3G iPhone Pricing to Remain at $399, $499? Launch At WWDC?

[MacRumors]

TGDaily claims (via IntoMobile.com) to have some new knowledge from "industry sources" about the upcoming 3G iPhone.

According to their sources, the 3G iPhone will indeed be introduced at Apple's World Wide Developer's Conference (WWDC) in June. The 3G iPhone is expected to retain the same price points as the existing iPhone with an 8GB model priced at $399 and a 16GB model priced at $499. While they mention some speculation about a $599 32GB model, this remains unconfirmed.

The 3G iPhone is expected to be housed in a slightly thinner enclosure, less "plasticky" design, with some accelerometer tweaks. The operating system and user interface will remain unchanged.

While TGDaily admits they have not previously been the source of many Apple rumors, they have traditionally been a good source for Intel processor and industry information. Apple's WWDC conference takes place between June 9th-13th at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA.



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[peestandingup]

A consumer product announcement at WWDC?? Doubtful.

[Donz0r]

Originally Posted by peestandingup

A consumer product announcement at WWDC?? Doubtful.

They're going to talk about the iPhone SDK, so it's not too far off base. The iPhone is a Development platform.... it's not doubtful at all

[psingh01]

Originally Posted by peestandingup

A consumer product announcement at WWDC?? Doubtful.

The original iMac was announced at WWDC.

[EagerDragon]

Originally Posted by peestandingup

A consumer product announcement at WWDC?? Doubtful.

Any change that have an effect on the developers and or SDK makes it pertinent to the developers.

Besides it looks like 50% or more of WWDC will be about how to program the iPhone or how to leverage it at your corporation.

If there are any changes that affect the developers, and they release it at WWDC they better have at least 5,000 units at the local Apple store to handle the majority of the conference attendees.

The most sold phones in one day ever (developers + general public waiting for 3G). I can see an easy 50,000 in one day.

I have a feeling it will be released at WWDC, likely something in the new model affects the SDK.

[EricNau]

The pricing details make sense. First of all, it's rare for Apple to increase a product's price with an update, and secondly, people might be more timid to buy an iPhone after a price increase, fearing the price would be dropped within a few months.

[D 5]

ATT must do their part in the next couple of weeks.
Lower rates, better plans, better service.

Apple will not be happy...

[smkmn13]

Originally Posted by D 5

ATT must do their part in the next couple of weeks.
Lower rates, better plans, better service.

Apple will not be happy...

I feel like the current price for unlimited data/email is VERY competitive...

Service...well, no mobile company has great service...but ATT is decent, right?

[benmrii]

This is a very sad/lame projection for the iPhone "2.0".

Add 3G. No upgrade in storage. Insignificantly thinner. And it's now "high end" ... because it looks prettier.

There are a few other tweaks, which, however, may be less than you would expect from a next-gen iPhone.

Here's hoping that article is very wrong. How is the track record for TGDaily/IntoMobile.com for predictions and inside info?

[keenan wolf]

unlikely that they will keep the 8gb model because if they can fit 32gb in the ipod touch they can do it in the iphone. but then again they could keep the 8 gb and add the 32 gb but unlikely

[basesloaded190]

Originally Posted by keenan wolf

unlikely that they will keep the 8gb model because if they can fit 32gb in the ipod touch they can do it in the iphone. but then again they could keep the 8 gb and add the 32 gb but unlikely

i don't think they can fit 32gb in the current iphone unless they change the case

[keenan wolf]

Originally Posted by basesloaded190

i don't think they can fit 32gb in the current iphone unless they change the case

how the ipod touch is thinner than the iphone and there is only a few more things in the iphone and they arent that thick

[grpaul349]

Originally Posted by keenan wolf

how the ipod touch is thinner than the iphone and there is only a few more things in the iphone and they arent that thick

In one of the conference calls I recall Jobs mentioning there will be a memory disparity between the touch and iphone due to the extra internals of the iphone. It is a phone too afterall.

[psychofreak]

Originally Posted by grpaul349

In one of the conference calls I recall Jobs mentioning there will be a memory disparity between the touch and iphone due to the extra internals of the iphone. It is a phone too afterall.

He did say that, but aren't the drives the same physical size?

[berkleeboy210]

Originally Posted by basesloaded190

i don't think they can fit 32gb in the current iphone unless they change the case

hence they said in the aricle a changed case "slightly thinner enclousure"

I'd love to them to drop the 8GB, make 16gb $299, 32gb, $399, and then that leaves from for a 64gb some day at the top of the batting order.

