New iPhones approved in capacities from 4GB up to 32GB?

4GB to 32GB -- that's one hell of a range, but we're hearing from a trusted source that new iPhones in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities just garnered approval by the PCS Type Review Certification Board, the standards body responsible for certificating handsets for use with some carriers (AT&T, for instance). If true, this would lend credence to the belief that Apple will be introducing at least two new models this summer -- ostensibly at WWDC, until we're told otherwise -- because it seems unlikely that the company would be looking to wrap high-end hardware around ridiculously light storage or vice versa. If this means AT&T's going to be able to sell sub-$100 iPhones, it reinforces a precedent set by devices like the E71x that consumers can (and should) expect hot smartphone hardware for shockingly little cash. We'll drink to that.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 1st 2009 5:03PM]

im first! woohoo

[Jeff Kibuule Posted Jun 1st 2009 5:20PM]

I'm not sure why they'd go back down to 4GB when it was obvious that people wanted more storage space. And 4GB is an absurdly low amount that hasn't been seen since Sept. 2007. With flash on the low end being as cheap as it is, 4GB compared to 8GB isn't a big enough jump in cost to say, make a phone that used to cost $199 now be sellable at $99, especially if we're going to be getting 16GB iPhones for $199 and 32GB iPhones for $299 this year.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 1st 2009 5:36PM]

I love how for 8GB of flash it will cost $100 more. What a rip off.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 1st 2009 5:24PM]

I'll drink to that only if I see them suffer the same fate as the E71x; being filled with at&t's bloatware and having things stripped out. Now there's an idea for you at&t!! Since it could only make sense that you'd have to subsidize the hell out of a 4GB model with your bloatware and the removal of certain things to get it priced cheap enough, why not offer both versions of the E71 as well since you'd be giving consumers a choice with the iPhone? Yours and the unbranded version (like a heavily subsidized 4GB iPhone and a the version you have now) and see which one people prefer when they have the ability to compare them both and now have the choice. Oh, wait, I almost forgot. Nokia isn't a long standing mobile phone powerhouse like Apple. They'll never be able to get at&t to agree to that, and Apple will never have any at&t bloatware on their devices because at&t will do anything to keep their exclusivity. Instead they'll just have it made in Malaysia, out of ultra cheap parts, so it only costs them $5/phone and then they can sell it for $100 or whatever, and when everything goes bad on them, we can just sue at&t and Apple.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 1st 2009 5:26PM]

The lower two capacities lend themselves to the 'iPhone Nano' rumors that are circulating.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 1st 2009 6:00PM]

At this point, they'll probably give the 4gb version away. Get'em hooked on that data plan!

[SoCoolCurt Posted Jun 1st 2009 6:58PM]

think of how people would flock to AT&T if they announced "get a new iPhone, free on contract. only on AT&T." people would break their necks to get one.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 1:12AM]

Man I never thought of a free iphone. But you are right the data plan would pay off in the long run for ATT and apple. Hope that doesn't mean that they will skimp on the real iphone. I think I deserve some upgraded hardware with at least the rumored specs I have seen. And please please a real keyboard...even though that is not gonna happen.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 1st 2009 10:36PM]

It is disappointing that Apple may choose to base the pricing model once again on storage. This has worked for quite some time, offering higher amounts of storage for the usual $100 more. However, now that flash memory is so inexpensive at the low end, this model really no longer applies. 8GB of flash in an iPhone should cost MAYBE $50 more at most than the 4GB. Cut the priding model steps in half and that would be acceptable (I guess). But what is NOT ok is 4GB for $99, 8GB for $199, 16GB for $299, 32GB for $399. That is just clever pricing, not fair pricing.

Want to charge more? Offer higher memory AND more value for the money. Throw in something (perhaps a dock connector perephrial?). Give a better camera. Faster processor. iPhone and iPhone Pro anyone?

This is not a sustainable model, and it has run it's course.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 7th 2009 7:33PM]

We don't know what the offerings and price points are, so that's all just speculation. Plus, the rumor is out there that the phone will have a better camera and faster processor, and I would rather see that across the entire line.

I think it would benefit customers to minimize the hardware differences which will now be at three (talking about the older iPhone, iPhone 3G, and whatever new model here), instead of adding even more with this revision. Getting more people on board with a 4 or 8gig entry model, excited and buying apps, enjoying the phone and getting into sticky contracts could be more beneficial than selling an even more expensive iPhone on the high end.

Those who hate iPhones will likely never agree with me, but I think a 8gig iPhone at $99 is a lot of phone for $99 - served me well for the first year.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 9:28AM]

Yeah fucking right. You are better off finding another phone.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 9:26AM]

I wouldn't give a fuck if they had a 1tB capacity until AT&T fixes the shoddy 3G, and the expensive ass data plan I think I will finding a new phone in Aug 2009. I am getting tired of this phone.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 11:50AM]

Remember that "expensive ass data plan" is the same "expensive ass data plan" as any smartphone on AT&T. Blackberry? Same. Windows Mobile? Same. Palm? Yep - Same.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2009 4:14PM]

It's Apple so it always cost more!