Neil Hughes
Apple's next-generation "iPhone 5S" is likely to face production difficulties, which could limit its availability at launch. Such issues are not, however, expected with the company's anticipated plastic mid-range iPhone, which will reportedly be much easier to build.
While the so-called "iPhone Lite" is on track for an early September debut, the "iPhone 5S" may take a little longer to become available, according to well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities. Details on Apple's 2013 launch lineup were first shared with AppleInsider on Monday.
Kuo expects that any iPhone production difficulties faced by Apple this year will be similar to last year's launch of the iPhone 5. He expects that the "iPhone 5S" will see "limited" availability following its late September launch, with supply improving in either October or November.
As for the plastic "iPhone Lite," Kuo revealed that shipments will be below market expectations. But he expects the product could be available to launch sooner due to a less difficult manufacturing process.
He has predicted the device will be priced between $450 and $550 — higher than most observers expect — with a total of 26 million units to be shipped in 2013. That would be below market expectations of between 30 million and 40 million units.
Kuo views the "iPhone Lite" having "decent profitability, but at the cost of volume."
Apple's 2013 lineup, as predicted by Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities in January.
The launch lineup pegged by Kuo this week still largely aligns with the product release schedule he revealed back in January. The insider correctly predicted that Apple would have no major product launches, aside from a MacBook Air refresh, in the first half of 2013.
The latest research note from Kuo made no mention of a fingerprint sensor in the "iPhone 5S," but the analyst has repeatedly asserted claims that Apple will include such functionality in this year's model. Specifically, he expects the technology to be embedded under the home button, allowing users to easily authenticate their identity for features such as password entry or even potential e-wallet functionality.
As for the "iPhone Lite," Kuo has portrayed the device as essentially an iPhone 5 with a plastic body. The new lower-end handset is expected to have the same 4-inch display as the iPhone 5, but with a thicker frame. Such a move would allow Apple to potentially discontinue the iPhone 4S entirely, moving its full smartphone lineup to 4-inch displays and Lightning connectors.
Amber Neely
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
89 Comments
He is pretty much saying Apple wont be making a low cost iphone, they will just put the 4s internals and the 5 into plastic shells and price them at 450 and 550. the good is this wont hurt margins at all, the bad is Apple still wont be able to address markets where a sub $400 unlock phone is needed.
Is it me or we are getting the same news twice?
Yawn. I wish AI would stop reporting on this crap. This guy doesn't know jack. He's just throwing stuff at the wall figuring something will stick. :rolleyes:
[quote name="herbapou" url="/t/158641/iphone-lite-on-track-for-early-sept-but-iphone-5s-production-more-challenging#post_2366084"]He is pretty much saying Apple wont be making a low cost iphone, they will just put the 4s internals and the 5 into plastic shells and price them at 450 and 550. [/quote] And he knows this how?
i have no idea, but that guy is one of the most reliable out there. He must have inside information from somewhere.
I think he may be wrong on the prices, he just assumed that since its the ip4s and ip5 internals they are going to price them like the old iphone models. imo the whole point of moving into plastic is reducing the price also, so we may get 400 and 500 afterall. That being said, something in the $300 to $350 range would be better for unlock markets and emerging markets.
[quote name="Rogifan" url="/t/158641/iphone-lite-on-track-for-early-sept-but-iphone-5s-production-more-challenging#post_2366086"]Yawn. I wish AI would stop reporting on this crap. This guy doesn't know jack. He's just throwing stuff at the wall figuring something will stick. :rolleyes:[/quote] I suggest you review his history. He has been very accurate in the past, he called every single product and launch timeframe last year. He is the only analyst I find worth reading The question then becomes, if true, does Apple announce both at the same time? Or 2 events?