Deutsche Bank's Chris Whitmore is telling clients to expect Apple to release both an iPhone 5 and an iPhone 4S, reports Fortune.
The site notes that there has been much debate as to whether Apple will release a minor update to the iPhone 4, dubbed the iPhone 4S, or whether Apple will release a major update alongside the major iOS 5 update, called the iPhone 5.
Whitmore released a note this morning telling his clients to expect both.
"With Nokia and RIMM struggling," he writes, "the time is right for Apple to aggressively penetrate the mid range smart-phone market (i.e. $300-500 category) to dramatically expand its [total addressable market] and market share."
As Whitmore sees it, an iPhone 4S that is unlocked, priced around $349, and comes with a pre-paid voice plan would "drive significantly greater penetration" into an addressable market that has grown to include 1.5 billion potential customers in 98 countries, two thirds of whom prefer pre-paid plans.
Although a lower cost iPhone has been rumored for some time, Whitmore doesn't offer any evidence or inside knowledge to back up his prediction.
Check out iTalkiPhones post from about a week ago. They got a leak from inside Apple. This claim backs up what they said... http://italkiphone.com/2011/06/breaking-iphone-news-iphone-5-to-be-released-in-september-significantly-upgraded/
With a prediction like this, something like facts or leaks would be nice. Just because it "would be a good business move" doesn't really give much credibility.
Check out iTalkiPhones post from about a week ago. They got a leak from inside Apple. This claim backs up what they said...
http://italkiphone.com/2011/06/breaking-iphone-news-iphone-5-to-be-released-in-september-significantly-upgraded/
that is something i will give credit to, thanks for the post. but i will be really upset if the new models are more than the $199 and $299 price points. i can understand the 64GB model being more, but hopefully the 16/32GB models stay at the same price.