iPhone 8 Predicted to Start at $850 to $900 for 64GB Model, $950 to $1,000 for 256GB Model

[MacRumors]

Apple's widely rumored high-end iPhone with an OLED display is expected to cost upwards of $1,000, but UBS analyst Steven Milunovich believes that a base 64GB model could start at $850 to $900 in the United States. That price point would be similar to Samsung's new Galaxy S8+, which starts at $840 to $850.

Milunovich said the flagship iPhone could start at under $1,000 as part of Apple's "mainstream luxury" pricing strategy. He also believes the 5.8-inch device will be competing at a screen size disadvantage compared to the 6.2-inch Galaxy S8+, leading him to predict Apple will adopt similar pricing as Samsung.

Milunovich thinks that a 256GB model could cost between $950 and $1,000, so the iPhone could very well be the first mainstream smartphone in the United States to have a four-digit price tag. He also predicted that the tentatively named iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus will start at around $649 and $749 respectively.

An excerpt from Milunovich's latest research note obtained by MacRumors:

Contrary to some perceptions, Apple prices quite competitively. Apple likes to position its entry-level products at the mid-market with "Pro/Plus" products close to competitors at the high end. Therefore, we do not think Apple will stray far from the price point of Samsung's most expensive model at $840-850 and will keep the entry OLED model at $850-900. Apple's 256GB OLED model could be $950-1,000, but the 256GB 7 Plus already is $970.

The research note cites UBS Asia hardware analyst Arthur Hsieh, who estimates the factory cost of the tentatively named iPhone 8 could be $70 to $90 higher than the iPhone 7 Plus, which starts at $769. Milunovich's prices appear to be merely predictions based on this information, rather than inside sources.

In addition to an edge-to-edge OLED display with narrow bezels, the iPhone 8 is expected to resemble the Galaxy S8 in many ways, including wireless charging, no physical Home button, and potentially 3D facial recognition and/or iris scanning. Touch ID might be embedded in or under the True Tone display.

Milunovich maintains a "buy" rating for AAPL with a $151 price target. AAPL closed at an all-time high of $144.77 on Tuesday.

Article Link: iPhone 8 Predicted to Start at $850 to $900 for 64GB Model, $950 to $1,000 for 256GB Model

 

[Michael Scrip]

Remember when the iPad was supposed to be $1,000 ?

Pepperidge Farm remembers...

 

[arggg14]

Man these smartphone prices are out of control. Near MacBook prices.... Get out of here. Bet they'll still sell like hot cakes.

 

[aaronhead14]

Totally ridiculous.

 

[mantan]

I hope it resembles a Galaxy 8 by bringing back the headphone jack...

 

[aaronhead14]

Bet they'll still sell like hot cakes.

Good thing nobody buys hot cakes.... lol

 

[rezwits]

Freaking iPad Pro 12" OLED is gonna be like $1,500! $1,600 for 256! Guestimates!

 

[Appleaker]

Yeah, as predicted the pricing will still be $1000+ for the highest configuration (256GB Edition). It'll be interesting to see demand at a price point close to Samsung.

 

[WordsmithMR]

I really need to see the specs. Currently upgrading to an S8+ because I feel like the iPhone has been stuck in limbo.

 

[MellowFuzz]

To hell with that - it's just a stupid phone, with more and more commoditised technology. I'd rather get a nice bicycle.

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

I hope it resembles a Galaxy 8 by bringing back the headphone jack...

You keep dreaming

 

[blairh]

Base model won't be more than $850. No chance.

 

[karshkarsh]

Thankfully the price is competitive. What would this mean for the IUP price tiers?

 

[Daws001]

I had no idea how much my 256GB 7+ was. Had to look it up. Meh. Just break it down into however many months, make the number look small, and tell me I'm pretty.

Also, give me that 8+ please

 

[bgraham]

Not that bad really. The iPhone is not going to cost the same forever.

 

[macfacts]

Remember when the iPad was supposed to be $1,000 ?

Pepperidge Farm remembers...

That was cause people thought the ipad was going to run unix certified mac osx, full desktop. Instead we got a blown up iphone.

 

[lostngone]

1K and above is starting to get outside of the range I want to pay for a phone.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

I understand laptops being expensive. I expect to keep mine for multiple years. But if smartphones are supposed to be upgraded once a year, these prices are too much.

 

[nfl46]

After all the Mac Pro stuff today, Apple has leaked the prices of the new iPhones. This is nothing more than a control leak because people were freaking out that the new iPhone would cost way over $1,000.

 

[tubeexperience]

The prices are getting out of control.

What Apple really need is an entry level model that isn't the iPhone SE...

...probably an iPhone 6, but without the Touch Disease.

 

[BasicGreatGuy]

Seeing how the iPhone 7 plus (128 GB) cost me about $925 after tax, $1,000 for the high-end iPhone doesn't sound that far in the clouds.

 

[Abazigal]

I hope it resembles a Galaxy 8 by bringing back the headphone jack...

You mean like mismatched ports, an awkwardly placed fingerprint sensor, insecure login options, bloated operating system and a non-existent ecosystem?

 

[BasicGreatGuy]

I understand laptops being expensive. I expect to keep mine for multiple years. But if smartphones are supposed to be upgraded once a year, these prices are too much.

Who said smartphones are supposed to be upgraded every year? That notion is nothing more than advertising rheotoric by Apple, and all those who make a profit from one-a-year people.

 

[thedarkhalf]

I understand laptops being expensive. I expect to keep mine for multiple years. But if smartphones are supposed to be upgraded once a year, these prices are too much.

I think a 2-3 year life span for a phone is acceptable. Every phone I've had has been 3-4 years. (minus the shattered screen on an iphone) So I don't think they are meant to be upgraded every year.

 

[paul4339]

Current flagship iphone (jet black) is US$869 (128GB) and US$969 (256 GB).
This analyst is saying iphone 8 may be between $850-900 (64GB) and $950-1000 (256 GB).

not much difference, IMO.