Following rumors Monday that Apple would shake up its entry-level iDevices, the company early Tuesday unveiled a new 8GB iPhone 5c model and reintroduced the fourth generation iPad as a replacement for the iPad 2.
Currently available in Europe and expected to appear later today in North America, the 8GB iPhone 5c arrives about $65 cheaper than the former low-end 16GB model. Meanwhile the fourth generation iPad supplants the iPad 2 at the same $399 price point.
The introduction of a cheaper iPhone 5c may help Apple move more units of the model, which has been reportedly outsold by a wide margin by the iPhone 5s, but the fourth generation iPad is by far a more compelling option. Available in a 16GB capacity, the fourth generation model offers customers significantly more processing and graphics power than the iPad 2, in addition to the coveted Retina Display. The only area where the fourth generation iPad falls short is a modest increase in weight.
The fourth generation iPad is available now in white and black color options. There is also an option for a cellular-capable model at Apple’s usual $130 markup, bringing the total to $529. As mentioned above, the 8GB iPhone 5c is not yet listed in Apple’s U.S. store.
