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Analyst Claims Redesigned iPhone 5, China-Focused 'iPhone 4-Plus' Coming Soon
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Can someone please explain all the talk of the iPhone in China ? This has popped up in quite a few stories recently. Yet the iPhone already is in China...
What's so special about this ?
More magical Apple publicity?
If they do make a Chinese-centric iPhone, I wonder if it will include some kind of stylus? Fact is they are the best way to input the many thousands of characters that make up their writing system.
Why would they suddenly make a Chinese-centric iPhone ? China got the same iPhone 4 that everyone else got.
Doesn't make sense to me at all.
Excellent point. Where are the parts? Is even Apple that good at this degree of secrecy? I'm having doubts about the Redesigned iPhone 5 in 2011. 2012 seems more like it. And as a 3GS owner for 27 months this really irks me. 18 month refresh for a 4S?
I get a feeling that the 4S was always planned for 2011, but its iOS5 delays that lead to an october release instead of WWC.
While the information is nothing new, I do think the name is intriguing:
iPhone 4+
Somehow that looks cooler than "iPhone 4S" in my opinion. Minor detail.
iPhone 4+
Somehow that looks cooler than "iPhone 4S" in my opinion. Minor detail.
What is this "world-mode" descriptive? What exactly does that mean? That means it can work in any cell phone system across the world, but locally, or it can become a phone which can be used by travelers from anywhere in the world? That's a term I have never heard before.
Anyway, someone said analysts are forum members that found a way to get paid. So true. Anyone could "predict" these things, the predictions forgotten after the real deal is released. "Psychic busted by cops--didn't see it coming."
Anyway, someone said analysts are forum members that found a way to get paid. So true. Anyone could "predict" these things, the predictions forgotten after the real deal is released. "Psychic busted by cops--didn't see it coming."
The big-screen/thinner "iPhone 5" could be real, or it could be myth (or one of several possibilities, just not the one Apple went ahead with). Or it could be in-between: real info about a real coming product, but not one that's coming out yet.
With so little info except for the case makers feeling sure, I dont hold out much hope for a new iPhone shape this year. (Which is finethe iPhone 4 shape is great, just let the internals evolve. Call it an iPhone 4S, 4+, or even 5, in which case the thinner design could be the iPhone 6. Or, the thin shape could be an upcoming iPod Touch?)
With so little info except for the case makers feeling sure, I dont hold out much hope for a new iPhone shape this year. (Which is finethe iPhone 4 shape is great, just let the internals evolve. Call it an iPhone 4S, 4+, or even 5, in which case the thinner design could be the iPhone 6. Or, the thin shape could be an upcoming iPod Touch?)
Software or hardware related delay ?
The leaked parts so far indicate an iPhone "4S" update only.
I hope I am wrong because there has been an unusually long gap between iPhone updates. This could be due to software delays (iOS5 and iCloud) or something else. It could be that Apple's plan was to offer a spec bump only this year, but it became apparent that such a move would not be enough.
Android was just getting off the ground when the 3G to 3GS update was introduced in 2009. Times have changed. The delay may have something to do with an adjustment made by Apple that includes the introduction of a new flagship device. This is perhaps wishful thinking. We will find out soon enough.
The leaked parts so far indicate an iPhone "4S" update only.
I hope I am wrong because there has been an unusually long gap between iPhone updates. This could be due to software delays (iOS5 and iCloud) or something else. It could be that Apple's plan was to offer a spec bump only this year, but it became apparent that such a move would not be enough.
Android was just getting off the ground when the 3G to 3GS update was introduced in 2009. Times have changed. The delay may have something to do with an adjustment made by Apple that includes the introduction of a new flagship device. This is perhaps wishful thinking. We will find out soon enough.
PS--never trust an analyst that misuses the word SUBSUME. I think he meant SUPPLANT.
Awesome, thanks.
Awesome, thanks.
I Can't Wait!
To everyone saying that "they don't see Apple releasing two phones, confusing things, etc":
They are not releasing two iPhones. They are releasing the iPhone 5. Whether it seems like a "4S" or not, it will be called the iPhone 5. No one will refer to it as the 4S. Also, the iPhone 4 that will remain for sale @ $99 will still be called the iPhone 4. Yes, it might have the updated A5 cpu, and it will probably be stripped to just 8GB, but they are not going to talk about it or go into any detail other than "and the top-selling iPhone 4 is now only $99 on contract".
So please, people, stop saying "There isn't going to be an updated iPhone 4 and 5, they won't do it."
They will. I am right.
That is all.
To everyone saying that "they don't see Apple releasing two phones, confusing things, etc":
They are not releasing two iPhones. They are releasing the iPhone 5. Whether it seems like a "4S" or not, it will be called the iPhone 5. No one will refer to it as the 4S. Also, the iPhone 4 that will remain for sale @ $99 will still be called the iPhone 4. Yes, it might have the updated A5 cpu, and it will probably be stripped to just 8GB, but they are not going to talk about it or go into any detail other than "and the top-selling iPhone 4 is now only $99 on contract".
