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If Apple were to discontinue the 6 as well as the 5s, then a $450 price point (i.e. from September 2016) does make sense for a A9/M9 on a 4.0" device. After all, iPhone 5c was introduced at $350 - please correct me if I am wrong, for I am converting to USD based on CAD.

Alternatively, if they don't like to entertain the thought of decreasing the price within 6 months of launch, they may introduce a new price group of $500 (or $499 as they'd like to put it) now.

You are wrong, the 5c was introduced at $550 US, the same mid-tier price where the 6 is currently selling.

I agree they wouldn't drop the price when the 7 arrives.
 
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It’s very apparent Apple’s current strategy is to go for the $, but it’s trajectory is completely off in terms of “great” products. If 5SE is really a serious product name and protruding camera lenses continue alongside visible antenna bands-- investors dump your stocks. Apple needs to get back to pure simplicity. The product line up is becoming bloated and worst of all, confusing. The designs look average and the result of compromise. Apple also needs to trashcan the Beats branding-- they’re just not “Apple” quality. These two ads from 2007 and 2008 highlight the simplicity and purity of the product design offered and the way in which each product was marketed in a clever fashion. They also communicate the clarity of the Apple brand at the time. Solar:
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The first question that has to be answered is whether there will be one phone or two.

The rumors have been suggesting a low end "5se" and mid-tier "6c". If Apple does a low-end "5se" that they intend to sell in emerging markets like India where they've been selling the 4S and 5c until this month, then the 5se goes on sale worldwide to replace not only those phones, but offer a new entry level point in the US and other developed nations.

Add to that Apple is definitely going to offer the 6 which is currently selling for $550, for the same price as they are currently selling the 5s, at $450. The reason for this is to keep lowing the price barrier for Android converts. To the extent any carriers will still offer a 2 year subsidized contract, they finally will have a free "phablet" phone that the Android crowd wants.

So if there's going to be a new entry level 4" phone, then Apple will almost certainly sell it for $400, if not $350 to establish a new overall entry point for budget-minded consumers. Add to that Apple is poised to change their entire pricing structure now that they may likely have as many as 9 different models by the time the 7S arrives.

If Apple goes that route, then there is almost certainly a mid-tier 4" model for the primary reason that Apple is not going to leave money on the table from the customer who can afford more than a budget phone, but prefers a 4" size. So you might be looking at something like this:

7 Plus=$750
6S Plus=$700
7=$650
6 Plus/"7c"=$600
6S=$550
"6c"=$500
6=$450
"5se"=$400

I very much doubt that Apple is going to announce a 5se and a "6c". All evidence so far have suggested only one phone, the iPhone 5se (special edition) which will not be your usual "entry level phone" but might rather boast better specs (A9/M9).

If Apple's India website is anything to go by, they do not sell 4s or 5c in India. In fact in Tim Cook's own words: "Apple does not need to launch a less expensive device with pared-down features to entice buyers in these markets (i.e. India), as research suggests people will spend more for a better experience".

Thus, only 3 iterations: 7 (& 7+), 6s (& 6s+), and 5se after September 2016 does make sense.
 
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I very much doubt that Apple is going to announce a 5se and a "6c". All evidence so far have suggested only one phone, the iPhone 5se (special edition) which will not be your usual "entry level phone" but might rather boast better specs (A9/M9).

If Apple's India website is anything to go by, they do not sell 4s or 5c in India. In fact in Tim Cook's own words: "Apple does not need to launch a less expensive device with pared-down features to entice buyers in these markets (i.e. India), as research suggests people will spend more for a better experience".

Thus, only 3 iterations: 7 (& 7+), 6s (& 6s+), and 5se after September 2016 does make sense.

I think if you go back and look there have been conflicting rumors, using both the name "5se" and "6c" and different specs.

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/11/iphone-5e-a8-1gb-ram-apple-pay-volte/

https://www.macrumors.com/2015/12/29/iphone-6c-larger-battery-vs-iphone-5s/

They are not going to a call a phone with the feature set of the 6S, less 3D touch, a "5"-anything. And bottom line, if Apple only introduces a $450 4" phone, then they are leaving money on the table from customers who could afford to pay $650, but prefer a 4" phone.

