Will iPhone 5 Cost $800? Rumor Sparks Outrage Among Apple Fans
By: 
Rumors that Apple's new iPhone will cost $800 swept the internet Thursday, and needless to say Apple fans were beside themselves — taking to Twitter to vent their outrage.
The hashtag "#800dollarsforaniphone" became the second most popular non-promoted trending topic worldwide on the social network. The phrase "iPhone5$800" also was trending worldwide.
Apple did not immediatley respond to a request for comment.
It is unclear where the rumors stemmed from. However, given that Apple's most recent iPhone —the iPhone 4S — ranges in price from $199 to $399with a wireless contract, the steep increase in price seems highly unlikely.
Still, the cost of the next iPhone could be $800 or more if the buyer doesn't commit to a wireless contract.
The current price for an unlocked iPhone 4S, or an iPhone bought at retail price without a contract, is $649 for the 16GB iPhone, and $849 for the 64GB version.
In that context, the new iPhone pricing at $800 is reasonable based on Apple's current prices.
Earlier this month rumors spread that Apple would be releasing a new iPhone on Sept. 12 with a release date of Sept 21. And while Apple won't confirm rumors about possible release dates, the company is known to release its iPhones in the fall.
email: tech@cnbc.com
