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while that may be true, I was just stuck in an airport for 3 days, and 9/10 phones I saw were iphones. Maybe the people that can't afford plane tickets are buying them up, but it was iphones and ipads everywhere in the airport, more than I expected.
I think the whole big screen trend is what really helped Samsung explode. Besides that it was mostly just imitation and marketing.
 
Suddenly the "5C" does not seem as cheep any more....

It is cheap...it's actually a lot cheaper. Almost 50%. For people on a contract still (most in the US) it's relatively free.

oh come on apple. i know you gotta make money on each product, but give us the goods! you'll sell enough to still make tons of money. someone with an iPhone 4S won't upgrade to something with the same camera in it (ok, they might, but a 12 mp camera would give a better reason to upgrade!)

If you want a upgraded camera, get the 5S. You can say the same thing for people who upgraded from the 4S to the 5. It was almost exactly the same camera.

With so much focus on the iPhone "C", it will probably be the best of the two anyway. Top of the line doesn't always mean it's the best. The C may be a prime example of that. Colorful and less expensive, people respond to lower prices and that's what the C is serving up.

I like what Apple has done with the Cheaper iPhone C.

As soon as I heard they were selling a cheaper iPhone, I immediately knew it would be better selling than the 5S. Simple, it had to be "up to spec" enough to run iOS7, and, people who buy iPhones buy cheap. Sure, there are a bunch of people who hold out their upgrades for the latest iPhone. But everyone else? They buy the old versions. Do you know how many people bought the iPhone 4 and 4S early 2013? Tons. Not just based on the amount of sales they made in charts, but I noticed it blatantly around campus at school. So as long as apple isn't selling just one product within the same segment, they'll buy the cheaper one.

People want an iPhone for the reliability, apps, and maybe camera. They don't care about anything else.
 
It is cheap...it's actually a lot cheaper. Almost 50%. For people on a contract still (most in the US) it's relatively free.

Huh? Rumours are rumours, they aren't facts, there is no product that has been announced or launched, just a bunch of rumour mongers discussing what amounts to disagreements (or agreements as the case may be) among blind people about whether the sky is indeed black or purple (sorry, no offence to the blind).

It even goes further than that, however, meaning the general agreement here that Apple will do something they've never done, which is: release a new product into an existing product family that does the same thing (virtually or totally) as the existing product but for cheaper? Really?

One only need look at Apple's existing product lines and figure out (aside from price) what differentiates each product in each family. We have lots of history and existing product lines to examine, we don't even have to do much guessing.

It would be so un-Apple to release a product that addresses a contract issue with mostly (as you point out) US carriers.
 
Huh? Rumours are rumours, they aren't facts, there is no product that has been announced or launched, just a bunch of rumour mongers discussing what amounts to disagreements (or agreements as the case may be) among blind people about whether the sky is indeed black or purple (sorry, no offence to the blind).

It even goes further than that, however, meaning the general agreement here that Apple will do something they've never done, which is: release a new product into an existing product family that does the same thing (virtually or totally) as the existing product but for cheaper? Really?

One only need look at Apple's existing product lines and figure out (aside from price) what differentiates each product in each family. We have lots of history and existing product lines to examine, we don't even have to do much guessing.

It would be so un-Apple to release a product that addresses a contract issue with mostly (as you point out) US carriers.

I think you just added a lot more complexity than what was really needed. I simply said it would be cheap, especially under contract.

On the other hand, I think apple would totally make a cheaper iPhone. And it's become painstakingly obvious at this point, that that's what they're doing.
 
So, basically, they are going for an iPhone 5 with higher profit margins (plastic, cheap material + cheaper to fabricate) and a Lightning connector?

$199 - iPhone 5S
$99 - 'iPhone 5C'
$0 - iPhone 4S

In otherwords: it's the iPhone 5 in a less expensive housing, reserving the 'premium aluminium design' for the $199-model.

I don't think you'll see that at all. Either this new iPhone 5C will be the $0 with 2-year agreement phone and iPhone 5 will be the $99 phone, the 5C will come in two storage capacities to put it at $0 and $99 (meaning no iPhone 5 sales), or the 5C will be $0 and the 5S will start at $99 for 16GB. I guarantee you Apple wants to ditch all of the 30-pin dock connector devices it can, maybe even at the expense of the iPod classic.

