Reflecting the availability and the falling costs of memory chips, Apple (AAPL) today introduced a 16-GB iPhone and a 32-GB iPod touch. The lower costs, however, were not passed on to consumers.
“For some users, there’s never enough memory,” said Apple VP Greg Joswiak in a press release issued this morning. “Now people can enjoy even more of their music, photos and videos on the most revolutionary mobile phone and best Wi-Fi mobile device in the world.”
The new devices join the 8-GB iPhone (a 4-GB model was discontinued last year) and 8- and 16- GB iPod touch models. Some Apple watchers had predicted that the company would sell the new models at the old prices and lower prices on the existing models to drive up sales. It was not to be. The price structure stands as follows:
- 16-GB iPhone: $499
- 8-GB iPhone: $399
- 32-GB iPod touch: $499
- 16-GB iPod touch: $399
- 8-GB iPod touch: $299
The 32-GB iPod touch is available immediately worldwide. The 16-GB iPhone is available through Apple Stores and AT&T in the United States. No word yet on its availability overseas.