Apple is rumored to working on a Budget iPhone 5 which is believed to have a price tag of less than half the original iPhone 5. The development of the cheaper iPhone has become necessary after iPhone sales in the traditional markets of Apple products have flattened. Apple is seeking to concentrate on new and emerging markets in South Asia like China, India and Vietnam.
The budget version is touted to cost $330 and Apple hopes that it will woo the consumers in South Asian markets. The rumors about the development of the budget iPhone 5 were floating for some time now. However, it got wings when the Japanese Website Macotakara, reported that Apple is developing a cheaper version of the iPhone 5. The device will resemble the iPhone 5 except the fact that its Aluminum body will be replaced by cheaper Plastic
Another rumor was sourced to Jeremy Horwitz, of iLounge, who said that the new device will have most of the features of the iPhone 5. It will have a screen of retina display standards and so also the Lightning connectors.
Jeremy wrote: “One of our sources claims that Apple’s iPhone prices remain too high for most mainland Chinese customers — the iPhone 5 hardware alone starts at $849 there, versus the iPhone 4 at $500, in a country where the average annual salary is around $3,000 per person.The source has said that mainland Chinese iPhone 5 sales are already tapering off as a result of the pricing, which is higher than in Hong Kong. A budget iPhone model would help sales in populous but underdeveloped countries to grow.”
Jeremy also had more news. He said that Apple is all set to release three devices, an upgraded iPhone 5S with a better rear camera, a fifth generation iPad and iPad Mini with a Retina Display. All the three devices according to Jeremy will be released in October.
There are rumors that Apple is readying to launch a brand new iPad model with a storage capacity of 128 GB.
The Cupertino Company is at cross roads now with two options open before it. Concentrate on developing high end and premium products with gradually tapering sales or go for mass manufacture of budget devices for new and emerging markets. Apple announced record quarterly profits in January, but investors were not impressed anxious of a falling sales graph of iPhone and other Apple devices. The sentiments were also mirrored in the fall in share values of Apple.
In January, Apple announced its record profits in its quarterly results but saw share prices fall amid analysts’ disappointment over iPhone sales. Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, said iPhone 5 supply had been “very constrained for much of the quarter”.
About the author: Mary Rose View all posts by Mary Rose
This tech savvy girl from New York is currently pursuing her masters in computer science in LA, CA. She has been writing reviews and articles for different web sites for the last six years and she is the chief-editor here. She has an in depth knowledge of all the gadgets and apps available.
Source:
http://www.pc-tablet.com/19327-iphone-5s-iphone-mini-ipad-5-128-gb-apple-working-on-budget-and-upgraded-devices/