Ming-Chi Kuo Returns With 2018 iPhone Details: Lower Pricing, September Launch for All Models

[tooloud10]

I’ll upgrade my SE only of there’s an (not a) SE size iPhone.
Gave up my X and won’t go back to that hideous form factor. I get it, Steve asked Tim to never question would he have done but X was horrible, heavy, too large (remember thum ad?).

It's amazing how clunky and archaic a 7 Plus feels compared to my X when I pick one up now, like I'm holding an iPad Mini or something. They did fine with the X and I'm sure not going back.
[doublepost=1528123983][/doublepost]iPhone SE 6.1" LCD 64GB single camera - $699
iPhone XS 5.8" OLED 64GB dual camera - $899
iPhone XS Plus 6.5" OLED 64GB dual camera - $999

 

[JPack]

Still can't quite digest Apple pitching a 6.1 LCD alongside a 5.8 OLED.

The 6.1” product is a mainstream size. The 5.8” model has always been too small to sell in high volume to satisfy most customers.

Virtually every competitive offering launching this year by Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO is coming in 6.1”.

 

[Rogifan]

Makes sense. Last year a lot of the tech was bleeding edge. Combine that with a new iPhone X Plus model and you'd end up with that model starting around $1199 which is a bit crazy. By introducing the iPhone X Plus model at $999 you can still help keep the average selling price high while pushing more volume at the low end. If that price turns out to be true then I'd expect the lineup to look like this:

• iPhone X Plus: $999
• iPhone X: $849
• iPhone (new edge-to-edge): $699
• iPhone SE (new edge-to-edge): $499

Additionally they could add a storage capacity option of 512GB on the two X models to bump ASP by a bit.

So the current size X is going to be $150 cheaper? How is Apple going to explain that (that doesn’t come across as the original X being overpriced)?

 

[slimtastic]

Kuo is back! Well, this is some good news I guess.

 

[bbednarz]

So the current size X is going to be $150 cheaper? How is Apple going to explain that (that doesn’t come across as the original X being overpriced)?

The tech isn't as cutting edge anymore like it was last year.

 

[Devie]

Gimme the 6.1 lcd please. Although oled is nice, it isn’t worth that much extra on a phone. On a tv it is.

 

[Radon87000]

Actually he’s not always. When’s the last time Apple has reduced the price of a new iPhone? All of his reasonings are speculation not based on anything he knows or supply chain rumors.

Min Chi has never been wrong.

 

[tooloud10]

So the current size X is going to be $150 cheaper? How is Apple going to explain that (that doesn’t come across as the original X being overpriced)?

That's literally the last thing they're worried about. They won't dwell on the price of the X and will play up the new pricing structure heavily as a big favor to the consumer.

 

[dominiongamma]

Min Chi has never been wrong.

He did get the whole iPhone X will be sold until 2017 prediction wrong

 

[JPack]

So the current size X is going to be $150 cheaper? How is Apple going to explain that (that doesn’t come across as the original X being overpriced)?

iPhone X buyers are early adopters and paid a premium.

Tim Cook launched the iPhone X as a 10 year anniversary product. It was clearly intended as a product of the future and priced as such.

 

[john123]

By “concern”, you mean record sales? First time in iPhone history the top-tier model is also the best-selling model. Oops.

The mistake of your thinking is a focus on retrospective data when in reality good business decisions must be made on a prospective basis. See Rogers’ Bell Curve for the tech adoption side of this issue.

 

[redheeler]

There goes my iPhone X’s resale value.

Such is the life of the early adopter.

 

[xmarcuswildx]

The real question...where do I find this wallpaper on the big iPhone X plus here.

Also, wtf is gonna happen to those of us on IUP that started in November...
[doublepost=1528124755][/doublepost]

Nope, still too expensive for a "phone"

People still use iPhones as a “phone”? Mine has replaced my laptop, other than gaming.

 

[tbayrgs]

So the current size X is going to be $150 cheaper? How is Apple going to explain that (that doesn’t come across as the original X being overpriced)?

If you don’t recall, go look up the price of the original MacBook Air models vs. the prices after the first revision. Cost of parts/production goes down over time and Apple has a huge margin they can work with if needed.

 

[EugW]

Excellent. This was what I was predicting, given iPhone X's lower unit sales, but I'm glad to see a respected analyst is saying the same thing now.

IOW, I'm glad I waited, and let others pay the early adopter tax. I wasn't a big fan of the X anyway, since the notch reduces its real-world screen size for video playback.

Min Chi has never been wrong.

Yes he has been wrong before, but he's definitely a lot more accurate than your average analyst, since he seems to have very good connections on the Chinese manufacturing side. In fact, a few out there in the industry have likened his investigations into this stuff to corporate espionage, but that's at best a huge stretch.

 

[macduke]

So the current size X is going to be $150 cheaper? How is Apple going to explain that (that doesn’t come across as the original X being overpriced)?

The article says as much. They could simply say that the cutting edge technology has come down in price. Maybe they've worked out a deal for better OLED prices, as has been rumored, and the laser modules for Face ID have gone down in price. Apple doesn't care about the past, they know that people will only be happier to pay less and they don't have to give much of an explanation.

 

[tbayrgs]

The real question...where do I find this wallpaper on the big iPhone X plus here.

Also, wtf is gonna happen to those of us on IUP that started in November...
[doublepost=1528124755][/doublepost]
People still use iPhones as a “phone”? Mine has replaced my laptop, other than gaming.

You’re either going to wait until November or pay off those initial 12 months of payments early to be able to upgrade before then.

 

[Baymowe335]

Nope, still too expensive for a "phone"

You got the "phone" part right. This is FAR more than a phone. Totally worth it.

 

[profets]

Nope, still too expensive for a "phone"

Maybe, just maybe, these devices are far from being just a "phone".

 

[Krayzkat]

Can we skip these ridiculous Ming-Chi Kuo rumours and get more drone videos of Apple HQ please!

 

[xmarcuswildx]

You’re either going to wait until November or pay off those initial 12 months of payments early to be able to upgrade before then.

I don’t think so...they allowed early upgrades previously that would be stupid for them to release the new models early and not allow IUP to get models on release day.

 

[dan9700]

Cant wait for the X Plus

 

[Liquid Galaxy]

Nope, still too expensive for a "phone"

Lol, did you miss the /s on your post? Cos anyone who thinks these devices are just a "phone" these days needs their head examined...

 

[recoil80]

So the current size X is going to be $150 cheaper? How is Apple going to explain that (that doesn’t come across as the original X being overpriced)?

I think X plus will have the same price as today's X. So their flagship will have the same price, but the smaller model will get a discount. They need to have something new at current iPhone 8 price point.
I don't know how they will "explain" to customers, but I don't think they need to explain something in the first place. Sure if you pay the full retail price of iPhone X in August you're going to be really disappointed, but that's life in the tech industry.

 

[tbayrgs]

I don’t think so...they allowed early upgrades previously that would be stupid for them to release the new models early and not allow IUP to get models on release day.

You CAN upgrade as early as 6 months now, if you’ve paid off 12 months of payments. We’ll just have to see if they allow people to do so after only 9-10 months of payments.