Apple Working On A Budget iPhone?

No matter whether you are an Android, iOS or Windows Phone user, there is no doubt the iPhone is recognised as the one of the most desirable pieces of kit in the technology industry today.

As with most top-end smartphones the iPhone 5 is expensive, even with a 2 year contract you are still going to be dropping around £150.

To help solve the price issues, Apple still sell the iPhone 4/4S but both of these devices have smaller displays. DigiTimes have reported that Apple are working on a budget iPhone with a larger display.

The rumoured device will include a larger display, revamped exterior design and may also be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon chipsets. Although I’m sure Apple could just use the A5 currently in the iPhone 4S, iPod Touch, iPad 2 and the iPad Mini.

Apparently we will see the mystery device in the second half of 2013. If there any developments on this, we will keep you posted!

Update: Phil Schiller has responded to rumours which were gaining a lot of talk, Schiller commented;

At first, non-smartphones were popular in the Chinese market, now cheap smartphones are more popular and non-smartphones are out. Despite the popularity of cheap smartphones, this will never be the future of Apple’s products. In fact, although Apple’s market share of smartphones is just about 20%, we own the 75% of the profit.

Apple already make two cheaper iPhone models, the 4 and the 4S. Both are still perfectly usable smartphones, I used my iPhone 4 on iOS 6 Betas until the iPhone 5 release date and had no major issues. Also, the iPhone 5 will be cheaper later on this year when Apple announce a new model.

I feel Apple would be wrong to enter the budget market, as they are a premium product. Premium products come with a price, and people need to accept that to a point. Yes, Apple are making billions, but isn’t that the point of business? Apple offer cheaper models, with less features and that makes sense.

I’m glad Apple have put these rumours to rest for now, a lot of people criticise Apple for not releasing a product someone made up, turning people away from the company. A little rumour control from Apple is quite nice.