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Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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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.

vodafone.png
Apple's iPhone lineup has been in question over the past several months, and it has been unclear whether the iPhone 5C will serve as a replacement for the iPhone 5 or the iPhone 4S. The cost of the iPhone 5C remains unknown, and speculation has suggested that the phone, which is said to use many of the same parts as the existing iPhone 5, may not be truly low-cost, necessitating the inclusion of the lower-priced iPhone 4S in the product line.

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
 

nfl46

macrumors G3
Oct 5, 2008
8,326
8,609
Its still hard to believe we'll have the iPhone 5S in our hands in 2 weeks! :D That year sure went by quick.
 

jrlcopy

macrumors 6502a
Jun 20, 2007
546
822
iPhone 5C just means Color.

Not cheap or china, all apart of the same level of iphone family.
 

Ivabign

macrumors 6502
Mar 27, 2011
422
43
SoCal
The funniest thing was when so many people said the 5 was going to be discontinued. The C is free! 5 in the middle at 99. I just wish that the 5S starts at 32fb
 

gowhitestripes

macrumors newbie
Jul 24, 2012
28
8
I'm wondering if the 5C will not allow a background wallpaper change; instead it will be forced to the color option it ships with.

Of course maybe the lock screen will allow a picture.

Just a thought.
 

FSMBP

macrumors 68030
Jan 22, 2009
2,711
2,600
I don't think it will be 8 GB. The current 4S is also 16 GB, the 5C kinda replaces the 4S.

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What about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's true.

Personally, I think the iPhone 5C will have inferior specs compared to the 5 (iPhone 4S in an plastic shell with 4" screen) and possibly 8GB to further move it away from the 5. But 16GB for the 5C may be what happens.

why would apple ever keep the 4S? the lineup should obviously be 5S, 5C and 5.

Because analyst typically don't think logically. Contrary to the previous rumors, it only made sense to remove all 3.5" iPhones (along with their dock connectors). That would speed up development of 4" screen-size apps and Lightning accessories.
 

blitzer09x87

macrumors 6502
May 19, 2013
408
0
if they hadn't discontinued it none would've bought the iphone 5c, which is pretty sad. bad decision:(
 

swarmster

macrumors 6502a
Jun 1, 2004
640
113
What I'm most curious about is what the no-contract carriers will do in the US. If Apple discontinues the 4S/4 in favour of the 5S/5/5C, will the Virgin Mobiles of the world offer the 5C at/near launch (at least pre-holidays)? Or just continue selling through old stock at the same old prices?

It seems like the 5C could be a big deal in that market, but could just as easily be hamstrung by carriers historically slow to react to full-lineup overhauls. Now that Apple's built some relationships with the small carriers over the last year, it will be interesting to see.
 
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