'Low cost' iPhone leaked design review

[joshhedge]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44biradk84Y&feature=player_embedded

The design is certainly very minimalistic. I like it.

Thoughts?

 

[Eug]

Even despite my experiences with the crack-prone iPhone 3G, I'd be willing to get another plastic iPhone if it's 4 inches assuming it keeps the various side buttons and it has LTE (as well as a decent dual-core CPU and sufficient RAM).

However, my main concern is the screen quality.

 

[JAG87]

Even though I always use a case, I would never go back to plastic. It just feels cheap for what you paid. Of course, if the phone has the same specs (the important ones as mentioned above) and it's half the price, then I might consider it.

 

[Rakehellion]

It's supposed to feel cheap. It's a budget phone.

 

[Eug]

I suspect it won't feel cheaper than how the Galaxy S III feels. That one feels moderately priced, even though it had premium specs (and a premium price).

IOW, I don't think Apple make a true "budget" phone in the near term. There will be a mid-priced one and a high end one.

 

[smackababy]

I suspect it won't feel cheaper than how the Galaxy S III feels. That one feels moderately priced, even though it had premium specs (and a premium price).

IOW, I don't think Apple make a true "budget" phone in the near term. There will be a mid-priced one and a high end one.

But a mid-priced one would be very cheap on contract, so it would be a budget phone. Rather than say $650 retail, even $400 retail could mean free or $50 on contract. People would eat that up.

 

[Eug]

But a mid-priced one would be very cheap on contract, so it would be a budget phone. Rather than say $650 retail, even $400 retail could mean free or $50 on contract. People would eat that up.

Yes, it might be a phone under $100 on contract. In fact, Apple already has this. It's called the iPhone 4S (during the iPhone 5 era).

Which reminds me. What happens to the iPhone 4S? Will the next lineup be iPhone plastic, iPhone 5, and iPhone 5S, with no iPhone 4 or 4S?

I could see that happening, because then it'd mean the entire lineup is 4 inches and has LTE. If so, surely the iPhone plastic must be down-spec'd in other ways, besides just having a plastic shell. I could take a slower CPU than a 5, but if the screen is significantly worse, that could be a deal-killer.

 

[TheStu]

Yes, it might be a phone under $100 on contract. In fact, Apple already has this. It's called the iPhone 4S (during the iPhone 5 era).

Which reminds me. What happens to the iPhone 4S? Will the next lineup be iPhone plastic, iPhone 5, and iPhone 5S, with no iPhone 4 or 4S?

I could see that happening, because then it'd mean the entire lineup is 4 inches and has LTE. If so, surely the iPhone plastic must be down-spec'd in other ways, besides just having a plastic shell. I could take a slower CPU than a 5, but if the screen is significantly worse, that could be a deal-killer.

The prevailing theory is that yes, they will drop the 4S when the 5S comes out, and replace it with this plastic phone.

All 4", all Lightning, all LTE.

 

[bearxor]

The thing is, I love the way it looks. I am a big fan of the 3G/3GS style and this looks to be more of a throwback to it.

If all things were equal, I'd VERY likely pick the plastic back iPhone over the current iPhone 5 design and over the 4/4S design. All things are not likely to be equal, however.

 

[Eug]

The prevailing theory is that yes, they will drop the 4S when the 5S comes out, and replace it with this plastic phone.

All 4", all Lightning, all LTE.

Ah yes, I forgot about the all Lightning part. That seals it then.

The thing is, I love the way it looks. I am a big fan of the 3G/3GS style and this looks to be more of a throwback to it.

If all things were equal, I'd VERY likely pick the plastic back iPhone over the current iPhone 5 design and over the 4/4S design. All things are not likely to be equal, however.

I preferred the feel of the 4/4S over the 3G/3GS, because I found the 3G/3GS kinda slippery. The back was too curvy. However, the iPhone 5 plastic is more squared off, without being sharp-edged, which to me means the best of both worlds.

However, we will have to see if the iPhone 5 plastic succumbs to the same cracking problems so many plastic Apple products have had: iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iBook, MacBook, etc.

All things are not likely to be equal, however.

Yep.

 

[joshhedge]

The old non-unibody MacBooks had horrific cracking, remember my friend had to replace his keyboard section twice due to it!

I think this signifies the end of the iPhone 4 and 4S, my guess is that they will be replaced with the 'low cost' iPhone at the 4's price point.

I doubt Apple would sacrifice the screen quality, it will still be a premium product.

 

[Eug]

I doubt Apple would sacrifice the screen quality, it will still be a premium product.

Apple's MacBook Airs are mid-priced, but the MacBook Air's screens are noticeably worse than the screens on the non-Retina MacBook Pros.

Interestingly, despite the price premium, the MacBook Pros appear to outsell the MacBook Airs by a large margin.

 

[smackababy]

Apple's MacBook Airs are mid-priced, but the MacBook Air's screens are noticeably worse than the screens on the non-Retina MacBook Pros.

Interestingly, despite the price premium, the MacBook Pros appear to outsell the MacBook Airs by a large margin.

