Lev Lazinskiy

Smartphone Wars Continue: Apple to Release iPhone “Nano”

update 6/11/2024: this is a post from a blog that I contributed to in 2011 called TechHacking, it shut down eventually but I was happy to be able to find some of my work through the internet archive.

The Wall Street Journal confirmed that Apple will in fact be releasing a new version of the iPhone which is much smaller and cheaper than the current iPhone 4 model. It has been quite a week for smartphones. With Nokia announcing their new partnership with Microsoft, Android slowly chipping away at the smartphone market, HP announcing a new tablet to compete with the iPad, and now Apple creating a smaller version of the iPhone, the future is certainly exciting for the world of smartphones.

Apple will be releasing this new version of the phone as early as this summer, however, it is unclear which cell phone providers will be available for the device. Since the phone is intended to be a smaller cheaper version of the iPhone, it is possible that the phone may even be free with a contract. The code name for this device is N97, and according to the Wall Street Journal it is expected to retail for half the price of the current iPhone. At this time the iPhone 4 retails for $625, and through subsidies individuals are able to purchase it for as low as $199. The same may be true for the iPhone Nano.

The recent influx of cheap Android phones has swept the smartphone market, and Apple wants to get in on the action. The iPhone is responsible for 39% of Apple’s earnings, and since they recently released the iPhone 4 on Verizon that number is likely to go up. At the same time the competition is getting more fierce each day. This new version of the iPhone will allow Apple to reach into corners of the market that they did not have access to in the past.

Apple is consistently staying one step ahead of the market with all of their devices. I expect that the release of this newer version of iPhone will be no different. Although it may be smaller, cheaper, and more accessible than the iPhone 4 – do not underestimate Apple’s ability to innovate, inspire, and amaze. Looking forward to seeing this soon.