Apple is expected to announce iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C on September 10. Those who were wishing for the iPhone 5C to cost around $300 or lower may be disappointed. According to a report by 9to5Mac, the reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the iPhone 5C will cost between $400 to $500 at launch.
According to the analyst, Apple is looking to replace the iPhone 5C with the iPhone 5. The Cupterino giant will be making the iPhone 5C as a budget option for customers. Traditionally, Apple makes the the previous version of the iPhone available as a budget phone, just like how the iPhone 4S became a budget phone on contract, while making the iPhone 5 available at premium prices.
However, Apple is looking to keep the iPhone 4S in the emerging markets. Kuo also believes that Apple and China Mobile will finally reach an agreement to make the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C available on their network. This is huge for Apple as their market share has been declining in China for quite some time. Right now, it stands at under 5%.
