Apple sells the 3GS for $199 (16GB) and $299 (32GB) while offering a discounted $99 pricing on the iPhone 3G. But here we have rumors of Apple preparing a 8GB 3GS for a January release are back again. Sparking off the rumors this time is a German iPhone buyer who ordered a refurbished 8GB iPhone 3G and found the box stating the device as a “iPhone 3GS”. Though the model no and part no labeled on the iPhone was of the 3G, there was mention of 3GS elsewhere in the packaging. We might well see this coming true at the rumored January event where Jobs is said to be preparing the iSlate for launch.
This makes sense with competition coming up with good enough devices like the Motorola Droid, Xperia X10 and Nexus One giving a boost to the iPhone competitors community. Further Nokia, Palm and Motorola would also announce their upcoming lineup in January. There were wide concerns that the iPhone 4th Generation might be too late in June 2010, and 3GS would lose significant market share with competitors throwing in break through devices. However, a 8GB 3GS at $99 can steal the show and give enough boosts to iPhone sales to hold it for a few more months.
Another way of looking at this can be the global market. The iPhone proves to be quite expensive in countries like China and India. A 8GB version would help Apple make the 3GS somewhat more affordable. So is Apple launching a 8GB 3GS in India?