Apple To Launch a Cheaper iPhone?

Wall Street Journal today reported that Apple is supposedly working on a cheaper version of the iPhone now that its supremacy in smartphones is slipping. (Read Samsung tops Apple as best cell phone brand.)

While Apple has explored such a device for years, according to the report, the plan is progressing and a less expensive version of its flagship device could launch later this year. The cheaper iPhone is expected to have a less expensive body than the one available now.

One possibility under consideration is lowering the cost of the device by using a different shell made of polycarbonate plastic; in contrast, the iPhone 5 currently has an aluminum housing.

Many other parts could remain the same or be recycled from older iPhone models.

Apple faces greater pressure than ever now that there are so many low cost options thanks to Google’s Android OS. With more open sources operating systems like Ubuntu Phone OS coming to the mobile system, the competition is only going to get tougher.

Apple has been considering a less-expensive iPhone since at least 2009, viewing it as a way to grab market share and introduce people to the brand, said people familiar with the efforts.

Gene Munster, an analyst with Piper Jaffray, said that a less expensive iPhone won’t necessarily hurt Apple’s overall profit margin if it attracts buyers who haven’t bought iPhones before and not those who would have been willing to purchase the higher-end device.

Prateek Panda

Prateek is the Founder of TheTechPanda. He's passionate about technology startups and entrepreneurship and enjoys speaking to new founders every day. Prateek has also been consistently regarded as one of the top marketing experts in the region.

Recent Posts

Why everything is a subscription now & what it means for your wallet

In the last decade, purchasing and accessing products and services have undergone a radical transformation.…

17 hours ago

Mumbai students win big at robotics championship in Chicago, headed to world finals

In an exceptional achievement, Mumbai-based high school robotics team Sigma 9692 has won the prestigious…

19 hours ago

Indian gaming shifts from audience to creator “given India’s mobile-first gaming capabilities”

The Indian gaming industry is sitting on an industry explosion in the near future as…

2 days ago

Transforming modern business operations: How Microsoft 365’s AI Integration is automating HR workflows & enhancing employee experiences

In today's fast-paced business world, when employee fulfillment and efficiency are crucial, technology has become…

2 days ago

Outbound & inbound: India attracts businesses from UK, China & US while expanding to Middle East

The Tech Panda takes a look at how India has been attracting foreign businesses from…

3 days ago

UPI value & volume surpass records in March

India’s digital payments ecosystem achieved a record high in March, with UPI transactions reaching INR24.77…

3 days ago