Apple Negotiating $100 iPhone 6 Price Increase With Carriers, Analyst Says

Apple has opened talks with carriers over a $100 iPhone 6 price increase, analyst Peter Misek of Jefferies claims (via StreetInsider). Apparently, the initial response from carriers was that they didn’t want to hear about any price increases, but the analyst believes this is about to change in view of the iPhone 6’s “game-changer” aspect. Misek goes as far as claiming that Apple may be able to obtain at least some of the proposed increase, which obviously would help the iPhone maker’s gross margin.

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“The possibility may at first seem far-fetched in light of investor concerns regarding possible carrier subsidy and handset price cuts due to smartphone saturation and lack of differentiation,” Misek comments. “But we think this general lack of differentiation could be the reason why Apple may be able to get a price increase. Carriers realize that the iPhone 6 will likely be the only headline-worthy high-end phone launched this year and that they will lose subs if they do not offer it.”

Earlier last year, Susquehanna analyst Chris Caso took several factors into consideration and claimed the larger-screen iPhone 6 would cost up to $100 more.

Apple is projected to ship the iPhone 6 later this year, in September, but the rumour mill suggests there will be another device in the fourth calendar quarter as well. There are whispers about a 4.7-inch iPhone launching this fall and bigger, 5.5-inch models being released later, or maybe early next year.

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