Don't forget, like a lot of people are, that the key markets for this new phone are NOT the U.S. Most people buy phones from one of the big providers on a contract, even with the new options. If they all move heavily toward T-Mobile's "we'll give you cheaper/more flexible plans and let you pay in installments or just BYOD," then this phone means more in the U.S.

I also hope nobody was shocked that this phone is going to have the same exact camera that is in the iPhone 5.
 
Impressive rumored specs, but sorry, $500 is not very budget for a phone. I'll pass. (I don't own a smartphone). I'll probably just replace my ipod touch with the new mini, and save some money in the process. I kind of like being able to talk on the phone and (take notes, edit my calendar, look things up on the web etc) that I can do now with 2 devices. They may sell a lot of these, but I don't think the buyers will be from the intended user base. Probably just existing ios users who want to buy a cheaper model.
 
To get the cost down to that point would require compomises that this phone apparently doesn't make (uP integted into radio, lower resolution screen, lower resolution camera, etc.).

I really don't think it would have to be a low spec device, and I strongly disagree with people who seem to think a retina screen is not possible at low prices. I am reading this on my 4th gen ipod touch which has a retina screen and sold for $220 new. As compared to the iphone model at the time, it had lower battery life, worse camera, no gps chip and obviously no cellular radio. Otherwise it was more or less the same device, at a fraction of the cost of the iphone. The iphone just has incredible profit margins that just aren't sustainable with today's competition and/or if apple wants to expand its user base.

Remember how apple blew people away with $500 ipad pricing when many thought it would be a $1,000+ device? They could still do the same thing here and come out with a $250 iphone. It's very possible. Look at what the chinese knockoff iphone lookalike android phones sell for with very similar specs. Hell, the current ipod touch is $230. It doesn't cost more than $20 for a cellular radio + GPS chip. If they still want to add a premium to the iphone to prevent from cannabalizing ipod sales, fine, make it $300, but any more than that and it's not a budget item and people like me will look at ipad mini or the competition instead.
 
All apple is doing is i riding focus to their old phone from the year before. Instead of just sayin, "here by our phone from last year at a lower price." They are now giving that phone a new brand. They are bringing excitement and notice to that phone. By offering different colors and giving it a name of its own, it gives the illusion that this is a totally different phone
 
Who want's cheaper iPhone?

Seriously? Who is going to get the cheaper, inferior iPhone? People want the best, newest product from Apple. You might as well get a iPhone 3G "s" if you want cheaper!
 
If this means the iPhone 5C is a repackaged iPhone 5 then this would be a good move for Apple. For the past year or so it seems that everyone was expecting something magical from the iPhone 5 and it ended up getting overshadowed by other phones like the Galaxy S3 and S4. If I were Apple, I'd drop the iPhone 5 name and just call it the iPhone Color so as not to bring over the negativity of the iPhone 5 like the scuff and scratch issues, the underwhelming (yet logical) 4" display, the maps fiasco (even though its a software related issue, I feel the average consumer can't really discern the difference and making it worse is the fact that both were launched about 2 weeks apart), and the purple lens flare (even though it was proven to affect other smartphones and DSLR cameras).

Now the name for the next gen iPhone, "iPhone 5S", I have no idea whether to keep the naming convention or go for "iPhone 6" or even "The all new iPhone" like they did with the iPad.

I love Apple and I think they have good intentions but you know what they say about that...:(

I would venture to say that the vast majority of people who have and will be buying iPhones have never heard of any of the iPhone related 'scandals' you seem to be so concerned about.
 
I hate to say it but id say there are better phone camera out there, such as the Moto x, HTC One that use the Clear Pixel Technology. When i see my brothers Nexus 4 shots they are much better than the iphone 5's. Apple honestly is slipping back a bit, perhaps even lazy.

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So, basically, they are going for an iPhone 5 with higher profit margins (plastic, cheap material + cheaper to fabricate) and a Lightning connector?

$199 - iPhone 5S
$99 - 'iPhone 5C'
$0 - iPhone 4S

In otherwords: it's the iPhone 5 in a less expensive housing, reserving the 'premium aluminium design' for the $199-model.

