Super-cheap iPhone 3G the key to Apple’s riches?

A tear-down of the iPhone 3G’s components has revealed Apple needs to spend much less to make the next-gen handset than the original, sparking speculation that it’ll turn a profit quicker, as well as yielding higher margins than any other product.

According to analysts Portelligent, the bill for the components in a single iPhone 3G could be just $100. That’s $70 cheaper than the previous version.

“Apple’s really taking the gloves off on this one”, Portelligent told EETimes. adding that Apple could be selling the iPhone 3G to mobile phone operators for $399, raking in a 400% markup.

Yankee Group analyst Carl Howe reckons its enough to make the iPhone 3G the most profitable product in Apple’s entire line-up too. Now all we need is for those profits to fuel a Mac Tablet.

Out July 11 | From £100 | Apple (via Apple 2.0)

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