Skip to main content

Cheaper iPhone with larger screen and new design set for emerging markets, report claims

Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s not the first time we’ve heard talk of Apple prepping a cheaper iPhone for emerging markets, but this latest piece of information offers a few more details (perhaps).

According to a report on Tuesday from Digitimes – a tech website whose sources, it has to be said, don’t always prove reliable – Apple is gearing up to launch a new-look iPhone for China and other emerging markets in the second half of this year.

The report states that sources in the supply chain claim to have seen the low-cost device, which apparently has a larger display than the current 4-inch screen found on the iPhone 5. The report also says the device will have “a brand new exterior design.”

A cheaper Apple handset with a larger screen conflicts with a report last week which suggested the Cupertino company had Samsung’s Galaxy S3 Mini in its sights. Strategy Analytics’ Neil Mawston told Reuters he believed Apple would have to launch an ‘iPhone Mini’ at some point “to address the hundreds of millions of prepaid users worldwide that cannot afford the current iPhone.”

A device with a smaller or same-sized display aimed at emerging markets certainly makes more sense than a device with a larger screen – something that many owners of the current iPhone might actually want – so perhaps what Digitimes’ sources have actually seen is the iPhone 5S or 6.

That would fit with what Topeka Capital Markets researcher Brian J. White told Reuters last week – he predicts the tech giant will release an iPhone 5S model with a variety of screen sizes in around four months’ time. He also floated the idea that the company will launch a smaller, cheaper iPhone for emerging markets.

Analyst Peter Misek, who doesn’t have a bad track record when it comes to predictions regarding Apple, said last month he thinks a low-cost iPhone could hit the market in the middle of this year for between $200 and $250.

With emerging markets offering Apple the possibility of a new and lucrative revenue stream, it appears to be a case of not if it’s going to launch a cheaper iPhone model, but when.

Editors' Recommendations

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
I tried Belkin’s ridiculous new iPhone accessory — and I love it
Belkin Stand Pro with iPhone 14 Pro Max mounted in StandBy mode.

One of the most interesting iPhone accessories to debut this year is one that wouldn’t have been possible without Apple sneaking a new feature into iOS 17 last fall. While there’s no shortage of iPhone stands and mounts on the market, Belkin’s Stand Pro is something entirely different from the rest.

That’s thanks to Apple’s DockKit. It's a framework for accessory makers to create motorized stands that can follow you around the room. While the concept itself isn’t new, DockKit means that such stands can be significantly more affordable as they don’t need to pack in complex sensors. With DockKit, the iPhone does all the heavy lifting of figuring out where to point itself.

Read more
Nomad sale: Up to 85% off cases for iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch
Nomad leather case for iPhone.

If you just got yourself a new device from iPhone deals or AirPods deals, your next purchase should be on protection for your smartphone or wireless earbuds. Nomad's cases will not only prevent physical damage, but they will also provide a unique sense of style so that your iPhone or AirPods will stand out anywhere you go. There's an ongoing Nomad Overstock sale with discounts of up to 85% covering cases for the iPhone 14, AirPods 3, and more -- check out everything that's available, and hopefully there's something that will be compatible with your current device.

What to buy in Nomad's Overstock sale
Nomad's Overstock sale includes cases for the iPhone 14 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, and iPhone XS series. For the largest discounts, the Modern Leather Case - Horween for the iPhone 14 Plus is 85% off,

Read more
Best refurbished iPhone deals: Get an iPhone 14 for $507
An iPhone 13 in white color option.

Apple started the whole idea of a smartphone, so it's probably no surprise that it makes some of the best on the market. Of course, they are known for being quite expensive, especially if you want to grab the best iPhones, which will easily run you close to or over $1,000. Luckily, there are some great iPhone deals you can take advantage of, whether unlocked or through a carrier. There are also some other alternatives in the form of refurbished phones. Now, a lot of folks do sometimes shy away from refurbished gear, but it's important to note that many, if not all, refurbished phones come with a guarantee and extended return windows, so you shouldn't worry about getting something defunct. Also, refurbished phones tend to be substantially cheaper than new ones; plus, they do cut down a lot on e-waste, so you are helping the environment.

Either way, we've gone out and found some of the best refurbished iPhone deals out there to save you a little bit extra. We've found a pretty wide range too, so be sure to checkout all the deals available below.
iPhone XR -- from $166
iPhone XR Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends / Digital Trends

Read more