As previously reported, there are rumors going around that Apple is working on a lower cost version of its iPhone for emerging markets.
Rumors are also coming out that the price of such a device could range from $99 to $149. Bloomberg is reporting, citing a person familiar with the plans, who asked not to be named because negotiations are private, that Apple is weighting retail prices in that range on the device, which would be launched in late 2013. Bloomberg’s Olgoa Kharif and Adam Stariano report:
Executives at Apple have been particularly interested in building a lower-cost model with less-expensive components as a way to appeal to customers in emerging markets, another person has said.
On Tuesday, a report from Digitimes indicated that Apple would release a low-cost version of the iPhone for emerging markets like China (where Apple CEO Tim Cook is said to have made a trip this week). That report said:
Some sources claimed that they have seen the sample of the low-cost iPhone, which will come with a larger display, meeting the prevailing trend for the adoption of 5-inch displays for high-end models. They added that the low-priced iPhone will also have a brand new exterior design.
Those sources also indicate that the recent introduction of low-cost Qualcomm processors could play a role in Apple releasing a low-cost iPhone.