2018 iPhones Could Start at $699, May Include Apple Pencil Support, 512GB Storage Option for OLED Models

[parseckadet]

I don't buy this story for one second. Apple raised their prices last year and consumers ate it up like candy, their ARPU went through the roof, and Wall St. practically wet themselves. Why would their reaction be to lower prices the following year? The market has proven that people are willing to pay $999 for the 5.8" device, so it seems likely that they would pay more for a 6.5" one.

 

[PickUrPoison]

The replacement for the X is in a weird spot pricewise. Cheaper than the X I have, but doesn't really offer a compelling reason to upgrade. More than anything, just makes you feel like a bit of a sucker for adopting the new model early.

As production quantities increase, there are economies of scale including 1) Apple’s R&D costs per unit are lower, since the same cost is spread across more units and 2) component cost decreases from suppliers and 3) production optimization.

Early adopters sometimes pay a little bit more, but they also have the latest technology. That’s how consumer electronics has worked for at least 4 or 5 decades. Did you not like your X? Apple has a 15 day return policy to prevent this type of “buyer’s remorse”.

 

[pika2000]

Probably going to have the base model 32gb an amount that 99% of users can’t use for $899 and then the only other model 512gb an amount that is way to much for 99% of users and then charge $300 more for what costs them $40 to upgrade that way most people are forced to buy a $1200 phone. Just my guess.

Considering the 8 starts at 64GB, I doubt Apple would release a new iPhone with 32GB base again.

 

[edgonzalez32]

I don't see what's wrong with an LCD screen (and I have an OLED). In a number of comparison tests reviewers have said it's pretty darned hard to see much of a difference (if any) between the 8 plus and the iPhone X especially with True Tone.

Personal preference is all. I agree Apple has done a hell of a job with their LCDs, especially on the iPhone 8. I just much prefer OLED, especially with the blacks.

 

[The Game 161]

I don't buy this story for one second. Apple raised their prices last year and consumers ate it up like candy, their ARPU went through the roof, and Wall St. practically wet themselves. Why would their reaction be to lower prices the following year? The market has proven that people are willing to pay $999 for the 5.8" device, so it seems likely that they would pay more for a 6.5" one.

Because it didn’t sell as many as they expected or hoped Even if it sold a lot.

 

[BigDO]

The replacement for the X is in a weird spot pricewise. Cheaper than the X I have, but doesn't really offer a compelling reason to upgrade. More than anything, just makes you feel like a bit of a sucker for adopting the new model early.

Yep.

 

[Pezboy]

Considering the 8 starts at 64GB, I doubt Apple would release a new iPhone with 32GB base again.

*sigh* I remember when I too was young and naive. Having so much faith that stuff made sense in the world. What a magical time that was

 

[pl1984]

So, no more 4” phones like the SE? Or will it be the ‘one more thing’-surprise?
I’ve seen too many people switching back from larger iPhones to just the SE.
I myself am happy with the 4” size, never even considered to moving to a larger phone. Yes, I’ve checked them out. They look gorgeous but the increased size doesn’t work with me even though I need to use my reading glasses.

I recently purchased an iPhone 3G (for nostalgia reasons, my very first iPhone). Its simplicity and functionality is first rate. Today's iPhone's have lost that. Maybe it's just me.

 

[PickUrPoison]

iPhone this, iPhone that..bleh..

Still no mention of the Mini or of the rest of the MAC line...

There was a rumor from Ming-Chi Kuo last month, huge news. You must have missed it.

 

[creediddy]

Apple should not release 3 models. I believe they should go with 128GB and 512GB models.

This means that the iPhone XS Plus will be $999/$1149/$1299

If they go with 128GB and 512GB they can go $1099/$1249 price points

 

[chasonstone]

Honestly, the LCD iPhone would be way more of a contender for me if it had the dual camera on the back. The price point is great.

 

[Rogifan]

I suppose 802.11 ax, WPA3, 5G and the ability to update iOS over mobile are too much to ask?

5G? Who has the ability to get 5G now?

 

[TheShadowKnows!]

I agree about the iPad mini. Still using mini 4 myself but will have to upgrade to pro eventually. iPad mini is a great size tablet to take with you everywhere. But I still believe they did not sell to well, otherwise I don't understand why Apple would just stop making it!!

Second also your high opinion of the iPad Mini 4.
[It is the perfect size when traveling abroad. And, as reported elsewhere, it sees exclusive use by pilots to hold their navigation charts at eye-level when in-flight.]

No. The iPad Mini 4 did sell well both early on, as well as on its second year with its memory refresh and price reductions.

[My guess: Cook's dislike on the Mini iPad is probably all about gaining short-term, high margins, allocating Apple's production to the larger sizes.]

And, this dislike is probably compounded, further, as the iPad Mini would need to undergo serious re-engineering due to FaceID authentication (which presumably is to replace TouchID even on iPads) concomitantly with shrinking slimmer bezels.

