Apple SVP Phil Schiller: Cheap Smartphones Will Never Be the Future of Apple

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Posted January 10, 2013 at 8:59pm by iClarified

Apple SVP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller made some interesting comments to the Shanghai Evening News regarding rumors about a low-end iPhone release this year.

DigiTimes, the WSJ, and Bloomberg have all reported that the company plans to release a low cost iPhone this year to address emerging markets. While Schiller didn't directly deny this, he did stress that Apple would only use the best technology available and that the company's future will never be cheap smartphones.

Schiller said, “Every product that Apple creates, we consider using only the best technology available. This includes the production pipeline, the Retina display, the unibody design, to provide the best product to the market.”

“At first, non-smartphones were popular in the Chinese market, now cheap smartphones are more popular and non-smartphones are out,” Schiller added. “Despite the popularity of cheap smartphones, this will never be the future of Apple’s products. In fact, although Apple’s market share of smartphones is just about 20%, we own the 75% of the profit.”

Despite these comments, one can simply look at Apple's iPod lineup to see lower cost alternatives to the iPod touch that wouldn't be considered cheap yet cost less and still use the best technology available.

TNW confirmed with Apple that this was an official interview.

Read More [via TNW]

Apple SVP Phil Schiller: Cheap Smartphones Will Never Be the Future of Apple

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Gujju - January 11, 2013 at 1:56pm

Its already out.... The NEW ipad mini... Tested on flintstones.

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Tim Cook - January 11, 2013 at 1:41pm

Cheap iPhones = lower profits, lower profits = no expensive hookers. Therefore: cheap iPhones = no expensive hookers. Q.E.D.

Mab - January 11, 2013 at 8:31am

Cheap things not good, good things not cheap

vincent - January 11, 2013 at 6:22am

holy cow so "best" technology that does not last 6 months should be free or even users should be paid extra for advertising their logo on back when making calls

Ishaan vandoor - January 11, 2013 at 6:11am

Yaa thats for sure iphone is royal and we should keep it royal if u all remove cheap iphone than we ( iphone) will be comparing ourselves with samsung and other products dont let down apple reputation .....,,,,,

Phil Schiller - January 11, 2013 at 4:29am

No it was me what are you talking about

Anonymous - January 11, 2013 at 12:59am

Expensive phone=Worst OS

Anonymous - January 12, 2013 at 5:04pm

Oh really?If IOS is the best OS why there is no gif. Image support,animated background image support,changing fonts feature?Some people waited for that feature but until IOS 6 Apple keep adding innovative but useless features like smart banner and Do Not Disturb.

Alex - January 11, 2013 at 12:05am

Cheap phones = samsung, Htc, google

Mike Murphy - January 10, 2013 at 10:17pm

Dear Phil The 64GB I phone 5 that I purchased for just over $1000.00 dollars is cheap the cheapest apple product I ever owned scratches all over the edges despite being in a case. As far as warranty your policy its not covered this is normal wear. Well after using Apple products since 1974, spending on average $4500.00 to $5500.00 yearly ie desk tops, lap tops, ipods, displays and iphones for my company and employees. I have sold off most Apple Mac products and sworn off from Apple and its products and still continue answering questions from friends and business colleagues to this day wondering what happened. Well enjoy your new business practice s while you can Phil because I'm sure I am not the only consumer that is leaving your new found ways Cheers Mike Murphy

AppleMan12 - January 10, 2013 at 10:48pm

And when you woke up,it was already morning...

TC - January 11, 2013 at 4:02am

Well, at least he woke up it doesn't seem you ever will.

Daddy - January 11, 2013 at 5:55am

Haha people have fun lieng

iHamid - January 10, 2013 at 10:01pm

King = Apple In The World

Confused - January 10, 2013 at 9:37pm

Like Phil said “Every product that Apple creates, we consider using only the best technology available..." Then why in the world does the iPad mini run off of the A5 chip instead of the A6x and not have retina display?? FAIL

Nick - January 10, 2013 at 9:12pm

They do have a cheaper alternative, the older model iPhone, why should they waste time, effort, and money making a cheaper smartphone?

Lee - January 10, 2013 at 9:48pm

Because no one wants to buy a three year old phone. People are more likely to buy a lower end 2013 model than a high end 2000 model.

m_thoroughbred - January 10, 2013 at 9:59pm

Even if apple was to consider a cheaper phone I don't think they would get the same advantages from the updates as their premium phones which would be like having an older phone.

Me - January 10, 2013 at 9:12pm

Cheap phones = Cheap Build

iphoneSucks - January 11, 2013 at 4:29pm

just to let you know iphones are manufactured in china for CHEAP and sold for a humongous profit