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wraggster
August 20th, 2013, 22:54
The iPhone 5 could be hung up with the roll out of the iPhone 5C and 5S.
Not only is it expected that the iPhone 5 will cease to exist once the 5C and 5S are both launched, the rumoured 'budget iPhone' (http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/fresh-rumours-surrounding-the-iphone-5-reboot/022018) may turn out to just be the iPhone 4S - sold as a cheaper option in developing countries.
The new models are expected to be released next month, with the gold tinted iPhone 5S replacing the top-end model and the 5C being the 'cheaper' option, possibly priced at around $400 - $500. If this is the budget model, it makes us wonder exactly whose budget they are going by!
Expectations were raised when Apple appeared to be answering a demand for a more affordable device that didn't entail accepting the leftovers of older models and platforms, leaving iFans left behind in its technological advancements.
Alas, even though Android has introduced a number of cheaper phones, (http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/cheap-smartphone-shipments-to-pass-750-million-by-2018/022096%20%20) and Nokia even offered access to its higher end models with its £200 Lumia 625 (http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/nokia-releases-200-lumia-625-to-battle-androids-lower-prices-devices/021963%20), Apple has dug its heels in.
The high-end iPhone 5S is expected to outsell the 5C. With new features including a fingerprint reader, 128GB storage and the gold tinted bling - it is certainly the more tempting option regardless of price.
Even though fans will undoubtedly grumble about the price tag of both devices - money will be handed over no matter how begrudgingly, and Apple knows this.
The new phones are expected for general release in Q3 this year, with shipments predicted to surge by 438 per cent for the 5S and 122 per cent for the 5C - if this is so, Apple will see iPhone sales skyrocket to around 160 million units.
As for a budget device, it looks as though we are going to have to settle for the iPhone 4S with the iOS7 update. Sadly our trusty iPhone 4s - which won't support the iOS7 platform, may be joining the 3G in the iPhone graveyard.
RiPhone.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/does-apple-s-new-budget-iphone-even-exist/022178