It's been a while since we've heard any talk regarding the rumored budget iPhone. Speculation involving Apple's secret iWatch project, and next-gen iPad models have all but taken over the rumor mill in recent weeks.
But that changes today, with a new report from Japanese blog Macotakara. The site, which has proven to have accurate sources, says that the cheaper iPhone exists, has a polycarbonate body, and will arrive in 2014...
After meeting with Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer recently, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty issued a report proclaiming so-called budget iPhone a no-brainer. Huberty joins what is now a growing list of analysts calling for such a device so Apple could better target emerging markets where cash-strapped folks mostly buy unlocked sub-$200 handsets - unlike the United States where carriers subsidize smartphones handsomely.
Thanks to these generous subsidies, US consumers don't pay full price for the hardware - provided they agree to a long-term service agreement, of course. Now, with the penetration level for the iPhone approaching a limit in the high-end segment, the untapped low-end represents an estimated $135 billion opportunity.
Even with Apple's margins peaking, an iPhone mini - as the media dubbed it - should triple Apple's addressable market in China and add nearly $2.4 billion to its handset business...
There are currently 3 or 4 strong rumors floating around the Apple-centric blogosphere these days: the iTV, the more recently popular iWatch, and then the recurring low-cost or 'budget' iPhone. What's funny is, some of these rumors have been around for years.
But if you ask The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, or anyone at Piper Jaffray, the budget iPhone will finally materialize this year. Reiterating its report from January, the firm sent out a note to investors claiming that a low-cost iPhone is on the way...
It's no secret that Apple has fallen out of the good graces of most Wall Street analysts. And with its stock price still bouncing around $250 below its last-September high, and no new products on the horizon, it doesn't look like that's going to change anytime soon.
I wouldn't say Apple's in trouble though. It's coming off a record high quarter in iPhone sales, revenue and other metrics, and has more than $130 billion in cash. But the folks over at the prestigious Barclays firm say that it's about time for Tim Cook to panic...
Topeka Capital analyst Brian White asserted Monday morning that a lower-priced iPhone could be introduced as early as this June. It will be sold unsubsidized for about $250-$300, he thinks, and suggests "iPhone Mini" or "iPhone Air" as names. Just as The Wall Street Journal originally reported, White expects the less-expensive iPhone to use a plastic body instead of metal and glass.
It would have a lower margin than prior iPhones though Apple could make up for the difference in sheer volume as carriers in emerging markets like China, Brazil and India could position the device as a competitive offering to local brands, like the Xiaomi handset which costs around $320 off-contract in China...
Talk about timely news. Just as I ran a story about a patent Apple was granted yesterday which describes what looks to be the rumored less-pricey iPhone that could be made from "transparent materials such as clear plastic", news broke that the Cupertino, California gadget designer posted a new job listing for Manufacturing Design Engineer with a focus in Advanced Plastic Tooling and Process.
Now, Apple's been moving away from plastic towards aluminum for pretty much all of its products in years past. Why on Earth would then Apple be looking to expand and improve its current plastics division unless, of course, it's in fact working on a less expensive iPhone for emerging markets, made with a cheaper plastic case to keep costs down?
Well, lookie what we have here... The United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) yesterday published an Apple patent which at first blush appears to outline a device seemingly resembling what the rumored elusive budget iPhone is supposed to be.
An aspect that particularly piqued our interest: unlike Apple's iOS devices, this one has no home button on its face. There's also a rear-facing camera - interestingly, it has no cam out the front for making video calls - and the entire thing is encased in a "clear plastic body"..
In the ongoing speculation surrounding Apple's intention to sell a low-cost iPhone, the word of the day is 'plastic'. Yes, the rumor is that the company will wrap iPhone 5 components and iPod design features in a plastic body. The report by iLounge is the second in two weeks suggesting an inexpensive iPhone may use plastic to keep costs down.
The blog cites only "reliable sources" to claim a low-cost iPhone would offer a four-inch Retina Display protected by the latest Gorilla Glass (see how strong it really is), among other features borrowed from the Apple smartphone, the fifth-gen iPod touch and the iPod classic.
Along with including the firm's new Lightning connector, the remainder of the device's features would follow the iPod touch design. The device's outer shape would appear like an iPod classic, the body composed of plastic...
The so-called budget iPhone rumors have been really heating up over the past month. And today, more fuel is added to the fire. Following up their report last week regarding next-gen iPhones and iPads, iLounge is back with some new details on the low-end device.
Citing 'reliable sources,' the site says that the handset will be "substantially made from plastic," and design-wise, it will look like a cross between the iPhone 5, the fifth generation iPod touch and the iPod classic...
The often accurate Jeremy Horwitz of iLounge just published a monster report with details regarding the new iPad, and Apple's two new iPhones coming later this year. Horwitz nailed the iPhone 5 last May, and has a fairly good track record, so people tend to listen when he talks.
For starters he dishes about the iPad 5, saying the tablet has been completely redesigned with virtually no left or right bezels, and less space above and below the screen. It's described as a "stretched iPad mini," with chamfered edges, and is smaller than you'd imagine possible...
The less-pricey iPhone rumor just wouldn't die. Today, Forbes reports that the Cupertino, California firm is likely to use Qualcomm's less powerful lower-end Snapdragon processor for the rumored budget iPhone thought to be targeted to price-sensitive shoppers in emerging markets like China, Brazil and elsewhere where carriers rarely subsidize handsets.
The story has it that such a device would not need the same kind of graphics, video and processing power as premium iPhones do and using Qualcomm's integrated solution could enable the company to integrate the CPU, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on a single chip rather than have three separate chips. As a result, Cook & Co. would be able to minimize costs, a necessity should Apple pursue the rumored $149 price point...
Towards the end of Apple's earnings call earlier today, Tim Cook and CFOÂ Peter Oppenheimer fielded a number of questions from analysts. And of course, many of them took the opportunity to question the two on the validity of recent rumors.
The Wall Street Journal's 'Apple cutting iPhone 5 part orders' story, the recent 4.8-inch iPhone meme, and the ongoing budget iPhone rumor were all brought up during the Q&A session. And Tim Cook (sort of) addressed each one...