Second Generation $249-$299 iPhone in September?

[Nym]

Never say Never with Apple.. but.. I feel it's way too early for a 2nd Gen iPhone.

Let's just wait and see, I'm waiting to buy a 6th Gen iPod with multitouch.

If the new iPods don't feature multitouch, the money is staying in my pocket, or maybe I'll just add a GB of RAM to my iMac and buy an external HD

 

[mickeymikey]

Too soon for phone - let's work the bugs out of the first one before launching a second. This is an iPod.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Too soon for phone - let's work the bugs out of the first one before launching a second. This is an iPod.

Not too soon at all. As a teen and broke college student, I can tell you for certain that I could never afford the iPhone. Not because of a $600 price tag, but because $600 is too damn expensive for something that has so little space, and I can't afford the data plan. People younger then I with a part time job could never afford an iPhone. Parents aren't going to get a $600 phone and upgrade the plan for a tween. That's a HUGE demographic that's untapped, and who would never buy an iPhone anyway. If Apple releases a 2nd iPhone, it may cannibalize some sales of the iPhone, but it would more then make up for lost sales by catering to a completely different market that's more willing to spend money.

R&D costs would be almost nothing. You already have the software, just get rid of the internet parts, multi-touch, replace it with a scroll-wheel input, and add an antenna and radio to the nano, and boom. Insta-iPhone nano.

$250 for a 4gig model, $300 for an 8gig model.
the iPhone capacity gets doubled.
iPod Nano's get doubled too. Believe it, it can work out, it's just a matter of whether Apple will do it or not.

P.S. I think it will be a candybar form factor with a click wheel that displays numbers on it in a circle, like an old rotary phone. That's why Apple filed the patent for the touch pad that can display stuff.

 

[ukneeq]

It just doesn't make sense. a 6th gen iPod with touchscreen would eat up the growth rate of the iPhone, I'm sure many here would argue but it still doesn't make it any less true. It's too soon. And it's too soon for a mini iPhone. Not because there isn't a market for a less expensive iPhone but because the 1st one has a ton of work needed in it's current form. Plus the 1st iPhone hasn't even hit it's target sales in Europe so what would happen to those numbers if a 2nd gen was announced?

I don't think this is true. A 6th gen iPod wouldn't eat up iPhone sales. People who get an iPhone want the phone capabilities. Plus the capacity difference alone would make it marketed to two different types of customers. I do agree that it is too early for a mini or 2nd gen iPhone. I think we won't see another model of the iPhone til at least after the 1st software update.

 

[KristieMac]

I'd certainly love something like this. I can't bring myself to pay the price of a current iphone, but under $300.00 is much more reasonable.

September just seems too soon. But a girl can dream....

 

[Steve Jobs=God]

While i agree that it could easily be the next gen iPod there is one other thing that it could be.

How about a slightly revamped iPhone for the European market, i.e. 3G, At the same time released in the US with a price drop on the iPhone range.

My thoughts exactly, wouldn't really make sense to release 1st gen in europe in October/November only to release gen 2 a few months later.

But then Apple have always been focused on the US primarily so i doubt they'd ever release a product in any other territory other then the US first.

Either way, new iPhone or New iPod, i'm getting it

 

[slackintosh]

To those claiming that a new ipod would canabilise iphone sales, I say this, an iphone is NOT an ipod!! People buying iphones are buying them because they are an awesome phone that happens to include a small capacity ipod, who in their right mind would go out and drop $600 on an 8gig ipod and endure a $60 or more a month contract for 8 gigs of ipodness???? Not to mention the fact that the world is much bigger than the US, we here in Canada as well as Europe, Australia, in fact the rest of the planet outside of the US also use ipods and have no iphone to choose instead, this folks, is the next gen ipod that will not canabilise the iphone, it will instead compliment the iphone/ipod product line.

 

[peharri]

Hard to see where they could cut costs to make it that price while still making something that's obviously an "iPhone" and not an iPod with phone functionality (or vice versa.)

