Analyst Predicts 3 New iPhones by Jan ‘09; 3G, Budget and iPhone-Style Tablet

by Jody Mitoma on April 7, 2008 at 12:44 pm

PiperJaffray analyst Gene Munster recently shared his thoughts on the iPhone.

iPhone Buzz shares his predictions:

Sturdy-jawed tech tyke and PiperJaffray analyst Gene Munster has been stirring up rumors again with his latest prediction that Apple will launch a “budget” iPhone at the beginning of 2009, priced between $200 and $300, as part of a rapid expansion plan designed to drive sales over the next two year. Expecting the lower-cost model to hit stores by the end of January 2009, Munster suggests that by that point Apple will have three distinct smartphones in the iPhone range, one of which will be the 3G iPhone and another the company’s attempt to move beyond the $400 price point. It’s possible that this higher-cost iPhone could be the much-rumored iPhone-style tablet, although Munster did not suggest that in his report.

“The iPhone is the driver with the greatest potential. We believe the iPhone will replace the iPod as a driver of significant growth for the company” Gene Munster, analyst, PiperJaffray

When it comes to the 3G iPhone itself, Munster thinks that it is possible that this is the version the analyst suggests will launch, at some point in 2008, in Canada, Mexico, Australia, Italy and Japan.

Mr. Munster predicts that the iPhone could double the smartphone sales each year, raising total sales of 2009 to a possible 45 million or more.

(Source: Electronista via iPhone Buzz)

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