There have been a lot of rumours flying around suggesting that the new iPhone 8 might be the most expensive phone that Apple has ever released. Numerous analysts have predicted that it will be a ‘premium’ device that would cost upwards of $1,000 in the home country.
These claims have been furthered in a recent report that came out this week. It noted that Apple’s first OLED iPhone might, in fact, start at just a fraction below the four digit figure threshold.
Brian X Chen, in a column for The New York Times, quoted anonymous sources, which revealed the among Apple’s refreshed iPhones next month will be a “premium model” device that will be priced at $999. The column reads, “Chief among the changes for the new iPhones: refreshed versions, including a premium model priced at around $999, according to people briefed on the product, who asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak publicly.”
It added, “Apple made room for a bigger screen on that model by reducing the size of the bezel — or the forehead and the chin — on the face of the device. Other new features include facial recognition for unlocking the device, along with the ability to charge it with magnetic induction, the people said.”
John Gruber of Daring Fireball also believes that Chen’s sources to be correct and according to him as well, the prices of iPhone 8 will indeed start from $999 with higher storage capacity models at $1099 and maybe another at $1199. The price points could correspond with 64GB, 256GB and 512GB respectively.
Another reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the OLED iPhones will cost more than $1,000. An inside source that spoke to Fast company recently also had to say the same thing.
Previous predictions made by analyst Simona Jankowski of Goldman Sachs, also noted the iPhone 8 would be available in 128GB and 256GB capacities for $999 and $1099 respectively. However, these prices are true only for the U.S currently, and it is unclear if it will reflect in other countries.
In India, iPhone 7 was launched at a starting price of Rs. 60,000 for 32GB model. The same model retails in the US at USD 649 (plus taxes). Going by the same logic, we expect the 999 USD iPhone 8 to be priced at Rs. 75,000 at least.
Features like the OLED display, new biometric feature, camera improvements (including a 3D sensing capability) and inductive wireless charging are believed to have driven up the price. Many experts are also assuming that Apple would be pitching the OLED display as either as a luxury item or a pro level device or probably a mix of both.
Although, nothing will be confirmed till Apple makes an official announcement at the September iPhone launch event. All sources are pointing to a very expensive iPhone 8, which might be a tough sell in price sensitive market like India.