The ideas of having programmable trackwheels and stuff are fun, but such a device would not be an "iPhone": thanks to a heavy marketing campaign, the public has an idea of what an iPhone is, a slab with a multitouch UI that can browse the web, be a phone, and provide access to multimedia. I just don't see Jobs diluting the brand by calling something an iPhone that doesn't at least have those characteristics. At best, I'd expect a device that's smaller, and has much less capacity. But would that be enough to justify such a price cut? And would you buy an iPhone that has a much smaller screen (directly impacting the viability of "browsing the real web") and an anemic 1-2Gb capacity incapable of storing anything but the most modest music collection?

I'm putting this as a no, for now, not just as a rumour to be taken at face value, but even in the modified "Maybe an iPod that's an iPhone without the phone!" form many are speculating on. Oh, don't get me wrong, I know the latter is coming, but that's not what this rumour is pointing at. The pricing, at the very least, doesn't add up.

 

[avigalante]

Not too soon at all. As a teen and broke college student, I can tell you for certain that I could never afford the iPhone. Not because of a $600 price tag, but because $600 is too damn expensive for something that has so little space, and I can't afford the data plan. People younger then I with a part time job could never afford an iPhone. Parents aren't going to get a $600 phone and upgrade the plan for a tween. That's a HUGE demographic that's untapped, and who would never buy an iPhone anyway. If Apple releases a 2nd iPhone, it may cannibalize some sales of the iPhone, but it would more then make up for lost sales by catering to a completely different market that's more willing to spend money.

R&D costs would be almost nothing. You already have the software, just get rid of the internet parts, multi-touch, replace it with a scroll-wheel input, and add an antenna and radio to the nano, and boom. Insta-iPhone nano.

$250 for a 4gig model, $300 for an 8gig model.
the iPhone capacity gets doubled.
iPod Nano's get doubled too. Believe it, it can work out, it's just a matter of whether Apple will do it or not.

P.S. I think it will be a candybar form factor with a click wheel that displays numbers on it in a circle, like an old rotary phone. That's why Apple filed the patent for the touch pad that can display stuff.

This will not happen for the time being - period(.)

This is why the iPhone is not targeted to you, nor is it targeted to younger age brackets. The iPhone is targeted for the new-age businessman the person in his mid to late 20's, not for broke college students or for any younger kids that have part-time jobs and attend high school.

The technology on hand is not available to offer those pricing points. The base cost of the current iPhone is roughly $250.00 USD (parts and manufacturing ONLY) - this number does not reflect other costs that Apple has incurred in its 4 (almost 5) year project; R&D and marketing costs (per unit) further inflate the base cost of the iPhone, and push it well beyond $300.00 USD per unit. There is absolutely no way that Apple will introduce a product and realize an initial tremendous loss (this is not an Xbox/PS3 product release)

Lucratively - offering a new and revamped iPhone would serve no basis and cause more harm for Apple at this time. Currently, Apple has not realized the full potential of the iPhone (it's barely reached fruition in the markets, as it's only been 3 weeks), and it's very doubtful (from any fundamentally-sound business-perspecitve) that Apple would be gearing up for the launch of iPhone Nano/iPhone 2.0 (it's just not happening right now). Furthermore, Apple has yet to investigate all the reports from users on the current bug issues.

No company would dwarf its own product that has had unprecedented hype over the past 7 months; in particular, neither Apple (nor any other company) would introduce a product with advanced specifications at a discount to their base cost. Remember that companies are formed to make money and profits, not to please every single market and individual on the planet. To your consolation -- Apple is working on iPhone 2.0 for a release later in time, just not now - and certainly not at these pricing points; Apple is working on other undisclosed projects as well, they're a mystery, and only time will tell.
--
This recurring report from DigiTimes sounds more in line with the 6th generation iPod with multi-touch capabilities. Apple has clearly stated that multi-touch is the future, and they are going to incorporate this technology (as much as they can) to where they see fit.


-A

 

[ToneFREQ]

Never say Never with Apple.. but.. I feel it's way too early for a 2nd Gen iPhone.

I don't think it is 2nd gen. I think it is crippled 1st gen - no multitouch and no data. Just a phone, contacts, calendar & ipod.

 

[boss1]

To those who say the iPhone is not an iPod:

iPod Shuffle = 1GB
iPod Nano = 4GB - 8GB
iPhone = 4GB - 8GB
Full Fledge iPod = 30GB - 80GB

I don't know, It's not that 100GB version i agree but i think it fits in to the iPod matrix fairly well, plus touch screen.

