Analyst Predicts No Siri on iPhone 5C, Fingerprint Scanner Solely for Device Unlocking on iPhone 5S

[mwebb]

I don't really expect a "PC Jr" move by Apple. Nobody will sell "crippled" again.

"we expect the cheaper phone to have a plastic casing, 4" display, and lower end internal specs (processor, camera, memory, etc.) than the 5S/5 line up"

Give me a break. If that's the case, just keep the 4s in the line up.

It makes a lot more sense to give us 5 internals in a less-snazzy case.

Maybe downgrade to a 3.5" screen (so that the "C" means both "Color" and "Compact").

But with an expected upgrade to the processor and camera in the 5s, what is the point of deliberately downgrading the 5C below the soon to be (evolutionarily) downgraded 5?

The plastic case and slightly less svelte looks will distinguish the 5C enough. And proof this analyst is blowing smoke? A $300 price tag just won't happen. If a good Nexus is $349 (with the decent memory spec), then the 5c has to start at $400. Remember, the smartphones from every other vendor (except Nokia) are in the $550-$650 range. Apple isn't losing traction to those vendors on price even with their current line up. They are losing traction based on draconian minimum guaranteed purchase requirements imposed on their carrier-partners.

Rumor has it the 5 will stay in the line. THAT makes sense, when combined with the 5C, only if the 5s has one additional feature going for it - a "growth spurt" i.e. a 4.3-5" screen. So that we have compact, medium, and sort-of-large. And in THAT scenario, Apple should STILL update the innards of the 5. So you have a 5 that is faster (A7), with a better camera; a 5s with more screenestate; and a 5C with "enough" speed (A6) and camera and a fun case. And, by this point in smartphone evolution, a more compact body for people who actually use their phones to ... ummm ... make phone calls.

Or, Apple could pull a PC Jr in which case I should sell my Apple stock notwithstanding Icahn buying about a billion in shares today.

 

[Aidyn's X]

Yea and theres always the blind Apple fanboy, read the post next time it has everything to do with the new iPhone release. I care about Apple as much as the next person here. They have had long enough to develop the new iPhone now so should have realised long ago people want a larger screen, and why should I buy Android just for this? Have you ever held an S3 next to your iPhone? maybe your so blindly happy it doesn't matter, well to some that want larger screen it's obvious.

It seems like Apple are just doing the minimal amount of upgrade for maximum profit, but lets wait and see, I think if the screen doesn't increase it won't matter a jot wether it's missing Siri or not, for a lot of Apple buyers it won't matter as they won't buy it, I certainly won't.

There are many rumors about the new iPhone. This one had nothing to do with screen size coming until next year AT LEAST. Saying that a bigger screen is the only way to make a good phone is ridiculous and just because I don't WANT a bigger screen does not make me a blind fanboy. I just happen to like phones that fit well in my pocket.

 

[donutbagel]

That's nothing like the 700 level that they failed to hang with. Fortunately I got lucky and sold during that peak...

Same
The $1000 target was ridiculous.

 

[Nahaz]

I predict that the main differences between 5S and 5C will be:
- the material
- the amount of storage
- the finger print reader
- camera quality
- battery life
- CPU speed
(and of course price)
Nothing else is needed to differentiate them.

I tend to agree with you. I don't see Apple pricing this lower than they have to. Think of how a lot of us reacted when we first saw the iPad mini price. This phone will be similar to the current iPhone 5. If they start gimping the phone too much, then it becomes an iPhone 4c or less.

 

[MUCKYFINGERS]

This is just like when Apple artificially crippled the iBooks to differentiate them from the PowerBooks.

 

[MacSince1990]

I predict he's wrong about the lack of Siri.

Siri told me that Apple.com should be able to answer that question, and more! What are you waiting for?

 

[WilliamLondon]

I predict that the main differences between 5S and 5C will be:
- the material
- the amount of storage
- the finger print reader
- camera quality
- battery life
- CPU speed
(and of course price)
Nothing else is needed to differentiate them.

Congratulations, you've just reduced the perceived value of the iPhone by creating two phones that do the exact same thing and given them two different prices. (sorry couldn't resist, not trying to offend)

Which (in the minds of the average consumers, not yours) do you think they'll choose? If both phones run iOS, both have retina (fairly obvious given the leaked, if real, cases showing size of screen). If the 5C runs iOS it won't be slow (think of the negative press if it did, as a new product not running properly their "superior" OS vs. Android), so CPU won't be a differentiating factor they can use to market/sell the phones. Storage differences - why a new case for storage differences?. Camera quality (different than they just did with the iPod Touch??). How do you market these differences, thinking from both the perspective of the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C? Try and market/sell one without denigrating the other.

These two phones you created in your list do the exact same thing, but they have different price points. Both are new products. Average Joe Consumer wants a new iPhone, which does he buy? Pretentious Jean-Chic Consumer wants a new iPhone, which does he buy? How many more average Joe Consumers are there, and when walking down the street with both talking on iPhones, one paid $350 for his, the other paid $650 for his - what is the commonly perceived value of the iPhone? How long in this world of Jean-Chic does the $650 iPhone have to live when average Joe outnumbers him so greatly?

Nothing else is needed to differentiate them? That wouldn't be my opening line if I ever were to apply for a job at Apple in Product Management or Product Marketing.

 

[BornAgainApple]

Can we have an option in MacRumors settings to hide all stories that originate from analysts? I can come up with something like the iPhone 5C won't have 64gb storage and will start with 8gb instead of 16, does that make me an analyst?

