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iPhone 5C Predicted to Replace iPhone 5, iPhone 4S Sales to Continue
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No way is Apple releasing a phone in 2013 with only 8 GB storage. And why would the aluminum and glass 5 be cheaper than the colored plastic 5C?
'The iPhone 4, which would fall to $200$300, does not fully support the graphical requirements of iOS 7 and thus is likely to be discontinued.'
I agree. It's very risky to put out a really small update in these times of heavy smartphone competition.
Nope.
I can see them offering two different iPhone 5C configurations at $99 and $0 on contract, and completely getting rid of the 5. That makes a certain amount of sense from a simple brand confusion POV.
But it makes no sense to sell the 4S. Any shortterm gains they could make not withstanding, Apple plays the long game.
I can see them offering two different iPhone 5C configurations at $99 and $0 on contract, and completely getting rid of the 5. That makes a certain amount of sense from a simple brand confusion POV.
But it makes no sense to sell the 4S. Any shortterm gains they could make not withstanding, Apple plays the long game.
The way I see it is the 5C will replace all the older models because they need to get rid of the old connector and standardise on lightning. Bringing in the 5C is also a perfect time to drop older models and standardise on screen size meaning the same display can be used across all devices simplifying supply. This moves makes a lot more sense when taking these factors into account.
I won't be amused if my iPhone 5 is discontinued whilst an older model is still on sale. This also makes me wonder if the 5s is going to be a very small upgrade from the 5, I'm thinking that the only real difference between the 5c & the 5s will be the materials used to build each device. So if Apple's only real way of differentiating between the 5c & 5s is build quality as opposed to upgraded components and new features, I think I'll stick with my iPhone 5 and see what comes with the iPhone 6.
There is a good chance of cost reduction when using a moulded polycarbonate case instead of a case that has to be machined from a block of aluminium and then anodised. There is also talk of cost reduced parts inside the 5C but we will have to wait and see.
The first phone to have the "S" moniker was the 3GS, and they specifically said that it stood for "speed." They didn't mention that with the 4S, but since it was faster than the 4, this meaning should still stand.
On the other hand.......
If they've got a seriously good update to unveil next month, then I could see them just having it as their main iphone (we'll assume called the 5S), the 5C as a mid-range alternative, and then just phase out the 4S stocks, until it is gone.
So by the end of the year, it's 5S and 5C. *
Completely ditching the whole 'last year's phone is now cheaper' option.
We'd need to see current sales figures on the 4 and 4S to know how credible that would be.
*[With the range of colours of the 5C, and the range of 4G frequencies required worldwide, there are already going to be a lot of model subtypes to contend with, so perhaps this really is how it's going to go....]
8 GB really is becoming a joke for anyone that actually uses their phone's functionality.
Not everybody in the world is American or live in the US, in Brazil a 4S is some 35% cheaper than a 5, and probably due to the new-factor, iPhone 5C if released here will be about the same as an iPhone 5 used to cost when released here.
On the surface it doesn't make sense but dig deeper and it absolutely does.
The iPhone 5S is the big dog.
- innovative Fingerprint sensor
- 4" screen
- new A7 processor
- new 12 MP camera
- new 32, 64, 128 gig capacities
- new "champagne" color option
- $600 to $700
The iPhone 5C is mid tier
- 4" screen
- available in multiple colors
- A6 processor
- 8MP upgraded camera
- 16, 32, 64 gig capacities
- new plastic housing
- $350 to $450
The iPhone 4S is low end
- 3.5" screen
- 2 color options
- A5 processor
- 8MP camera
- 16 gig capacity
- perfect for emerging markets (China)
- $0 to $200
All 3 iPhone models come with iOS7.
With the China Mobile deal in place... it makes sense.
September 10th can't come quick enough.
The iPhone 5S is the big dog.
- innovative Fingerprint sensor
- 4" screen
- new A7 processor
- new 12 MP camera
- new 32, 64, 128 gig capacities
- new "champagne" color option
- $600 to $700
The iPhone 5C is mid tier
- 4" screen
- available in multiple colors
- A6 processor
- 8MP upgraded camera
- 16, 32, 64 gig capacities
- new plastic housing
- $350 to $450
The iPhone 4S is low end
- 3.5" screen
- 2 color options
- A5 processor
- 8MP camera
- 16 gig capacity
- perfect for emerging markets (China)
- $0 to $200
All 3 iPhone models come with iOS7.
With the China Mobile deal in place... it makes sense.
September 10th can't come quick enough.
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That's why I am sticking to my 4S at least till next year! I bet iOS 7 will not be that fast as iOS 6 on my device but those small improvements are not worthy changing your device every year anymore
Same internals as iPhone 4... NO. That would be plain stupid placing a 3 year old hardware into a new iPhone no way. I love the iPhone 4 i have one but the 5C will not have the same specs as the iPhone 4 i just dont see it relevant. 5C could have same specs as 4S tho with a 5MP camera instead of 8MP
This isn't something Apple typically does, and as Tim Cook is known for improving efficiencies that reduce inventory levels, it is unlikely there are large stocks of the 4S anyway.
The new iPhone lineup will look like this:
iPhone 5C - Essentially iPhone 4S parts (maybe a little better) but with a 4 inch screen (maybe retina?) and the Lightning connector.
16GB - $0
32GB - $99
64GB - $199
iPhone 5S - Speaks for itself, new tech specs in an iPhone 5 body.
32GB - $199
64GB - $299
128GB - $399
You heard it here first, folks!
iPhone 5C - Essentially iPhone 4S parts (maybe a little better) but with a 4 inch screen (maybe retina?) and the Lightning connector.
16GB - $0
32GB - $99
64GB - $199
iPhone 5S - Speaks for itself, new tech specs in an iPhone 5 body.
32GB - $199
64GB - $299
128GB - $399
You heard it here first, folks!
This makes perfect sense.
The 4S is being sold only until the end of 2013 until stocks are gone.
The 5C replaces the 5 probably because the 5 is still too expensive to make and Apple doesn't want to make less profit on it.
The 5C replaces both the 5 and 4S (eventually) making Apple's iPhone line tighter for the time being. It avoids too many models if they want to release a bigger screened model in the next year.
The 5S (or 6) will be the usual 'best' iPhone.
The 4S is being sold only until the end of 2013 until stocks are gone.
The 5C replaces the 5 probably because the 5 is still too expensive to make and Apple doesn't want to make less profit on it.
The 5C replaces both the 5 and 4S (eventually) making Apple's iPhone line tighter for the time being. It avoids too many models if they want to release a bigger screened model in the next year.
The 5S (or 6) will be the usual 'best' iPhone.
I agree. This makes no sense at all.
They are phasing out the 4S. Hence the "sell till end of 2013" which essentially implies they will liquidate all leftover inventory. Caveat: if this rumor pans out.
So then I wonder if they have a larger stock of 4S phones on hand than 5's.
That's a valid point. However, I think the 5C will have some improvements over the existing 5 to command the price premium.
Another valid point. But in terms of capacity, since so much storage is being done in the cloud, I tend to think physical storage is going to become much less important.