New 4" iPhone With 12MP Camera Said to Cost $400-$500, iPhone 5s to Receive 50% Price Cut

[KPandian1]

I am aware that molds went out with plastic, as far as Apple is concerned. The hardware and software to carve the aluminium block to design a blank for each iProduct is 3 years old and does not involve new effort by Apple - that is my point.

Chamfered edges are still difficult - I think one Asian company copied Apple in producing their phone that way just this last year that I am aware of. There might be others, but every company now designs the smooth curve on their products, including Apple.

My own preference is the iPhone 5s's chamfered finish - looks better than Apple's Samsung look-a-like iPhone 6. Distinctive Apple look, 3 of them at home, look better than the iPhone 6s the large handed kid loves!

 

[Edsel]

No dice. Am waiting for 2" iFlipPhone....

 

[ValO]

T

I don't believe Apple will be selling the 5S anywhere, except possibly some emerging markets after the "SE" comes out. Without Pay, it only holds back Apple's expansion plans this year.

I do believe Apple might offered a budget phone for less than $450, but NOT this so-called SE with these specs. A Phone featuring the same specs of a 6S but being sold for less? Makes no sense. A 4" screen is not enough to justify a $150-250 price drop over the current flagship specs.

If Apple produces this "SE" as described in this article, it's selling for at least $600, with a price drop to $500 in Septemeber, when the 6S drops to $550.

I still expect to see two different 4" phones (based on the conflicting spec rumors), with a true entry level phone with an A8/1GB ram/16GB/Pay, replacing the 5s at the same $450 price point (similar to the recent iPod Touch update), dropping to $400 when the 7 comes out and the 6 drops to $450.

That ensures those who can afford to pay more for a 4" phone will have an option, and ensures Pay is available in all of their new phones. It also gives them a more capable phone to shift to their emerging markets with the 6 the following year.

Also keep in mind, for Apple to continue offering the 5s alongside a new 4" SE, means they have to dedicate a new manufacturing facility with aluminum machining capabilities for it to do so. If the "SE" replaces the 5s, then there's no need for a new facility. Apple has continued to sell the 4S & 5c until this month in India, but neither required aluminum machining for their cases, which was likely the reason the 5c was offered in the first place -- to allow Apple to build the infrastructure to produce 3 different aluminum phones at the same time. Now Apple is producing 5 aluminum models, and next year likely 7, which makes sense on the premium end of the product offerings, not so much to expand the low end -- adding a potential 8th aluminum phone selling for less than the rest? Hard to imagine.

Regular iPhone 6 will be discontinued with the release of iPhone 7.
They' ll sell about 5 types of iPhones after the release of the iPhone 7.
iPhone se
iPhone 6s
iPhone 6s+
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 +/pro(might sell a plus and a pro, with pro featuring a dual lens )

Now it is time Apple simplifies their line up.
Drop MacBook Air replaced by just MacBook.
Drop iPad Air name replace it with iPad
Perhaps drop the + naming on the iPhone .
Perhaps drop the iPad mini name and replace it with just iPad .
Drop the Mac mini name, just call it Mac.
Introduce " pro" line across Iphones and iPad line.

 

[gim]

I do believe Apple might offered a budget phone for less than $450, but NOT this so-called SE with these specs. A Phone featuring the same specs of a 6S but being sold for less? Makes no sense. A 4" screen is not enough to justify a $150-250 price drop over the current flagship specs.

If Apple produces this "SE" as described in this article, it's selling for at least $600, with a price drop to $500 in Septemeber, when the 6S drops to $550.

Agreed. Maybe $579 for 16GB, $649 for 64GB.
It's ridiculous to think that an iPhone with these specs will cost less than that, speaking about 400-500$

 

[citysnaps]

Or how about Apple rewarding loyal customers with a gift of 32 GB, and eat the difference with good will gravy? Yes, I know that's crazy talk, but it's something a company would do for it's "valuable" customers.

No disagreement there. Maybe Honda will throw in free leather seats on your next new Civic.

"...but it's something a company would do for it's "valuable" customers."

Rather than complain and mope around feeling bad about how mean Apple is, why not just find a different phone manufacturer who will throw in a bunch of free stuff for you. Problem solved.

 

[Mac 128]

Yeah, I think I'll stick with my new Microsoft Lumia 640 5" smart phone I paid only $48

So what's the deal? Locked into a 2 year carrier contract? Unlimited replacement phones for $48, or is there a limit?

