AfterDawn: News

'iPhone Nano' rumors are back

Bloomberg has brought back the age-old rumor of a smaller 'iPhone Nano' being in the works, one that will also sell for cheaper than the current iPhones.

Sources have already seen the prototype, and claim Apple will make it available on multiple wireless networks.



Although they would never announce it publicly, the sources say CEO Steve Jobs is afraid of losing market share to Android, and a cheaper iPhone would widen its appeal to those that may be on the fence about a smartphone, or those in developing nations.

Android currently controls 32.9 percent of the global smartphone market, compared to Apple's 16 percent.

Apple's new device will sell for $150-$200 with contract, will be 30 percent smaller than the current iPhone 4, and will remove the Home button. Additionally, Apple wants to add a "universal SIM" slot which will work for many GSM networks.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Feb 2011 17:18

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• 7 comments

• ZeusAV

  If Steve Jobs really was concerned with marketshare then he would go ahead and release the iPhone for all four major US Carriers. The biggest reason Android was able to thrive and grow is because Apple restricted its device one network (AT&T). People who needed an alternative turned to Google and their Android platform that is open to ALL major carriers.

  11.2.2011 17:51 #1

• snardos

  $150-$200 with contract? I just paid $200 for my new android phone with no contract. I can't believe people actually sign a contract to get ripped off every month and then still fork over hundreds of dollars for the phone.

  11.2.2011 18:49 #2

• biglo30

  Originally posted by ZeusAV: If Steve Jobs really was concerned with marketshare then he would go ahead and release the iPhone for all four major US Carriers. The biggest reason Android was able to thrive and grow is because Apple restricted its device one network (AT&T). People who needed an alternative turned to Google and their Android platform that is open to ALL major carriers. Yup its about time they realize this and release different iphone versions.
  

  11.2.2011 19:02 #3

• Xplorer4

  Originally posted by snardos: $150-$200 with contract? I just paid $200 for my new android phone with no contract. I can't believe people actually sign a contract to get ripped off every month and then still fork over hundreds of dollars for the phone. It may be on all 4 carries now, but keep in mind it was less then one year ago that ATT opened up to android. I am an Android user but when you look at it, ATT has played little part in the android market until recently. Even then most of ATT's Androids are mid-level devices. So ATT Android users likley make up a small piece of the android user base.

  12.2.2011 04:00 #4

• blueboy09

  That why Apple will never really gain the upper hand in the share market, IMO. Notice than Android is on all 4 carriers (AT&T announcing just recently they want Android as well), so their is a difference when you have a closed platform vs. an open platform, even if it means that Android will still have to use anti-virus programs because they're open. Apple, eat your heart out, Android is here to stay, and I'm not the only one who shares this sentiment either!!
  

  Chance prepares the favored mind. Look up once in a while and you might learn something. - BLUEBOY

  12.2.2011 13:04 #5

• xaznboitx

  Originally posted by snardos: $150-$200 with contract? I just paid $200 for my new android phone with no contract. I can't believe people actually sign a contract to get ripped off every month and then still fork over hundreds of dollars for the phone. Is android phone better than neno?
  
  
  

  13.2.2011 19:02 #6

• tatsh

  Meh, Apple wanted to share with other carriers however, they wanted to ensure that the other carriers would NEVER touch iOS. I have no problem with that. iOS is something I would absolutely hate if it were filled with craptastic banners/wallpaper/splash screen of my wireless provider. AT&T agreed they would not interfere with the iPhone and just carry the device as it is. Only recently did Verizon make the same agreement.
  
  Verizon is extremely guilty of the above, including on Blackberry devices. They have also done things in the past like remove wifi ability from phones, for no reason other than to force you to use your data plan if you must retrieve data on the phone.

  13.2.2011 19:24 #7