Low-Cost iPhone Could be Powered by Snapdragon CPU
Apple is seemingly working on new product for the low end market.
The existence of a low-cost iPhone has seemingly been confirmed with the device apparently sporting a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.
Analysts from investment firm Detwiler Fenton have been carrying out checks with suppliers and subsequently found that Apple is working on a new product for the low end of the market that utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.
Detwiler Fenton said in a note to clients that if the product is a low-cost version of the iPhone, utilizing a Qualcomm processor could decrease costs and keep profit margins at an adequate level.
An integrated chip for a low-cost iPhone could result in $15 per unit being paid to Qualcomm, the investment group added. The chip maker already receives substantial income through the majority of Android and Windows Phone models utilizing said processor.
Apple, which was lately overthrown as the world's most valuable company, has stressed that a cheap iPhone will never come to fruition. However, amid former CEO John Sculley stressing that the firm should target developing markets, such a product may generate upwards of $6.5 billion in revenue.
Agreed, It's highly unlikely Apple will use someone elses SoC. I also have my doubts on the cheap iPhone. This position is occupied by the iPhone 4.
it may not be low cost by your standards, but by apples products it is. i still dont see why the hell theyd make a cheaper iphone since theres still the iphone 4 and 4S competing in the different price points. probably would knock out the iphone 4 from the market in favor of a bigger iphone 4S option, but I wouldnt see that as a smart move at all. also I cannot see how including a snapdragon cpu would be a smart move for them at all. Im fairly sure apple pays manufacturers cheaper than $15 per phone to make their own chips. paying over the cheapest option doesnt seem very applelike to me.
anyway thats just the business side of me talking. i dont quite believe these rumors. If theyre true, then Im left scratching my head at apples direction and intentions.
As for the ipad mini. It is a lower cost product, when compared to apple offerings. It is overpriced when compared to nexus/fire. It also has terrible profit margins when compared to other apple products, but has great profit margins when compared to nexus/fire.
Also.. android already owns a most of the "developing markets". Been to china recently? everyone has android phones and tablets.
WTH! Qualcomm has Snapdragon's on low end to high-end Android phones. They don't just make one SoC.
At $7 a pop sporting a 1.2 ghz A8 cpu and Mali 400 cpu (like the galaxy S2) it should run decent enough, can be purchased in quantity easily and has already found its way into a plethora of the 7" Android tablets running ICS.
Yeah, Apple rided on the "Your Status will improve by owning this phone" for all the time to get sales.
Low cost... now everyone who bought it expensive wont have the Status anymore. Way to angry your consumers