Everyone is talking about the iPhone being available as a pre-paid option on Sprint through Virgin Mobile on 29th June. While this is big news and we’ve already seen the impact it will have with Cricket already offering the phones from as low as $499 without a contract, some are saying that may also signal the imminent release of the next iPhone, the iPhone 5.
Does the pre-paid iPhone launch on June 29 signify the imminent release of iPhone 5?
With Virgin Mobile and Cricket Wireless bringing both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S to their pre-paid lineup, this will signify a change in mobile market as before these announcements the high end devices were only offered by the more expensive carriers. Anyone wanting an iPhone without a contract will now be able to choose an all-inclusive deal and this could work out cheaper in the long run than going with a Sprint, Verizon or AT&T two-year plan.
The iPhone 4 will be available from Virgin along with the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 4 has the price tag of $569 while the iPhone 4S will be $649. For another $35 USD users could get limited messaging along with data and those choosing to pay using direct debit will get a $5 USD discount. An extra $50 will get users unlimited call time. This will no doubt see many iPhone buyers consider moving to these smaller carriers.
While there was no mention of the iPhone 5 at the WWDC, rumour has it that we will see the announcement of the iPhone 5 soon via an event that will be dedicated just to the device. With price tags for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S having dropped with 3rd party retailers including Walmart and Target, alongside both models going pre-paid this month, it would not come as a surprise if the latest incarnation of the iPhone, the iPhone 5, was announced anytime now. Coincidentally, this week just so happens to mark the 5th anniversary of the iPhone (first iPhone rolled out end of June 2007).
What do you make of the sudden price drops and cheaper availability of the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 in the US? Could it be a sign of the iPhone 5 launch or is Apple finally interested in tapping the lower end markets?
