Wedge: Apple’s ‘iPhone 4S’ will be only new model to launch this year

By on Sep 21, 2011 at 2:50 PM
mobile September 21, 2011

Despite numerous rumors to the contrary, Apple will only launch one iPhone model this fall and it will be a modest upgrade that closely resembles the current iPhone 4. In a note to investors on Wednesday, Wedge Partners analyst Brian Blair says that Apple will hold a special event between September 28th and October 5th to unveil several new devices. Only one of those devices will be an iPhone, however, and Blair says it will be an incremental update as opposed to the redesigned iPhone 5 that has been rumored on multiple occasions. Read on for more.

“We expect the focus of the new iPhone will be iOS 5, a speedier A5 processor and a higher resolution 8 MP camera with a small possibility of a larger 4 inch screen,” Blair wrote. “We believe the casing will be largely similar to the iPhone with some particular modifications to the antennae [sic]. We don’t expect a second, dramatically different iPhone to accompany this as we don’t think Apple needs to have 3 models in the market to address the high end, mid-tier and low end since the iPhone 4 (with memory lowered to 8 GB) will drop to $99 and effectively attack those markets.”

The analyst believes that in spite of the anticipation generated over the past few months by the possibility of a redesigned iPhone 5, launching two new models wouldn’t make sense for Apple. “Why would Apple bump up only the processor specs of the iPhone 4 in addition to a newly designed iPhone 5 if the goal is to sell it into the pre-paid market at a lower cost?” Blair wondered in his note. “A 4S would simply cost more and a 4S itself wouldn’t create a mid-tier market unless it was priced at $99 and the iPhone 4 went to $49 with the new iPhone at $199. We see this scenario as unlikely.”

But Wedge Partners does expect another device to be unveiled at Apple’s upcoming event: a 3G-enabled iPod touch. Blair says the iPod’s cellular data option will work just like the iPad, allowing users to purchase data plans on a month-to-month basis with no contractual obligations. The notion of a 3G iPod touch aligns with earlier rumors.

Blair’s iPhone estimates remain at 24-25 million units shipped in Apple’s September quarter, and he sees shipments growing to 27 million units in the December quarter. Calendar-year totals will come in at 91 million units according to the analyst’s estimates, which would represent growth of 92% compared to 2010 and will include sales by new carrier partner Sprint, which he expects to sell 4.5 million iPhones over the next year. Blair thinks Apple will begin accepting pre-orders for its next-generation iPhone within days of holding its media event, which will take place on October 4th according to a recent report.

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  • NCBuckeye

    The Iphone 4 was my first apple product but if they dont release a redesigned iphone 5, Galaxy 2 here I come.

  • http://twitter.com/CLlENTAV_N3O4TT Lee Sixta

    ~~ That is the biggest bunch of CRAP, no doubt from someone just looking for the Headlines, and or trying to get  people off of waiting, to buy a unit now…..

    This idiot should be tied upuntil release date ….. ))))))

    [s]

  • Anonymous

    Dont think Apple will sell their phones any lower than 300$. And what do they know bout low end device? While every manufacturer have high end and low end devices. The only cheapest iPhone you can get from Apple is the 3GS.

  • Rudy

    So why isn’t Apple’s stock dipping?  When any Blackberry got delayed it was all hell breaking loose?  Considering they only have one phone, hell is suppose to be breaking loose…

  • ninkendo

    So would that be flame broiled then?  or did you mean stake?

  • Maxantonious

    Sure hope they at least come out with a Verizon version of the iPhone that will work overseas.  That’s what our execs are asking for and hopefully it’s soon.

    • Anonymous

      I’ve dealt with execs for years. They would ask for solid gold diamond encrusted iPhones hand delivered by high priced call girls aboard a private jet if they thought they could get them. Execs always ask for the newest and most expensive devices since the cost isn’t coming out of their pockets. Tell them that you will get them one, but they have to pay for it themselves and see how long it takes them to say “never mind”.

  • Anonymous

    This is what happens when you focus on litigation, not innovation.

  • getKaos

    If they spent 16 months between cycles and only come up with a slightly upgraded iPhone 4, I think it would be viewed as a slight failure on Apple’s part by investors as a whole.  Their window to launch a 4S was really about 6-7 months ago when they brought out the Verizon iPhone 4.  At a time when Apple has just transitioned to a New CEO/Cult Leader, it would be poor timing to drop the ball.

  • Anonymous

    Nah!
    iPhone 5 is coming.
    There’s simply no way Apple would release until October for a 4S “modest upgrade”…..
    My 2 Cents. 

  • Brian

    I agree with the article. An iPhone 5 doesn’t make sense when placed next to a 4 with near-identical specs. That said, I’d gladly buy a 4s if it gets a spec bump and a larger screen. 3.5″ is just too small for me type on so the screen will definitely be a deal-breaker.

    • Anonymous

      so if you want increased speds, Galaxy S II is that in spades – and is easily as advanced and easy to use.

  • Gregaklj

    B
    ULLSHIT

  • GinaDee

    So when T-Mobile CTO said he wasn’t getting the iP5 this year he never said he wasn’t getting the iP4gs??  Hmm.  Makes sense now.

  • Ronikaps

    Apple are heading the way BB-RIM has gone
    They just need to openly agree that they are now running out of Ideas and need to take  back seat
    Laws of Physics ; What goes UP must come DOWN

    this is the first straw in loosing battel

    • Anonymous

      Wat

  • WLS

    Everyone seems to be ignoring the latter half of the report where Blair says there will be a second device a 3G Touch!!?
      Trouble is there are no traces in the supply chain to justify that either. Is he just making this stuff up?

  • http://my2cents4theday.blogspot.com Don Williams

    He’s wrong, because Apple didn’t get where it is today, the world’s largest company, recently  surpassing Exxon by over 30 billion dollars, by being plain stupid! Apple is smart and they know that they have no choice but to not only introduce a new iPhone 5, but one that goes far-away-and-beyond anything else on the market, I just bet yah!

  • Zbsharif

    A 3G iPod touch would be the dumbest device ever…if you are willing to pay for data while also having a phone as most people do in this day and age why have two devices and spend more money…just buy an iPhone. But apple needs to allow the unlocking of their damn phones

  • Anonymous

    I have no interest in an iphone 4 with listick .   If this is true, I will definitely head for the Samsung Galaxy S II – I’m sick of waiting for a device which will not even match the specs of the Galaxy.  For those of you who have not seen one, the Galaxy S II is one sweet device and is more than comperable to the iphone – which is now just a cash cow for Apple.  Really, take your blinders off and take a look at the other greaty devices out there.

    Not waiting any more – forget it.

  • Anonymous

    i guess they ran into antennagate

  • Anonymous

    Honestly nobody gives a fck except those mac lovers who is to blind to see MACs ain’t shit along side with anything apple makes wake up to reality.

  • http://twitter.com/derrickisonline Derrick -Lex-

    ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZ

  • Anthony Siringo

    I don’t think I’m alone when I say this but, if they don’t update the  iPhone 4 to something extremely different, they are going to lose ALOT of customers. 

    Honestly I’m not buying it. Ill stick with my 3GS even longer if I have to.

  • BB Guy

    It’s always fun to read comments on BGR. Cell phone wars are srs business.

  • Michael

    Memory vs Storage. There’s a difference.

  • http://www.3220078.com Yamada

    iPhone 4 is my favorite! It is the most successful cell phone.

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