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wowman (82)What Does Apple’s 8GB iPhone 4 Mean for the Dual iPhone 4S/5 Rumor?
Posted by Michael Nace on Thursday Sep 29, 2011 Under iPhone 4, iPhone 5 Opinion, iPhone 5 RumorMark Gurman over at 9to5Mac posted an interesting article yesterday that revealed a new apparition in Apple’s own inventory system. As we all know from past experiences, rumors and bits of evidence like this are usually easily questioned. But 9to5Mac seems to have come across a piece of iPhone 5 intel that seems c credible.
The article concerns the appearance of new iPhone and iPod Touch devices showing up in Apple’s inventory listing. Let’s leave aside the iPod Touch evidence (we’ll leave that to the iPod Touch rumor mill to parse), and just look at what Gurman and 9to5Mac have unearthed concerning the new iPhone.
According to their article, “Even more interesting are the two new iPhone SKUs that have showed up in the system. The catch is that these two SKUs are actually marked as tweaked iPhone 4s.” It’s important to note here that Gurman isn’t talking about the “iPhone 4S” — the rumored refresh model of the iPhone — but rather iPhone 4 in the plural sense. He goes on to explain that the new SKUs indicate an 8GB iPhone 4: “The new device’s codename is N90A and this represents very minor changes from the iPhone 4 – which is the N90. In fact, this may be an iPhone 4 – an 8GB version as previously rumored. It is very possible that the two SKUs mean black and white models, but that is unconfirmed.”
This is significant, because it points to Apple reducing the iPhone 4′s memory down to 8GB, much like what they have done in the past with legacy model iPhones, in a bid to cut the price way down as well and offer prospective iPhone users a value-priced entry model. If Mark Gurman’s article is true, then we seem to be witnessing Apple falling in lock-step with what they normally do when a new iPhone comes out.
That’s iPhone — singular.
While it would be possible that Apple might feature a mid-priced, mid-featured iPhone 4S with more memory than the 8GB iPhone 4, it would stand to reason that, if Apple wanted to offer an iPhone 4 at higher storage capacity — even after the iPhone 5 is released — they would simply continue to offer the iPhone 4 as is. But this pattern is more in keeping with the status quo, as it shows that Apple wants to put a wide gap between the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 both in price and features so that there is no overlap. If the models are too close to one another, prospective users may be more apt to purchase a cheap iPhone 4 and pass over the iPhone 5.
It’s worth noting that 9to5Mac also dispels any idea that these new Apple SKUs are for the iPhone 5: “We don’t think Apple’s next-generation iPhone – coming next week — would be labeled as an N90A – as it includes major internal hardware upgrades that would typically constitute a new codename. Additionally, the iPhone codename of N94 has appeared in the iOS SDK on numerous occasions.”
To be sure, it is still possible that the iPhone 4S and 5 could be on tap for the October 4th announcement, and all we’re seeing here is the dumbed down iPhone 4. But given this move by Apple, it’s still hard (for me, at least) to imagine Apple having three iPhone models at the same time, as it would seem to potentially cause product confusion.
By Michael Nace
September 29th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
My only hope is that rumors about the 4S being for the asian market is true. If it is true them we will have:
iPhone 4: gets 8gb version for $99 with contract.
iPhone 4S: Updated iPhone 4. Only for Asian market.
iPhone 5: Same as 4S but with different design and bigger screen.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I never remember apple putting unanounced products into their inventory system before. Apple has done such a great job keeping everyone in the dark about the iPhone 5, I hope it will be worth the wait.
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September 29th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
I think we are going to see the option of buying the old iphone 4 until it is phased out, or the new iphone 4 which is an 8gb world phone and maybe has a slight upgrade with the A5 processor, but no other upgrades. The iphone 5 will be slimmer, bigger and with all the upgrades we expect. These two new phones are made to mostly integrate more carriers and not necessarily to offer a tiered pricing system. Currently we have 3g’s, 3gs’ and iphone4′s and refurbished versions of all devices, so it seems unlikely that they need to make cheaper versions of the iphone.
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September 29th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
All I’m happy about is that it is looking more and more like just a refresh is out of the question, and we are getting one hell of an iPhone 5.
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September 29th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Michael, I’m not sure if you’ve already seen the physical prototype of the i5 over on Macrumors or 9to5mac but i’ve posted the link here. This thing not only looks legit but is mouth-watering to say the least. Check it out! http://www.giga.de/benm/2011/09/29/iphone-5-this-is-our-design-prototype/
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September 29th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
I saw the prototype, looks pretty sweet, I’d definitely buy if it looked like that, the iPhone 4 design is awesome but I have the feeling Apple has something even more awesome up their sleeves…or up their tree.
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September 29th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Came in to post the German prototype too. That’s almost exactly what I am hoping for.
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September 29th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Just to clarify regarding this new image of the iPhone 5: “prototype” = rendering, or “mock-up.”
