Analyst: Low priced Apple iPhone mini or Apple iPhone Air coming this year

Amid a report showing images said to be the Apple iPhone 5S, a research analyst has some information about a lower priced model of the iconic smartphone expected out later this year. According to Topeka Capital's Brian White, the Cupertino based tech titan will release what he believes will be called the Apple iPhone mini or the Apple iPhone Air. White expects pricing to be as low as $250-$300 unsubsidized compared to the $649 off-contract price for the 16GB Apple iPhone 5.

According to White, the low-cost Apple iPhone would be a big boon for the company in China where it can compete against homegrown models, like ones made by Xiaomi that offers high-end features for a mid-range price ($320 USD). The Apple iPhone mini or Apple iPhone Air will also help Apple better compete in emerging markets like Brazil, Russia and India. The device would have lower margins than the full priced Apple iPhone although when sold in volume, the margins would be above the corporate average. More importantly, White says that a low-cost version of the iPhone would allow Apple to finally get a device on China Mobile's lineup. Up to now, Apple has been unable to crack the lineup of the world's largest carrier due to compatibility issues with the proprietary 3G pipeline used by China Mobile and other issues.

The analyst says that the low-priced version of the Apple iPhone could be launched as soon as this coming June. White's information seems to dovetail with other reports indicating that both an Apple iPhone 5S and Apple iPhone 6 will be released this year. Before Monday's leak of what allegedly are photos of the upcoming iPhone 5S, we showed you pictures of what are believed to be some of the parts that will be included inside the Apple iPhone 5S and Apple iPhone 6.

source: Forbes