Apple's cheaper iPhone

Zane Muzzillo

Staff Writer

Apple is losing some of the smartphone market to Samsung, HTC, and LG because of the sheer number of low to high end mobile devices now being produced. According to Pocketnow.com, a tech review site, in 2012 Apple sold 43.7 million mobile phones which is nearly ten million less than Samsung who sold 53 million. So, what’s Apples solution to this decline?

The new iPhone is supposed to have polycarbonate shell which would lower the price. Polycarbonate is a shatter proof and thin form of plastic, which would make the next iPhone lighter and more durable. It has not been officially announced, but rumors have been leaked to sites like Pocketnow.com and ilounge.com since January 9, 2013. Apple is trying to appeal to customers who want an iPhone, but do not want to spend $200.

The lower end iPhone is supposed to be much thicker than the iPhone 5, iPhone 4s, and iPhone 4. The curved back is rumored to return except this time it will be made out of polycarbonate, not metal. The phone will supposedly have a slower processer to lower the price, but will include the same retina display.

According to Pocketnow.com, this lower end iPhone will most likely be made in the U.S. This will benefit to both U.S. residents and Apple itself because the company will not have to pay a tax tariff or shipping costs to ship their products from China to America, which will ultimately lower the cost for the company and the average consumer. When Apple brings its production to America, thousands of Americans will be hired. According to Marketingcharts.com “six in 10 Americans have an increased likelihood of purchase when a product is presented as made in America,” which can help Apple to gain more American support and provide them with an opportunity to reclaim the cell phone market from their competitors.