We’ve heard a great deal recently about the possibility that Apple might release a lower-cost “budget” iPhone – and today, we’ve received the highest confirmation yet that not only is such a device almost certainly on the way – parts are already being circulated for the device’s manufacturing.
The news comes to us from ETrade:
You may remember 11 months ago, we showed you the first real images of the iPhone 5, or 3 months ago the first parts from theBlackberry Z10. Well we just heard “on the wind” confirmation that Apple will in fact be releasing lower end models.
This is not the game changing move that we are used to from Apple which had kept them on top for so many years. But after disappointing sales figures from the iPhone 5, and not much being expected form the iPhone 5S, Apple needs a new strategy. So it has been suspected for a while that they may eventually release low to mid-range models to make up for lost market share until they can come up with a new innovative idea.
We don’t normally put a great deal of trust in supply chain rumors – but ETrade supply has shown a strong tendency toward accuracy over time, having leaked accurate photos of the iPhone 5 front and back panel, and the iPad mini display long ahead of the actual device announcements. They offer the most trustworthy sort of supply chain chatter available in the world of Apple rumors.
There are a lot of pros and cons to Apple releasing a lower-cost iPhone – but judging by this report, and numerous previous reports (including claims from the highly accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo), the question isn’t whether Apple will product a low-cost iPhone, but when, in what markets, and for what eventual retail price.
