It turns out that Asian parts and components suppliers for Apple are manufacturing a cheap 8GB iPhone 4, iPhoneism has learnt. The iPhone 4 has sold in phenomenal numbers and a cheap 8GB iPhone 4 will only add to that number immensely.
This report indicates that Apple has given the nod to its Asian suppliers for manufacturing a cheaper 8GB iPhone 4. The 8GB flash drive that is going to be used in this cheap iPhone 4 is being developed by a Korean manufacturer. Currently, Toshiba and Samsung manufacture flash-drives for the iPhone. When asked about information pertaining to this cheap 8GB iPhone 4, all of these companies including Apple themselves declined to comment.
It has been over a year since Apple released the iPhone 4 back in June 2010. Since then even though the device was plagued by overly hyped Antennagate issues, the iPhone 4 has proven to be a massive success for the company. Released originally in 16GB and 32GB variants, even today both of these models will cost you $649 and $749 respectively, which is quite a hefty price tag.
Apple needs to capture the mid-range smartphone market which is currently dominated by most Android smartphones priced between $200 - $300. By releasing a cheap iPhone 4 with 8GB memory, Apple can very well break in to emerging markets where low-end or mid-end smartphones are generally preferred. One must keep in mind that the flash memory on board the iPhone 4 accounts for over 15% of the total build cost of one unit so by reducing the on board flash storage, Apple can release a cheaper variant of the iPhone 4.
It's interesting to note that cheap iPhone 4 rumours have started coming in ever since an iCloud iPhone launch was hinted earlier last week. This alleged iCloud iPhone will be made from the components of the iPhone 4. One major fact that co-relates these two reports is that the iCloud iPhone is said to have less on board flash storage hence cutting the overall cost, while majority of its features will be aided by Apple's new iCloud service. It is highly likely that this cheap 8GB iPhone 4 is actually the yet to be released iCloud iPhone as we had heard that it would also be priced around $300 and will be contract free.
iCloud iPhone release has been coupled with the release of iPhone 5. As of now, rumours indicate a September USA launch of iPhone 5 followed by a global launch in October. The iPhone 5 will be the full package with probably more on board flash storage than the previous 16GB and 32GB iPhone models, a faster dual-core A5 processor abetted by more RAM all while being radically thinner and lighter. Needless to say, the iPhone 5 price will not fall in the mid-range category.
Do you think this cheap 8GB iPhone 4 is actually the iCloud iPhone? Let us know what you think in your comments below.