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September 29th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
Hi Michael, from what they said on their site, it’s not a rendering, it’s an actual physical model – a bit like the concept cars that sometimes appear at motor shows (sans engine and working bits). But it’s a pretty sweet model.
I’ve been thinking more about that Assistant rumour. If it’s true then it negates the need for larger and larger screens – it’s trying to type on a small screen that is such a PITA. If the Assistant turns out to be useful, then we won’t be typing much on the screen. At the other end of the extreme, they’ve been pushing this on the Google Ap, which seems to default to wanting me to speak a search term (rather than typing it in), but then locks up my 3G trying to process all that information. If the iPhone 5 really (I mean REALLY) can interpret my speech, then I won’t need a big screen.
This may be another case where Apple doesn’t listen to what we say we want, but thinks ahead of that and creates something that turns out to be what we would have wanted if we could have conceived of it.
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September 29th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
That’s why I said rendering/mock-up. My point is that this isn’t Apple’s prototype — it’s their prototype, based on everything they’ve read from the rumor mill.
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September 29th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
Looks really good but I kinda now as I think of it want something different from my iPad and an iPod… But that’s not a bad thing…
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September 29th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
BGR’s reporting that ATT’s inventory system has been leaked, here’s the link:
http://www.bgr.com/2011/09/29/iphone-5-case-mate-cases-appear-in-att-inventory-system/
Showing iPhone 5 Case-Mate cases
At this point, reading any rumor makes me laugh because it’s either so far fetched or so close to being real that it’s just hilarious that everyone’s trying to figure this whole thing out and not just waiting until Tuesday lol (me included….)
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September 29th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
SpasticPat, thanks for posting that link. Yet another screen shot report that BGR takes at face value. My only response to it is this.
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September 29th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
http://www.gsmarena.com/this_really_looks_like_the_next_iphone_for_real_video-news-3198.php
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September 29th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
yup I agree Michael, as I said, knowing that the event is 100% on Tuesday, I’m taking these types of rumors as kind of humorous, as I’ve been taking them since the first Best Buy memo a few weeks back. Just find it so funny that these carriers are so careless before a huge announcement (this is sarcasm in this last sentence
)
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September 29th, 2011 at 10:46 pm
It’s like they aren’t even trying to make it look real. They forgot the “s” in the first listing of Case-Mate. Seriously, how can someone look at that and not think it looks like a screenshot from excel or something?
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September 29th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Looks like it’s from excel…sure. But most inventory programs look that way. Still, with the misspelling I would say fake. It’s not like it’s the longest line item so they ran out of characters, which I could understand. We have had to shorthand inventory descriptions because we ran out of character space in the inventory program.
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September 29th, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Why do the fakes always have glaring errors? They make it too easy.
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September 30th, 2011 at 12:39 am
Completely off topic but still curious… what is going to happen this time next week or shortly after with this site? Just have to check back in a year for iphone6newsblog?
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September 30th, 2011 at 1:01 am
Brandon, you must not have the HUGE ad on the side of your page for the already in flux iphone6newsblog?
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September 30th, 2011 at 1:24 am
Hey, has anyone else seen this? Posted yesterday with reference to NY Times as source…pretty interesting!
http://www.redmondpie.com/iphone-5-release-with-fairly-different-design-just-weeks-away-new-york-times-report/
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September 30th, 2011 at 1:47 am
Michael, I sent you an e-mail of something I would really like you to look at. Let me know if it is up to par!
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September 30th, 2011 at 3:01 am
WOW,that “prototype” or “mock-up” is beautiful! i sure hope that is what the new iphone 4s/5 looks like,if not apple needs to give these guys a call to do the designs for the next iphone! after seeing that prototype,if the new iphone doesn’t resemble it i think i’m going to be disappointed lol my expectations are high now…especially after them saying they are 98% sure that is what the ip5 will look like.
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September 30th, 2011 at 6:05 am
But common, these mock-ups are only based on rumors, none of which are confirmed by apple. Did I miss something? Why do people believe that prototype is 98% correct? I thought we established iphone5 is going to be 3,5″ screen. And what do they base their statement aout 1GB ram on? I am sceptical, but may be I missed something?
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September 30th, 2011 at 7:06 am
i have read a german article which has a high source in apple, they says there will be two phones, but the iphone 5 16gb should be cost 999 dollar!!!
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September 30th, 2011 at 8:12 am
Vadim, that 1 GB of ram rumor has been floating around for a while now. I believe even 9to5mac posted an article saying the next iPhone would most likely have 1GB. However, I agree with you on the form factor. That mock-up is based solely on rumors and they can’t say they’re sure the next iPhone will look like that. I don’t even like the mock-up that much, but everyone’s drooling over it. Whatever Apple comes out with will be awesome, though. Only 4 more days…
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September 30th, 2011 at 8:15 am
SO…. ATT is now receiving the iphone 5 casemate (photos in hand), tapered design etc…. Would they actually ship these cases, and would ATT actually receive them if they didn’t know something? Interesting anyway…
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September 30th, 2011 at 8:32 am
I need some advice. I have an iphone 3Gs with 16GB. I have 13GB of music on it downloaded from itunes and 3GB of movies downloaded from itunes. When purchasing the new iphone, do I really need a 32GB phone especially since the new iphone will have icloud which will solve all my space problems i am guessing. I do not want to make the same mistake and purchase an iphone 4s/5 with 16GB of space and be full from the start all over again. Any ideas???
