Analyst predicts new scaled down iPhone
By Ronald O Carlson
A third world iPhone? Although there are couple new twists and the terminology used by this largely unknown source differs a bit, this rumor sounds a lot like the the iPhone nano story, which periodically, zombie like, comes to life.
Quoting Lazard Capital Markets, Apple Insider reports that Apple plans to come to market later this year with high and low end iPhone models, the latter could be aimed at ‘tween nations, such as Russia and China. Daniel Amir, semiconductor analyst with Lazard Capital Markets said:
Our checks confirm that two versions of iPhones will be introduced this year. Production of the new phones should start at the beginning of April and will ramp in May.
Further, both models will be introduced in June, at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference one assumes, though the actual releases will be at different times in different regions. Like nearly every other write up on the iPhone future shape of the iPhone, Lazard states a 32GB capacity version is in the works, as well. Amir added:
We believe it is possible that the two phones will be aimed at different regions. The high-end version is expected in North America and Europe, and the low-end version may be for the BRIC countries [Brazil, Russia, India, and China] or China only.
See also: New rumor is three new iPhones
As to specifications, the high end model sounds like it will essentially be an updated version of the product the world already knows and loves, perhaps including the rumored to date improvements in camera, video recording, Wi-Fi and 3G speeds. That said, a low end or entry level unit would arrive with reduced storage and no camera, video or Wi-Fi, the latter a key demand made by Chinese wireless carriers.
A potentially interesting angle not explored by ApplesInsider is what import, if any, an iPhone redesign will have for the future shape of the iPod touch and the long rumored (wished for) large screen “iPod touch” on steroids?
Lastly, these purported plans sound unusually complex for Apple, which as often as not stuns fans and analysts alike with the laser like focus of their products. Does this mean an iPhone China this time around? I’m not convinced…
What’s your take?
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