After experimenting with a marginally cheaper iPhone in 2013, Apple might be looking to move in the opposite direction for the launch of the iPhone 6. Business Insider shares some research from Jefferies & Co. analyst Peter Misek, who believes that the next generation of iPhone might be subject to a price increase.
“Our checks indicate Apple has started negotiating with carriers on a $100 iPhone 6 price increase,” says Misek. “The initial response has been no, but there seems to be an admission that there is no other game-changing device this year.”
The biggest names in Android have already released their flagship phones for the year, and although the critical response has been generally positive, no one is arguing that the Galaxy S5 or the HTC One (M8) are revolutionizing the market. Misek and other industry analysts feel that the iPhone 6 could be the last opportunity for a “game-changer” in 2014, giving Apple the chance to bump the price in return for a premium device.
Unfortunately, the quote from Misek is rather vague, failing to reference the rumored dual launches of 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhones this fall. The $100 price increase could be in reference to the phablet-sized phone, falling in line with similar phablet prices from other phone makers.
If Apple is looking for a rebound from last year’s iPhone 5c anticlimax, a premium iPhone 6 might be the way to do it.