There was just an article on this blog stating that Apple just discontinued the 4s and 5c in India this month. SO of course it wouldn't be on the India website today.

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/02/17/apple-withdraws-iphone-4s-5c-india/
 
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If Apple were to discontinue the 6 as well as the 5s, then a $450 price point (i.e. from September 2016) does make sense for a A9/M9 on a 4.0" device. After all, iPhone 5c was introduced at $350 - please correct me if I am wrong, for I am converting to USD based on CAD.

Alternatively, if they don't like to entertain the thought of decreasing the price within 6 months of launch, they may introduce a new price group of $500 (or $499 as they'd like to put it) now.
The iPhone 5C took the place of what would have been the year-old iPhone 5

They basically took the guts of the iPhone 5 and put it in a colorful plastic shell and sold it for at $550 US. Then the iPhone 5 was removed from Apple's line-up (retailers still carried them until supply ran out)

So even though the iPhone 5C was a "new" model... it was in name only. It was still the 2nd-tier iPhone.

The 5C was between the $650 iPhone 5S and the older $450 iPhone 4S.

I'm still torn on where they would place the 5SE next month.

It's faster than an iPhone 6... but has a smaller screen. Those should cancel out and then $550 would make sense. And the iPhone 5S would still be $450 next month too. I'm fine with that.

But in September... the iPhone 6S will have the same internal specs yet a bigger screen. They wouldn't charge the same amount of money for the 5SE and the 6S... would they?

So maybe they drop the price of the 5SE to $500 in September... and keep the 5S at $450 for a little longer too?

Ugh... this has gotten far too complicated :)

It was easy when there was one new model per year... and the older models dropped $100 each year.

Now they're introducing a new model at the six-month mark... and it's supposedly a very powerful phone but with a smaller screen. Then in another six months... new models and older models that have to be priced somehow.
 
Screen size would make the most sense to base pricing on. But I don't think Apple is ready for that just yet.

Here is Apple's lineup right now:

$650 - 4.7" - iPhone 6S - A9 - Touch ID, Apple Pay, 3D Touch
$550 - 4.7" - iPhone 6 - A8 - Touch ID, Apple Pay
$450 - 4.0" - iPhone 5S - A7 - Touch ID

Some people think the iPhone 5SE should just replace the iPhone 5S. But in my opinion... it will be WAAAAY too powerful of a phone at $450.

It's got a smaller screen... sure... but it's also got the guts of the CURRENT iPhone including A9, Touch ID and Apple Pay.

That doesn't seem like something Apple would offer at only $450... would it? (though it would be great for the consumer)

At $550... I could see the iPhone 5SE being comparable to today's iPhone 6.

Do you want a smaller screen but a faster processor? Or do you want a larger screen but a slower processor?

But if the 5SE was launched at $550 in march... what happens in September? We think the 6S would roll down to the $550 price-point. So in that case... the 4" iPhone 5SE and the 4.7" iPhone 6S would be the same price with similar internal specs. That seems odd too.

In short... $450 seems too low of a price for too good of a phone. But at $550... it will have difficulty fitting into Apple's current and near-future lineup.

Here's the bigger problem: Apple doesn't WANT to sell a $450 phone. They hit that price-point only because they keep older models on the market... and because they know most people will opt for the current phone instead.

But when they start making "new" $450 phones... or at least acceptable $450 phones... their ASPs will drop dramatically.

That's why I don't think they will ever offer the same new phone internals in three different screen sizes.

That would put the starting price of "the iPhone" at $450. That's not what they want.

The iPhone has held its price for many years... though other Apple products experienced massive price-drops over time.

The 13" Macbook Air started life at $1800... and now you can get it for $1000.

But new iPhones have been $650 for quite a while. Could that be coming to an end?

