Analyst sees 'iPhone 4-plus' shipping as midrange option
updated 11:30 am EDT, Mon September 19, 2011
Would join iPhone 5, iPhone 4
Research suggests that Apple will release two new iPhone models this year, not just one, according to JP Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz. The first is of course the iPhone 5, which Moskowitz expects to be thinner and lighter while supporting both GSM and CDMA networks and moving to a larger display. "The new iPhone 5 stands to be based on the iPad 2's A5 processor or a newer A6 version," he adds. "We also expect 1GB of RAM to increase memory access times. Other improvements are increased battery life due to advancement in battery technologies, the printed circuit board (PCB), the touch screen, and LCD power consumption metrics."
The second device is described as an "iPhone 4-plus." The hardware would be based on the current iPhone 4 design, but have enough minor improvements to target a midrange market globally and China in particular, where a genuine high-end iPhone is an expensive luxury. Moskowitz's research allegedly points to the 4-plus being sold for one or more carriers in China, with the expectation that it probably won't be an exclusive.
The iPhone 4 is predicted to remain on sale as a low-end option, replacing the 3GS. As for new iPhone carriers, Sprint, T-Mobile USA and China Telecom are forecast to join the roster of major Apple partners in the near future.
Moskowitz's claims are largely consistent with recent rumors. These have, however, usually cast Apple as releasing either an iPhone 5 or an "iPhone 4S," not both. Moskowitz's 4-plus could be the 4S, which would fill in the gap of a device which is less costly than a top-tier iPhone but equipped with modern parts.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2008
don't question, just quote
I'm thinking that the goal of increasing the RAM might be to decrease memory access times, not to increase them, as is stated in the quote. A quick google search does not find the original quote, but does find several other news recyclers like macnn repeating it without questioning it. Just because an analyst wrote it, doesn't mean it's beyond questioning. Wanna buy some high quality mortgages?