The base models for the 13" MBA and MBP only have a $100 price difference. $1099 vs $1199. Your link doesn't really break down the models, but I'd assume those are the best selling models. The 11" MBA is a bit too small and the 15" MBP gets up there in price. Possibly the 13" rMBP is a good seller as well, because you get the SSD, the retina display, and more RAM.

 

[Eug]

Yes the base models for the 13" MBA and MBP are closely priced, but the 13" MBA includes SSD while the 13" base MBP has a platter drive. The MBP is also much, much heavier (because of the optical drive people rarely use these days). So, from that perspective, the 13" MBA is a much better value.

However, the MBA's screen is disappointing.

I'm expecting this will be the real differentiating factor for the New Plastic iPhone. If that's the case, I might just have to bite the bullet and get the 5S (or else wait for the 6 since if I buy the 5S now I'd have to pay full price for it).

 

[TheStu]

The old non-unibody MacBooks had horrific cracking, remember my friend had to replace his keyboard section twice due to it!

I think this signifies the end of the iPhone 4 and 4S, my guess is that they will be replaced with the 'low cost' iPhone at the 4's price point.

I doubt Apple would sacrifice the screen quality, it will still be a premium product.

Strictly speaking the cracking palmrests on the OG MacBooks was specifically due a design flaw with the way and strength at which the lid closed, coupled with how thin the plastic was there. It wasn't JUST because it was plastic, it was poorly designed.

Cracking on the 3G/s... probably roughly the same thing, due to the curvature of the plastic.

 

[gevorg]

looks great, as long as they price it at no more than $400

 

[joshhedge]

Apple's MacBook Airs are mid-priced, but the MacBook Air's screens are noticeably worse than the screens on the non-Retina MacBook Pros.

That's a valid point.

Is there a difference in display quality between the iPod Touch and the iPhone 5 out of interest?

Strictly speaking the cracking palmrests on the OG MacBooks was specifically due a design flaw with the way and strength at which the lid closed, coupled with how thin the plastic was there. It wasn't JUST because it was plastic, it was poorly designed.

Cracking on the 3G/s... probably roughly the same thing, due to the curvature of the plastic.

Thanks for the clarification. Guess I was lucky with my old 3G's.

Let's hope Apple have learnt from their mistakes, more negative publicity won't do them any good.

 

[Tyranicus]

I never had a problem with cracking on my 3GS. The plastic on the bottom of my original iPhone practically fell apart after a year and a half of use though

 

[TheStu]

I never had a problem with cracking on my 3GS. The plastic on the bottom of my original iPhone practically fell apart after a year and a half of abuse though

Fixed that for you.

 

[MrX8503]

I still prefer the current metal version. The plastic looks dated next to the current 5. I do like that the rear is one piece.

 

[Wreckem]

I am going to go out on a limb and say there will be the "cheap/plastic" iPhone and the "new/metal+glass" iPhone. The "cheap" iPhone will stay a year behind the "new" iPhone in terms of hardware specs. The "cheap" iPhone will be $0(8GB), $50(16GB) or $100(32GB) on contract, and the "new" iPhone will keep the current $199(16GB) $299(32GB) $399(64GB) structure. They could do $199(32GB) $299(64GB) and $399 (128GB), but I doubt it.

 

[Eug]

Is there a difference in display quality between the iPod Touch and the iPhone 5 out of interest?

I haven't used an iPod touch 5G, so I don't know the screen quality, but it is a cheaper model screen.

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPod+Touch+5th+Generation+Teardown/10803/2

"When comparing the Touch to the iPhone 5 display assembly, it's apparent that this is a much simpler, cheaper design, despite the two having very similar functionality."

Still, you bring up a good point. I'll have to go and try out an iPod touch 5G at the store. Even if it doesn't match the iPhone 5, it might still be decent.

I am going to go out on a limb and say there will be the "cheap/plastic" iPhone and the "new/metal+glass" iPhone. The "cheap" iPhone will stay a year behind the "new" iPhone in terms of hardware specs.

One Korean site is claiming something similar.

I'm not inclined to believe it though.

My guess (after this thread) is:

iPhone 5S: Like iPhone 5 with identical screen, but with faster CPU, better GPU, and some other unknown wonderful features.
iPhone 5: Will continue to be offered.
iPhone plastic: Tech similar to iPhone 5, perhaps with slower/downclocked CPU and screen like the one in the iPod touch 5G.

 

[Rakehellion]

But a mid-priced one would be very cheap on contract, so it would be a budget phone. Rather than say $650 retail, even $400 retail could mean free or $50 on contract. People would eat that up.

99% chance it'll be free on contract like the iPhone 4 is now.

 

[Tegeril]

That's a valid point.

Is there a difference in display quality between the iPod Touch and the iPhone 5 out of interest?

The older iPod Touch revisions had worse screens than the iPhone equivalent for sure. I don't know about the current gen Touch though.

 

[TheStu]

The older iPod Touch revisions had worse screens than the iPhone equivalent for sure. I don't know about the current gen Touch though.

They are awfully close, i've compared my friend's 5th Gen to my iPhone 5, and although the iPhone looks better, it's not a drastic as it was in the past. When Apple first rolled out the Retina display on the iPhone 4, the iPod Touch Retina display was a TN panel to the iPhone's IPS.