Monthly payments for iphone dearer than a car lease
Tenth anniversary mobile could have technology for wireless charging
THE new iphone due to be unveiled tomorrow is expected to be Apple’s most expensive yet, demanding bigger monthly payments than many cars.
The iphone X is anticipated to be the first mobile phone with an upfront price tag of more than £1,000, which experts say would translate into monthly payments of roughly £70 for consumers on pay-monthly contracts.
This is more expensive than many car leases. For example a 2014 1.6-litre Nissan Micra with around 20,000 miles on the clock costs around £52 a month, according to quotes from Confused. com.
With a price tag this big iphone fans will be wondering what new features will come with it. Apple’s 10th anniversary smartphone looks set to be the first to include wireless charging, a hi-tech curved display and an unusual vertical dual rear-facing camera.
It has also been rumoured to come with facial recognition, and for the first time, no home button.
Analysts and leaks suggest the iphone will come in at least three colours: white, black and copper or gold.
Wireless charging is likely to be one of the biggest technology advances, and comes after Apple famously removed the iphone 7’s headphone jack. If Apple allows true wireless charging that beams power from the socket it would be a real breakthrough. However experts believe it is more likely to offer wireless charging that requires the device to sit on an inductive pad.
In looks, the iphone could prove to be a radical departure from previous models. It is expected to have a 5.8in edge-to-edge display, meaning a bigger screen even if the handset is the same size. It is also thought that Apple might also replace the device’s aluminium back with a glass back and aluminium bumper. And for people with a poor sense of direction there are suggestions it will introduce augmented reality to guide users around towns and cities by superimposing directions onto the view through the camera.
There is some confusion over the name of the iphone. It has been referred to as both iphone 8 and iphone X – the X referring to it being a 10th anniversary edition.
The upmarket phone is expected to launch alongside new iphones 7S and 7S Plus, which are expected to be somewhat less impressive. These models, which may be available in greater numbers and earlier, are likely to be cheaper. Experts believe they could be closer to the current iphone 7 and 7 Plus prices of £599 and £719.