So please, people, stop saying "There isn't going to be an updated iPhone 4 and 5, they won't do it."
They will. I am right.
That is all.
It's going to be cheaper and therefore better suited to the broader Chinese market.
Not that difficult to comprehend surely?
This should also be the first iphone to be available via China Mobile, the state carrier, giving them better access to hundreds of millions of customers.
NOPE, all you are wrong.
APPLE Strategy is to segregate the iPhone 4 market from the just launched iPhones 5 & 4S, these way they extinct iPhone 4 on markets where they launch the newer 4s/5 while other markets (where still have a HUGE amount of stock of iPhone 4 16/32GB unsold DUE SAMSUNG/ANDROID unforeseen competition.) still sells their stocks at full pricing.
Also Apple need to still providing markets with a cheaper alternative to keep cheap androids away, here enters the 4S, 8GB, plastic back, and iTouch cameras is far cheaper to produce than a full 4S, also they add a new Apple-Money Gathering gadget: NFC.
The iPhone 5 is need to compete wit bigger screen Andorids, by far more comfortable on hands and eyes.
The iPhone 4S has three commercial purposes: to provide a CHEAP (but more cheaper to produce) iPhone 4, reducing cost of a cheaper alternative to iPhone 5, also the iPhone 4S, as argument to keep the current stock of iPhone 4 selling at higher(near or current) prices, specially on countries where newer models still not launched.
Also the iPhone 4S providing unique model for CDMA/GSM networks (T-MOs AWS 3G enabled) and introducing NFC capabilities.
The iPhone 5, its the required update to keep the iPhone brand as the TOP SMARTPHONE, position currently held by Samsung Galaxy S II.
APPLE Strategy is to segregate the iPhone 4 market from the just launched iPhones 5 & 4S, these way they extinct iPhone 4 on markets where they launch the newer 4s/5 while other markets (where still have a HUGE amount of stock of iPhone 4 16/32GB unsold DUE SAMSUNG/ANDROID unforeseen competition.) still sells their stocks at full pricing.
Also Apple need to still providing markets with a cheaper alternative to keep cheap androids away, here enters the 4S, 8GB, plastic back, and iTouch cameras is far cheaper to produce than a full 4S, also they add a new Apple-Money Gathering gadget: NFC.
The iPhone 5 is need to compete wit bigger screen Andorids, by far more comfortable on hands and eyes.
The iPhone 4S has three commercial purposes: to provide a CHEAP (but more cheaper to produce) iPhone 4, reducing cost of a cheaper alternative to iPhone 5, also the iPhone 4S, as argument to keep the current stock of iPhone 4 selling at higher(near or current) prices, specially on countries where newer models still not launched.
Also the iPhone 4S providing unique model for CDMA/GSM networks (T-MOs AWS 3G enabled) and introducing NFC capabilities.
The iPhone 5, its the required update to keep the iPhone brand as the TOP SMARTPHONE, position currently held by Samsung Galaxy S II.
China also has the 3GS available, like all other markets, as a "cheaper" alternative.
I still don't get why people are making a big deal of the "iPhone coming to China" when it's already released there.
Basically, I don't understand why people think that a China iPhone would be soooo surprising.
yes, thanks for that newsflash
the iphone4 will be seen as a much more attractive proposition, what with it being a much better phone and it not being over 2 past it's release date.
not sure anyone said it was surprising
It is a big deal however; making bigger and bigger inroads into a potentially gigantic market is (unsurprisingly) obviously being seen as important to Apple and their future.
I thought 2 versions of the iPhone doesn't fit apples motto, but after hearing about how they would use the cheaper alternative in countries like China it might make sense.
I just wonder if it would hurt Apple's image, they are known for offering premiums. Then again there is the Macbook and Macbook Pro models.
I don't know if we would need a cheaper iPhone 4 however, the iPhone 3GS really dropped once the 4 came out, I plan the same would occur to the current model with the iPhone 5's announcement. Perhaps that's why they wish to make it a 4-plus. It makes some sense but it just doesn't feel like apple's style, at least in the states.
I just wonder if it would hurt Apple's image, they are known for offering premiums. Then again there is the Macbook and Macbook Pro models.
I don't know if we would need a cheaper iPhone 4 however, the iPhone 3GS really dropped once the 4 came out, I plan the same would occur to the current model with the iPhone 5's announcement. Perhaps that's why they wish to make it a 4-plus. It makes some sense but it just doesn't feel like apple's style, at least in the states.
i think people are making a big deal because its limited to a few carriers in china.
so it would be like if the iPhone was only on tmobile in the US, but it was about to be released on at&t.
that would be big news here, just like it was when the iPhone went to verizon
China already has an iPhone 4 too... how would it be more attractive than anywhere else ?
How is it more important than in any other country though to warrant this much mention in news stories ? That's what I don't get, what is so special about China here ?
They already have both the iPhone 4 and 3GS, they aren't the only country in the world without 100% of carriers having the iPhone... doesn't jive.
Yeah, much better to look like all the iPod Touches because that design isnt dated?