Apple could be gearing up to launch an 8GB iPhone 5C, according to several new reports.
Citing information from two German blog sites and its own sources, MacRumors said on Monday that the 8GB phone will reportedly hit the market this week, possibly as early as Tuesday.
Available with the full range of 5C colors, the 8GB version would be the new entry-level iPhone model. Apple currently offers the 5C in 16GB and 32GB variations.
One source throwing out this claim is German blog site Caschys Blog, which caught wind of an alleged note sent by German carrier O2 to retailers. The unverified note claims the cost of the 8GB version will be 509 euros ( £426) compared with the 569 euros ( £476) price tag for the 16GB model.
Another source, German blog site iFun, has reported that the 8GB version will launch on Tuesday.
MacRumors also cited several tipsters who say the new phone has already shipped to carrier stores in the UK.
UPDATE: TechCrunch appears to have confirmed the rumour. Quoting an O2 store source, the publication claims that the device will definitely be released in the UK tomorrow, 18 March. The retailer was unable to confirm the price the handset will sell for.
Despite expectations, the iPhone 5C didn’t launch for as little money as consumers had hoped. Although Apple doesn’t announce unit sales itself, analysts believe that Apple’s baby isn’t proving as popular as it hoped – both in the UK and in emerging markets.
Consequently, Apple’s quick-fire decision to release the new entry-level smartphone may be related to the news that the original iPhone 5C has been a disaster in China.
Umeng, China’s largest app analytics platform, produced a chart of iPhone activity on its network following the launch of the the iPhone 5C.
Four months later the results show that activations remain way below those of the 5S. The 5C is on only 2% of devices on Umeng, the company says. It draws its data from 75,000 developers and 210,000 apps on its network. The 5S is on 12% of devices – or six times as many.
All in all, a more affordable phone could prove a wise move for Apple at present, especially given the focus other manufacturers have been paying to emerging markets.
No information regarding the phone’s release beyond the UK is currently available, but we expect most countries will be seeing it soon. The US could be looking at a $470 handset if it makes its way over.