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I disagree, more since Apple acquired Beats, since now they will focus on music streaming users don't need that much storage, but if I have large storage for music it's less likely I'll use streaming since it's more likely I have all my favorite music with me.

On the other hand, previously was a solid rumour on HD music this requires 6-10 times the storage per title than non-losless music, this scenario it's plausible for Apple to axe the 16GB model since also 32gb will feel like 8gb on lossless hd audio.

Also consider how cheap is flash memory now, apple could easily sell the 32 GB model at 16gb price point and assume the extra (if any) cost compared with previous year.

So I give you a 50:50 chance on the continuity of the 16GB model at least this year.

I see. I currently, like you, store all my music on my devices and don't stream- I'm surprised how phones have stayed around the 16-64GB range for a while now. I'd personally like to see phones move up towards the 64GB-256GB range, but pricing is a issue for flash storage exceeding 128GB.
 
Very silly statement. Sapphire should not be a premium item, it should be standard.

Even sillier statement - absorbing the added cost would harm margins, passing on the added costs to everyone would hurt sales. Let those who want it and will pay for it do so. No harm to margins or revenue. You must not have a business background.
 
This would be an undesirable level of product complexity. "I want the iPhone 6." "Do you want Sapphire with that?" "What's that?" "Well...let me get my sandpaper out."

Agree completely. If Apple only puts sapphire on some units, I'd say it would be the bigger model. I have a hard time seeing the pitch for that. The people who are going to get the more expensive model need the storage. The folks who were going to get the cheapest model aren't going to fling out another $200 just for scratch resistance. Makes no sense. I'd wager the sapphire supply constraints we're hearing about are tied with the fact we haven't seen a whole lot of the 5.5" model and it's purported delay. Maybe a spring or next fall release?
 
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I think it will come down to this:

It' s all about margins.

The base models iphone 6 4.7 and 5.5 (stil 16 gb?), and Perhaps the 32 gb will be regular glass.

For a 100 bucks more you will get a 64 gb model with sapphire.

The margins on more memory iphones are much higher.(they charge 100 bucks more for 10 bucks of parts). Now they will also give you a spapphire screen for " free" on top of the extra memory.

It will be the usp of the 64 and 128 gb iphone 6' s.

And they will sell it , because we want it. They will sell millions of these.
You may be right because the perception of added value of the memory which is really not very expensive, will cover the real extra cost of the glass which a lot of people may not perceive being worth the extra cost alone. So it would make marketing sense.
 
So because there are competitors at the iPhone's price point you're saying that the iPhone can't be high end? That doesn't make any sense to me.

The high end phones on the market include the S5, 5s, HTC One M8, etc. These phones all retail for over 600.00 and have the bleeding edge technology in terms of hardware. And to go further, in terms of hardware, you can't do much better than what these phones offer. You absolutely 'get your money's worth' by purchasing one of these phones.

A high end smartphone market exits. The iPhone belongs in this category.

Vertu is high end
 
Because the 5c sold fewer units than anticipated. It was a great device but people were anticipating a cheap iphone and the 5c is not a budget device. The rumor mills were full with ideas of an iphone that would compete on price with the likes of the Nexus and Lumia phones, in order to gain market share. I personally love the 5c but it is not worth the price charged for it with the 5s only $100 more. I can't wait to pick one up used from an iPhone 6 adopter.

When the 5c is updated, the current one will take the 4s's spot on the free line... There's your cheap iphone.
 
Because the 5c sold fewer units than anticipated. It was a great device but people were anticipating a cheap iphone and the 5c is not a budget device. The rumor mills were full with ideas of an iphone that would compete on price with the likes of the Nexus and Lumia phones, in order to gain market share. I personally love the 5c but it is not worth the price charged for it with the 5s only $100 more. I can't wait to pick one up used from an iPhone 6 adopter.

Who anticipated? Cook never said the 5C sold less than they expected. They never made any expectations public. The quote that everyone seems to want to try to adapt to their own narrative had to do with iPhone sales MIX.

He later was asked about his comment and confirmed that both the 5S AND 5C did better than they expected.

Here's what he said after "admitting" the mix wasn't what they expected:

"I think that [TouchID], associated with the other things that are unique to the 5s, got the 5s a significant amount more attention and a higher mix of sales..."

He later stated at the annual shareholder meeting:

From http://appleinsider.com/articles/14...essors-apple-bought-23-companies-in-16-months

Cook also addressed the launch of the iPhone 5c and 5s, noting that the two phones both outsold Apple's previous products in the middle tier and the high end, a moderate rebuke of reports that have insisted that the iPhone 5c is a "failure" for not having sold even better than it did.
 
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Didn't the 5C bomb?


Actually I have noticed a major trend going on with the 5C just recently.

It is quickly becoming the standard issue "company phone" (a good mixture of cheap and capability) and replacing the company issued blackberry's in droves among fortune 100.
 
