Apple wants carriers and retailers in Australia to lift the subsidised price of their new iPhone 6 when it is launched later this year.
The device which is said to be larger than current model iPhones, Apple claims that this justifies a “price rise”.
Apple has been asking carriers in the USA and in Europe for approval to raise the base subsidized price of the iPhone 6 from $199 to $299 according to Jefferies analyst Peter Misek. The carriers have allegedly balked at the idea so far.
Analysts claim that Apple could potentially justify the increase due to the phone’s bigger size; it’s unclear in fact if the hike would apply to the 4.7-inch model or the 5.5-inch one, since Misek refers to just one iPhone 6. Many shoppers would likely assume a 5.5-inch phone would be more expensive.
Twice claims that If it fails to get a $100 increase Apple might still be able to persuade carriers to compromise, for instance accepting $50 “That could make the iPhone a tougher proposition for the public” the publication said.
The iPhone is already an unusually expensive smartphone, particularly unlocked.
