Apple Inc on Tuesday (3 September) sent official invitations to a September 10 event at which it is expected to unveil the latest version of the iPhone, possibly in colors other than its trademark black and white.<\/p>\n
“This should brighten everyone’s day,” the typically cryptic invitation read, under a graphic depicting pastel-colored circles surrounding a stark white Apple logo.<\/p>\n
The company, which is making a focused effort to win over consumers in Asia where rivals Samsung Electronics Co and other Android manufacturers dominate, said in the invitation it will host a breakfast and presentation at its Cupertino, California headquarters.<\/p>\n
The company did not specify as to what the presentation will be about.<\/p>\n
But supply chain sources told Reuters in June that Apple is expected to launch two new models this year – widely referred to as the iPhone 5S – with new fingerprint technology as well as a cheaper version in plastic casing.<\/p>\n
Apple plans to dress up the phone in a range of five or six colors to differentiate it from the more expensive model that has traditionally come only in black and white, according to the sources.<\/p>\n
Analysts say the company needs a cheaper phone to drive faster growth in markets like China and India, and to counter Samsung’s edge in having a wide range of devices at varying prices.<\/p>\n
Growth in Asian markets is seen as key for smartphone makers. China’s smartphone market, for example, is set to grow 48% this year, outpacing the global increase of 31%, according to industry forecasts.<\/p>\n
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