Apple is widely expected to launch a budget iPhone, dubbed iPhone 5C, alongside iPhone 5S later this fall.
However, there have been conflicting reports about the starting price of the device.
Rumors had initially suggested that it could be priced between $250 – $350, which made sense as it would reduce the entry barrier of owning an iPhone.
However, couple of weeks back, a report claimed that Apple was planning to discontinue iPhone 5 and possibly even iPhone 4S when it launches the budget iPhone. The report also noted that the budget iPhone will be priced between $350 – $450.
phoneArena points out that a prominent poster on Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo has also claimed the starting price of iPhone 5C will be 3000 yuan, which works out to approximately $490 (based on today’s exchange rate). That would be very close to the cost of iPhone 4, the current entry level iPhone, which is available for $450 without a contract.
If Apple prices iPhone 5C at 3000 yuan or $490, then it would mean that Apple will discontinue the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S, as another iPhone model at that price range doesn’t make sense.
There have been some speculations that Apple will discontinue the iPhone 4S as it will be the only device in Apple’s iPhone lineup to come with a 3.5-inch display and the older 30-pin connector. But, it is difficult to believe that Apple will discontinue the iPhone 5 as well, especially since its strategy of offering older generation iPhones has done so well.
Let us know what you think of the possibility of Apple pricing the so-called budget iPhone in the $450 – $500 range.
[via phoneArena, Image Credit - Sonny Dickson]
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