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September 30th, 2011 at 8:36 am
scott, in my opinion, i would get the 32 GB. It might be because I have 22 gigs of music, but still, you’re going to have this thing for a while and also we don’t know how well this iCloud is going to work.
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September 30th, 2011 at 8:42 am
scott,
For the 13GB of music, how is it encoded? I converted all my MP3′s to 128 ACC files long ago, and saved a few gig of space.
iTunes > Edit > Preferences > Import settings
Then you can just highlight all your music in iTunes, right click and Create ACC Version.
You probably will have the iCloud storage, as well as 2GB free on DropBox if needed.
JMO
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September 30th, 2011 at 8:46 am
I have been disapointed with iphone 4 looks when it came out, but now I think its the prettiest one out there. So whatever apple comes out with will probably grow on me in the same way…..cant wait…must resist the wish to freeze myself….Butters lets go!!!
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September 30th, 2011 at 9:00 am
upon further review, there have been past instances where cases were delivered for apple products that never came to fruition (see what I did there)… I guess the ipod touch with camera case came out, etc…
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September 30th, 2011 at 9:09 am
I like the mock up a lot actually didn’t think I would at first but it’s actually quite nice. I just hope it does not have that back, I hope they keep the glass back because I would be utterly embarrassed to pull that thing out of my pocket but I guess a case would clear up that problem. Unfortunately I’m not a case kind of person lol
I’m just going to wait until Oct 4th when ALL these rumors are laid to rest. I think that’s everyone’s best bet.
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September 30th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Here’s an official AT&T pic of them new iPhone:
http://telephoneart.com/antique/we_10.jpg
and you can tell that it’s real, because there is no Apple logo on it. Apple is too smart for that.
You heard it here first, folks…
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September 30th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Vadim, nothing is established about the phone. Like you mentioned it’s established that it will have a 3.5″ screen? That’s as unestablished as this prototype is. In fact I would say the consensus opinion is the phone will have a larger screen, even if it’s only a 3.7″.
But we don’t know that either. As Ygritte would say, we know nothing.
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October 1st, 2011 at 1:01 am
The prototype by giga.de is quite interesting and appealing but it looks too familiar considering similar designs by Samsung nag LG in their current phone lineup.
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October 1st, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Can we tell based on ipad2 specs what is the faster processor? A5 or the processor in the Samsung S2
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October 4th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
NOT INPRESSED
I think i can speek for a lot of apple lovers as i am a apple lover myself. i am disapointed with this phone i have had everything from apple from there pcs to there phones and would fight there corner against windows, andorid and blackberry etc. but please what is this i am from the uk and contract prices are high which i dont mind paying £50 a month plus adding on my internet browsing and VAT lol and i dont mind paying £200 for the best handsets on the market, but not when the market is still so close and there are phones on the market with the same specs. like dare i say it the samsung galaxy s2 which in the uk is free and from £28 a month for the same spec, and the lg optimax with a full 3d screen. Not that i want to go for these makes but add up the cost to the insides and what you get….
I have been waiting for this for a while now and thought that apple with all there secrets may of had something up there sleves but no i was wronge they give us cloud which sounds great more stuff to connect to the internet for, and also a hd 1080p camara which yh is good but not really worth the price i already have a hd camara at home and thats that.
I am sure that the iphone 4s will work briliant as all there stuff dose and i no i was hopeing for an iphone 5 but there is noting new to see here. They have done what anyone else could of done in a day (o yh just change this and this and call it a 4s) but what happened to the child makeing the phone amazing with super hardware blowing us away like the iphone 3, 5 years more advanced than any other mobile or cell out there. There add in the uk for the iphone 4 saying that “this is just the beging” dosent quite cut it and there stock shairs reflect that lol. I do just feel alittle sorry for tim cook the new CEO as i personly dont think he wil be geting much credit for this. but what the hell have those designers been doing smockin crack lol..
well if you managed to read all my babaling send me some feed back whether you agree or disagree to what i am saying or just to put a bit of faith back in apple again many thank for reading
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October 4th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
The Iphone 5 is coming out in about a month supposably!!!! I can’t wait! it’s an improvement on the worlds best phone!!
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October 4th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Check out my review on the phone! there is a picture of what it it supposed to look like. its almost half as thin and yes the screen is the 3.5.
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November 15th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
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November 27th, 2011 at 6:24 am
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