less expensive iphone

Apple reportedly having trouble signing new carriers, high subsidies an issue

By Joseph Keller, Monday, May 6, 2013 a 3:29 pm

With potentially billions of customers on the line, Apple is reportedly having trouble negotiating with wireless providers in emerging markets like Russia and China, and in established markets like Japan. The carriers are, apparently, holding out for better terms from Apple than those currently enjoyed by carriers in United States under the subsidy model. Bloomberg reports:

Purported photos suface of less expensive iPhone plastic backing

By Allyson Kazmucha, Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 a 10:54 am

The less expensive iPhone has been rumored for a long time -- a way for Apple to cater to emerging markets and entry-level, off-contract customers -- but so far it's remained little more than a myth. Today, case manufacturer Tactus claims to have an image of the rear casing for just that device.

The "iPhone 5S" problem

By Rene Ritchie, Monday, Mar 11, 2013 a 11:35 pm

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Apple may or may not release a product called the "iPhone 5S" this year. The presumption, however, fueled by Apple having previously released the 2009 iPhone 3GS-as-in-speed, and the 2011 iPhone 4S-as-in-Siri, is that 2013 will see an iPhone 5S-as-in-something update. Whether it ultimately proves real or not, the perception of a yearly update cycle and its tick-tock nature, is becoming problematic.

Why a less expensive iPhone might make more sense

By Rene Ritchie, Thursday, Feb 21, 2013 a 5:33 pm

If Apple sticks to their current pattern, there'll be an iPhone 5S later this year, and the iPhone 5 will drop to $100 on-contract, the iPhone 4S will drop to free on-contract, and the iPhone 4 will be retired. If Apple sticks to their current pattern, there'll be an iPhone 6 in 2014, and the iPhone 5S will drop to $100 on-contract, the iPhone 5 will drop to free on-contract, and the iPhone 4S will be retired.

But Apple doesn't always stick to their current patterns...

iMore show 336: Power vs. empowered

By Rene Ritchie, Monday, Feb 11, 2013 a 10:06 am

Rene talks jailbreak evasi0n, iWatch rumors, more on the 5-inch iPhone and less expensive iPhone, on getting stuck between Dropbox and iCloud, and Apple retention. This is the iMore show!

Purported design details emerge for the less expensive iPhone

By Rene Ritchie, Monday, Jan 28, 2013 a 2:44 pm

A couple of weeks ago I went through some of what Apple might pursue if/when making a less expensive iPhone for emerging markets. The gist was, like the iPod mini/nano, Mac mini, and iPad mini, Apple would never build something cheap out of cheap parts, but would remove expensive, higher end elements to produce something that still had fantastic build quality, but wouldn't cost as much. Now iLounge's Jeremy Horowitz, who typically has excellent sources, has reported what he's hearing. Here are the bullet points: