I used to never use a case, but admittedly now I do. I use the OtterBox one and it has a soft outside which gives it a grippy feel, but feels a little cheap, yeah.
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iPhone 5C Predicted to Replace iPhone 5, iPhone 4S Sales to Continue
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I used to never use a case, but admittedly now I do. I use the OtterBox one and it has a soft outside which gives it a grippy feel, but feels a little cheap, yeah.
I think you are a bit off here. My guess....
5S will be $649, $749, $849 off contract (same current prices but more storage 32, 64, 128)
5C will be $399, $499 off contract (16, 32)
4S only be available with a contract for $0 (16 only)
No more iPhone 5 since the 5C is basically the iPhone 5 with a plastic case.
This makes complete sense.
This is all about improving margin and provide better differentiation between 5S and 5. This also means 5S may be a minor upgrade compared to 5. So only way to sell more 5S is to dumb down 5, by replacing with it 5C.
There is significant proof that iPhone 5 was/is difficult to manufacture and thus margins are comparatively low. If they discount iPhone 5 by 100 dollars and 5S is not much different, most consumer will prefer 5 instead of 5S. 5S needs to stand-out compared to low priced option. As smartphone upgrades become more and more trivial, Apple has to come up with a permanent solution as current strategy of last-years-model will not work and lower its margin. New strategy is to come out with two new phones each year. One with plastic will less for 100$ and premium will sell for 200$. That way, even if 100$ is more successful in terms of sales, margins are preserved.
As for connector, they really don't care. They always said that it will be multi-year transition. Having unified screen size and aspect ratio has dubious benefits. Currently there is little problem with different sizes. Moreover, move to auto-layout means they are moving away from one-size for all phones anyway.
This is all about improving margin and provide better differentiation between 5S and 5. This also means 5S may be a minor upgrade compared to 5. So only way to sell more 5S is to dumb down 5, by replacing with it 5C.
There is significant proof that iPhone 5 was/is difficult to manufacture and thus margins are comparatively low. If they discount iPhone 5 by 100 dollars and 5S is not much different, most consumer will prefer 5 instead of 5S. 5S needs to stand-out compared to low priced option. As smartphone upgrades become more and more trivial, Apple has to come up with a permanent solution as current strategy of last-years-model will not work and lower its margin. New strategy is to come out with two new phones each year. One with plastic will less for 100$ and premium will sell for 200$. That way, even if 100$ is more successful in terms of sales, margins are preserved.
As for connector, they really don't care. They always said that it will be multi-year transition. Having unified screen size and aspect ratio has dubious benefits. Currently there is little problem with different sizes. Moreover, move to auto-layout means they are moving away from one-size for all phones anyway.
I was thinking this line up:
iPhone 5C:
8 GB $0 on contract
colors
A5/6 chip
8 MP Camera
4 inch screen
Retina (Maybe?)
Plastic
iPhone 5:
As it is now except $99 for a 16 GB Model
iPhone 5S:
32/64/128 GB for $199/299/399 Respectively
A7
4 inch screen (maybe more resolution?)
Fingerprint Sensor
12/13 MP Camera
Gold Color option
More features to be announced?
*all phones iOS 7 and lightning connector
iPhone 5C:
8 GB $0 on contract
colors
A5/6 chip
8 MP Camera
4 inch screen
Retina (Maybe?)
Plastic
iPhone 5:
As it is now except $99 for a 16 GB Model
iPhone 5S:
32/64/128 GB for $199/299/399 Respectively
A7
4 inch screen (maybe more resolution?)
Fingerprint Sensor
12/13 MP Camera
Gold Color option
More features to be announced?
*all phones iOS 7 and lightning connector
Here's what I think
My guess is the iPhone 5C will only come in 8GB with all the guts of the 4S (perhaps the CPU clocked a little faster & maybe 1GB ram). iPhone 5C will be priced at a similar point to the current 4 (outright & unlocked)
iPhone 5S will have a new A7 CPU 2GB ram, updated 10MP camera, fingerprint reader.
I don't think they'll get rid of the iPhone 5 altogether. Instead, they might price it more aggressively than what they've done with the 4S.
Take Apple Canada's current pricing for example is:
iPhone 4 (8GB) - $450
iPhone 4S (16GB) - $599
iPhone 5 (16GB) - $699
Apple's new pricing might look something like:
iPhone 5C - $399
iPhone 5 - $549
iPhone 5S - $699
My guess is the iPhone 5C will only come in 8GB with all the guts of the 4S (perhaps the CPU clocked a little faster & maybe 1GB ram). iPhone 5C will be priced at a similar point to the current 4 (outright & unlocked)
iPhone 5S will have a new A7 CPU 2GB ram, updated 10MP camera, fingerprint reader.
