AppleInsider Staff
Purportedly leaked photos of Vodafone Germany's ERP system reveals the telecom will discontinue sales of 32GB and 64GB iPhone 5 models, but will carry over the 16GB version as a possible intermediate device positioned between the rumored iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S.
The images, first posted to the Web by German site Flo's Weblog (via MacRumors), appear to be two snapshots of Vodafone's enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, the first showing iPhone stock status and a second explaining the discontinuation of certain models.
In the image above, all current models of Apple's iPhone 5, as well as the legacy 3GS, are listed next to their respective availability. While both the black and white versions of Apple's 16GB iPhone 5 remain "available for shipping," the 32GB and 64GB models are shown as "not available." The white 32GB iPhone 5 is "available," though the status is thought to reflect units on hand.
The second image, seen above, is a shot of an email that reportedly went out to Vodafone shops in Germany on Thursday. The message reads, in part:
Here again the news of the day:Discontinued Hardware
The following items are no longer available and [unreadable…] contract acquisition disabled:
Wares on site at the point-of-sale can of course continue to be sold.
- iPhone 5 32GB Black
- iPhone 5 32GB White
- iPhone 5 64GB Black
- iPhone 5 64GB White
- iPhone 4S 16GB Black
- iPhone 4S 16GB White
It is not clear whether Apple itself is discontinuing the models, or if Vodafone has simply decided not to carry them. If Apple were to discontinue the iPhone 5 and 4S models, it would be left with a rumored lower-cost handset in the iPhone 5C, a 16GB iPhone 5, and the expected flagship iPhone 5S.
Analysts are split on what Apple plans to do with its legacy iPhone lineup. In August, KGI's Ming-Chi Kuo predicted Apple would position the iPhone 5C as a mid-tier model, replacing the entire iPhone 5 line and making the iPhone 4S the entry level offering. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, however, believes the 5C will take over for the 4S at the bottom, leaving the current iPhone 5 as an intermediate model.
Apple's 2013 handset lineup should soon be revealed, as the company this week announced a Sept. 10 media event that is widely expected to focus on the iPhone.
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31 Comments
Hm, this is in line with T-Mobile Germany rumors. Just strange that they would not list the 8 GB iPhone 4 as discontinued then. Of course it would make sense to discontinue all 4/4S models, as this would eliminate the old aspect ratio and dock connector at once. (Force developers to finally update their 3:2 iPhone apps and spur the availability of Lightning compatible accessories.)
It's typical to discontinue the non-16GB previously-new models when the new-new models are coming out.
The 5 will take over - just doesn't make sense to keep the 4S around, for multiple reasons.
If Apple keeps the 5 around that signals to me that the 5C will be even cheaper than we're expecting. The reason many of us assumed the 5 was going off to pasture was partly because of its production costs and also because the 5C was assumed to likely occupy the same price bracket. What this says to me is the 5C will be cheap enough that people won't cross shop it with the 5 and Apple finds selling both handsets profitable. I'm thinking we see 8GB 5C starting at $349 with a 16 GB option at $449. The 5 will be priced at $549.
[quote name="blackbook" url="/t/159375/vodafone-germany-to-reportedly-stop-32gb-and-64gb-iphone-5-sales-16gb-model-to-live-on#post_2390697"]If Apple keeps the 5 around that signals to me that the 5C will be even cheaper than we're expecting. The reason many of us assumed the 5 was going off to pasture was partly because of its production costs and also because the 5C was assumed to likely occupy the same price bracket. What this says to me is the 5C will be cheap enough that people won't cross shop it with the 5 and Apple finds selling both handsets profitable. I'm thinking we see 8GB 5C starting at $349 with a 16 GB option at $449. The 5 will be priced at $549.[/quote] I agree with most of his but I think the 5C will be 16GB. 8GB is not enough these days.