14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has set its mind to kill the plastic-built iPhone 5c, reducing the iPhone lineup to just three models, unless it plans to introduce a successor in the form of iPhone 6c. Which is unlikely for multiple reasons.
Introduced alongside the iPhone 5s last year, the “unapologetically plastic” iPhone 5c probably ran its course long before Apple notified its suppliers in the Far East that production will soon come to an end. According to Taiwanese media, the company did just that, telling suppliers Foxconn and Wistron that the 5c will soon be out of their hair.
Not nearly as popular as other iPhones
Apple never set its mind to conquer the smartphone world with the plastic-built iPhone 5c. At best, it aimed to boost sales by offering a cheaper alternative to the high-end iPhone 5s. In reality, the 5c was but a repackaged iPhone 5. Customers took note of that and didn’t fall for the colorful marketing.
Apple nevertheless did post record iPhone sales in 2013, but chances are it had little to do with the introduction of the cheaper model. Which, by the way, isn’t so cheap. With an 8GB storage capacity, two year-old specs and a $450 (€399) price tag, it’s hardly a poor man’s alternative. Which is probably the #1 reason why it’s getting discontinued.
Another reason could be to iron out the discrepancies between models. All of the new iDevices now have Touch ID fingerprint sensors and people seem to be going after the bigger screens. iPhone 5s will be more than enough to fulfill demand for a smaller display coupled with the benefits of a new-generation model, including fingerprint authentication.
iPhone 6c? Probably not
Since the 5c didn’t exactly sell like hot cake, Apple shouldn’t be too incentivized to build another “cheap” iPhone next year. Which means the company will probably march forward with its existing two models, giving them both the incremental “S” designation, or perhaps another dubbing.
In fact, it would be wise for Apple to alter the pattern before it gets stale. Tim Cook's organization used to be regarded as a disrupting force in the tech industry, not one whose moves are more predictable than planetary motion. And let's not forget all the unstoppable leaks. Sure, we like them just as much as the next person. But it says a lot about Apple's grip on the industry these days.
The iPhone continues to be regarded as a high-end smartphone even in its low-end configurations. Apple tried to change that and the results spoke for themselves. And if they do decide to go with plastic again, it would be wise to throw in some extras, or drop the price considerably.