I'm assuming it runs all of the Microsoft Office apps, so that takes care of the business side. But will it run Netflix, & HBO-GO apps? what kind of video streaming does it support? Obviously not TV, but chrome cast? Does it support Drop Box, Amazon Prime, GMail, Facebook, eBay, Spotify, iTunes, Starbucks, New York Times?

 

[Michael Goff]

Or how about Apple rewarding loyal customers with a gift of 32 GB, and eat the difference with good will gravy? Yes, I know that's crazy talk, but it's something a company would do for it's "valuable" customers.

A9
2GB of RAM
32GB base storage
12mp camera

Less than 500?

 

[SteveW928]

I don't think it will "cannibalize" per se. People who wants the larger screen would still opt for the 6S instead of the SE.
I mean if you think about it, the non-plus version should've "cannibalize" the plus phones, but they didn't.

I agree people who want the larger screen would buy the 6s or 6s+, but the question is, how many iPhone buyers would pay more for a larger screen, or actually want the larger screen?

Apple never made a full lineup of sizes to really see, they just jumped from 4" to 4.7", never offering both with similar hardware at the same time. The 4.7" move might have sold really well... because it was the new iPhone, not because it was 4.7".

We also don't know if the 6s is cannibalizing the 6s+ or not. The 6s+ is a small segment, but we don't know if that's because people don't want a screen that big, or they don't want to spend that much money.

It's probably a bit of both, in either case (some will pick the model they want no matter the cost, some buy what they feel they can afford and give up what they'd really like).

It is actually less confusing.
Before, consumers have to worry about many other things like Apple pay support, etc since the baseline iPhone is two generations behind. Now, if the baseline iPhone is closer tech wise, only 1 gen behind, people just need to worry about screen size.
Want basic iPhone that can do most of the advertised features? SE
Want larger screen than that? 6S
Want latest and greatest? 7.

I think that's still confusing, and the differentiation shouldn't be based on how old the tech is (for user experience reasons). It would be WAY more simple, if it were just the iPhone (whatever the new number is), in 4", 4.7", and 5.5" sizes. Super simple!

But I don't se a problem with them selling old premium phones at a low price point. The iPhone 5s is still amazing compared to most phones designed to cost $225.

The problem is that when new iOS versions come out, the user experience will be degraded... possibly even rapidly (ex: consider the iPad 2 when iOS 8 came out!).

How is the 5S a "poor user experience"? I'm typing this on one right now and especially with iOS 9.3 (beta) this phone is still a great experience IMO. Better than any midrange Androids for me.

See above... it will be with the next iOS or the following one. Once Apple gets a sizeable percentage of users on 2GB units, watch what happens with the next iOS release for 1GB units.

Right? 32 should be the new base. I don't know why 16 is still even a thing.

Marketing.

iPhone 5/5s still looks the more beautiful than the 6/6s, the engineering behind the chamfered edge design more precise and difficult to produce.

I agree, the 5s seems like a much higher quality phone than the 6 or 6s. That might just be perception, but that's how it seems to me.

Poor user experience? Did you actually use an iPhone 5S ? My wife is using her everyday and couldn't be happier about it...

Right now... see above.

I agree - a low cost phone would be a lot of people's first iPhone, and with a low price, might end up being a sizable chunk of users - all getting a bad impression about iOS.

Exactly! That said, I think the 'new' Apple doesn't care so much about user experience... so that doesn't mean they won't do it.

Don't really need 2GB of ram, 1GB is more than enough IMO, I have never had any problems with my iPhone 6

See above... *right now* that's the case, aside from app refresh.

So when Apple announces the 5se do you think they will mention how much ram it contains or will we have to wait for someone to open it?

Doubt it, they usually don't. But, I'd wait to find out first.

Are you angry with Honda because their base car's engine is four cylinders, or that the seats are cloth? Want 6 cylinders or leather, simply pay for it. ... If a lot of people don't need 32gb, and 16 gb works fine, why penalize them with a unit that costs more? ... Pro tip: If you want people to really take you seriously when you say "maximize profits," squint your eyes, sneer a little, and slowly move your head back and forth while saying that. Everyone will then know you're someone to be reckoned with.

Well, if in a year or two after buying the Honda, the 4-cylinder could only go 40 MPH and couldn't keep up with traffic anymore, then I might be a bit miffed.

