Apple Asian suppliers have begun manufacturing a cheaper version of iPhone 4 with an 8-gigabyte flash memory (8GB), according to two unnamed sources.
Flash memory for the iPhone 4 8GB is being made by a Korean company, said one of the people on Tuesday, declining to identify the company.
Apple currently gets its flash memory of Japan's Toshiba and Samsung Electronics of South Korea.
The sources declined to be identified because the information has not been made public. Apple, which requires high levels of secrecy and security to its suppliers and employees, declined comment. Neither Samsung declined to comment.
The iPhone 4 today was first launched in June 2010 with 16GB and 32GB versions, and in April joined a white version to the range. The 8GB version is expected to be launched within weeks, sources said.
Some analysts said the iPhone 4 8GB cheaper could help bolster Apple's sales in emerging markets.
"Apple may want to enter the emerging markets sector, where customers want to change smartphones of lower-middle range to high-end phones, which typically cost 150 to 200 dollars," said Bonnie Chang, an analyst at Yuanta Securities.
"But I think for 4 8GB iPhone price is unlikely to drop below $ 200, so Apple still need a completely new phone with basic features for emerging markets, "he added.
In addition to the launch of four smaller iPhone, Apple is targeting a launch in late September, five new-generation iPhone, a source said, confirming earlier reports on Apple blogs and pages published by sector Internet.
The new iPhone, which some call the iPhone 4S their appearance almost identical to the current iPhone 4 will have a larger touch screen, a better antenna and an 8 megapixel camera, said one of those anonymous sources.
Two manufacturers of the iPhone 5 have been told to prepare for a production capacity of up to 45 million units in total. The phone will manufacture Hon Hai and Pegatron, the source added.
Apple sold 20.34 million iPhones in the second quarter compared with figures estimated 17 million to 18 million, and is increasingly looking to Asia to boost future earnings.
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