12/15/2008, 9:50am, EST
Monday, December 15thCase leak pointing to iPhone nano?
Apple may be close to releasing a smaller iPhone, a case leak from China suggests. Coming from the same site that accurately leaked cases for the current iPod nano and iPod touch, the shots of an XSKN case show a device which is about 20 percent shorter than the 3G model and slightly narrower; thickness is unknown but doesn't appear substantially thicker than the iPhone 3G, with which it shares its tapered design and a likely chrome bezel. The device accordingly has a smaller home button but keeps a camera and side controls for the ringer and volume.
Full features aren't disclosed, though an accompanying leak suggests the phone will drop 3G as part of its price reduction. Production is allegedly starting on December 20th with between 60,000 to 80,000 units made per day and may see Apple introduce the phone at Macworld with availability shortly afterwards.
Corroborating reports have yet to surface, though the claim partly supports a rumor of 4GB iPhones that would be sold at Walmart for $99 on contract. Concerns nonetheless exist over the viability of a smaller device, such as consistency in interface for the smaller screen and a potential smaller resolution as a result.
Such a device would be potentially very damaging to both Palm and Research in Motion, both of whom have so far been able to count on lower-cost devices like the Centro and discounted BlackBerry Curve and Pearl, all of which significantly undercut the iPhone 3G's base $199 asking price.
The rumor also mentions that Apple may also choose to introduce a redesigned iPod shuffle, though the device was just given a new color range in September.
Filed under: iPhone, mobile phones, Apple
Other story tags: Walmart
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iphone? more likely ipod.
doesn't it seem far more likely that this would be a case for a ipod touch nano???
if you have ever seen the internals of an iphone,
it is pretty easy to see how unlikely it is that this is a phone... think about how the battery life would suck.
Then I'd bite...
I spent a few days with a 3G phone and no data plan - yikes! I'd just as soon have a non-3G phone, shut down data and use the non-phone stuff when I'm in WiFi range. Sorta like I do now with an iPod Touch and a regular Cell phone but on one unit.
shuffle
I am still waiting for the iPhone Shuffle ;)
not a touch
there is a camera.
not a touch
there is a camera.
$99?
The only way you are going to get a $99 iPhone is if Walmart were indeed subsidizing the device....and what benefit would they get by doing that? Not like you are signing a 2 year contract with Walmart.
This whole $99 Walmart iPhone still sounds like bunk to me.
Well
It looks like an iPhone, so it must be for an iPhone!
It certainly couldn't be a case for some knock-off device! Not from China!
Has to be a phone
There's a cutout for the ear speaker.
My guess? This phone no phone data support. It's like an ipod touch with the ability to do voice calls.
Plans start at $40 rather than todays $70 (which breaks down as $40 $30 extra for the data).
With a $40 plan this will be far more affordable.
Re: Has to be...
But why go to the expense of creating a whole new product line and market, when they could just as easily sell the current iPhone without a data plan.
Because if you got an iphone without the data plan, and then decided "Wow, I just can't live without instant always on internet access without having to go to a local hotspot!" and just add the plan.
With a different phone, you have to exchange out the phone for another one, spend even more money, and tack a couple of years onto your contract.
Come Onnnn...
... Pay-As-You-Go with Wifi! Cross them fingers!