I just want the option of hiding any rumor that has the name 'Munster' in it. There are a handful of analysts out there who have been more right than wrong.

 

[richman555]

I doubt they would remove Siri even for a cheaper phone. I still think Apple has much bigger plans for Siri. For all we know, 'Hands Free' operation will likely become more important for car integration, wearables, or even a future Apple TV.

 

[Mrg02d]

You must not know a lot of people. To counter your example, everyone I know has a password on their iPhone.

Oh brother...Really? I stand CORRECTED. Feel better now?

 

[CFreymarc]

IMO, this is dead wrong. The low cost will be a cheaper case, less Flash and slower processor but no lack of features.

As far as the fingerprint sensor. My take is we'll see a third gradient (perhaps the "iPhone 5U") with the fingerprint sensor and a few other security issues with a very high end price due to the poor yield on the alleged sapphire coated fingerprint sensor.

 

[Rob4413]

If the iPhone 5C is to be sold in emerging markets, it wouldn't support Siri. I doubt Apple will invest the money to make a Nigerian Siri.

 

[Jibbajabba]

No Siri? No this and that ? OMFG that's ridiculous.

At the same time people moaning that the price (not that we heard anything official yet to begin with) is too high for a cheap phone.

I love the intawebz ...

 

[Greg.]

Can we have an option in MacRumors settings to hide all stories that originate from analysts? I can come up with something like the iPhone 5C won't have 64gb storage and will start with 8gb instead of 16, does that make me an analyst?

No.

 

[HurryKayne]

If they are planning to still sell the A6 Iphone 5 maybe thats the case why a 5C without SIRI could be but this let me guess which kind of Axx will have inside..
An A5 for Iphone 5c ?An A6 for Iphone 5 and an A7 for the iphone 5s?..
This way an used 5 will be more appealing to me than a new one C or "standard 5".
Thats why i see probably the A5 to be discontinued and leading to a line up sporting an A6 for the iphone 5c (the same in the ipod touch 6 ? ),an A6x (the same in the ipad mini retina ? )and an A7 for Iphone 5s and Ipad 5?
Meanwhile while someone said that SIRI stand for S.teve I.s R.ight I.nside with the 4s perhaps this time with the iphone 5C the C could mean no Siri because
C.ook I.s R.ethinking ...I.nstead ,well sort of.

 

[Gus Van Der Mee]

If the iPhone 5C is to be sold in emerging markets, it wouldn't support Siri. I doubt Apple will invest the money to make a Nigerian Siri.

FYI there are countless countries it's been sold officially for some time now and still there is no native Siri support. I for example do everything in english, because my langugage is not supported.

 

[mylios101]

Maybe it's the iPhone 5Cloud. I remember old rumors about that one.

 

[bananas]

These two phones you created in your list do the exact same thing, but they have different price points. Both are new products. Average Joe Consumer wants a new iPhone, which does he buy? Pretentious Jean-Chic Consumer wants a new iPhone, which does he buy? How many more average Joe Consumers are there, and when walking down the street with both talking on iPhones, one paid $350 for his, the other paid $650 for his - what is the commonly perceived value of the iPhone? How long in this world of Jean-Chic does the $650 iPhone have to live when average Joe outnumbers him so greatly?

That's the point. They do the same thing.
The other costs $400 and has 8 or 16GB of storage and cheaper looks.
The other cost $650 and has 16 or 32 GB as minimum storage.
The cheap phone has bigger profit margin.

We will see in few weeks how wrong I was. I think I did better than the Munster guy

 

[valkata]

Is it only me who thinks that Siri is completely useless feature?

 

[captain kaos]

Maybe it's the iPhone 5Cloud. I remember old rumors about that one.

Could be. Take out the storage, more space for battery. The 5c would do everything via itunes on the cloud, maybe inc apps. It would have a better battery life and cheaper.

 

[opinio]

I just want the large screen iPhone

----------

Is it only me who thinks that Siri is completely useless feature?

No, it's me as well...

 

[peterdevries]

This is just like when Apple artificially crippled the iBooks to differentiate them from the PowerBooks.

I own a BMW. It has the same engine as the next model up but has different software motor management. It was a lot cheaper and if I want I can jailbrake (chip) it and get it to run as the more expensive one.

Businesses do this all the time. It's an effective way to reduce complexity and costs in the value chain, while maintaining a differentiated product portfolio. I don't get what the fuss is in the case of Apple. You pay less, you get less.

 

[Luis Ortega]

I would think that removing the embarrassing crapware that is Siri would be a plus point for the next iPhone.

 

[steve19150]

Oops!

Guess Munster missed this on the Apple website

 

[magicMac]

i'm really looking forward to the lower cost iPhone. Although plastic, it does look fairly good quality in those pictures and the fact it might come in different colours brings a young and fun feel to the iphone, which was always a target audience given the type of games in the app store. It also follows the trend with the iPod which fits well with apple's line-up. Given that most children don't have much money I wouldn't consider it to target "emerging markets", just simply allows everyone to get one. Further to that, I've always felt the iPhone to work better for me as a smart phone but I would not pay a premium for it beyond 2013 because it's not a new thing anymore, so the big question is what the killer feature will be on the 5S?, fingerprint reader makes sense no but siri on the cheap iPhone...nah that's on the iPad mini and iPod touch now and considered de-facto going forwards now I reckon.