Will The iPhone 5 Replace The iPod Touch For Good?

At the moment, the iPhone is an expensive smartphone to own, with a price point of $649 for the 16GB model alone in the US. According to an interesting tidbit by TUAW, and its just a thought, do you think the next gen iPhone might replace the iPod touch?

Its somewhat interesting to note, but according to iSuppli, the parts combined together to manufacture the iPhone 4 cost a little under $188, which is of course under the retail price for which the 8GB iPod touch sells in the market currently. Moreover, we also heard quite some time back that Apple might be working on a cheaper and more affordable version of the iPhone according to Apple’s COO Tim Cook, could it be the iPhone 5? And to blow the lid off, there aren’t any hints of next gen iPod touches in iOS 5 beta! Did they just disappear into thin air? And its surprising to note that Apple might announce the iPhone 5 in Fall, which is the same time when Apple announce their new and upgraded iPod lineup. Here are a few interesting points that TUAW have put together, don’t take them too seriously though:

1. 1. According to iSuppli, “The components that make up the 16 GB iPhone 4 cost just under $188.” That of course should be taken with a grain of salt.
   2. Production of the iPhone 5 allegedly begins in July, with a launch in September — traditionally the time Apple unveils new iPod hardware.
   3. iOS 5 will debut in the fall, and major iOS releases tend to come alongside new iPhone hardware.
   4. Thus far, there is no mention of new iPod touch hardware in the iOS 5 betas.
   5. The next-gen iPhone has reached final testing stage, destined for a September launch. With the exception of an A5 processor and possibly a universal GSM/CDMA design for its 3G hardware, it is expected to be substantially similar to the iPhone 4.
   6. Unlocked iPhones are finally available in the US.
   7. Recently unearthed evidence in the iOS 5 beta suggests the iPhone 5 will use the same 5 megapixel camera as the current iPhone 4 rather than the 8 megapixel camera suggested by rumors earlier this year, suggesting Apple is focused on cutting production costs.
   8. This year, Apple’s Back-to-School promotion will offer a $100 iTunes gift card instead of a free iPod touch as in previous years.

The points are very interesting to note when you go through them, and even for a second our editorial was confused when we read them and thought for a second, “is Apple really going to kill the iPod touch for the iPhone 5?”. In our opinion, the answer is a straight forward no for a variety of reasons. Apple doesn’t want to kill their music business in any way, the success of the iPod touch and every other iPod is mind boggling, and abandoning the whole lineup would be suicide. But yet again, an iPhone 5 priced at $199 or a little above that will be a huge treat for everyone! And its due noting that in the US alone, the 16GB model is available on AT&T and Verizon on contract for just $199 as well. In any case, we would take this whole report as a grain of salt. But, at the same time, we would love to hear your comments on the whole article, what do you think? The iPhone 5 will replace the iPod touch?

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