Look, I completely understand WHY Apple is doing it. I'm just saying they shouldn't because it creates bad user-experience situations. Do you know how many people I've talked to with 8 and 16 GB devices that couldn't even run updates? Or, who've told me stuff like, "well, it's a nice camera, but I don't use it much because I'm out of space."

The 'old' Apple used to care more about that kind of thing. These people I'm talking about didn't say, "well, I should by that 64GB model so I have enough storage, but I'm going to cheap-out..." They thought they were buying the base model of a premium product that the cell companies were all pushing in their packages. A better analogy might be buying a Porsche, and then finding out it only goes 50 MPH and stalls out every couple of miles, and that the next model up is the one that goes 180 MPH and eats up race tracks.

re: "maximize profits" - Yes, they could attempt that, but it would be a completely stupid idea. (It never ceases to amaze me that so many people these days seem to think such a thing should the goal of a business.)

 

[lolkthxbai]

I don't believe it. I don't believe they will ever sell any iPhone at $225 (full retail). That's playing in the low end of the market, which they've never done in any product category. I also doubt the new iPhone pricing. Well, maybe a 16GB for $500.

Yeah,meneithe.Ithinkit'sEOLpricingandwillonlybeavailablefromthetimethenewphoneisannouncedupuntilthedaythenewiPhoneSEisavailableinstore

 

[I7guy]

It's more like Apple wants to maximize profits and know people will buy a 32, 64, or 128gb device over the 16gb. Memory upgrades are so dirt cheap in the manufacturing process, yet they can get away with $50-$100 per additional memory upgrade.
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I haven't had one problem with the Nexus 5X. It doesn't have the highest specs either. I am not saying Android is the best. I am just saying there are better options out there if people want them.

"Better" is relative, which is all that is being said. What is "better" for you is not "better" for me, unless you want to buy my next phone; I would then be happy to choose the model you deem to be "better".

 

[Q-Dog]

Depends. In Asia, people love the huge screen, especially girls. They like watching their dramas on the subway, and a phablet makes it a better experience. There's a reason why Apple decided to do a plus version of their iPhone.

Of course, there is still a market for a smaller sized phone as well, but there's a reason why phablet has become a category.

Phablet became a category because there are LOTS of people all around the world that can only afford one device, and that one device is their entire world ... their only connection to the internet and the rest of the world.

But for people that have internet at home, and a computer, and an ipad, and an ipod, and any other number of ways to consume content, a phone is just a phone. Compact size and ease of carrying is more important for those people than a huge screen or enormous storage capacity.

 

[McScooby]

Does this not smell of the same story behind the 5C? Credible analyst guesses what will do, overestimate specs & announce price cut. iPhone 5se or whatever launches at higher price point, lower specced than rumored, stock takes the hit, surely peoples this is to be expected, irrespective whoever the analyst is? He's just doing his job!

 

[Tycho24]

A9
2GB of RAM
32GB base storage
12mp camera

Less than 500?

Above bolded literally CANNOT happen.
C'mon, let's be serious... they're going to put out a 2nd tier phone that has a HUGE spec that's double that of their current flagship?? Lets don't be silly please!
It will be awesome if iPhone 7 starts @ 32gb, paving the way for an SE 2 mimicking the next year, but to think that such a development would begin on the low end is ridiculous.

 

[nviz22]

"Better" is relative, which is all that is being said. What is "better" for you is not "better" for me, unless you want to buy my next phone; I would then be happy to choose the model you deem to be "better".

When I said better, I was referring to pricing. $270 Nexus 5X > iPhone 5SE in terms of value.

 

[Q-Dog]

No dice. Am waiting for 2" iFlipPhone....

Well, I loved my flip phone ... much easier to carry than any smart phone. I would definitely consider an Apple flip phone.

 

[Mac 128]

T
Regular iPhone 6 will be discontinued with the release of iPhone 7.

I don't agree. The 6/6S have made major gains in converting Android users who didn't have an option for a larger iPhone before. Apple will not discontinue the 6 because for the first time they have a phone which competes at the lowest price point ever that appeals to Android customers.

They're still not getting the bottom dweller Android users, but then again, offering a cheaper 4" iPhone isn't going to change that either, and does nothing for the Android crowd that can afford a little more to step up to Apple.

