Apple may not have delivered a big-screen iPhone 5 on Tuesday, but the combination of a more powerful iPhone as well as price cuts to existing models could well make life even more difficult for its rivals. The new iPhone 4S with its faster processor, improved camera and Siri voice control feature will start at $199, when it goes on sale Oct. 14.
Meanwhile, it plans to continue selling an 8GB iPhone 4 for $99 and an 8GB iPhone 3GS for free, with new contracts. Also, the iPhone 4S will be coming to Sprint, meaning Android models will no longer have run of their stores and leaving T-Mobile USA as the only national carrier without an iPhone.
With a new 2-year contract, a 16GB iPhone 4S will sell for $199, while the 32GB version will sell for $299 and a 32GB model for $399. Pre-orders start on Friday and the new phone will be available Oct. 14 in US, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Japan.
Apple is also adding a second major carrier in Japan–KDDI, in addition to longtime partner Softbank.
Over 70 countries will be supported by the end of the year, Apple Senior VP Phil Schiler said, making it the fastest iPhone rollout in the company’s history. |