Cheaper iPhone with gorilla glass will be the iPhone 5cs or 5sc what ever it's named, and the top product will be the iPhone 6 with Sapphire and all the new stuff if you are objective only supports an *new* device with an sku that differ 1 digit increment on current iPhone 5c, and yet only a 4.7 device is supported by parts leaks (specially back case) no evidence support what it's that 5.5" device yet, could be either a concept prototype or an oversized iPod touch aimed to compete at gaming market with 6" tablets and consoles like PSP.

It's also consistent with Apple practice.

As I see the mythical 5.5 iPhone was just a Web traffic targeted history backed on some dubious leaks w/o concrete evidence.
 
Actually I have noticed a major trend going on with the 5C just recently.

It is quickly becoming the standard issue "company phone" (a good mixture of cheap and capability) and replacing the company issued blackberry's in droves among fortune 100.

Ya I'm seeing them all over the place to be honest. It may have been "slow" out of the gate - but I think Apple understood that early adopters (i.e. those who would buy on day 1 or opening weekend) are almost always going for latest and greatest.

I really wish Apple released individual sales numbers. My guess is the 5C would be the second best selling single smartphone in the world behind the 5S.

So Apple's "failure" still outsells everyone else's best attempts. Oh which obviously means "they're doomed" haha.

----------

Cheaper iPhone with gorilla glass will be the iPhone 5cs or 5sc what ever it's named, and the top product will be the iPhone 6 with Sapphire and all the new stuff if you are objective only supports an *new* device with an sku that differ 1 digit increment on current iPhone 5c, and yet only a 4.7 device is supported by parts leaks (specially back case) no evidence support what it's that 5.5" device yet, could be either a concept prototype or an oversized iPod touch aimed to compete at gaming market with 6" tablets and consoles like PSP.

It's also consistent with Apple practice.

As I see the mythical 5.5 iPhone was just a Web traffic targeted history backed on some dubious leaks w/o concrete evidence.

iPhone mini (4"), iPhone Air (4.7"), iPhone Pro (5.5")

Perhaps you are correct in that the 4" will be Gorilla Glass and the 4.7" will be sapphire and we won't see anything about the 5.5" at this event. Perhaps it gets announced along new iPads and the iWatch in October?
 
The cost of most other components have been steadily going down, notably flash memory. They'll probably keep prices at about the same levels or slightly above but you'll get more for the same amount of money.

For example:
5C 16 GB $399
5S 16 GB $499

4.7" 32 GB $699
4.7" 64 GB $849 + sapphire

5.5" 32 GB $799
5.5" 64 GB $949 + sapphire
 
Didn't the 5C bomb? What's the point in confusing consumers and hurting the brand with garbage devices that nobody wants?

"Garbage"??? They are basically an iPhone 5 with different casing. The iPhone 5 was not garbage. Besides, they weren't a flop. They were successful.
 
I see. I currently, like you, store all my music on my devices and don't stream- I'm surprised how phones have stayed around the 16-64GB range for a while now. I'd personally like to see phones move up towards the 64GB-256GB range, but pricing is a issue for flash storage exceeding 128GB.

This is where Android phones, like the Galaxy S5, shine.

Buy a 16GB/32GB base phone, then pop in a 64GB (~$40) or 128GB (~$100) microSDXC yourself, to get up to 160GB total storage.

10 terrific things you can do with the Galaxy S5 but not the iPhone 5s - BGR
 
Perhaps you are correct in that the 4" will be Gorilla Glass and the 4.7" will be sapphire and we won't see anything about the 5.5" at this event. Perhaps it gets announced along new iPads and the iWatch in October?

You know, considering how much Apple loves their margins and how they charge for memory upgrades...

I'm wondering now if perhaps Apple will have TWO versions of each flagship model:

One with Gorilla Glass for today's price. Another with sapphire for $50 more.

Although yeah, that would go against their love of fewer production versions.
 
You know, considering how much Apple loves their margins and how they charge for memory upgrades...

I'm wondering now if perhaps Apple will have TWO versions of each flagship model:

One with Gorilla Glass for today's price. Another with sapphire for $50 more.

Although yeah, that would go against their love of fewer production versions.

Hmmm, I don't think so.

I've already pointed out it should be quite possible for Apple to maintain their 65+% margins at the same price points (even LOWER on the storage upgrades) and still take on an extra $5-10 in sapphire coating cost.

Have to remember, most of the components get cheaper every year. What cost Apple $199 in the 5S last year will cost less this year. Add some cost for the sapphire display and even if you knock down the price of the storage bumps you still come out with very Apple-like margins.
 
When the Washington Monument was built the most luxurious, rarest metal was used to cap the very top. The metal used was aluminum. Everything is relative to the times.


You made my overall point. In another post I stated that I remember when air conditioning in a car was a luxury.The first three new cars I owned did not have ac, it was an option. I knew of few people that did have it, or even power windows.

