Vodafone Germany has plans to discontinue several models of existing iPhones with the release of the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C, reports German site Flo's Weblog [Google Translation]. According to an internal email, the 32 and 64GB iPhone 5 in both black and white will be discontinued, along with the black/white 16GB iPhone 4S.
This confirms an inventory leak from Canadian carrier Telus, which also suggested that Apple would discontinue the higher end iPhone 5 models. Both carrier leaks indicate that Apple's upcoming product lineup will consist of the flagship iPhone 5S, the low-cost iPhone "5C", and the 16GB iPhone 5.
An August note from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicated that Apple would discontinue the iPhone 5 in favor of the iPhone 5C while continuing to sell the iPhone 4S through the end of of the year, but the information from Vodafone Germany contradicts this theory.
It is unclear where the iPhone 5 will fit into Apple's iPhone line in terms of price. Estimates have suggested that the iPhone 5C will retail for $400 to $500 off-contract, and it is likely that the iPhone 5 would have a similar price tag. The iPhone 4S, though, could be priced below the iPhone 5C if it remains in Apple's product lineup.
Apple plans to unveil the iPhone 5S and 5C during a September 10 iPhone event. The phones are expected to ship to a number of countries shortly after, on September 20.
Article Link: Vodafone Germany to Discontinue 32/64GB iPhone 5, 16GB iPhone 4S