Like with the iPhone 6 when it was released, I assume that the goal for the iPhone 8 would be to expand Apple's user base with a phone and design that is cutting-edge. The only direct competition for the iPhone 8 would be the Galaxy S8, but price-wise, they wouldn't match up at all if the rumors are true. Galaxy S8 with 64GB released for $725 US.
If Apple sells the iPhone 8 for $1000 or more, would that cater to new customers who can get nearly the same experience from an S8?
And you also have to worry about how it makes the iPhone 7s look. It will clearly appear to be an "inferior" product to the iPhone 8, but priced the same as an Galaxy S8 anyway.
For our sakes, I hope there is no 7S. Just an iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus at the same price points we have now. I know that's incredibly unrealistic because of the lack of OLED displays. But if the iPhone 8 has everything the iPhone 8 Plus has minus the OLED display, dual cameras, and wireless charging, that's fine by me.
That's how I would do it to create continuity and consistency. It's time the iPhone 7 style devices get moved up into bleeding edge tech since a phone should offer quick charge USB Type C a flagship, even if Apple merges it with lightning adapters. The 7 has water resistance, dual speakers, an incredible processor, sufficient RAM, 3D Touch, a Taptic feedback engine. All it needs is USB Type C/Lightning Quick charge, a bump into a resolution beyond 1080p to match Apple's need for its device, and maybe that gigabit LTE capabilities. In other words, 750p doesn't cut it.
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Let's not underestimate apples history for insane prices.. people expecting it to be less than £1000 will be in for a surprise.
Their last MacBook release is a great example of this - they bumped up prices on those things to eye watering levels that shocked everyone.
They probably leaked the prices themselves to prepare everyone. Whilst also releasing a 7S to have an 'affordable' option.
No doubt next years '8S' will bring back Touch ID, possibly have a second size option and bring prices back down slightly. I'm very tempted to wait out this year as I feel like a beta tester.
It can very well be £1000 for all we know, but as long as I have an aggressive promotion to take advantage of (namely trading in my SE for a huge bill credit concession), then I would be fine if the price is $1000 before I pay a dime. I am anticipating owing $650 USD w/ my carrier after trading in my SE because I expect it to be $1070 after tax. $650 is within my wheel house and I will pay a sizable amount of $ to lower my monthly average to $10-$15.
Though I am beginning to expect it to be about $899-$969 now rather than £1000 equivalent in the states. Idk about Europe's price aggressiveness, but the States have tons of promos to cut down on costs because people may not throw $ down so quick. Pricing installment plans are super popular nowadays.