Kuo: Budget 6.1-inch LCD iPhone lineup could start at $550

Posted:
in iPhone edited June 2020
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.
harry wild

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 19
    ivanhivanh Posts: 597member
    DSDS - the most important thing is privacy and personal security. The China-SIM must be able to completely turn off when the user is located out of mainland China. Your whereabout and app data must not be accessible, stored and forward to a Shenzhen- or Beijing-based intelligence, like those roumoured about at Huawei and Xiaomi, when you switch between 2 SIMs.
    Boonmee udomjit(รวมพล)h2p
  • Reply 2 of 19
    DSDS model is the one to get!  No more physical sims card!
  • Reply 3 of 19
    Nameo_Nameo_ Posts: 34member
    $549 for a 6.1” iPhone sounds like a dream though. Just 2 years ago I got my 7 Plus Jet Black 128GB for a hefty $849. Of course the $549 one will come with 32GB of storage, but still. Hope this rumor turns out to be true. I’d gladly pay $649 for 6.1” & 128GB.
    doozydozen
  • Reply 4 of 19
    this will be my next iphone! hope the trade offs between it and the oled variants aren’t as pronounced.
    edited April 2018
  • Reply 5 of 19
    Apple was criticized because AirPods, at $179, was too expensive.  Today they are the best selling wireless earbud.
    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.

    doozydozenwaltg
  • Reply 6 of 19
    wood1208wood1208 Posts: 2,905member
    $550, Seriously? Mr. Ming-Chi Kuo very well can be wrong. Than once such low pricing for the new 6.1" screen iPhone is available, it can disrupt older iPhones like current X,8,7 pricing. I would anticipate 6.1" 64GB for $750. Than, every now and than, Carriers can offer new line BOGO offer to make it iPhone super cycle.
    edited April 2018
  • Reply 7 of 19
    Apple was criticized because AirPods, at $179, was too expensive.  Today they are the best selling wireless earbud.
    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.

    Except that it might replace the iPhone SE (which is currently very inexpensive), and Apple might stop selling legacy iPhone 6's, 7's, etc., so it needs a product to fill the "Economy" price slot.  At some point, Apple will make a push to stop selling devices with home buttons entirely, and this might be the time.  When they do this, they will absolutely need an "economy" version of the iPhone to replace the legacy models.  

    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.
    [Deleted User]
  • Reply 8 of 19
    fallenjtfallenjt Posts: 4,053member
    DSDS model is the one to get!  No more physical sims card!
    WHY the hell people would even need the second sim? It’s 2018 and hundreds of sms with voice calls  included...free! 
  • Reply 9 of 19
    fallenjtfallenjt Posts: 4,053member
    Apple was criticized because AirPods, at $179, was too expensive.  Today they are the best selling wireless earbud.
    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.

    Kuo just got a weed party hangover! Forgive him!
  • Reply 10 of 19
    foggyhillfoggyhill Posts: 4,767member
    Apple was criticized because AirPods, at $179, was too expensive.  Today they are the best selling wireless earbud.
    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.

    Except that it might replace the iPhone SE (which is currently very inexpensive), and Apple might stop selling legacy iPhone 6's, 7's, etc., so it needs a product to fill the "Economy" price slot.  At some point, Apple will make a push to stop selling devices with home buttons entirely, and this might be the time.  When they do this, they will absolutely need an "economy" version of the iPhone to replace the legacy models.  

    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.
    There were complaints about the Watch price at all levels, and the Iphone pricing (especially the initial one) in 2018 money was pretty extreme compared to the rest of the market (it went down a bit later in the year), Ipod had a lot of people calling it overpriced, in fact for the entire time Apple has existed since the 1980s almost everything it put out has been called overpriced.

    The ONLY exception has been the Airpods and the SE which seems to be something recent for Apple.
    Apple Music also is very competitive (in fact their family is what forced the hand of spotify).

    We will only know during the Holiday season if the Homepod is overpriced or not; this time of year to early august is normally a pretty low time for homebound consumer electronics in general.
    edited April 2018
  • Reply 11 of 19
    ksecksec Posts: 1,569member
    This is a key consideration for users in China who often jump cellular providers between provinces

    Sigh


  • Reply 12 of 19
    anomeanome Posts: 1,533member
    fallenjt said:
    DSDS model is the one to get!  No more physical sims card!
    WHY the hell people would even need the second sim? It’s 2018 and hundreds of sms with voice calls  included...free! 

    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.

    muthuk_vanalingam
  • Reply 13 of 19
    19831983 Posts: 1,225member
    The low-end model to incorporate Touch ID biometrics? Wasn’t it reported to have the same Face ID ‘notch’ as it’s OLED stablemates? Also I always associated dual-SIM cards with low-end Chinese phones, not premium ones...and this is going to be an extra cost option!
    edited April 2018
  • Reply 14 of 19
    blastdoorblastdoor Posts: 3,258member
    I sure hope the 6.1" has a two lens camera, but it probably won't. If it did, that would be the phone I'll get this fall. Otherwise, iPhone 8+ for me. I have no interest in paying the OLED premium. 
  • Reply 15 of 19
    jcs2305jcs2305 Posts: 1,336member
    Apple was criticized because AirPods, at $179, was too expensive.  Today they are the best selling wireless earbud.
    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.

    Except that it might replace the iPhone SE (which is currently very inexpensive), and Apple might stop selling legacy iPhone 6's, 7's, etc., so it needs a product to fill the "Economy" price slot.  At some point, Apple will make a push to stop selling devices with home buttons entirely, and this might be the time.  When they do this, they will absolutely need an "economy" version of the iPhone to replace the legacy models.  

    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.
    I thought a big reason for the SE was the size, not just the price?  People wanted a powerful, yet small handset.  I think it would be a mistake to replace the 4in screen with 6.1in.  I have learned from reading here that a lot of folks want that smaller phone. I personally have used a plus since the 6s and won't go back to anything smaller. It fits my hand well and doesn't look like a iPad mini when I am talking on it as some here have said. I can see a smaller person with smaller hands feeling this way though as I have seen some women using the Plus here at work and it looks enormous.

    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? B)
  • Reply 16 of 19
    k2kwk2kw Posts: 2,075member
    Apple was criticized because AirPods, at $179, was too expensive.  Today they are the best selling wireless earbud.
    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.

    I'm guessing that the 6.1 LCD phone will have FaceID .  What will they call it .  LE - Large Edition.   Now are they going to make a 5.5 and 4.7 with TouchID?   Will their be a smaller LCD (around 5 inches ) with FaceID and the notch instead.
  • Reply 17 of 19
    lukeilukei Posts: 379member
    fallenjt said:
    DSDS model is the one to get!  No more physical sims card!
    WHY the hell people would even need the second sim? It’s 2018 and hundreds of sms with voice calls  included...free! 
    Work and personal numbers. 
  • Reply 18 of 19
    lerxtlerxt Posts: 186member
    Why Dual sim? Everyone in India and China has the need for it, its a requirement for most people who are roaming within their country or are trying to minimise costs. 

    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. 
  • Reply 19 of 19
    Indian phone companies are always running special deals on special days & people swap their sims in and out to take advantage of it.  Work and personal numbers, check.  Traveling around in China to different areas with different carriers, check.  Finally, Apple, finally! 🍸🙀
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