Salt and sugar were once luxuries. Many things were.

None of them are considered luxuries now, aluminum included.
 
There's no way they'll tack on an extra $100 to make up for what will likely be a $3-$5 increase in the cost of the "glass".

The whole price increase thing is ridiculous. It's probably just a yield thing. We'll see sapphire on the 5.5" but not the 4.7" this go around. Then next year the 4.7" will get sapphire.

Why would they put it on the junky huge ugly phone that no one wants instead of the super popular model that has been loved for years? I think the 5.5 should be the low end!:D
 
You know, considering how much Apple loves their margins and how they charge for memory upgrades...

I'm wondering now if perhaps Apple will have TWO versions of each flagship model:

One with Gorilla Glass for today's price. Another with sapphire for $50 more.

Although yeah, that would go against their love of fewer production versions.


So you think apple will have 6 versions of the 4.7" and another 6 versions of the 5.5"

Lol
 
What fire sale? I must've missed this....I bought a 5C on early upgrade for $349. At that price it was worth it to me.

I bought a 5C at full price (I'm on T-Mobile), and it was worth it to me! I think it looks better than the 5S; I prefer plastic to metal; and I didn't need/want to pay $100 more for the 5S's added features / spec bumps.
 
Vertu is high end

That's laughable. Vertu phones have been described as "tasteless trash" by Wired Magazine and "technologically modest" by the Financial Times. An iPhone is superior in essentially all categories.

You would be better off buying an iPhone and having a 3rd party attaching a sapphire screen, etc to it versus buying this garbage.
 
Great post (even if the lack of paragraphs made my eyes bleed a little! :D ).

I don't consider the Samsung Galaxy to be at all luxurious.

In fact, I think it's cheap and tacky looking.

I think people have started to realise that charging iPhone prices for your product, doesn't give Samsung an equivalent device and that's part of the reason Samsung's financial figures are down.

Buying an iPhone isn't just about the tangible product in your hand, it's about being part of an experience, being able to go into a store to have your phone repaired/replaced, being made to feel special by the blue shirt wearing employees in that store, etc etc.

Samsung can continue to charge iPhone money for their phones all they like, but until they can stand shoulder to shoulder with Apple and offer everything that Apple does (and how they do it), then in my eyes their products will always be inferior wannabes.

Right. It is analogous to Lexus in the early 90s putting out a product that was just far better than what BMW and Mercedes offered. Apple's competitors simply cannot compete and Apple will increasingly make this distinction by adding features that will be unavailable or prohibitively expensive to their competitors.

Here are two examples: 1) Fingerprint sensor. Apple went out, found the best tech, bought it, and put it in their device. Samsung had to scramble and find an inferior "me too" product and stuff it in their device to match the iPhone's spec sheet. HTC did a similar thing but their sensor garnered even worse reviews. They are providing their consumers with a vastly inferior experience which will severely hurt them in the long run. 2) Sapphire. Apple found the manufacturer who was most advanced in this space and gave them a large loan/investment. This allowed the company to scale up production and produce sapphire in the quantities necessary to put on iPhones. Samsung/HTC/etc will be left scratching their heads trying to find a manufacturer who can even produce sapphire in reasonable quantities. They'll probably end up offering a low volume S5/S6 or HTC One variant with sapphire just so they don't get left behind.

Tim Cook has also stated that Apple will continue to follow this framework going into the future. These differentiating features will be yet another reason why people will choose an iPhone over a galaxy or HTC One.
 
So you think apple will have 6 versions of the 4.7" and another 6 versions of the 5.5"

Lol

You're way too low with your count. And Apple already makes a LOT of versions.

For just the iPhone 5S, they appear to make 8 different radio models (apparently they reuse the same numbers for different markets), in 3 memory sizes, with 3 color choices. That's 72 different versions.

The iPhone 5C is the same, except with an additional color, totaling 96 possible versions.

This is why Apple likes to be able to "reprogram" Foxconn production output on the fly. They make a bunch of the most historically popular at first, and then cater the later output to specific orders that come in.

Some people mock other makers for having lots of models, but sometimes it is simply because of giving them different names or cases when sold by different carriers.
 
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You're way too low with your count. And Apple already makes a LOT of versions.

For just the iPhone 5S, they appear to make 8 different radio models (apparently they reuse the same numbers for different markets), in 3 memory sizes, with 3 color choices. That's 72 different versions.

The iPhone 5C is the same, except with an additional color, totaling 96 possible versions.

This is why Apple likes to be able to "reprogram" Foxconn production output on the fly. They make a bunch of the most historically popular at first, and then cater the later output to specific orders that come in.

Some people mock other makers for having lots of models, but sometimes it is simply because of giving them different names or cases when sold by different carriers.

My point was that an average consumer walking into a verizon store and sees 6 different 4.7" options isn't going to happen
 
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