Remember that story that said cheapness "will never be the future of Apple products"? The one that quoted Apple marketing supremo Phil Schiller in The Shanghai Evening News? Well it turns out to be wrong, as Schiller was either misquoted, or never said any such thing. The Chinese newspaper has updated its story, and at Apple's request, no less.
There are subtle but important changes in the article, Reuters reports. So let's take a look, and keep our fingers crossed a wallet-friendly Apple blower comes our way soon.
The original article quoted Schiller as saying, "Despite the popularity of cheap smart phones, this will never be the future of Apple's products." And the revised version? Apple aims to provide "the best products" and "will never blindly pursue market share".
"Best" is a pretty subjective term, and could well mean value for money -- the Nexus 4 is one of the best smart phones of the last year, and price plays a huge part in that. Saying Apple won't "blindly pursue" market share means it won't try to flog as many phones as possible at all costs, but not that it won't take measures to try to sell more devices overall.
In short: a budget iPhone, or iPhone mini, could still be on the cards.
A cheaper iPhone would be quite a change of strategy for Apple, which sells pricey products. But it might be forced into it, with competition from Android undercutting it. A more affordable iPhone 5S could arrive as soon as this year, in a cheaper plastic casing than its fancier bigger brother. A polycarbonate shell would match the Nokia Lumia 920 for looks. Or Apple could launch an iPhone mini, which analysts reckon is inevitable if it wants to keep up with the likes of Samsung in terms of market share.
Do you think Apple will launch a cheaper iPhone, along the lines of the iPad mini? Or would it cheapen the iPhone name? Let me know in the comments, or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 9
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anonymous 13 January, 2013 10:52
It'll be an iPhone 4 with a fresh lick of paint priced at £250 or more.
anonymous 13 January, 2013 11:56
I hope Apple launch cheaper iPhone , cause iPhone is too dear in China , I can't afford it .
Damien2701 13 January, 2013 12:17
I think theres a market for a cheap iphone. The Apple app store is very polished and iOS is simple to use.
Damien2501 13 January, 2013 15:13
Apple should consider bringing the price of the iPhone 5 down in certain markets where rival OS's dominate. If it does release an iPhone Mini, it'll face tough competition from new Nexus phones which will offer higher end specs at midrange prices, but most importantly the Google-Motorola 'X-phone', which doesnt exist yet but will offer equally good performance as other Android phones and also address the problems people have always complained about Android and Google will market it better.
anonymous 13 January, 2013 17:10
Apple still sell their iPhone 4 at £320, which isn't much more than "budget" phones such as the S3 mini. Although that may not be as staggeringly low as the Nexus 4, Apple still offers access to the App Store and iOS for no much more than many mid-range Android handsets.
anonymous 14 January, 2013 16:37
@Damien2501 13 January, 2013 15:13
".....it'll face tough competition from new Nexus phones which will offer higher end specs at midrange prices..."
I can't see how Apple would be bothered by a niche phone that only sells in relatively small quantities, as has the previous and current Nexus models.
The challenge would come from Google's own Motorola X-phone and other in-house derivatives, when Google strart to close in Android and edge out third party OEM's like Samsung and HTC etc.
Damien2501 14 January, 2013 19:18
Yeah, if only they marketed the previous Nexus phones better. And I'm more optimistic about the OEM's, they might innovate more, bring the prices of their phones down when Google starts to take full advantage of Android.
anonymous 14 January, 2013 19:52
@anon 13 January, 2013 10:52
True that!
Just like the ipad mini then the next would be with retina etc... To make even more money!
Ill keep my iphone 5,6,7 etc not the S versions.
anonymous 15 January, 2013 19:21
there is no reason to deny this story - unles a release is expected in q1 or 2 2013