As in any competitive market, it's always harder to succeed with the second-generation of products. Perhaps even more so in this case, as not only have the competing mobile manufacturers now a better understanding of Apple's mobile strategy, but computer manufacturers are currently also developing their own portable consumer products built around upcoming WiMAX networks. In order to meet next year's competition, we think the iPhone 2 will need significantly improved communication and productivity capabilities, as well as more connectivity options. However, the iPhone 2 will also need to maintain the current iPhone's size.
Better text input needed
More specifically, we think the iPhone 2 will need to ramp up its communication experience - for instance text input performance - in order to meet the competition from a myriad of upcoming Mobile Internet Devices, which will offer e-mail, Instant Messaging and blogging capabilities.
On-board software suite for business users
Furthermore, we think the iPhone 2 should get better productivity capabilities. We don't necessarily think it would be crucial to open a massive 3rd party application marketplace; however, the iPhone 2 should come with a serious on-board software suite of productivity and business applications. That way, the iPhone 2 will easier compete against business smartphones and Ultra Mobile PCs.
WiMAX? HSDPA? Or both?
Last but not least, the iPhone 2 will obviously need a serious connectivity upgrade. Compared to 3G UMTS, the current iPhone's EDGE connection isn't that bad, but compared to upcoming devices with 7.2 Mbps HSDPA and 10 Mbps WiMAX connectivity, there's no doubt that Apple needs to do whatever it takes to get HSDPA incorporated in the iPhone 2. As a huge WiMAX hype will certainly also appear next year, it could also be crucial for Apple to come up with a WiMAX version.
Keep the look
We think that replicating both the screen experience and the design of the iPhone would be required for the iPhone 2 to attract users. There's no doubt that Apple has developed a golden formula here, which could lead to a great future for the iPhone 2.
iPhone 2 - best of all mobile worlds
In our list of iPhone 2 competitors below, it becomes evident that if Apple holds on to its 3.5" screen, while at the same time coming up with the above mentioned improvements, the iPhone 2 can end up offering the best of all mobile worlds. And such an offering, we think any competitor would get a hard time beating.
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iPhone 2 competitors in 2008
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| Name |
Screen |
Features |
Connectivity |
Price |
| Cell phones |
2" |
Calling, Multimedia, Mobile Internet |
HSDPA, EV-DO |
$100 |
| Smartphones |
2.5" |
Calling, Multimedia, Mobile Internet, Productivity |
HSDPA, EV-DO, WiMAX |
$400 |
| Apple iPhone 2 |
3.5" |
Calling, Multimedia, Internet, Productivity |
HSDPA, WiMAX |
$600 |
| Mobile Internet Devices |
5" |
Multimedia, Internet |
WiMAX, Wi-Fi |
$800 |
| Ultra Mobile PCs |
7" |
Multimedia, Internet, Productivity |
WiMAX, Wi-Fi |
$1200 |
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