According to a post on seekingalpha.com Apple are going to release three new iPhone models this year! The rumour seems to be gathering pace and has also been carried on The Register.
The rumour / prediction comes from Peter Misek, an analyst with Canaccord Adams; following recent checks he made with carrier partners. According to seekingalpha.com
Three new iPhones could be coming in 2009. The first is a 32G iPhone in multiple colours that is likely to arrive during the next six months. Next up is a lower-cost handset based on the 2.5G iPhone, which is targeted for China and India. Third is a smaller version – about one-third the size of the 3G iPhone – that costs 40% less and is also likely before year-end.
After posting the best revenue and profit figures in their history, it seems Apple are looking to gain an even greater share of the mobile / cell phone market with these new models.
I think the low cost 3G iPhone (if it were to be 40% cheaper), would certainly open a whole new market for Apple. This makes economic sense. With a lower cost iPhone, the userbase would increase and with it, even more customers for the App Store and Apple’s add-on hardware.
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What is 32G?
Isn’t apple contract with AT&T up this year as well? That would make a huge difference in their marketing as well.. though even if they are still with AT&T alone, i know a lot of people that would love an iPhone “mini” if i may coin that term, and would switch just for a smaller and cheaper phone.
Nate: 32G is 32 gigs currently iPhones are only available in 8gig and 16gig
Colored iPhones would be amazing. Hopefully brilliant colors such as those offered with the iPod nano/shuffle.
I think an iphone nano or “mini” would be pointless the size it is now is perfectly small yet the right size to view. If apple does come out with a smaller version I doubt it will take in America.
JD — think High School students. Parents would be retarded for buying a 15 year old a $400 phone, but a $100 iphone, offering a little less viewable real estate would be a welcomed compromise for both kids and parents. Also, in this economy, people are trying to get as much as they can for as little as possible. Plenty of people would find the sacrifice easy to make to keep some of their hard earned cash. I think the timing is perfect for a cheaper iphone option.
Apple may drop the price a little but AT&T may not want that. The over use of the network and limited bandwith may create a situation where network usability drops to EDGE speeds.
with 3 would this be free on the $49 cap, or the $69 cap?