With rumors of the debut of a low-cost iPhonebeginning to swirl, it’s important for iPhone developersto 
assess what it would mean to them. The rumors are currently suggesting an iPhonemodel with less storage than previous iterations of the device. This new model would rely on Apple’s cloud storageservices for its data needs; music, photos and other media would be saved to and pulled from the cloud in lieu of being saved to the device. Anyone running or working for an iPhone development companyshould be paying close attention to what Apple unveils in the coming months.
For iPhone developers, one thing to make note of is that a low-cost version of the smartphone means more users to market appsto. Currently, the biggest hurdle to owning an iPhoneis the cost. If Apple were to release an iteration of its model that could be afforded by a less well-off segment of customers, it would potentially mean millions of new users flocking to iOS. Apple would finally have a device to compete with the lower-end Android devicesthat are currently available. For an iPhone development companythat also develops for Android, it would likely mean that they need to consider shifting resources to iOS development. By taking this step, iPhone developerswould avoid missing out on a massive wave of potential new customers.
Another thing to keep in mind is that a low-cost iPhonedoesn’t just mean more users. It means more users who otherwise couldn’t afford to purchase one of Apple’s phones. These same users are also much more likely to prefer free appsover paid ones. Since the Apple App Storecurrently has a strong focus on paid apps, this could mean a chance for an iPhone development companyto steal market share. By releasing ad-supported alternatives to paid apps, iPhone developerscould cash in on a new market segment that inherently prefers free apps.
The prospect of a low-cost iPhoneis certainly interesting to consider. The move makes sense for Apple because it would help stop some of the bleeding that has been caused by Android over the last year. Almost any iPhone development company would be sure to appreciate this, as it means a larger market share. On the other hand, it also means deviating from a strategy of releasing only one model at a time – something that has worked out extremely well for Apple over the last four years.