Apple will be launching its latest iPhone models in the fall of 2018 and according to previous reports the company is expected to unveil three iPhone variants this year – a 6.5-inch OLED model, a 6.1-inch LCD model, and a 5.8-inch OLED model. Now, an analyst report has predicted the pricing details of one of the three iPhone variants. Apple will reportedly make the LCD version the successor of the iPhone 8series, and price it $200 (roughly Rs. 13,400) cheaper than the other two OLED models.
According to investment firm Rosenblatt Securities, as reported by Apple Insider, the Cupertino giant is expected to offer an LCD model of the iPhone roughly around $200 below the price of the OLED variant, and they will ship at the same time. Also, analyst Jun Zhang has reiterated previous reports which had suggested the three iPhone models that could release this year. However, he predicts that Apple may produce around 60 million units of the iPhone LCD model, while 28 million models of the 5.8-inch OLED variant and 22 million 6.5-inch units of the OLED variant are expected to be produced this year.
If the LCD model is $200 cheaper than the OLED models, it will be due to certain cost-cutting measures, the report adds. Apple will save $50 (roughly Rs. 3,300) a unit by using LCD instead of OLED, and $20 (roughly Rs. 1,300) by switching to another material instead of using the steel frame. There could be other cost reduction measures, such as in material used around the radios, inclusion of a single rear camera, getting rid of force touch, and more.
The report says, “We believe the LCD model is being positioned to be priced more aggressively – in the $799 (roughly Rs. 53,400) range.” It states that the pricing strategy will help push iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s users to upgrade to the “iPhone 8S or the ‘Jaguar’ model.” An earlier report had claimed that the 2018 iPhone lineup will start at “$700+” for the 6.1-inch LCD model and the price of the 5.8-inch OLED model could start at $899 (ADD INR CONVERSION). Finally, the iPhone X Plus, the 6.5-inch model, will start at $999(ADD INR CONVERSION). It is also interesting to note that, a report in March had claimed that the iPhone X Successor with 5.85-Inch OLED display will be the cheapest model in 2018.
In terms of design, Apple may include the iPhone X notch in the LCD model as well, but there could be a thin chin at the bottom of the handset to work “within the limitations of LCD screen technology.”
Coming to the other two models, the report says that the 5.8-inch OLED variant, also called the ‘Porsche’ model, may not come with “significant design changes.” However, there could be some unusual changes in the 6.5-inch OLED “Rolls-Royce” model, which will be available with a bigger price tag. The larger model may also come with a dual-SIM slot, and support for a stylus.
Further, according to the report, Apple is working on introducing better water resistance features in the new iPhone models. While the iPhone X and iPhone 8 lineup can endure splashes and immersion of up to 1 metre for up to 30 minutes due to IP67 rating, the new iPhone models may reach up to 10 metres.
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