14 DAY TRIAL // Deutsche Bank analyst, Chris Whitmore issued a note to clients today outlining the possibility of seeing not one, but two new iPhones launched this September.
He said the time was right for Apple to try and break new ground - the consumer-level or mid-range smart-phone market.
"With Nokia and RIMM struggling, the time is right for Apple to aggressively penetrate the mid range smart-phone market (i.e. $300-500 category) to dramatically expand its [total addressable market] and market share," he writes, according to a report on Fortune.
Whitmore theorizes that an iPhone 4S that is unlocked out-of-the box and priced around $349 would "drive significantly greater penetration" into an addressable market.
Another key factor for success would be if the phone comes with a pre-paid voice plan.
Unlike other analysts, Whitmore does not cite any industry source when making his predictions, nor does he claim any inside knowledge.
It is interesting, as well as comforting, to see that at least one analyst is doing his job of actually analyzing a situation based on what’s going on in the marketplace, rather than sniff around for potential leaks only to utter speculative, so-called 'investor' notes.
Wall Street analysts have beaten the bush on multiple occasions trying to predict Apple’s next move with no avail.
And while Whitmore himself could be wrong, Apple is likely launching at least one new iPhone this fall.
The device would arrive in tandem with the already confirmed iOS 5 and iCloud suite of Internet services that replaces MobileMe.
An iPhone 5 is the most likely candidate for this September’s Apple announcements. The handset is expected to pack the A5 chip currently found in Appe’s iPad 2, enhanced cameras, a not-too-bold change in design (if any) and a rumored additional LED flash.