Mid-range iPhone coming out soon?

[mammador]

I read on phonedog.com that Apple may be bringing out a mid-range iPhone. Similar to how HTC had the Wildfire/Desire and Samsung the Galaxy S/Galaxy Apollo.

Most complain about Apple's premium pricing strategy, but that notwithstanding in handset terms alone the iPhone is still the best seller. I don't see why Jobs needs to release a mid-range phone, other than to sweep up more of the market.

 

[MagickMan]

Why would they come out with something new in the mid-range? Isn't that what the 3GS is doing now?

 

[zerocool84]

Why would they come out with something new in the mid-range? Isn't that what the 3GS is doing now?

They need to, something even cheaper to go on prepaid or even free on contract. They need to come out with something cheap unless they're happy with their marketshare but it's only going to get smaller because lower income emerging markets in other countries are a bigger chunk of the pie than places like here.

 

[mammador]

Why would they come out with something new in the mid-range? Isn't that what the 3GS is doing now?

The 3GS is a legacy model, and isn't really being marketed as a mid-range device. Some US carriers are selling it for $50, but once the iPhone 5 is released I can see Apple discontinuing it. A mid-range device with slighty downgraded but current specs is needed to mop up more of the market.

 

[CurseTheSky]

iPhones, and Apple products in general, tend to run very well on yester-year's hardware due to OS optimizations. I think a mid-range iPhone would do very well, IF the price was right. Something like $100 with contract (and no stupid rebate), $299 without.

Tone down the camera, tone down the on-board memory / storage and use a lower binned processor, and wrap it up in plastic rather than metal and glass. It should sell well.

 

[Pliablemoose]

A cheaper model is needed for market penetration in China.

They tend to sell the phones outright and have month to month cell plans.

A near thousand dollar phone is a status symbol there, but they need a cheaper phone for BIC (Brazil, India, China)

Supply chain leaks point to a September launch.

 

[foghorn67]

iPhones, and Apple products in general, tend to run very well on yester-year's hardware due to OS optimizations. I think a mid-range iPhone would do very well, IF the price was right. Something like $100 with contract (and no stupid rebate), $299 without.

Tone down the camera, tone down the on-board memory / storage and use a lower binned processor, and wrap it up in plastic rather than metal and glass. It should sell well.

Well, since smartphones evolve rapidly, a midrange phone can be current hardware (think iphone 4), but without the glass and metal. You still protect your top tier product with next gen hardware and expensive housings.
Like the next iphone would have the latest and greatest, but a simultaneous release of a mid range phone would have something like iphone 4 internals.

 

[boomhower]

Well, since smartphones evolve rapidly, a midrange phone can be current hardware (think iphone 4), but without the glass and metal. You still protect your top tier product with next gen hardware and expensive housings.
Like the next iphone would have the latest and greatest, but a simultaneous release of a mid range phone would have something like iphone 4 internals.

They can't look the same or their bottom line would be hit. A lot of people by these things as status symbols. If they get the look without the price they will.