Apple’s rumored refresh of the four-inch iPhone lineup is yet again being pegged for a summer 2016 launch in another analyst note.
Kevin Wang, IHS’s Technology Research Director in China, wrote in a post on Chinese microblogging service Sina Weibo that the new handset, reportedly branded as ‘iPhone 6c,’ is expected to be released in mid-2016 featuring the same four-inch form factor as the iPhone 5c.
He did not, however, share other details pertaining to the rumored handset.
This particular analyst lacks an established track record so take his prediction with healthy dose of skepticism. Earlier this year he said the iPhone 6c would be launching by year-end, with both DigiTimes and Commercial Times picking up the rumor.
Be that as it may, Wang’s post matches up nicely with a recent note KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo sent to clients, in which he said that the new four-inch Apple handset will be arriving next year.
Kuo is adamant that the iPhone 6c will be outfitted with the Apple-designed A9 processor which powers the iPhone 6s, have iPhone 5s-style looks and use Touch ID for fingerprint verification.
“As there is still demand for a 4-inch iPhone, we believe Apple will upgrade this product line,” Kuo wrote.
“Because the iPhone 5s is more popular than the iPhone 5c, we think Apple is likely to launch an upgraded iPhone 5s. We predict Apple will mass-produce this new 4-inch iPhone in 1H16 with metal casings. In order to make the current iOS 9 or next-generation iOS 10 run smoothly, Apple may adopt an A9 chip for this new phone.”
Conspicuously, the device won’t include 3D Touch support, as per Kuo, likely because Apple wants to retain this particular feature as an iPhone 6s exclusive for the time being.
According to Kuo, Apple’s longtime contract manufacturer, Foxconn, will assemble the forthcoming four-inch iPhone 6c, with shipments estimated to reach 20-30 million units through the end of 2016.
Who’s interested in four-inch iPhones in this day and age of phablets?
iPhone 6c concept courtesy of 3DFuture.net.
Source: Sina Weibo via GforGames