Eventually, it has to. In the US, millions of people are still on subsidized plans and many of them won't like the full price they think they will pay this year and next. Many people will hold on to their current iPhones until they have no other choice but to replace it, based on the high full prices. A similar looking iPhone 7 with marginal improvements won't be enough to push them to pay laptop prices or close to it for a smartphone every couple of years in a mature market where these necessities of modern life are now viewed more as commodities.
 
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While I've been desperately hoping for a new 4'' model, this design kinda is a deal-breaker for me and I do see myself ending up with a 6S (or 7), after all. I know many love the 5S design - I don't. I hate those hard edges, my hand always hurts after holding it for a while (my hand is small enough so that one of the corners actually presses into my palm). I came from the iPhone 4 (with a bumper:oops:) back then and the design was one of the reasons I was VERY tempted by the 5C...



As I said above, I'm the exact opposite, I just hate the square edges. Curved edges (or round back) are just so much more comfortable to hold in any regard. I personally think what makes the 6 more difficult to hold - with or without curved edges - really is the size...

Fair enough. I always use a case (because clumsy), and it's easier to find a case that softens the sharp edges than one that squares the curves.
 
It's very hard to try to figure out what the lineup will be when this comes out, A8 or A9? Will it be sold along with the 6 at $550? Or replace the 5s? Would they discontinue the 6 or 6 Plus to simplify the lineup? I think if it doesn't take the $450 spot it will be lowered in September.
 
Then a brand new phone in 2016 looks like the iPhone 5 from 2012. I think I would have done it in a different way. First of all based on the CPU its an iPhone 6S device to me. I would think Apple releases just 3 phones 6S in 3 sizes, 4" 5" 6". Also this name is sounding stupid. What does that mean SE?
 
Eventually, it has to. In the US, millions of people are still on subsidized plans and many of them won't like the full price they think they will pay this year and next. Many people will hold on to their current iPhones until they have no other choice but to replace it, based on the high full prices. A similar looking iPhone 7 with marginal improvements won't be enough to push them to pay laptop prices or close to it for a smartphone every couple of years in a mature market where these necessities of modern life are now viewed more as commodities.

Are you in the US? Have you been to a carrier store lately?

Old price tags:
$199
$99
$0

New price tags:
$27/month
$31/month
$35/month

Same idea... different implementation. You were always paying for the phone yourself even with "subsidies"

You didn't have to pay "laptop prices" then... and you don't have to pay "laptop prices" now.

Apple doesn't have to lower prices because US carriers are using a different payment plan.


I only mentioned it because other Apple products have lowered their prices over time... while the iPhone hasn't. It was really just an observation... not a suggestion.

Maybe in other countries someone cannot afford paying full-price for a $650 flagship iPhone.

Well... they can't afford paying full-price for a flagship Galaxy S7 Edge either.
 
I was hoping for an iPhone 6 Mini but well....

They need to start calling it "Mini", otherwise how is the naming going to fit in with future models? They should have kept it iPhone Mini/iPhone/iPhone Plus, iPad Mini/iPad/iPad Plus. Steve liked to keep the model lineup simple and consistent.
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So do I understand this correctly, this 5se is going to fill the niche created by those wanting many of the upgrades and newer features of the latest iPhones, but in a 4" screen size? If true, I'm sure there'll be demand for that.

Now, we will see how many of the people complaining about 4.7" screens being too big will put their wallet where their mouth is...
 
16 GB again?
Guess it'll be that way forever, unless some future version of iOS in say 2024 won't be able to actually fit on it anymore.
 
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Now they're introducing a new model at the six-month mark... and it's supposedly a very powerful phone but with a smaller screen. Then in another six months... new models and older models that have to be priced somehow.

The 4" phone doesn't need to change price at all in Septemebr. It keeps the same price until next March, when the next 4" is released.
 
The 4" phone doesn't need to change price at all in Septemebr. It keeps the same price until next March, when the next 4" is released.
But what price will it be?

If the iPhone 5SE has the A9 processor and Apple pay... that is SO much better than the 5S it is supposed to replace.

Would they really release it at $450 next month?

Let's be clear... it will have the SAME processor as the current flagship iPhone. That's why $450 seems unlikely.

