KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has made a few more predictions about what we’ll see from Apple in the near future. According to a new KGI research note, Apple could potentially release cheaper versions of the iMac and iPhone 5s during its developer conference next week to accompany its software announcements.
Earlier today new references to an unreleased iteration of the the iMac appeared in an OS X developer preview, likely indicating the impending release of a new model. It’s quite possible that this could be the cheaper iMac referred to in the report. Despite the rumored upgrade, KGI has revised its iMac shipment estimates down, citing a slow PC market:
Another piece of cheaper hardware reportedly coming soon is an 8 GB version of the iPhone 5s. Apple has been selling the iPhone 5c in this capacity in some overseas markets for several months now, but at this time the 5s is only available as small as 16 GB. Kuo notes that the smaller 5s model could be designed to help the phone gain traction in emerging markets.
However, as the PC market remains sluggish, we revise down our 2014 iMac shipments forecast from 4.8mn units to 4.0-4.5mn units, even though we think a cheaper iMac can boost shipments.
The timing of the 8 GB iPhone 5s release seems a bit unusual, as Apple is widely expected to announce and release the iPhone 6 this fall. However, it’s possible that the iPhone 5s will stick around solely in an 8 GB model to help fill out the iPhone family. If that’s the case, launching the smaller iPhone 5s now could give the device some momentum to carry it into the next update cycle.
Update: The Loop’s Jim Dalrymple has weighed in on this rumor. His verdict? “Nope.”
