Cheaper, contract-free iPhones could be on way to US
It's not the first time there have been rumours or analyst opinions on a plan-free iPhone for the US.
Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi said that he expected Apple to unveil new, cheaper iPhones that would appeal to more cost-conscious consumers.
"I feel very confident there will be a lower-cost alternative," he said, implying that not only might the handset itself be cheaper, but that it could also come without a data plan and instead be usable as a "pay as you go" model, similar to what's already available in the UK and other parts of Europe (albeit with a hefty price tag).
Interestingly, he also said that "There's still a lot you can do without wireless data" which implies that such PAYG plans wouldn't include data access. This is in contrast to the non-contract options currently available in the UK, where unlimited data is available for the first year and then subsequently at £10 per month.
Users would only then be able to access the web by using a Wi-Fi connection.
In any case, many are expecting something new from Apple in the next couple of months, though some analysts have suggested that the iPhone hardware may not get such a boost as initially hoped for.
(Via Reuters)
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