As far as eating up iPhone sales goes. I agree people who bought the phone wanted a phone but, I also think a large part of the consumer base are persons who wanted a phone and previously owned or wanted to own an iPod also. You can throw me on that list.

I'm no numbers expert here but I have a feeling that a there are many here who fall into that category. I also think that if Apple released an iPod thats very much like the iPhone with touchscreen etc within the next few months....then many of the consumers which were going to buy the iPhone might not anymore.

If I were Apple I would at least give that theory a thought before releasing a 6g iPod.

 

[boss1]

btw I have a strange feeling that many of the persons on these boards rooting for a 6th gen iPod similar with touchscreen etc have probably thought about maybe buying an iPhone once or twice

However are reluctant to for reasons of either:
1. Don't own a cellphone
2. Can't stand the service provider choices
3. Want 80+GB (1200 days of audio worth) in their pockets for the ride to work and back
4. Price
5. Other

 

[avigalante]

btw I have a strange feeling that many of the persons on these boards rooting for a 6th gen iPod similar with touchscreen etc have probably thought about maybe buying an iPhone once or twice

However are reluctant to for reasons of either:
1. Don't own a cellphone
2. Can't stand the service provider choices
3. Want 80+GB (1200 days of audio worth) in their pockets for the ride to work and back
4. Price
5. Other

It beffudles you to be overly presumptious -- I actually own an iPhone; and along with that - a shuffle, a nano, a mini-iPod, and 3rd generation iPod (counter-chronological order).

I love the service on the iPhone, and I can't put into words the marvels of this product. I am a corporate blackberry user and have ditched my blackberry, as I am able to type faster and load web-pages much quicker on the iPhone.


-A

 

[MikeDTyke]

I'm going with a European Iphone model.

As Apple is going with a multi-provider model for Europe and all three of the rumored providers are 3g advocates, slight exception for orange which has a small EDGE network (currently on way out). I'm assuming the connection is being defined by the provider, ie. if your a provider with an extensive EDGE network and a small 3G presence, then yes it makes sense to sell an edge phone. If your a provider with mostly 3G and/or no EDGE network then you'll be getting the slightly fatter iPhone with 3G.

Admit it could just as easily be a 6G iPod, but you'd think they'd get that part of the rumor right.

M.

 

[A Pittarelli]

wouldnt everyone be happy with some new imacs instead?

 

[kalamus]

btw I have a strange feeling that many of the persons on these boards rooting for a 6th gen iPod similar with touchscreen etc have probably thought about maybe buying an iPhone once or twice

However are reluctant to for reasons of either:
1. Don't own a cellphone
2. Can't stand the service provider choices
3. Want 80+GB (1200 days of audio worth) in their pockets for the ride to work and back
4. Price
5. Other

I also own an iPhone so im not using it as an iPod. Its a multi-function device. It's NOT an iPod replacement.

I will buy the 6G iPod when it comes out.

 

[EagerDragon]

No way

A new iPhone would have to go for approval by the FCC, Apple would anounce it first so it is not divulged by the FCC filing.

Sounds like just a new iPod.

 

[cire]

Well, I liked the idea of a european iPhone. Might make sense. From what I've heard an EDGE phone would be a harder sell in Europe, but I also heard that it really sucked and that wasn't really true too.

But in the end, I think both the iPod and iPhone camps are wrong...

Its a first generation iMac Nano!

 

[ukneeq]

I also own an iPhone so im not using it as an iPod. Its a multi-function device. It's NOT an iPod replacement.

I will buy the 6G iPod when it comes out.

I'm with you on this. I bought an iPhone as a multi-function device. It is just too small to use as an iPod replacement. Don't get me wrong. I do use the iPod functionality, but I'm also going to buy the 6th Gen iPod when it comes out. I will definitely use the space to carry all of my media!

 

[dwsolberg]

Wishful predictions

I think it would be great if Apple released a $250 iPhone eventually, but it took them FIVE years to develop this product at $500. It seems unlikely that they will develop a $250 model in a few months. Also, if the current model takes $250 in just parts to make (not counting marketing, distribution, R&D, etc.), I don't think a $250 model would be anything at all like the current iPhone. In fact, the 8 gb iPod Nano is $250, and it doesn't have any wireless connectivity and can't even play games or video.

