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Apple to Discontinue iPhone 5 Alongside Launch of 5S and Plastic Models?
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And that sounds exactly like the case for the 16GB plastic phone. The base 5S already is going to be the big upsell, better make it worth it.
And the 5S will have exactly the same case... so that certainly isn't the reason.
Purely rubbish speculation that does not make economic sense. It would be sensible to make iPhone5 a mid-tier device since its LTE radio is still top notch and very relevant.
The build quality also makes it a formidable competition at, say $525-$549. The ses number supports my conjecture.
The build quality also makes it a formidable competition at, say $525-$549. The ses number supports my conjecture.
The writing and grammar nerd in me has to wonder whether it's mandatory for all MR writers to use the word "however" at least once in every article. This one scores two, both unnecessary.
It makes sense, why have your premium phone look exactly the same as your cheaper one? No reason to keep the iphone 5 around anymore. Also the parts thing is BS because the parts are obviously the same between the models and in fact the low cost iphone will likely use exactly the same parts as the iphone 5 just in a cheaper shell so they can differentiate between premium and lower end. The only issue with this approach is that their lower end is still going to be priced way too high and they will likely give it much less powerful internals than the premium model
The 5s is going to take a huge hit if the average consumer sees only two choices -- a "free" iPhone, or a $200 iPhone. I already know which one my boss will get me to replace my iPhone 4... unless I can convince him the fingerprint sensor is necessary to keep the company data safe. 
I think its fairly simple, Apple have seen that the 4s and even the 4 are still selling like hotcakes due to the price. So to stop everyone using 3 year old tech and to keep everyone on the latest iOS, they release a cheaper but limited plastic version.
Good points. iPhone 5 is hard to make with its metal shell to begin with. Another thing regarding margins is that the 's' series (gs, 4s, 5s) always have better margins than their predecessors.
But I'm still waiting for the 6 with bigger screen.
But I'm still waiting for the 6 with bigger screen.
Sounds to me. It'll make refreshes much cleaner, and no doubt that after the 5S, they'll just drop the 'number' as a generation signifier, opting instead for a "the new iPhone" branding. It worked for the iPad, so it only makes sense to use it for the iPhone too.
If this is to be the case however, then the low-budget model will definitely need a title to separate it from the regular iPhone. That's a tough one...
If this is to be the case however, then the low-budget model will definitely need a title to separate it from the regular iPhone. That's a tough one...
Do we really think the 5S will have 128GB? I'd love that, but I'm just wondering what the chance of that happening is. I mean, I know the full-size iPad has 128GB and all.
I agree, but in my case with iTunes Match, I do not need my 64GB... But I would rather have them and not use them than the other way around...
A lot more than an iPhone 4S? Yes... esp. if you get it unlocked. But will it be a collector's item? No.
MacBookPro13";17626908 said:
Yes, and that is exactly why Apple won't be discounting the 5. They really can't afford to offer a product at the level of build quality and low tolerances that the iPhone 5 has, at cheaper and cheaper prices. That kind of precision metal fabrication isn't cheap, nor is it easy to build at that kind of volume. Having Apple sell 20+ million iPhone 5's in 90 days has always been incredibly impressive to me. The kinds of assembly processes they use for it, like the precision matched inlays, has typically been the kinds of things you see in VERY low volume, VERY high priced luxury products. Not a mass manufactured consumer product. Its practically unheard of.
The plastic iPhone has always seemed to be a strategic move. As Apple increasingly pushes the boundaries in enclosure fabrication for their high-end, it becomes harder and harder to discount those every year and sustain increasing levels of production. At least without their margins collapsing.
Plastic
I still think it's weird that they would make a plastic phone when every other product they make _ that_you_touch_ (or that is a "computer") is aluminium. It's such a departure. I mean it looks like it's going to happen, but... Plastic? Oh well.
I still think it's weird that they would make a plastic phone when every other product they make _ that_you_touch_ (or that is a "computer") is aluminium. It's such a departure. I mean it looks like it's going to happen, but... Plastic? Oh well.
So you have seen the actual screens from both phones? I doubt it. All you have seen are images that were rumored to be the new phones.
I like this route seeing as how apple has been doing this with ever other product other than the iPhone. We don't have an iPod 6s we have a 7th generation iPod. Apple doesn't sell the MacBook Pro 16s it's just a 2013 MacBook Pro why not do the same thing with iPhones.
Have an iPhone pro 2013 model and an iPhone 2013 model just like the old MacBook and MacBook Pro models.
Why would they continue to produce the 5 though if they have two new phones coming out?
It was mentioned earlier, but I could see them doing away with the numbers and even the "S" in the name as well. They did it with the iPad's.
I'm guessing an 'iPhone Pro' (the 5S) and an 'iPhone' (the iPhone Mini). Or a similar naming structure. I think they might abandon numbering since it's not present anywhere else in their products.
Apple proved with "Mavericks" that their naming scheme is up for revision.
The 5s is going to take a huge hit if the average consumer sees only two choices -- a "free" iPhone, or a $200 iPhone. I already know which one my boss will get me to replace my iPhone 4... unless I can convince him the fingerprint sensor is necessary to keep the company data safe.
Apple isn't going to care which iPhone people buy.
But I doubt professionals and business people, esp. men are going to want fruity colored phones. Kids will, and that is really the market for the low cost phone.
Also if you look at the range of, say, iMacs they go from $1299 to $1999. Consumers understand what they want if there is clear distinction between models. Price isn't the only factor if they can recognize they get more for paying more.
Finally the iPhones have ranged from $0 to $399 (subsidized) for sometime now. So your point really doesn't bear out reality.