If there's only one new 4" phone, based on the "SE" specs in this article, it's going to look like this in March:

$450 - 5s (Or budget 5s replacement*)
$550 - 6
$600 - "SE"
$650 - 6s/6 Plus
$750 - 6s Plus

And then in September maybe:

*$350-400 - 5s (or budget 5s replacement)
$450 - 6
$500 - "SE"
$550 - 6s/6 Plus
$600 - "SE 2" MARCH
$650 - 7/6s Plus
$750 - 7 Plus

*i don't expect them to keep an iPhone around without Pay past September, if that long.

 

[SlipperySlop]

Or how about Apple rewarding loyal customers with a gift of 32 GB, and eat the difference with good will gravy? Yes, I know that's crazy talk, but it's something a company would do for it's "valuable" customers.

Yes. It's insane. And if you were a stock holder, you would be going through the roof with that suggestion. It's so easy for you people who feel entitled to everything to suggest you get something for free. How about getting a better job so you could afford a few of these things instead of asking for handouts?

 

[Q-Dog]

When I said better, I was referring to pricing. $270 Nexus 5X > iPhone 5SE in terms of value.

Value is also relative. A thing that does what I want in a manner that I want is more "valuable" than a thing that doesn't. (Thus the reason lots of people put a lot more "value" on iOS over other operating systems.) Shopping merely on price is often a foolish pursuit.

 

[satchmo]

While it does seem like too many models, there really is just 5 models.
iPhone 7
iPhone 7+
iPhone 6
iPhone 6+
iPhone SE

My guess is that all other models that existed from prior generations will be supported, but not officially sold on Apple's site/store. Retailers will likely discount remaining stock.

Even with the rumoured 50% price cut, the iPhone 5s is and was a great phone.
Frankly my iPhone 6 will probably go down as one of the worse models ever made. This along with my iPad Air (another dud), it has not been a great buying experience for me, the last few years.

 

[SteveW928]

Yes. It's insane. And if you were a stock holder, you would be going through the roof with that suggestion. It's so easy for you people who feel entitled to everything to suggest you get something for free. How about getting a better job so you could afford a few of these things instead of asking for handouts?

No, if I were an Apple stock holder, I'd want Apple to make excellent products with a top user experience, because I'd know that *long term* that would pay off. It's called INVESTING. Stupid marketing tricks designed to put profit over user-experience is more along the lines of day-trading and calling it 'investing' to put a business-face on Vegas.

 

[nviz22]

Value is also relative. A thing that does what I want in a manner that I want is more "valuable" than a thing that doesn't. (Thus the reason lots of people put a lot more "value" on iOS over other operating systems.) Shopping merely on price is often a foolish pursuit.

At the end of the day, they have apps, internet access, play music, make calls, and text. If they can do the same thing without much difference, then the cheaper device is a better bang for your buck. That's all I am saying. I like iOS better than pure Android. I didn't even touch on how Nexus Imprint is better than Touch ID or anything like that, but that's besides the point.

 

[Michael Goff]

Above bolded literally CANNOT happen.
C'mon, let's be serious... they're going to put out a 2nd tier phone that has a HUGE spec that's double that of their current flagship?? Lets don't be silly please!
It will be awesome if iPhone 7 starts @ 32gb, paving the way for an SE 2 mimicking the next year, but to think that such a development would begin on the low end is ridiculous.

My point was more that people are asking for current generation specs with more storage for less money. This entire discussion just makes my head hurt overall.
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When I said better, I was referring to pricing. $270 Nexus 5X > iPhone 5SE in terms of value.

Have fun with your camera problems.

 

[SteveW928]

At the end of the day, they have apps, internet access, play music, make calls, and text. If they can do the same thing without much difference, then the cheaper device is a better bang for your buck. That's all I am saying.

That was kind of the Windows vs Mac argument too... and it was proven wrong, study after study for decades. It's the whole specs vs experience thing.

IMO, the question is more - given Apple's recent trends - when Apple will fall enough that some other company/OS will start to take Apple's place in this regard, or when Apple's advantage in user experience will be poor enough that it won't matter anymore. Yes, then it will come down more to specs and cost.

 

[simonTheDiver]

when an analyst predicts that Apple will halve the price of the iPhone 5s, I don't ask myself "who does he know inside Apple?", I ask myself "What is he smoking and where can i get some ?"

 

[GoodWheaties]

I simply can't let this one go - lots of old-ish Android phones stacked against new iPhone - come on. My Z3 will last at least two plus days with average use. The Xperia phones are renowned for battery life but the old Z1 is quoted, do me a favour?????

Because I don't think Sony sends test phones to AnandTech? Also that chart is from 1 1/2 years ago. He should have used a more up to date chart I agree