Where Have All The Rumored New iPhones Gone?

Jun 22 2009, 11:25am CDT | by Robert Evans

In the dingy haze of the post-iPhone release hangover it's easy to forget about all of the wild and varied rumors that hit in the months leading up to its launch. But what did happen to all the talk about multiple iPhone models coming in the near future? Apple executives and industry analysts alike have confirmed their desire to segment the market with different versions of their trademark phone. So why haven't we seen any yet?

I think the answer is very simple. Apple has already begun to segment. The iPhone 3G and 3GS are both viable smartphones, but one is a budget option while the other is a much more high-end piece of equipment. And those two are just the beginning. I think that there is a reason that Apple put the 3GS on sale exactly a year after the launch of the 3G. They were establishing a pattern.

Bringing out a new smartphone every year would allow Apple to diversify to a tremendous degree. They'll be able to experiment with new models focused on different levels and types of functionality. Maybe next year we'll see a dual-core gaming iPhone. Whatever Apple comes up with, continuous innovation and agitation of their fan base through regular releases will keep them near the head of the pack.

It could also be that Apple has a couple of new iPhone models waiting in the wings for when their exclusivity agreement with AT&T ends. We could see a Verizon iPhone, a T-Mobile iPhone, a Sprint (gasp!?) iPhone, etcetera. They wouldn't have to be very different (T-Mo's G2 has a 5 mp camera, everyone else's G2 gets just 3.2 mp), just different enough to create some competition between the different models. The carriers will do the advertising for them, and Apple will win no matter what.

Apple's always been good at playing the long game, which is why I think there's got to be some sort of cunning plan in the wings. Whether it's next year, or five years from now, we are going to see the iPhone turn into a phone 'brand', rather than one phone with a bunch of different editions. Apple is too good at making mobile phones to stop at one model.

where to buy

Buy from Amazon

What Others Say about This

Antitrust officials approve sale of Motorola Mobility to Google

U.S. and European antitrust officials approved Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility on Monday, clearing the way for the search giant to not only manufacture its own phones but, more important, gain a much bigger patent portfolio. While greenlighting ...
Full article at: The Washington Post More like this 39 minutes ago

Johnson & Johnson falls in consumer ranking

The former Monroe County District Attorney will serve as deputy commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services.- 4:43 pm Talk of development on Gregory Street has hit a snag over a lack of parking and a study that suggests possible solutions.- ...
Full article at: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle More like this 41 minutes ago

Conditions at Apple suppliers inspected

Published: Feb. 13, 2012 at 8:00 PM CUPERTINO, Calif., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Apple Inc. says an independent labor-rights organization it joined last month has begun inspections of working conditions at Apple suppliers' plants in China. An audit team from the ...
Full article at: United Press International More like this 42 minutes ago

Don't miss ...

Apple

iPad 3 Announcement rumored for Early March

Robert Evans
The excitement about new smartphones, tablets and anything mobile drive Robert to unearth the latest rumors and developments in this fast moving space. He adopted 4G as soon as it become available and knows where the mobile market is going.
Robert can be contacted directly at robert@i4u.com.