Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Queen, post: 85055, member: 27"] Apple might jack prices on maxed-out iPhone 18s, but the iPhone 17e looks like it is quietly gaming the supply chain to stay cheap. Why phone prices keep creeping up [LIST] [*]NAND flash prices are getting ugly [*]DRAM is even worse, basically doubling [*]Memory alone is nuking smartphone margins [*]High-storage iPhone 18 models are almost guaranteed to cost more [/LIST] Why the iPhone 17e is the odd one out [LIST] [*]Apple reportedly pulled off a supply chain efficiency boost [*]The rumor points specifically at the iPhone 17e [*]Instead of raising prices, Apple might freeze them [*]There is even talk of a lower price, which feels rare [/LIST] Reusing parts is the whole strategy [LIST] [*]Apple is leaning heavily on parts already used in the iPhone 16e [*]This is less innovation, more financial discipline [*]Same components, better margins, fewer surprises [*]The savings come from repetition, not miracles [/LIST] The modem is doing most of the work [LIST] [*]The iPhone 17e keeps the C1 5G modem [*]That modem debuted with the iPhone 16e [*]Apple avoids using Qualcomm’s baseband here [*]Estimated savings are around $10 per phone [*]At Apple's scale, that adds up fast [/LIST] Chip choices help, too [LIST] [*]The iPhone 17e is expected to use the A19 [*]That is the same chip as the base iPhone 17 [*]Fewer custom designs mean lower costs [*]Apple is clearly standardizing where it can [/LIST] Cheaper screen, smarter compromise [LIST] [*]The notch is gone, replaced by a Dynamic Island [*]No premium LTPO OLED here [*]Apple is using LTPS OLED panels instead [*]Supplier is BOE, not Samsung or LG [*]BOE panels are cheaper, reputation aside [/LIST] Why do memory costs not kill this plan [LIST] [*]Apple still pays massive premiums for DRAM [*]Estimates put it at roughly 230 percent more [*]Suppliers include Samsung and SK Hynix [*]Apple offsets this by cutting costs elsewhere [*]Cheaper displays, reused silicon, and the C1 modem do the balancing [/LIST] Qualcomm quietly loses leverage [LIST] [*]Apple pays Qualcomm billions for 5G licensing [*]Shifting to the C1 modem reduces that dependency [*]This timing matters during a memory shortage [*]Less money out the door helps absorb DRAM pain [/LIST] Price expectations right now [LIST] [*]The rumored target is still $599 in the U.S. [*]No confirmation yet [*]Apple could hold the line or surprise with a drop [*]Much depends on how ugly memory pricing gets [/LIST] When it all comes together [LIST] [*]The iPhone 17e is expected to enter mass production soon [*]Timing points to after CES 2026 wraps up [*]Apple seems to be betting that efficiency beats inflation [*]If this works, the 17e could be the rare iPhone that does not get pricier [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

Name