Bloomberg: New Cheaper iPhone to Cost $99-$149

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Posted January 9, 2013 at 4:24pm by iClarified

Bloomberg is backing up reports that Apple will release a cheaper iPhone this year. Both DigiTimes and the WSJ have heard that the new device could be available by year's end.

Apple, which had been working on a more affordable smartphone since at least February 2011, is weighing retail prices of $99 to $149 for a device that would debut in late 2013, at the earliest, according to the person, who asked not to be named because the negotiations are private. Apple has spoken to at least one of the top U.S. wireless carriers about its plans, the person said yesterday.

Apple will reportedly target the new device at emerging markets where the $649 (off contract) starting price is too high to afford.

Bloomberg didn't comment on the device's appearance; however, DigiTimes said it would feature a new external design and possibly a larger screen.

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Bloomberg: New Cheaper iPhone to Cost $99-$149

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Dyllon - January 10, 2013 at 9:21pm

No all he said was apple uses the best technology available and apples Future isint in cheap smartphones now cheap is a relative term it could be cheaper then the iphone 5 but not Necessarily cheap compared the Samsung junk... But who knows they could just be taking stabs at new markets no one thought the ipad mini would do good and it's huge for them... Remember tim cook was the COO his job is to maximize profits... He's not Steve he cares more about the stock price then making a beautiful product

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Rahim Habib - January 10, 2013 at 3:48am

Steve Jobs must be kicking himself in the grave... RIP SJ

cookiecutter - January 9, 2013 at 8:54pm

steve jobs was about passion, tim cooks is all about the money

James - January 9, 2013 at 7:57pm

Looks like someone decided to make this terrible prediction several times a year until it comes true. Apple already has a cheaper option phone. It's called the 4S, cheaper yet the 4. Old phones are the bargain option.

NoGoodNick - January 9, 2013 at 6:56pm

This just shows Tim Cook's indifference to Apple's reputation for quality that Steve Jobs studiously built over time. "Just put out a whole bunch of options" seems to be the new reframe. Yet, if its just another hunk of plastic, then what separates it from every Android phone out there? Tim seems to be tossing out Apple's highly profitable market in order to compete against the low profit outfits. It's a strategy he can't possibly win.

DavidG - January 9, 2013 at 5:42pm

Well, I'm not sure this is the best idea though.

nastychild - January 9, 2013 at 4:33pm

$99 to $149 is probably the price with 2 year contract. So if this ever happens the off contract price will be $549 or &599. Is that cheap enough for the someone who can't afford $649?

justabrake - January 9, 2013 at 5:42pm

probably a 3 year contract

wiseman - January 9, 2013 at 5:44pm

Did you read it ? It says $99 to $149 retail price it means no contract MSRP price

nastychild - January 9, 2013 at 6:25pm

I did read DigiTimes and WSJ articles and they don't mention prices at all. On the other hand Bloomberg does. I think that is still a subsidized price, but I hope I am wrong. Most publications mentioned that the devise will most likely have plastic case. So do you really believe that that will drop the price of the device with $500?