I don't think they'll get rid of the iPhone 5 altogether. Instead, they might price it more aggressively than what they've done with the 4S.
Take Apple Canada's current pricing for example is:
iPhone 4 (8GB) - $450
iPhone 4S (16GB) - $599
iPhone 5 (16GB) - $699
Apple's new pricing might look something like:
iPhone 5C - $399
iPhone 5 - $549
iPhone 5S - $699
This is on contract I assume since the prices have generally been this way for a long time. Only storage has changed.
That's a pretty good point. Be interesting to see what happens when they debut the iPhone 6 next year. Do they keep offering the 5S or drop it and offer just the 6 and the 5C?
If they still sell the iPhone 4S they better continue supporting it with software for at least a couple more years, and not cut it off. If they stop updates, I fear they will lose massive customers.
That would only be surprising to the slowest of observers.
The iPhone 4S offers a screen size alternative to the awkwardly proportioned, tall & skinny iPhone 5. Many constantly complain about the lack of screen size choices for iOS. So why would MacRumors be "surprised" if Apple keeps a different screen size choice??
Makes no sense.
The inner part of the Otterbox is good, but the outer rubber cover is not that good.
Mine is shredded, as some of the contoured rubber is too thin and break with use.
Also, there are Otterbox copies for under $ 10, which perform just as well or better.
Can't imagine it feeling cheaper than the junky, lightweight iPhone 5.
I'm hoping the plastic iPhone is heavier, and thus more expensive feeling. Then I can upgrade my iPhone 4!
I wouldn't be surprised by the discontinuation of the 5. The complexity of the design made the assembly expensive and yields must have been lower than expected. I assume the 5S will have a more manufacturing friendly design.
However, I would disagree with the statement that the 5S will outsell the 5C. To me it is hard to imagine that a price conscious buyer would pay nearly double for a phone that doesn't offer anything else other than a fingerprint sensor and a metal enclosure. Especially when most protective cases are plastic and cover most of the phone. I am sure the 5S will sell well, but to outsell the cheaper version is unlikely.
However, I would disagree with the statement that the 5S will outsell the 5C. To me it is hard to imagine that a price conscious buyer would pay nearly double for a phone that doesn't offer anything else other than a fingerprint sensor and a metal enclosure. Especially when most protective cases are plastic and cover most of the phone. I am sure the 5S will sell well, but to outsell the cheaper version is unlikely.
It will depend on how different is 6 from 5S. My bet is there will be a 6C version with plastic and sans premium features.
makes sense, they will probably just use some of the 5 parts on the 5S
i dont even know how to responde to this ...
. a wtf is in order
i dont even know how to responde to this ...
. a wtf is in order
That's weird. Why hold onto the 4S? So what happens next year when the iphone 6 comes out? Will they keep the iphone 5S in the lineup? Will it be above or below the 5C? Or will the next 5C get all the features of the 5S?
I think it gets confusing if Apple keeps too many iPhones in the lineup. It should be the iphone and the low cost iphone C that's it. When the iphone gets updated, the old iphone features should get passed onto the iphone C. Keep it simple.
They are straying from Steve Jobs mantra of keeping it simple.
I think it gets confusing if Apple keeps too many iPhones in the lineup. It should be the iphone and the low cost iphone C that's it. When the iphone gets updated, the old iphone features should get passed onto the iphone C. Keep it simple.
They are straying from Steve Jobs mantra of keeping it simple.
absolutely
but Macrumors keeps reminding us about the fact that he "had" a solid track record
his analysis relies only on rumors...
All analysis relies on rumours or words from the mouth of Apple. And Apple defo have not spoken here.
makes sense. the plastic case of the iPhone 5C will cost less than the unibody aluminum case for the iPhone 5
why are you guys so shocked about this, we all knew this was gonna happen, otherwise who would buy the low-cost iphone. i just wish that the next low-cost iphone is made out of metal.
The iPhone 5 wasn't replaced 7 months after release so it's not the next iPad 3. Now, if iPhone 5S sales are poor and Apple decides to bring out the iPhone 6 sooner than September 2014...
I plan to get a 64 or 128GB iPhone 5S and that's my concern. I also don't want to wait another year for the iPhone 6 if Apple does release it in Sept. 2014.
I think it will be interesting which models sell the best, considering these new $0 down/monthly payment plans by the carriers. A lot more people will be really tempted to go for the higher models if they are not paying anything up front and only, say, $10/month more or something. I think that's why they are thinking they will sell a lot more of the 5S.