Rumors of a cheaper iPhone began circulating this week, with the Wall Street Journal reporting on Tuesday that the device would be available before the end of 2013. Today, Bloomberg confirms that rumor, saying that its sources say Apple is in talks with at least one of the largest U.S. mobile carriers about the new device, and they claim it will cost between $99 and $149 when it launches.
Like the Journal and Digitimes, Bloomberg reports that this "cheapest" iPhone will be released this year. Apple is making this move to attract more consumers in economically weak countries, but it will be released worldwide, including the United States.
Quote from Bloomberg:
Apple will price the device between $99 and $149, and it will be released by the end of 2013. In addition, the company has already spoken about its plans to one of the leading mobile phone providers in the United States.
Many believe that a cheaper iPhone will give Apple a big boost to compete more easily with rivals like Samsung, which has a number of Android devices at very low prices. Samsung has a much larger market share than Apple because of these devices, and many believe that if the Cupertino company does not move quickly, then Samsung will increase it even more.
On the other hand, a cheaper iPhone would be a huge change in strategy for Apple, a company that has only cared about offering the best, no matter what the cost. All of its devices have excellent quality materials and are renowned for it, but in order to create a cheaper iPhone, the quality of the materials has to drop.
Dimitrios Georgoulas @ GreekAppleNews
