Apple Appears to Have Ditched Plans for 4-Inch 'iPhone 6c' in 2015

[Shirasaki]

The difference is that apple never made iPhones of that size. There is simply demand for a smaller iPhone regardless of what the actual screen size is. 4 inches just makes sense given it would be the most cost effective road if apple wanted it to be. Put an A8 + NFC chip in a 5S body, like the iPod touch 6.

I admit there is a market for small phones. Maybe, after Tim Cook era, Apple will smash big screen phones and pick up 3.5 again.

However, everyone has relatively different life circle and social circle. This could lead to different survey result because of this. Those public surveys would have the same limit, even they have relatively huge survey target base.

Despite of this, I would say bigger phone is a new trend nowadays. Not only because those Chinese prefer bigger phone, but also bigger phone would let many users stop purchasing iPad or other tablet since the screen is large enough for many uses. My mom prefers big screen too. Single hand use is a sacrifice of course, but this is a trade off.

 

[venom600]

I think people are asking the wrong question entirely. It isn't "How many people want a 4" phone?" That is likely where that 40% of the polled responses came from. What you should be asking is "How many people want a 4" phone badly enough that they will not purchase a 4.7" or larger phone when given no other choice?". I'd bet my iPhone 6 Plus that is a much, much smaller portion of the market. Most people are willing to compromise.

And for those of you willing to switch to another brand... how many choices do you think you're going to have? I looked and I can't find a single phone introduced in the last year (Android, Windows Phone, or Blackberry) or so that has a 4" screen. 4.5" and up is the norm now. If you are so adamant that you are willing to buy old hardware, why not just keep the 5 or 5S you are already using?

 

[Shirasaki]

I think people are asking the wrong question entirely. It isn't "How many people want a 4" phone?" That is likely where that 40% of the polled responses came from. What you should be asking is "How many people want a 4" phone badly enough that they will not purchase a 4.7" or larger phone when given no other choice?". I'd bet my iPhone 6 Plus that is a much, much smaller portion of the market. Most people are willing to compromise.

And for those of you willing to switch to another brand... how many choices do you think you're going to have? I looked and I can't find a single phone introduced in the last year (Android, Windows Phone, or Blackberry) or so that has a 4" screen. 4.5" and up is the norm now. If you are so adamant that you are willing to buy old hardware, why not just keep the 5 or 5S you are already using?

It is obvious that bigger screen is a trend, not only in China, but also other places around the world.

Of course trend doesn't equal to must, or somewhat exclusive. But it at least reflects most people's choice.

For choices, luckily Nokia is still manufacturing very low end entry phone only capable of making phone call and sending simple sms. They are even smaller than those 4" phones, whether android or previous iPhone. But yes, there are fewer choices over time.

 

[Rogifan]

Drop price on thier premium handset..... Yeah right..... Maybe an entry 8GB Unit

That's what they've always done. Introduce a new model and drop the price on the previous model.

 

[driceman]

People are annoyed when Apple does things like keeping 3 iPad Minis, one which is 3 years out of date and the other 2 that are identical as it is confusing. Having a 3rd screen size is really quite simple for the consumer, its just a case of then choosing the best screen size for each consumers needs, instead of a complex array of " this iPad Mini is $100 cheaper but its missing x, x and x, but this one is the most expensive and identical to that one, just with touch id..."



Phone size is a big deal. Do you propose Apple stops selling 11, 12 and 13 inch models and tells its customers to buy 15 inch laptops, as they have the biggest screen size and obviously must then be the perfect screen size for all, because screen size is apparently not important?

If it weren't such a big deal, I wouldn't be considering moving to an Android handset as a result, and there wouldn't be numerous members on here who plan to cling onto 5S's. Of course things like software stability are important, but honestly, It would be a simple simple simple thing to introduce a 3rd screen size, Apple could even use the 5S body, and do an iPod Touch 6 again.

I'm not proposing anything. I think Apple's lineup is alright as it is right now, except that I agree with you that they need to sell fewer outdated models as "new." I think people just find trivial reasons to complain.

And no, having too many screen sizes is not simple for the consumer because then you have a 4" priced at $549, a 4.7" priced at $649, and a 5.5" priced at $749. If those phones all have the same internals, the complaint is "well the bigger phone is a ripoff, it's so much more expensive." If those phones all have different internals, the complaint is "well Apple doesn't compare about their customers who want the smaller phone." It's not that screen size is unimportant, it's that screen size is not as big a deal as you make it out to be. I agree generally with the philosophy of making a few great products rather than a bunch of crappy ones, however, and therefore think they should stick with two screen sizes on everything (4.7 and 5.5 iPhones, 7.9 and 9.7 iPads, 13 and 15 MacBooks are my personal favorites, 21 and 27 desktop displays). But it's not up to me and regardless, it's not that big a deal.

