Rumors about the next iPhone have been pushed around, grown and dismissed since the beginning of this year. Reporters and tech gurus have been arguing amongst themselves in regards to what the next iPhone will be, considering it is expected to launch in September.
Some have adopted the name iPhone 5 in correspondence with the new OS unveiled at WWDC three weeks ago. Others, however, have called the next Apple smartphone the iPhone 4S, following the company's name choice in regards to the updated iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS.
However, Chris Whitmore of Deutsche Bank stunned both sides by telling his clients to expect both possibilities. The renowned analyst stated that with Nokia and RIM struggling, the time is right for Apple to aggressively penetrate the mid-range smartphone market to dramatically expand market front and shares.
According to Whitmore, an iPhone 4S, unlocked, with a pre-paid voice plan and priced around $350 would considerably increase Apple's sales in roughly 98 countries, where pre-paid plans control sales. Many analysts, however, have discussed the possibilities of Apple entering the pre-paid market in the past, with no real consequences.
In the US, almost all phones are released by carriers through monthly contract to cover their cost. However, in many countries consumers prefer to buy the phone on the spot and use a pre-paid SIM card, as it gives them more freedom and instant access to any carrier, unlike contracts, which are harder (and more expensive) to get out of.
As more and more people converge on different possible scenarios, Apple is still keeping quiet about its upcoming smartphone, and while two iPhone models would certainly help bring an even larger number of consumers to the company's side, they could have done so for quite some time now.
By Radu Tyrsina
Source: fortune.com
A few more months and we'll have our final verdict!
