Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) recently expanded the budget friendly iPhone 5C in six more countries including Italy, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, and Belgium. The online retail stores for all six markets now show the iPhone 5C available for purchase and shipping.
Apple expands iPhone 5C offerings in select markets
Last month, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) launched the lower capacity iPhone 5C in Germany, Australia, United Kingdom, France, and China. Unfortunately, the new version isn’t available in the United States. The main reason Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is launching a cheaper version of the already low-priceed phone is because of the poor sales. However, it’s still highly unlikely sales for Apple’s budget phone will rise even with the recent unveilings.
Recently, analysts have argued the move is unlikely to make sales drive up. According to Apple Insider, “But (Gene) Munster doesn’t believe this new, lower capacity iPhone 5c will have the same level of impact this year, calling its launch “ultimately irrelevant” for the company’s June quarter. A bigger concern for him are consensus estimates for Apple’s June quarter. He said that Wall Street currently expects the company to report $38.7 billion in revenue for the three-month period, which would represent 10 percent year over year growth — a number Munster believes is too high.”
iPhone 5S still a hot seller
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s lack of success in the budget phone market doesn’t have any negative impact on iPhone 5S sales, which have been as strong as ever. This phone was quite the upgrade from the iPhone 5 with a fingerprint sensor and upscale color options. Given Apple’s history of significantly enhancing the iPhone year after year, fans have a lot to look forward to.
Current rumors involving the iPhone 6 predict even bigger changes with the upcoming iPhone 6. One particular change many fans are hoping for is an Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) phablet. Although Apple’s biggest Android rivals already tapped into the larger phone market, the Cupertino-based tech giant remains reluctant. That could change later on this year if Apple decides to step into the phablet arena.