But if they sell it for $550 now and keep the price until next March... it will be the same price as the price-reduced iPhone 6S that has a bigger screen in September. That seems weird too... two phones... same specs... but different sized screens.

There are issues for both the $450 and $550 price points next month and later this year.

Unless we get into $50 price increments... I don't see a place for this phone. :)

And I haven't been following the rumors of two 4" phones. The first time I heard it was from you. If true... that's more price-points that they have to manage.
 
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Party like it's September 20, 2013!

yay! /s

side note: iPhone 5SE = (SE model is "Sucker's Edition")
 
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If Apple were to discontinue the 6 as well as the 5s, then a $450 price point (i.e. from September 2016) does make sense for a A9/M9 on a 4.0" device. After all, iPhone 5c was introduced at $350 - please correct me if I am wrong, for I am converting to USD based on CAD.

Alternatively, if they don't like to entertain the thought of decreasing the price within 6 months of launch, they may introduce a new price group of $500 (or $499 as they'd like to put it) now.
I also wonder if they would replace the 6 with this. That would possibly create more sales from people who want the larger screens as they would no longer just be able to buy last years models. That would also suggest a $550 starting price, which was where the 5C was introduced at btw.
 
I also wonder if they would replace the 6 with this. That would possibly create more sales from people who want the larger screens as they would no longer just be able to buy last years models. That would also suggest a $550 starting price, which was where the 5C was introduced at btw.

$550 price tag sounds quite likely
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The iPhone 5C took the place of what would have been the year-old iPhone 5

They basically took the guts of the iPhone 5 and put it in a colorful plastic shell and sold it for at $550 US. Then the iPhone 5 was removed from Apple's line-up (retailers still carried them until supply ran out)

So even though the iPhone 5C was a "new" model... it was in name only. It was still the 2nd-tier iPhone.

The 5C was between the $650 iPhone 5S and the older $450 iPhone 4S.

I'm still torn on where they would place the 5SE next month.

It's faster than an iPhone 6... but has a smaller screen. Those should cancel out and then $550 would make sense. And the iPhone 5S would still be $450 next month too. I'm fine with that.

But in September... the iPhone 6S will have the same internal specs yet a bigger screen. They wouldn't charge the same amount of money for the 5SE and the 6S... would they?

So maybe they drop the price of the 5SE to $500 in September... and keep the 5S at $450 for a little longer too?

Ugh... this has gotten far too complicated :)

It was easy when there was one new model per year... and the older models dropped $100 each year.

Now they're introducing a new model at the six-month mark... and it's supposedly a very powerful phone but with a smaller screen. Then in another six months... new models and older models that have to be priced somehow.

Complicate indeed :)

One thing that I've learnt from :apple:Watch release is that Apple don't mind a complex price structure, in fact it'd seem they adore it. Hence we can expect the unexpected. Although I admit, if I assume iPhone 5se would be cheaper, I'd be far from reality.
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I think if you go back and look there have been conflicting rumors, using both the name "5se" and "6c" and different specs.

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/11/iphone-5e-a8-1gb-ram-apple-pay-volte/

https://www.macrumors.com/2015/12/29/iphone-6c-larger-battery-vs-iphone-5s/

They are not going to a call a phone with the feature set of the 6S, less 3D touch, a "5"-anything. And bottom line, if Apple only introduces a $450 4" phone, then they are leaving money on the table from customers who could afford to pay $650, but prefer a 4" phone.

There was just an article on this blog stating that Apple just discontinued the 4s and 5c in India this month. SO of course it wouldn't be on the India website today.

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/02/17/apple-withdraws-iphone-4s-5c-india/

I'm sorry, I had no idea about the 6c. I thought that confusion was more or less cleared after the iPhone 5se "special edition" name rumour. My bad.
 
As much as I love my iPhone 5, why can't we just have three sizes of iPhone 7 instead of coming up with even more confusing products? Are they literally putting a weaker chip (that of 5s) into a shell that's larger than the 7s?

I keep my sceptic hat on and assume iPhone 7 will come in three sizes.
 
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