Follow
The iPhone 5C is set to take over the role as the low-cost alternative to the new iPhone 5S. Instead of Apple offering the two predecessors to the iPhone, KGI analyst Mingchi Kuo has forecast the iPhone 5 being taken off the market and the iPhone 4S sticking around for a few months.
Since the iPhone 5C is targeted at markets where subsidised contracts are not a thing, the price of the phone has to be reasonable. The Nexus 4 off contract was $399 and it seems the plastic iPhone 5C is set to come at the same price point, around $399 – 499 off contract.
iPhone 5C will actually take over the iPhone 5 and Apple will immediately drop the latest iPhone from the branch. This move will stop buyers from picking up the iPhone 5 instead of the iPhone 5S or iPhone 5C.
This is a crafty business move by Apple, to make sure users have deceive choice, either the high-quality flagship or the low-cost smartphone with the same OS. There is no middle ground choice with the iPhone 5 to change the users mind, as the iPhone 5 is way more like the iPhone 5S.
Apple is likely to launch the iPhone 5S at their event on September 10, with the iPhone 5C being revealed a short time later. Tim Cook has made deals with the China Mobile carrier, making sure the two new iPhones will be available unsubsidised in China.
The iPhone 5S will come with 16, 32, 64 and 128GB storage options, each tallying up an extra $100. The iPhone 5S with 16GB is likely to start at $549 – 599, with the 128GB version hitting $899. The iPhone 5C may come with 8, 16 and 32GB of internal storage, with the 8GB version starting at $399.
Like the Moto X announcement, readers will naturally be shocked that something underpowered and low-cost would come at such a mid-range price point. The problem is Apple does not seem to want to compete against Android, not on price or power. The iPad Mini was proof Apple is out to play its own game in the field and the Mini did remarkably well in that respect.