 

[oldmacs]

I'm not proposing anything. I think Apple's lineup is alright as it is right now, except that I agree with you that they need to sell fewer outdated models as "new." I think people just find trivial reasons to complain.

And no, having too many screen sizes is not simple for the consumer because then you have a 4" priced at $549, a 4.7" priced at $649, and a 5.5" priced at $749. If those phones all have the same internals, the complaint is "well the bigger phone is a ripoff, it's so much more expensive." If those phones all have different internals, the complaint is "well Apple doesn't compare about their customers who want the smaller phone." It's not that screen size is unimportant, it's that screen size is not as big a deal as you make it out to be. I agree generally with the philosophy of making a few great products rather than a bunch of crappy ones, however, and therefore think they should stick with two screen sizes on everything (4.7 and 5.5 iPhones, 7.9 and 9.7 iPads, 13 and 15 MacBooks are my personal favorites, 21 and 27 desktop displays). But it's not up to me and regardless, it's not that big a deal.

Well you see whats trivial to one person, may not be trivial to many others. Screen size is one of the most important physical aspects of a phone, so it is a big deal. Especially for consumers who do not have an interest in technology. How easy the phone is to use (physically), how it feels to use and how easy it is to work are some of the most important things for the non technological person, and how easy the phone is to use physically is greatly influenced by the screen size.

3 sizes is simple and not too many. Its a simple choice of then which suits best instead of a confusing array of processor types/year models etc. Do people currently complain about the 6+ being a rip off as it is more expensive? or the iPad Air over the iPad Mini? Not really. People are smart enough to know that bigger = more expensive. And in addition to that, you can't stop everyone complaining, but doing something to appease loyal customers is better than doing nothing at all.

I completely disagree on the two size thing, its very limiting. Again as screen size is a personal choice, also influenced by the needs of a person having a range of sizes is very important. The range between the 11-15 inch MacBooks is important as different users will need different things. A low end 6C + a 4, 4.7 and 5.5 6S would make a very well rounded and simplified iPhone Line. Also the iPad should come in a bigger size as there is apparently demand for it.

 

[MH01]

That's what they've always done. Introduce a new model and drop the price on the previous model.

You are correct, I thought you said 6S, my bad.

 

[aces99]

Given the news that we now have a new iPod Touch at 4", I find no need for an iPhone 6c. Who needs such a small phone when the 6/6+ are exactly what the market wants? Their replacements are the same size and those will almost certainly be better than what is out there right now.

NOBODY needs/wants/desires a 4" iPhone. What is this, 2012?

Bullzhit, I am in the market and looking for a 4" phone right now to replace my 4" iPhone 5S. I was hoping to replace it with a 4" iPhone 6C. but now have to look elsewhere. I have seen MANY posts from people right here that also want and desire a 4" iPhone. But thanks for reading my mind of telling me and others what we want.

 

[AppliedMicro]

My company is in the business of selling iPhones.
iPhone 5S still accounts for a sizable share of all iPhone sales.
And size is a factor for many of them.

There is a demand for it, regardless of what the picture in Asia might be.
(which, I concur, points to a preference for relatively bigger screen sizes)

I might not be this year, I wouldn't be astonished if the iPhone 5s will be kept for another year.
But I have little doubt that there will eventually be a smaller iphone to replace the 5S sooner or later.

The recent iPod touch release show that they haven't given up on the display size.

 

[joe-h2o]

But if the people who want a 4" phone buy the larger phone anyway, what difference does it make to Apple? It only makes sense if they lose sales to their competitors, IMO.

Well, count me as one of the people who *won't* buy the bigger one. If Apple don't release an updated 4" phone I'll just run the 5S I have into the ground then replace it with another 5S if it breaks.

I'll miss out on Apple Pay, but that's really the only feature my 5S doesn't have that the current generation does that I'm interested in. Even then, my bank card has been contactless for over a year now so I'm not going to downgrade to a phone that doesn't suit my needs just for a feature I already have in my wallet.

 

[joe-h2o]

Given the news that we now have a new iPod Touch at 4", I find no need for an iPhone 6c. Who needs such a small phone when the 6/6+ are exactly what the market wants? Their replacements are the same size and those will almost certainly be better than what is out there right now.

NOBODY needs/wants/desires a 4" iPhone. What is this, 2012?

Today I leaned I am nobody!

How strange!

Tell me more about what I want, o wise and powerful leader of men.

