Several analysts including those from KGI Securities, who successfully predicted Apple’s plans and strategies last year, suggest that Apple might release two phones this year as opposed to their usual one phone a year schedule that has been in place for the last 5 years. Likely to join the Apple family during September this year is the iPhone 5S, the successor to the iPhone 5, as well as a cheaper model, the iPhone 6.
Further, each of these devices are expected to arrive in two variants – one featuring the global standard frequency division (FD-LTE) technology and another supporting time division (TD-LTE) technology, which is used by the largest mobile telephony operator in the world with over 700 million users – China Mobile. This conclusion does seem logical, in view of Apple’s significant efforts to strike a deal with China Mobile to have iPhones made available to their subscribers.
Though some sources suggest that the cheaper iPhone 6 will not be launched until next year, Apple does have more reasons in favor of a dual product release. Apple has been facing a steady decline in share prices since last September and this has caused widespread concern among investors. Also, with the current market trend leaning towards budget smartphones, Apple does not have a product that will address these emerging markets. Also, if Apple is indeed planning a major step into the Chinese market, the price of their current offerings is simply too high. At present, iPhone 5 costs nearly 30% of the annual income of an average person in mainland China.
The internet is also filled with rumors as to the new features set to arrive in the upcoming iPhones – from the most likely processor upgrade, to improvements to the camera system and the possibility of inclusion of a fingerprint based security device embedded in the home button. The iPhone 6 is expected to feature a polycarbonate body, and may even be made translucent like the iMacs in the 1990s. Both devices may feature Sharp’s revolutionary IGZO display, which can handle pixel densities more than 330ppi, sharper than Apple’s touted Retina displays. IGZO display technology features extremely low power consumption and may help significantly boost the battery life of the next-gen iPhone.
With stiff competition from Google’s Android and the emerging Windows Phone 8, an entry into a mid-range market segment may be just what Apple needs to keep up its market share.