[My opinion: All this re-engineering work would be for naught, as I would prefer they leave TouchID ergonomics and gestures in place, and the size of the current bezels unchanged.]

 

[Rogifan]

I don't buy this story for one second. Apple raised their prices last year and consumers ate it up like candy, their ARPU went through the roof, and Wall St. practically wet themselves. Why would their reaction be to lower prices the following year? The market has proven that people are willing to pay $999 for the 5.8" device, so it seems likely that they would pay more for a 6.5" one.

Because so-called analysts will never stop believing Apple is doomed to competitors with lower prices. Been that way since Apple’s founding. I remember when every analyst was convinced the rumored iPhone 5C was a “cheap” iPhone. Heck Gene Munster speculated that it wouldn’t have Siri or a rear facing camera to keep the price down. These analysts are clowns not to be taken seriously.

 

[mrr]

Apple Pencil. Yes.

 

[DotCom2]

Apple Pencil support, LMAO.

I don't think the current apple pencil could be used properly on an iPhone, and if they create a mini apple Pencil, they need to find some way to have it be on the device (otherwise, it's just another thing you carry).

Hmmmm, I wonder how Samsung does it.

 

[Tozovac]

I Can tell you what would make it more exciting though, A refreshed iPhone SE *if* that were to launch.

That is, if Apple doesn’t ruin the SE with a bunch of unnecessary plastic surgery. The SE is less about any one of its defining features (size, grippability from square edges, headphone jack, correct placement of on/off button on top, price, Touch ID, a real home button, etc) than it is all of those things that customers like me value greatly. If Apple can’t help but dabble and “improve” by removing something at each iteration as they are prone to do, they may as well not even re-do the SE imho.

 

[0947347]

I agree about the iPad mini. Still using mini 4 myself but will have to upgrade to pro eventually. iPad mini is a great size tablet to take with you everywhere. But I still believe they did not sell to well, otherwise I don't understand why Apple would just stop making it!!

They sold extremely well. They even called mini “the best selling iPad ever”
Now, they have released iPad mini 4. First year the sales were amazing. But then, people were waiting for iPad mini 5 so they stopped buying and waited, waited a year, waited 2nd year and 3rd. But Apple didn’t bother to release new iPad mini, or, at least some kind of CPU/GPU update. So, the people eventually gave up the waiting, knowing Apple just didn’t care anymore.

Exactly the same story with Mac Mini, MacBook Air 11inch (basically a Mini of MacBook)

 

[user1234]

Really wish the 6.06" unit had a OLED display. Been wanting something with a slightly bigger screen for a while but find the Plus models to be a bit too big.

I’m very happy it’s LCD. That means there’s still an iPhone I can use released this year. I was worried everything would be OLED this year, but am very relieved that’s not the case.

 

[0947347]

Hmmmm, I wonder how Samsung does it.

I think Samsung uses some kind of magic

 

[Tozovac]

I recently purchased an iPhone 3G (for nostalgia reasons, my very first iPhone). Its simplicity and functionality is first rate. Today's iPhone's have lost that. Maybe it's just me.

Not just you, trust me. Sure, the older we get, the wiser we get and the more we know and can do. But how many of us wouldn’t wish to look and think more like we did 20 years ago just with a little carried over wisdom from the present? I’d love a return to more of the early generation simplicity. Swiping is not as easy and convenient as Apple thinks especially as they remove more buttons while adding more complexity. Pretty soon we’ll need piano lessons to fully realize how to do all the balletic swoops and flicks just to use the basics that used to be done instantly with a button or single click.

 

[metalsiren]

forgot who mentioned this but...

802.11ax is not ratified yet and not a standard. there should not be any more hardware changes related to it getting ratified so vendors are working on their chipsets. client chips are just coming out, infrastructure chipsets as well. 802.11ax is an overhaul like AC was before that so it will take a while before people like Cisco, etc,etc,etc come out with the hardware and then customers install it... could be a while before you see it in Starbucks because they dont upgrade every time a new standard comes out. most companies take 3+ year for refreshes

WPA3 - also not ratified yet.... there have been changes along the way where some things originally were requirements have been changed to optional.

sure it would be nice to see 802.11ax etc but I dont think you will see it in this years iphone , prob next year.

 

[PlainviewX]

If it's not a scaled down pencil, and it's not easily attachable to the iPhone, it's worthless. Having to carry around a full Apple Pencil to use on a phone, no chance in hell it'll ever catch on.

 

[2010mini]

An iPhone with a stylus?!???

Didn’t Steve Jobs say yuck to that?

 

[cwanja]

Can someone explain how the LCD model fits into the line up besides the "budget" phone? It's screen is a mix between the non-plus and plus, which I am sure appeals to some but will lack some of the key features. So what is the point of it?!