Should Apple Launch a Cheaper Phone Like the Centro?

I was reading an article today by Don Reisinger over at Digital Home/Tech.co.uk in which Reisinger compares the Centro and the iPhone. The article is entitled, “Why Apple needs to launch a cheaper iPhone”.

” With the announcement of the Palm Centro - a $99 entry-level smartphone - young professionals and tech-savvy youth are anxiously awaiting its release. And while it may not have the broader appeal that an iPhone does, it still sports some nice features that will attract the majority of consumers on a budget.”

“But in an industry where “price maintenance” is a term that is coined by professionals and consumers, alike, has Apple missed the boat by not offering a stripped down iPhone that could compete with the Centro on price and features? “

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Posted by Jennifer Chappell on October 25, 2007 2:15 PM

Filed under News; 3rd party apps, Centro, iPhone

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Reisinger says that regardless of the Centro’s price, it is more than capable of bringing any consumer into the world of smartphones, and that with features like browsing the Web, sending and receiving emails, and its PIMs, the Cento can easily compete with the iPhone.

Reisinger also mentions the Centro having a touchscreen and full-sized keyboard, which are two features Apple has been touting since the iPhone’s announcement.

“With such a robust device being offered for practically nothing when compared to other smartphones in the market, what’s the impetus for people to save up and buy an iPhone?”

He goes on to say that the iPhone is too expensive and that Palm has found a creative way to sell phones by releasing the low priced Centro when Apple released a device that sells at a premium.

For now, the Centro also has 3rd party apps going for it, but Apple will have those soon. As well as the iPhone has been selling so far at its premium price, can you just imagine how many Apple could sell if they lower the price after the SDK is released in February? Or if they released a cheaper phone like the Centro? Man alive, the sales could skyrocket!

I think the Centro is going to sell very well. I’ve heard very few negative things about it so far. I’m still waiting on the GSM version so I can get my hands on one and start enjoying it.