Low-Cost iPhone to Use Plastic or Hybrid Plastic/Metal Design, Due in Late 2013

[mrsir2009]

Originally Posted by ConCat

But you know it's going to have most of the same parts as any of the older models in order to keep the price down. I don't see the point.

But they will still be modern parts - So they'll cost less to make

[whoknows87]

This is pointless, Ok lets assume Apple comes out with a Cheaper iPhone then what? What are you going to do with the iPhone 5S/6 what will be the New Innovative feature and selling point ?

[Spicedham]

A cheap low quality version will never happen. If it does it will hurt the company image. They didn't make cheap netbooks and their 7" tablet is of higher quality than other 7" tablets. Its not apple to make cheap low quality products.

[rcjh22]

I think this will be for T-Mobile customers or people who don't want to start a new contract.

T-Mobile is starting their new plans where you buy your own phone and nobody wants to shell out $700 for a new phone.

[qpdbqp]

I'm goin' with that this Phone sorta does exist, but merely a project to help Apple pin down some of those security leaks.

[mrsir2009]

Originally Posted by whoknows87

This is pointless, Ok lets assume Apple comes out with a Cheaper iPhone then what? What are you going to do with the iPhone 5S/6 what will be the New Innovative feature and selling point ?

Umm... How does bringing out a budget iPhone impact the 5S/6? It's not like it's going to outshine it or anything. The evolution of the standard iPhone will continue as normal.

[JAT]

That's good to know. Apple may or may not make a phone made partly out of plastic and possibly metal sometime in the future.

Glad I tuned in tonight.

[JayLenochiniMac]

And the 3G/3GS felt cheap and plasticky. No thanks.

[bassfingers]

Ugh, just stop it. 85% of the computer market share has been out of the apple price range for decades, and we've yet to see a $500 Mac. Because apple doesn't make bad products for people who can't afford good stuff. That's for dell and whoever else

[Super20]

Alright, I haven't read all of the posts (long day and school and was just scanning the front page news), but this is just absolutely stupid. There is no way Apple would stoop so low to release a product that was "cheap." They don't need to offer an "entry-level" device because people will pay a premium no matter what.

[wordoflife]

Originally Posted by bushman4

If Apple resorts to this,then its truly a sign that Apples innovation and ingenuity are finished. Theres no way Apple can obtain a good profit margin on these Low end iPhones . Besides the country where Apple is going to sell these are more on the poorer side and the people are not purchasing Macs etc.

Umm, what?
How does a plastic or hybrid design mean that their innovation or ingenuity is finished? It doesn't. Also, what do you mean they can't make a good profit margin? Pretty sure the mainstream iPhones that have been coming out for the past couple of years costed $200 or so to make. They shouldn't have a problem figuring it out. Plus, even if the profit margins aren't as big as their flagship iPhone... it's not like they would've sold anything in the first place. And the last sentence you wrote I don't understand it.

[lifeinhd]

Originally Posted by bassfingers

we've yet to see a $500 Mac

The original Mac Mini begs to differ

[tech4all]

Originally Posted by luqtotheman

I don't like it, does BMW use cheaper material to make cars more affordable to people? No they make top cars.

quality>>>quantity

Nope. More quantity = more money. If they could sell the regular iPhone in addition to a cheaper iPhone that will bring in MORE users that don't already have an iPhone. You can't tell me that if you're running Apple you wouldn't make a cheaper iPhone that would bring in more profit just because it's not 'top quality?' Comon now...

In the end it's all about profit. To Apple we're all just $ signs.

[SPEEDwithJJ]

Originally Posted by JayLenochiniMac

And the 3G/3GS felt cheap and plasticky. No thanks.

But Apple still sold quite a few of those.....

[InuNacho]

Originally Posted by rcjh22

I think this will be for T-Mobile customers or people who don't want to start a new contract.

T-Mobile is starting their new plans where you buy your own phone and nobody wants to shell out $700 for a new phone.

I'd be quite fine with a low end iPhone to use with a T-Mobile plan, heck I had considered buying a used 4 to use with them.

[jjatie]

While there is already a $0 (on contract) iPhone, there is room for Apple to introduce another.

When the next generation iPhone comes out (5S?), there will be only one device left with a) a 30-pin dock connector and b) a 3.5" screen. A retooling of an iPhone 5 with a cheaper case and the current 4S internals might make sense to hasten Lightning and 4" screens (for devs) ubiquity.

This would of course replace the 4S in the next revision of the iPhone line.

[Chihawk725]

If apple starts creating cheaper lower quality products merely to compete with less innovative companies then they will have fundamentally turned their back on the core model that Steve Jobs put in place to make them so successful. The people who buy those cheap models are the exact people that turn companies into commonplace entities with no desire or air of mystery too them. You do not see Bentley making a $20K coupe or True Religion making $15 jeans and you never will because then those brands like apple would lose their key ingredients, quality and exclusivity.

[Jensend]

Maybe something in the $399-499 range without contract?
$650 may be a tough sell for prepaid (even though the overall costs are much lower than contract plans)

[Michael Scrip]

Originally Posted by ben123456

I can see the market. Alot of people I know would love to own a iPhone but can't due to cost.

A lot of people I know would love to own a Macbook Air but can't due to cost.

Where does Apple draw the line? Should every Apple product have a low-cost alternative?

The danger is... the iPhone Mini becomes attractive enough for the masses...

Then who would spend the full $650 for an iPhone ever again?

There's already talk of the iPad Mini taking sales away from the $499 iPad... would Apple risk that with their cash-cow iPhone?

[maxwelltech]

Originally Posted by Peace

This isn't an older model.

Yep. A model with 2 year old processors and pixelated screen sold as "brand new".

Originally Posted by mrsir2009

They already do, don't they?

$1000 is not cheap by any means, especially by the fact that you can get a decent PC for $500.

[TheMTtakeover]

Originally Posted by Spicedham

A cheap low quality version will never happen. If it does it will hurt the company image. They didn't make cheap netbooks and their 7" tablet is of higher quality than other 7" tablets. Its not apple to make cheap low quality products.

Agreed. i think its a bad look for them.

[gotluck]

Originally Posted by Chihawk725

If apple starts creating cheaper lower quality products merely to compete with less innovative companies then they will have fundamentally turned their back on the core model that Steve Jobs put in place to make them so successful. The people who buy those cheap models are the exact people that turn companies into commonplace entities with no desire or air of mystery too them. You do not see Bentley making a $20K coupe or True Religion making $15 jeans and you never will because then those brands like apple would lose their key ingredients, quality and exclusivity.

Those companies arent the most valuable in the world. Apple caters to wall street now.

[mrsir2009]

Originally Posted by Super20

Alright, I haven't read all of the posts (long day and school and was just scanning the front page news), but this is just absolutely stupid. There is no way Apple would stoop so low to release a product that was "cheap." They don't need to offer an "entry-level" device because people will pay a premium no matter what.

What about the entry level Macs?

[Sweetchilli]

Originally Posted by Rockondevil

To me at least it doesn't really feel Apple to provide a cheap alternative.
Apple knows its market and makes products for that.

Are we going to see cheaper versions of their MacBooks and iMacs?

What they should be doing is discounting the previous generation a bit more than they do.

we did didnt we ? the plastic Macbooks. Its a similar scenario so its plausible to me. and it was in the jobs era too.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....g09_mbreds.jpg

[CoryS]

New low-cost iPhone to use cardboard, styrofoam and a special type of fungi to penetrate the market of junk phones. This is expected to appeal heavily to hobos and politicians. It's due late 1987. Here's a picture of a part that leaked from a FauxConn factory: