14 DAY TRIAL // Rumor has it that Apple is looking into launching more affordable iPhone and MacBook models later this year in an attempt to deal with criticism regarding the always-increasing prices of its products, and now it looks like these two aren’t the only affordable products in the queue.
A report from Japanese side Macotakara, which has a pretty solid track on Apple information, reveals the Cupertino-based tech giant is evaluating a cheaper version of the HomePod, the Siri-powered speaker that launched only recently and which is currently available in just three countries.
While this could indeed help Apple expand in the smart speaker market more aggressively, it’s hard to believe the company is ready to launch a new HomePod so soon, especially given the limited availability of the first generation.
On the other hand, a budget version of the speaker could sell better in emerging markets where the original HomePod wouldn’t succeed given the premium price tag, and this is exactly why Apple is said to be carefully evaluating all its options at this point.
Cheaper iPhone model
While a cheaper HomePod is still on the table, a more affordable iPhone model is all but confirmed. People familiar with the matter said the 2018 iPhone series would include a 6.1-inch device using an LCD display instead of OLED, which Apple embraced for the original iPhone X.
Face ID facial recognition will also be offered on this budget iPhone, but Apple could remove other premium features to reduce costs, including 3D Touch. This could certainly become a deal breaker for some, especially because 3D Touch has been around since the iPhone 6s, and Apple needs to find other less obvious ways to cut the cost of this iPhone should it want to succeed.
As for the price, it’s believed the new iPhone would sell for $699 in the United States, becoming the most affordable 2018 iPhone on the market.