 

[venom600]

Bullzhit, I am in the market and looking for a 4" phone right now to replace my 4" iPhone 5S. I was hoping to replace it with a 4" iPhone 6C. but now have to look elsewhere. I have seen MANY posts from people right here that also want and desire a 4" iPhone. But thanks for reading my mind of telling me and others what we want.

I'm genuinely curious about where you think you'll find a 4" phone that isn't as old or low end as the 5S. I sure couldn't when I looked.

 

[SteveW928]

Hopefully, this is wrong. If I could buy a 4" iPhone 6, I'd be really happy... even if it cost the same as the current iPhone 6. Cost isn't the issue.... it's that the iPhone 6 is on the limits of how big I'd be willing to put up with. But, smaller would be better.

 

[SteveW928]

Today I leaned I am nobody!

How strange!

Tell me more about what I want, o wise and powerful leader of men.

No kidding. I'm old enough to remember bag phones and then huge cell phones... and how happy we were when we got down to the relatively tiny flip-phones. And now, all of a sudden, bigger is better? Um, OK.

I understand why there is a want for bigger phones, so I'm happy that Apple has the 6 and 6+ (for those markets), but I think they need to have a phone for the cell phone crowd as well. Not everyone in the world uses their cell phone as their primary computing device or carries a purse.

 

[riviera74]

Today I leaned I am nobody!

How strange!

Tell me more about what I want, o wise and powerful leader of men.

OK OK. I apologize for the nobody bit. I probably should have said few instead.

BTW: How many current (i.e. 2015/16) phones are 4" or so? Apparently Apple struck a chord by what they are NOT releasing anytime soon. I do not see what Apple will do to ameliorate the issue.

Here is why I say that: I would have loved for them to release a 256GB (or at least 128GB) iPod Classic. Instead Apple recently released a 128GB iPod Touch. That does not necessarily work for me because I am not sure if I would embrace a $400 iTouch that can access Apple Music as a streaming service. Essentially, I am only saying that my wish for the iPod has largely gone unfulfilled. (That click wheel is much faster at accessing albums and songs than the touch interface.)

I left the iPhone behind because Apple insisted on a smaller screen prior to the 6/6+. The first chance I get I will return to Apple precisely because they now have screens that are no longer so small. While the new iTouch looks a lot like a possible iPhone 6c without the LTE chips, Apple does not want that as part of their lineup.

While I do not know how many people will want an "iPhone 6c" at a 4" size with 6/6+ internals, it would certainly make sense for Apple to at least try it out. They can, but apparently they will not. Consider it a missed opportunity.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Well, count me as one of the people who *won't* buy the bigger one. If Apple don't release an updated 4" phone I'll just run the 5S I have into the ground then replace it with another 5S if it breaks.

I'll miss out on Apple Pay, but that's really the only feature my 5S doesn't have that the current generation does that I'm interested in. Even then, my bank card has been contactless for over a year now so I'm not going to downgrade to a phone that doesn't suit my needs just for a feature I already have in my wallet.

So you'll buy another Apple product regardless. Apple retains you as a customer so you validate my point.

 

[Mac 128]

While the new iTouch looks a lot like a possible iPhone 6c without the LTE chips, Apple does not want that as part of their lineup.

While I do not know how many people will want an "iPhone 6c" at a 4" size with 6/6+ internals, it would certainly make sense for Apple to at least try it out. They can, but apparently they will not. Consider it a missed opportunity.

Where are you getting these absolute proclamations? If they are your personal opinions, there's no supporting evidence for how you arrived at them. Instead you state these as facts.

We know Apple is more than likely going to offer the 5S as a free phone when the 6S is released. We've also seen leaked photos of a modified 5C case to accommodate the 5S mods, which has not been debunked as far as I know. So the 5SC is an almost guaranteed certainty. While a 4" 6 may not happen this year, there's no reason to believe it won't happen next year, by updating the 5SC internals just the way the iPod Touch was updated. Indeed, there's no reason to believe they won't offer it this year in the existing 5S case. It's no different than what they did to the iPod Touch. No need for evidence of a fabled "6C" in the supply chain since they will merely be upgrading the 5S internals.

There are any number of possibilities that Apple could pursue over the next year to produce a 4" phone, and hardly any conclusive evidence that they absolutely won't, despite your authoritative assertions otherwise.

 

[joe-h2o]

So you'll buy another Apple product regardless. Apple retains you as a customer so you validate my point.

Who said I'd buy it from Apple?

Ebay, obviously. You think Apple will still be selling the 5S? If all the reports of the so called "evidence that consumers only want big phones" is true, then the cheap baseline phone will be the current iPhone 6, given the way Apple has traditionally introduced new models.

