone Air - 4.7
iPhone Mini - 4.0 - 5S in plastic - in different colors as the 5C
Actually, that makes sense… especially if they do come out with an iPad Pro early next year. Keeps the naming conventions consistent across product platforms (even computers, Mac Mini, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro/Mac Pro).
K.
Just shut up. If you don’t have an argument, don’t post at all. It makes you look less stupid.
Except not once have you ever done so when questioned. How pathetic.
The introduction of the 5C essentially increased sales of the 5S, as customers initially intending to buy the 5C decided to buy the higher quality 5S. The leak of a 5.5" iPhone made more people look at the iPhone and would seriously consider the 4.7" if the 5.5" is delayed or not forthcoming.
My geometry skills are out of practice: what are the horizontal and vertical dimensions of a 4.7" and 5.5"?