It’s been reported from several sources that Apple has decided to manufacture a more cost-effective version of the next iPhone device. (I guess if you can’t beat em with quality, at least kill em with price…*shrugs*) According to WSJ.com Apple is developing a cheaper version of its iPhone and could launch the new device as early as this year.
The tech giant has been exploring a lower-end iPhone for years but plans have accelerated as Apple’s supremacy in smartphones has slipped, sources told the Wall Street Journal. The less expensive phone is likely to resemble the standard iPhone, but with a different, cheaper body. Making the shell out of polycarbonate plastic rather than the aluminum casing of the iPhone 5 would allow Apple to lower the cost.
In the works: The less expensive iPhone has been in the works since at least 2009, with Apple seeing it as a way to grab market share and introduce people to the brand.
Not only does Apple have plans of developing cheaper phones but they’ll be available via WalMart’s pre-paid phone plans on Friday! No, seriously! According to various sources online, Straight Talk Wireless has announced that customers have been able to enjoy the iPhone experience on Walmart’s Straight Talk “BYOD” phone plans for quite some time now, but the prepaid provider will begin directly selling the iPhone 5 — as well as the iPhone 4 — on January 11th. The iPhone 5 will be offered in 16GB and will be sold for $649, while the iPhone 4 will come with 8GB storage and go for $449. If you don’t want to pay the entire cost up front, you can take advantage of Walmart’s monthly installment-financing plans for $25.
This can only lead to two ending results later this year and depending on your preferences both options will be bad. 1. Apple will lose its grip on the lifestyle marketing chokehold it once had on technology and mobile consumers. (Remember a time when Baby Phat, Guess & FUBU were hot commodities sold only at fine department stores? Now you can only find them at discount stores with “manager’s special” tags on them.) Because Apple products are becoming the norm and available to everyone, it will lose its position as a coveted product that everyone wants, WHY? Because everyone will already have it (or have access to it!) So once the mass appeal weakens, what’s next? Say goodbye to celebrity endorsements in commercials.
Remember those entertaining Apple commercials starring Siri with Samuel Jackson and Zoey Dechanel? They’re most likely to be replaced w/ the likes of Sweet Brown or worse, one of those computer happy weirdos from MTVs Catfish.
Now that Apple has made their move, I wonder what Samsung and Windows has in store next? What’s the next go-to lifestyle smartphone that true techies will turn to? Can you guess which device will become the next great lifestyle phone? Share your thoughts and opinions below…
