Analyst Speculation on $99 iPhone and Higher Resolution iPhone 3G
MSNBC put the spotlight on a new report by RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky, who believes that an entry-level $99 iPhone will arrive in June or July alongside an upgraded (higher screen resolution) iPhone 3G.
The report echos many similar analyst reports over the past year that have also pointed to the possibility of an entry-level $99 iPhone. The analyst even published this detailed chart about what he believes the breakdown might be (republished by AppleInsider):
The $99 entry-level iPhone looks remarkably like the original iPhone with an EDGE-only network connection but a discounted monthly plan. The upgraded iPhone 3G, however, seems to only add video, storage and a higher resolution screen to the mix. The report looks like a rehash of circulating rumors and speculation. And in the end, analyst reports as a whole have been a poor predictor of future Apple products, but we published this for interest's sake.
The possibility of a low-end $99 iPhone was brought into doubt by Apple's acting-CEO Tim Cook, who said that Apple was simply not interested in that market:
One interesting note is that the possibility of an increased resolution (720x480) iPhone might be less of a problem for app compatibility than rumored plans for a smaller Nano screen. While developers may still have to issue new versions of their apps, scaling to a higher resolution would presumably be easier than the other way around. Meanwhile, the 720x480 resolution has been said to be planned for Apple's long-rumored mini-tablet/PDA project.
The report echos many similar analyst reports over the past year that have also pointed to the possibility of an entry-level $99 iPhone. The analyst even published this detailed chart about what he believes the breakdown might be (republished by AppleInsider):
The $99 entry-level iPhone looks remarkably like the original iPhone with an EDGE-only network connection but a discounted monthly plan. The upgraded iPhone 3G, however, seems to only add video, storage and a higher resolution screen to the mix. The report looks like a rehash of circulating rumors and speculation. And in the end, analyst reports as a whole have been a poor predictor of future Apple products, but we published this for interest's sake.
The possibility of a low-end $99 iPhone was brought into doubt by Apple's acting-CEO Tim Cook, who said that Apple was simply not interested in that market:
We're not going to play in the low-end voice phone business. That's not who we are, that's not why we're here. Goal is not to lead unit sales, but to build the world's best phone.
The next-generation iPhone, however, is certainly in the works as evidenced by model strings found in the latest iPhone firmware.One interesting note is that the possibility of an increased resolution (720x480) iPhone might be less of a problem for app compatibility than rumored plans for a smaller Nano screen. While developers may still have to issue new versions of their apps, scaling to a higher resolution would presumably be easier than the other way around. Meanwhile, the 720x480 resolution has been said to be planned for Apple's long-rumored mini-tablet/PDA project.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
39 months ago
Not this worthlessness again...
Different screen resolution = no App Store.
No App Store = no point in sales
Also, they would both have a data plan.
39 months ago
Not if the screen size is the same, and if Cocoa-touch is resolution independent.
All that means is that the better phone would have better quality visuals.
All that means is that the better phone would have better quality visuals.
39 months ago
I hope that the $99 price is true and that the size is smaller. That would be perfect for me.
39 months ago
Not if the screen size is the same, and if Cocoa-touch is resolution independent.
How long have we been promised resolution independence?
And how long have we had it? Oh, wait... :D
39 months ago
Why should they downgrade an existing phone? To EDGE? No GPS?
Sounds extremely unlikely to me.
Sounds extremely unlikely to me.
39 months ago
This sounds very far-fetched to me. We explicitly heard Tim Cook suggest that a cheaper iPhone would diminish a reputation that is already selling plenty of devices. Apple doesn't do cheap-o.
There is no way the resolution is changing. What's all this talk about Resolution Independence? That is a HUGE switch to a Cocoa SDK that is in use for over 20,000 Apps.
There is no way the resolution is changing. What's all this talk about Resolution Independence? That is a HUGE switch to a Cocoa SDK that is in use for over 20,000 Apps.
39 months ago
Sounds like fluff. I would expect a "low end" data plan to push more units over an actual low-end phone.
And for a higher-res uplevel phone? What would be the point? Unzoomed webpages are almost unreadable now, and objects are too small to touch-to-click. A bigger screen with higher resolution would be useful; not more pixels in the same size footprint.
What the iphone needs right now is a bit more processing power, and a better battery.
And for a higher-res uplevel phone? What would be the point? Unzoomed webpages are almost unreadable now, and objects are too small to touch-to-click. A bigger screen with higher resolution would be useful; not more pixels in the same size footprint.
What the iphone needs right now is a bit more processing power, and a better battery.
39 months ago
I think the future changes to iPhone will be based on the AppStore requirements (= they can't change iPhone too much, because apps has to work in all models). I think it's too soon to release a iPhone model that will require new revisions of AppStore apps. Next model could have a better camera, more capacity, maybe better processor to allow multiple apps at the same time. I think the screen resolution will stay the same for sure.
39 months ago
No updates = no annual plan upgrades = no retention for network carriers = bad in recession
2MP camera, are you kidding me? My old Samsung had 8, and my friend who lives in China, had a China Mob phone 4 years ago with a 12MP camera, so basically Apples joking again.
Plus the App stores a joke anyway, the person who approves or disproves apps should be shot.
2MP camera, are you kidding me? My old Samsung had 8, and my friend who lives in China, had a China Mob phone 4 years ago with a 12MP camera, so basically Apples joking again.
Plus the App stores a joke anyway, the person who approves or disproves apps should be shot.
[ Read All Comments ]
Analytics firm Chitika today released a report showing that by its metrics iOS has now surpassed OS X in overall web traffic share in the United States. Chitika's methodology involves an analysis...
One of the most frequent reasons for an iPhone to go on a trip to the Apple Store's Genius Bar is because of water damage. Typically, a water damaged iPhone can be replaced for a flat $199...
TheVerge's Joshua Topolsky summarizes the iPad 3 casing findings reported earlier today, but also adds his own sources regarding some details of the iPad 3.
Image from RepairLabs
As...
Last July, Apple discontinued the white MacBook from its consumer lineup, pushing consumers toward the company's popular MacBook Air line or the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The company didn't kill...
Popular iPhone Twitter client Tweetbot has finally arrived on the iPad, with a user interface instantly familiar to any current Tweetbot user. Designed for the Twitter power-user, Tweetbot packs a...