Yep. I was really thinking the coloured would be a phone with slightly better internals, and a possible "pro" model in metal, but it does look like Apple is going to get the most $$ from the 5 internals with a cheaper exterior. Pity.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if this new phone is essentially just the iPhone 5 in a less expensive housing.

Me too. I was hoping not, but it looks that way.

Anyone know what Apples general pricing is for the older phone in the Apple store were? If the 5C is just a colourful 5, and they price it as a "new iphone" then its a complete p*** take if you ask me!

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All apple is doing is i riding focus to their old phone from the year before. Instead of just sayin, "here by our phone from last year at a lower price." They are now giving that phone a new brand. They are bringing excitement and notice to that phone. By offering different colors and giving it a name of its own, it gives the illusion that this is a totally different phone

And therefore they can charge more $$ for what is an older phone.....
 
12mp is just stupid. Better optics, sensors are needed. I don't need a bunch of larger file sized pics of the same quality. Not needed at all.

I think the image size (megapixels) is one of the biggest misconception! When people hear about hight megapixel they automatically assume better quality photos. Even when you go on the digital store after a camera, the first thing the store staff will praise is megapixels. And people really go for it. And then they say.... not really very nice quality for a 16 megapixel camera.
 
I think the image size (megapixels) is one of the biggest misconception! When people hear about hight megapixel they automatically assume better quality photos. Even when you go on the digital store after a camera, the first thing the store staff will praise is megapixels. And people really go for it. And then they say.... not really very nice quality for a 16 megapixel camera.

I totally agree on MP size, id be happy with what the HTC One has done, 5 MP but with the Clear Pixel technology. I think im a bit disappointed that the rumour is them using the exact same camera as the 5, which under dark conditions when you don't want to use the flash, is pretty awful!
 
This just reinforces that the iPhone 5 will be discontinued.

The iPhone 5C will have the same internals but since it has a new casing people will think it's new
 
Seems the 5C is simply a cheaper-produced replacement of the current iPhone 5. Somewhat silly that people wouldn't want to buy 'last years technology' but are perfectly content to buy last years tech in a new cheaper plastic packaging.
Brilliant move by Apple ;)
 
So, basically, they are going for an iPhone 5 with higher profit margins (plastic, cheap material + cheaper to fabricate) and a Lightning connector?

$199 - iPhone 5S
$99 - 'iPhone 5C'
$0 - iPhone 4S

In otherwords: it's the iPhone 5 in a less expensive housing, reserving the 'premium aluminium design' for the $199-model.

I believe the iphone 4 and 4s will disappear. Only 4 inches screens with lighting conector.

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Seems the 5C is simply a cheaper-produced replacement of the current iPhone 5. Somewhat silly that people wouldn't want to buy 'last years technology' but are perfectly content to buy last years tech in a new cheaper plastic packaging.
Brilliant move by Apple ;)

That last year technology is still better in terms of using experience and no lagginess than most android phones. It will move iOS 7 without any issue. It going to sell millions and millions.

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This just reinforces that the iPhone 5 will be discontinued.

The iPhone 5C will have the same internals but since it has a new casing people will think it's new

The casing will be as nice as the case you buy for it.
 
Somewhat silly that people wouldn't want to buy 'last years technology' but are perfectly content to buy last years tech in a new cheaper plastic packaging.

But many people DO buy last year's technology. That's why Apple wants to make it cheaper to make.
 
I totally agree on MP size, id be happy with what the HTC One has done, 5 MP but with the Clear Pixel technology. I think im a bit disappointed that the rumour is them using the exact same camera as the 5, which under dark conditions when you don't want to use the flash, is pretty awful!

Clear Pixel tech is nice, but you still need the MPs. The One's camera is only good if you're taking instagram sized photos otherwise the pics will come out blurry at hell.
 
If the sensor itself doesn't get larger, a 12MP image will do worse in low light situations because each pixel has be smaller (and let in less light). Stick to 8 and improve the optics!

Not necessarily, there are lots of tricks that can be used to improve dynamic range of a sensor and reduce noise which together can yield better results even for much smaller pixel sizes. Using on sensor analogue to digital conversion for instance can produce a 12MP sensor that beats the current 8MP due to much lower read noise.
 
Just in case you weren't aware, the volume up button is a physical shutter button currently. Seems like many people don't know this.

Yes... there are Android apps which can do it too. But can you pre-focus and then trigger the shutter in the same button?
 
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