I don't validate your point at all. I embody the exact opposite - I will not buy something that does not fit my needs, i.e., the iPhone 6 or the 6S or 7 or whatever it will be called if the screen sizes are the same as the current ones and/or bigger.

I will seek out a replacement should my current phone break by purchasing one second hand from eBay.

 

[oldmacs]

While obviously not direct evidence, http://www.businessinsider.com.au/iphone-5s-sales-jumped-in-march-says-soc-gen-2015-4

That is interesting.. 20 percent of iPhones sold were the 5S,apple nelly much higher than what is normal for the older model. Perhaps it's the screen size?

People going on and on about there being no premium 4 inch devices are right, as that niche was filled by Apple up until recently, and by the looks of the sales, still does. Perhaps we will see smaller premium android phones if Apple doesn't give us another 4 inch phone.

Until Apple sells a full line up of premium phones in 4, 4.7 and 5.5 inches we won't really be able to gauge how many people will buy a 4 inch phone, so hopefully they do. That will please everyone, and again I think we should look from the customers perspective not apples. I don't give a flying hoot if they have slightly reduced margins.. Apple is meant to be about making products propel love to use. It's not overly healthily if people are buying iPhones and being disatisfied with them, because there is no suitable size. That's like the whole "good enough" Microsoft approach, where many buy windows not because they like it but because it is just "good enough". It's proved to be bad for Microsoft.

 

[Derived]

Oh, are the 100 people in the whole world that still want a tiny, useless screen *still* whining about it? You guys are persistent, I'll give you that.

 

[oldmacs]

Oh, are the 100 people in the whole world that still want a tiny, useless screen *still* whining about it? You guys are persistent, I'll give you that.

Very opinionated. Plenty of people want a smaller screen, especially when mass upgrades from the 5, 5C and 5S kick in.

The 4 inch screen is not useless. Personally I find the 6 and 6+ useless as they are too big to use one handed, too big physically and unnecessarily so. However that is just my opinion ( and that of many others) so I support Apple making a range of sizes unlike people like you who seem fixated on hate for a device that won't have the slightest bit of a negative impact on you.

Typed on my apparently useless, perfectly sized iPhone 5.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Who said I'd buy it from Apple?

Ebay, obviously. You think Apple will still be selling the 5S? If all the reports of the so called "evidence that consumers only want big phones" is true, then the cheap baseline phone will be the current iPhone 6, given the way Apple has traditionally introduced new models.

I don't validate your point at all. I embody the exact opposite - I will not buy something that does not fit my needs, i.e., the iPhone 6 or the 6S or 7 or whatever it will be called if the screen sizes are the same as the current ones and/or bigger.

I will seek out a replacement should my current phone break by purchasing one second hand from eBay.

You're still locked in to the Apple Ecosystem and you didn't buy a phone from a competitor. You'll still own an iPhone, Apple doesn't lose a sale to Android. Point validated.

 

[SteveW928]

Well, count me as one of the people who *won't* buy the bigger one. If Apple don't release an updated 4" phone I'll just run the 5S I have into the ground then replace it with another 5S if it breaks.

The problem is going to be the OS. One of my friends even recently said he'd be wary of buying an iOS device with less than 2GB of RAM, as he bets that all the devices Apple releases from now on are going to have that... and that the 1GB devices are going to quickly become like my iPad 2, etc.... in that they won't be a happy experience on an up-to-date OS.

For the sake of my iPad 2, I hope he's wrong and that iOS 9 actually fixes thing, but I won't be surprised if it doesn't. So, unfortunately, the life-span of the 5s is probably going to be limited to another one to three years.

 

[SteveW928]

So you'll buy another Apple product regardless. Apple retains you as a customer so you validate my point.

What's the alternative? I'm not sticking with Apple just because I'm a loyal fan. While I complain about Apple a good bit, I'm reminded why I stay every time I have to work on other systems.

 

[SteveW928]

That is interesting.. 20 percent of iPhones sold were the 5S,apple nelly much higher than what is normal for the older model. Perhaps it's the screen size? ... Until Apple sells a full line up of premium phones in 4, 4.7 and 5.5 inches we won't really be able to gauge how many people will buy a 4 inch phone, so hopefully they do.

Exactly! They obviously needed to make a bigger screen model due to market demand. But, since they jumped the whole line-up to bigger screens, they don't know how many of us still want a cell phone sized screen. If I were buying an iPhone today, I'd have to get the 5s.... not because I don't want the latest model or because of the cost, but because of the size. I suppose I could put-up with a 6, but it's bigger than I'd like.