I think Apple's a master at blending reality with wishes, but in this case reality does not indicate a $250 iPhone.

 

[Yankees 4 Life]

I'm with you on this. I bought an iPhone as a multi-function device. It is just too small to use as an iPod replacement. Don't get me wrong. I do use the iPod functionality, but I'm also going to buy the 6th Gen iPod when it comes out. I will definitely use the space to carry all of my media!

hey i'm totally with you guys on this one. i have about 77 gigs on music/videos, and it blows that the iphone cant hold it all. well, here's to hoping that i can get a cheap 80g model by january. my 2005 5g 60g is barely holding on for dear life...

 

[Rocketman]

Apple has always had a price point sales strategy. They offer uncrippled products at premium prices and partially crippled or feature reduced products at a lower price point. Hence PowerMac/iMac/Mac-mini. 90% of consumers could actually get by with a mini, but ego drives up-price sales.

Translating that to iPhone we can expect a reduced feature product, possibly an iPod Nano with an upgraded screen and some phone capabilities.

One wonders then if iPhone is the iMac or the MacPro of the line. I simply claim it is the iMac of the line.

Rocketman

 

[rdowns]

No way people.

The iPhone will be the must have xmas gift. Do you think Apple will be releasing a model at half the price and markup for the busiest selling season?

Maybe they'll make it up on volume.

 

[megfilmworks]

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey
Not too soon at all. As a teen and broke college student, I can tell you for certain that I could never afford the iPhone. Not because of a $600 price tag, but because $600 is too damn expensive for something that has so little space, and I can't afford the data plan. People younger then I with a part time job could never afford an iPhone. Parents aren't going to get a $600 phone and upgrade the plan for a tween. That's a HUGE demographic that's untapped, and who would never buy an iPhone anyway. If Apple releases a 2nd iPhone, it may cannibalize some sales of the iPhone, but it would more then make up for lost sales by catering to a completely different market that's more willing to spend money.

This will not happen for the time being - period(.)
This is why the iPhone is not targeted to you, nor is it targeted to younger age brackets. The iPhone is targeted for the new-age businessman the person in his mid to late 20's, not for broke college students or for any younger kids that have part-time jobs and attend high school.
-A

Don't discount the Jaded Monkey as easily as you dismiss the demographic.
You're right, though, the iPhone is targeted at older demos. But, the big demo, the monster demo, is not us....it is the Jaded Monkey.
Apple knows this....and that's why the big seller will be the stripped down Nano iPhone (phone, video iPod) aimed directly at the Jaded Monkey demo. Not only is it a much larger target, it is a virgin target developing lifelong buying habits. IMHO

 

[avigalante]

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey
Not too soon at all. As a teen and broke college student, I can tell you for certain that I could never afford the iPhone. Not because of a $600 price tag, but because $600 is too damn expensive for something that has so little space, and I can't afford the data plan. People younger then I with a part time job could never afford an iPhone. Parents aren't going to get a $600 phone and upgrade the plan for a tween. That's a HUGE demographic that's untapped, and who would never buy an iPhone anyway. If Apple releases a 2nd iPhone, it may cannibalize some sales of the iPhone, but it would more then make up for lost sales by catering to a completely different market that's more willing to spend money.



Don't discount the Jaded Monkey as easily as you dismiss the demographic.
You're right, though, the iPhone is targeted at older demos. But, the big demo, the monster demo, is not us....it is the Jaded Monkey.
Apple knows this....and that's why the big seller will be the stripped down Nano iPhone (phone, video iPod) aimed directly at the Jaded Monkey demo. Not only is it a much larger target, it is a virgin target developing lifelong buying habits. IMHO

Seems to me that you didn't take the time to read the entire post. I said that Apple is currently working on iPhone 2.0. I also stated that they will release the product at a later period in time.

While I do agree that the specific demographic offers a unique sort of brand loyalty, however, I do maintain that Apple will not tap into this market in the near-term. Apple will investigate the full potential and possibilities of its current offering before it offers a new and affordable version.