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Apple predicted to build cheaper 'iPhone for the masses'

CrimsonRequiem


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You mean the iPhone wasn't already for the masses? ;P
 

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Isn't the continued availability of older models the solution to this?
 

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Isn't the continued availability of older models the solution to this?

You would think but apparently the "Legacy models" are still too expensive unsubsidized.
 

robduckyworth


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A move like that would probably kill the market for iPod Touch, unless it has fewer features.
 
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It's called the 3GS and it's available now. ;)
 

RavingMac

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Just who are these 'masses' any way? I ean I see iPhones everywhere . . . Expect to see dogs with them pretty soon. How many people are there really out there who want an iPhone that haven't got one?
 
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Just who are these 'masses' any way? I ean I see iPhones everywhere . . . Expect to see dogs with them pretty soon. How many people are there really out there who want an iPhone that haven't got one?

True. iPhones have become as prevalent as Toyota Camrys or Honda Accords.
 

CrimsonRequiem


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True. iPhones have become as prevalent as Toyota Camrys or Honda Accords.

Actually I see more Hyundai Sonatas on the road than Hondas Accords around here but good analogy.
 

vansmith

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It's called the 3GS and it's available now. ;)
This is my point. Why build one for 'the masses' when older models are still available through Apple and mobile carriers?
 

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And the iPhone 4 is free from the carriers - can't get much cheaper than that.

Can't see Apple building a disposable phone which is really what they're talking about.
 
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And the iPhone 4 is free from the carriers - can't get much cheaper than that.

Can't see Apple building a disposable phone which is really what they're talking about.

The way I was thinking about all this, if this were to be true, Apple would end the sale of old models, and have two current generations of iPhones. In this case, those two would be the iPhone and the iPhone *mini*. I was never a big fan of selling new generations with the old.
 

vansmith

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Let's be honest - a phone for the masses isn't Apple's style. The only reason they would do this would be to cater to a market that they wanted a piece of (for instance, the iPad Mini as a response to smaller tablets) and there is little to entice Apple to 'dumb down' the iPhone.
 
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Contrary to popular belief, Apple catering to the masses is not new. There's a lot of evidence to prove this too.They have an iPod for every price segment, and it all started with the most expensive iPod. Their Mac lineup starts from $599 to $2499. Current iPods start from $49 to $299. iPads from $329 to $499. I'm also calculating only base models. Everyone wants a piece of the pie. They definitely cater to the masses, but also consider profit margins when pricing things out. If Apple made a low-priced iPhone that was a new model, I believe it would attract a lot of people who the constrictions of contracts.
 

vansmith

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They don't cater to the masses though in relation to the competition. Sure, they market their products as having widespread appeal but designing something 'for the masses' implies building something at a lower price point than the competition (which Apple doesn't do). This is even implied by the use of the word 'cheaper' in the title.
 
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They don't cater to the masses though in relation to the competition. Sure, they market their products as having widespread appeal but designing something 'for the masses' implies building something at a lower price point than the competition (which Apple doesn't do). This is even implied by the use of the word 'cheaper' in the title.

I believe you're thinking too much of the title's wording. It simply means cheaper, and due to it being cheaper, it will automatically be available to more people. It does not mean that this will be of cheap quality, or priced less than the competition. Also, even at $200, that's a decent price for being off contract, especially for an entry level phone as they were predicting.

I actually don't even know why I care so much about this, as I would never be interested.
 

vansmith

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I never meant to imply that product would be of lower quality. That isn't how Apple works. However, I still do believe that the cheaper pricing isn't their M.O. The only reason they can get away with it with carriers is because, in the grand scheme of things, someone is paying for that phone.
 

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