A series of new last-minute rumors are now surfacing suggesting the prices that Apple will offer their next-gen iPhone hardware at, and suggesting a launch date of October 14th.
9to5Mac reports that they’ve heard whispers that the iPhone 4S will start at just $99 for a 16GB model, with a 32GB model available for $199 and a 64GB model available for $299. They also state that they’re hearing that the launch will happen on October 14th. They also report that the cheaper 8GB iPhone 4 will cost just $99 on contract, and the iPhone 3GS will become free on contract.
MacDailyNews reports things a little differently, claiming that both the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5 will be released. On their scale, the 8GB iPhone 4 will be the budget model and become free on contract, the iPhone 4S will target the mid range, and the iPhone 5 will be the high-end model:
• iPhone 4, 8GB, A4, 512MB RAM, 5 MP main camera, black (GSM) – $0
• iPhone 4, 8GB, A4, 512MB RAM, 5 MP main camera, white (GSM) – $0
• iPhone 4, 8GB, A4, 512MB RAM, 5 MP main camera, black (CDMA) – $0
• iPhone 4, 8GB, A4, 512MB RAM, 5 MP main camera, white (CDMA) – $0
• iPhone 4S, 16GB, A5, 1GB RAM, 5 MP main camera, black (GSM/CDMA) – $99
• iPhone 4S, 16GB, A5, 1GB RAM, 5 MP main camera, white (GSM/CDMA) – $99
• iPhone 4S, 32GB, A5, 1GB RAM, 5 MP main camera, black (GSM/CDMA) – $199
• iPhone 4S, 32GB, A5, 1GB RAM, 5 MP main camera, white (GSM/CDMA) – $199
• iPhone 5, 16GB, A5, 1GB RAM, 8 MP main camera, (GSM/CDMA) – $199 (source unsure if this model will be offered)
• iPhone 5, 32GB, A5, 1GB RAM, 8 MP main camera, (GSM/CDMA) – $299
• iPhone 5, 64GB, A5, 1GB RAM, 8 MP main camera, (GSM/CDMA) – $399
MacDailyNews also echoes 9to5Mac’s claim of an October 14th release, which in turn agrees with my earlier prediction as well.