[basesloaded190]

there is also a phone in the iphone...not one in the ipod touch...

[smkmn13]

I'm interested to see if they up the per-month charge. As of right now, the per-month charge is FAR cheaper than any other ATT data package offering (and pretty much any other provider, except for helio, i suppose). I assume this is because it's not 3G? Or is ATT keeping the others higher as part of a deal with apple?

[benlee]

i really hope they add something other than 3G. OR maybe not.
I would be compelled to ditch my existing iPhone if the new one sported a higher resolution camera and perhaps a couple other perks.

What does exactly with the "accelerometer tweaks" entail?

[csweatt]

Originally Posted by smkmn13

I'm interested to see if they up the per-month charge. As of right now, the per-month charge is FAR cheaper than any other ATT data package offering (and pretty much any other provider, except for helio, i suppose). I assume this is because it's not 3G? Or is ATT keeping the others higher as part of a deal with apple?

I am really happy with my ATT service and actually have better service than I did before. ATT will hold the key as to people's willingness to move to a 3G phone. With a data service plan like they provide today, I'll switch the day it is available. However, if there is a significant price increase, I can continue to use the phone that meets my needs. (I can't wait for exchange support) - wow!!

[zync]

Originally Posted by smkmn13

I'm interested to see if they up the per-month charge. As of right now, the per-month charge is FAR cheaper than any other ATT data package offering (and pretty much any other provider, except for helio, i suppose). I assume this is because it's not 3G? Or is ATT keeping the others higher as part of a deal with apple?

I don't know if this has been said before or not, but seeing this in every iPhone thread over and over irks me.

The data package that you need to get with the iPhone is the same, and costs the same, as for any other phone be it 2G, 3G, or eventually 4G. Data is data and it costs the same no matter how quickly you get it. You're paying for bandwidth, not speed.

When I bought my 3G Samsung Sync they asked me if I wanted to add it, and I said that I would when I get my iPhone. And they said, ok. I'm not personally attacking you, I'm just throwing it out there for those who spout false information without even checking. It does say on AT&Ts site that it's $35, but in-store, when you get a phone, it's $20.

[basesloaded190]

Originally Posted by berkleeboy210

hence they said in the aricle a changed case "slightly thinner enclousure"

I'd love to them to drop the 8GB, make 16gb $299, 32gb, $399, and then that leaves from for a 64gb some day at the top of the batting order.

how could an even slimmer case give more room for larger storage capacities

[iJesus]

Hmm, anyone want to buy an iPhone?
I'll be willing to sell mine

[Hattig]

I think they'll keep the iPhone 2's platform the same, of course using 3G instead of 2G (3.5G/2.5G actually). This will keep the software platform consistent.

They might use more power efficient parts - e.g., process shrinks for the CPU/RAM.

They may also go for a slimmer display assembly, possibly using OLED even (possibly maybe perhaps) which uses less power.

These changes would allow them to slim the battery, and thus the iPhone. Also another year of design tweaks must help a lot.

Now the iPhone 3? That will alter the platform (whilst retaining backwards compatibility). Maybe a higher resolution screen, with a faster but still ARM based CPU and graphics, and double the memory. This will live from 2009-2011 as a consistent platform.

[SirOmega]

This does sound pretty logical. Upgrade the data speed, and then turn around and upgrade the capacity next year when the higher density NAND flash chips become available (to enable 32GB). Especially if the unit is somehow thinner - they probably wont have the space on PCB for another two flash chips to get up to 32GB.

They dont want to put out the perfect hardware immediately, then you wont have reason to buy the iphone again in a year when they upgrade the capacity. Also why the chip they're planning doesn't have HSUPA for fast uploads. They can introduce direct youtube video uploads then.

[smeagol]

Never happen, the price points will never dip an additional $100 dollars. If it doesn't go up, it will remain the same. The iPod is an ecosystem of all makes and models and there has to be a clear differentiation between the touch and the iPhone. It is good to dream though, I would love it if it happened.

Originally Posted by berkleeboy210

hence they said in the aricle a changed case "slightly thinner enclousure"

I'd love to them to drop the 8GB, make 16gb $299, 32gb, $399, and then that leaves from for a 64gb some day at the top of the batting order.