Just gonna bullet out some of the main points of why this move makes sense to me, the main thread is blown out of control. I think the plan would be to replace the 'low-end slot' when the 5s comes out, so the three main price points would be '5L'(new lowend), 5, and 5S. No old phones whatsoever.
The 4S is actually kind of expensive to make. They could improve margins on their cheapest phone, or target an attainable no-contract price.
*Standardize all models on the taller screen faster
*Standardize all models on lightning connector faster (dump the 30-pin)
*Pick and choose which internals to upgrade rather than sell a phone that's 2 years old through and through
I think they've reached a unique crossroads where they see it advantageous to scrub out some older tech. Every year they sell a phone with the old screen size and connector is another year those specs linger on and have to be supported. At the end of the day you'll have all phones with the same screen and connector, varying degrees of speed/camera quality/etc, and a lower-quality shell option for the low end similar to how they used to handle the macbooks.
I'd expect one major missing feature from the low-end model so that everyone can gripe that Apple is ripping them off.
The 4S is actually kind of expensive to make. They could improve margins on their cheapest phone, or target an attainable no-contract price.
*Standardize all models on the taller screen faster
*Standardize all models on lightning connector faster (dump the 30-pin)
*Pick and choose which internals to upgrade rather than sell a phone that's 2 years old through and through
I think they've reached a unique crossroads where they see it advantageous to scrub out some older tech. Every year they sell a phone with the old screen size and connector is another year those specs linger on and have to be supported. At the end of the day you'll have all phones with the same screen and connector, varying degrees of speed/camera quality/etc, and a lower-quality shell option for the low end similar to how they used to handle the macbooks.
I'd expect one major missing feature from the low-end model so that everyone can gripe that Apple is ripping them off.