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February 5, 2008

ipod

Apple inflates capacities on iPhone, iPod touch

Posted Feb. 5, ’08, 6:15 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | iPod

iPod/iPhoneYou want capacity? We’ve got capacity. The Apple Store has been updated this morning with new models of the iPhone and the iPod touch. The iPhone has added a long-awaited 16GB model at the top end of the line, costing $499 (the same price, we’ll note, as the 4GB model at the time of its introduction). The iPod touch, meanwhile, has added a 32GB model, also for $499.

So two new models, same price point, but one has double the capacity of the other. Seems like Apple’s trying to avoid sales cannibalization. It’s not terribly surprising to see a capacity bump like this, though it is less than a month after Macworld. The one thing that this does bode well for is the drop in flash memory prices. It is, after all, less than a year since its introduction and the iPhone has quadrupled the amount of storage available for the same price. And 32GB for the touch is finally a capacity that’s more reasonable for such a high-end device. Of course, both units come with the latest 1.1.3 software.

So commence the whining from those who bought recently bought their 8GB iPhone and 16GB touch. We know: love hurts. Especially when it’s Apple’s love.

[hat tip: Milind]


8 Comments

jayH said:

i'll wait until the eliminate the 8gb iPhone and reduce the price on the 16gb to $399 to buy a new one lol

February 5, 2008 7:26 AM
Joel said:

eh, at least they didn't drop the price on the 8gb model. I wouldn't have paid over $300 in either case. So... things could have been worse

February 5, 2008 7:29 AM
DonH said:

"..commence the whining"? There wouldn't have been such an outcry if Apple would have included a higher capacity model when they dropped prices.

Most consumers are reasonable and fully expect prices to come down however, just not in a few months.

February 5, 2008 8:22 AM
Chris said:

I'm not upset at all. I've had my 8GB iPhone for almost six months, I was surprised when they didn't come out with a 16GB right before Christmas.

February 5, 2008 8:48 AM
jasmith33 said:

I waited until right after the keynote to buy my 8gb iPhone - I was hoping for a capacity bump then, but when it didn't come I assumed it was a good time to go ahead and buy one.

February 5, 2008 9:17 AM
Corpmac said:

The new models aren't available in the UK yet- I wonder why that is? I speculated over on my blog corpmac.co.uk about this - there simply may be a delay in updating the UK store - or more seriously, we know that the phone hasn't been selling as well in the UK and Europe as predicted - so they may be delaying the 16Gb model's introduction here to allow inventory of the 8Gb model to clear down a bit. I hope that's not the case.

Alan.

February 5, 2008 9:57 AM
Ward Author Profile Page said:

While I would have liked to have had the opportunity to buy the 16 GB model, it's not a big deal.

No reason to upgrade my current 8 GB one until a true hardware update comes about (3G?).

February 5, 2008 11:22 AM
fletcher Author Profile Page said:

I have a coveted 4GB iPhone which I got for a steal at $299. No complaints here.

It is always a good idea with Apple (or any company really) to wait three or four months before buying their products. Wait until you have a chance to see one in person in a store. Wait until they have a chance for a couple hardware revisions. Wait until the reviews come in. Wait until they ship the new model and clear out the old ones.

I would think the 8GB iPhones will be on clearance pretty soon.

February 5, 2008 11:25 AM

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