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Apple Unlikely to Release New 4-Inch iPhone This Year, New Low-End Model Expected in 2016

If they still sell iPhones that don't support Apple Pay a year after introducing it, they're making a serious mistake.

I hope this rumor is wrong. I like the iPhone 6, but it's too big for my wife; she's holding onto her 5 in the hope that Apple releases an updated 4". Upgrading her to a slightly-less-outdated 5s seem silly.
 
Also, are they thinking early 2016 or late 2016? They could do an off-cycle 4" launch with previous-gen components around March if they need to stagger things a bit. They just really need to leave a 4" option on the table because many people refuse the larger phones, even the regular 6. Even I have come to loathe my Plus and eagerly await the 6S.

If Apple waits until autumn 2016 then we'll probably just see a redesigned 4.7" with a tiny bezel which makes it not much bigger than the 4" anyway. I made some mockups in the forums about this a few months ago. The hardware and software just needs to catch up for it to happen.
 
terencedriver said:
Jobs didn't join the race to the bottom.

He used to say 'we don't know how to make a good $500 laptop so we don't'.

I suspect he would never have allowed these cheap plastic ugly devices.
Click to expand...

I absolutely agree with your quote from Jobs, but here's the persistent misconception: these plastic devices are still anything but cheap.

They may look cheap, but they're certainly not price cheap.
 
terencedriver said:
Jobs didn't join the race to the bottom.

He used to say 'we don't know how to make a good $500 laptop so we don't'.

I suspect he would never have allowed these cheap plastic ugly devices.
Click to expand...

Didn't Apple keep the iPhone 3G around for 2 years and the 3GS debuted in 2009 and didn't stop production until late 2012?

2008-2012 for the 3 series. Jobs was smart, and no, didn't race to the bottom but also knew the more iPhones in peoples hands, the more apps, itunes music/tv/movies, cables, docks, etc. they would sell.
 
Ballis said:
Outstanding design is the key. Im sure many, like myself, are annoyed by Apples new phablets and prefer the much better looking 5S even if it is weaker. Screw NFC and other new features if those huge, ugly ass iphones are required.
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Well, everyone has their preferences. After moving to iPhone 6 Plus, no wonder Android users were making fun of iPhone users for long. I can't go back to my iPhone 5 now. No more headaches and eye strain from extended use like I did with my iPhone 5. Don't know how I accomplished anything on that tiny ass screen.

I also don't see whats the huge problem with the 4.7" iPhone 6. Pretty much everyone that's able to one-hand with the iPhone 5S can one-hand the 4,7" 6, unless they have tiny hands to begin with. It's not that much bigger. It's not like Apple did the Google move and only released a 6" phone(Nexus 6). It sounds more like a hate of change more than anything.
 
I am sorry but all of you must have really tiny hands, and if you do that is great. But if you are like me, who has big hands, with fat fingers, then you need a phone that has a bigger screen.

This is why when the iPhone 6s+ is announced I am lining myself to get one. For one I am excited about the 2GB of Ram on the phone, and for Apple Pay of course. Personally I dislike printed money, so Apple Pay for me is a huge upgrade and if a store doesn't have Apple Pay, then there is always Amazon.

The camera upgrades and other stuff, are second to me, I mean it's cool I can take photos, but I am thinking on not getting an upgraded iPad Air 2 and instead just have a 6s+ with 128gb and just use that as my phablet. But that is just me, im just a power user and I need a big screen.
 
Maybe I'm the only one, but I hope they do revisit the 5C style. I had a customer today who had a green one and I was struck by how they just really did that style of phone right. It looked bold, eye-catching, and very well made, it did not strike me as "cheap" despite the texture and color. I asked to hold it and it felt just as good in the hand as my 5S.
 
Years ago I left the iPhone for two reasons. 1. small screen 2. iOS6 was very stale and I wanted something different.

sidenote: At the time I also had a problem with my iPhone 4 where the hang up button would not work. Odd as I know being a virtual button but I always had to wait for the other caller to hang up the phone as every time I would hit it it the button would go dark and then come back red and never hang up. I showed Apple and they had this really long reasoning for it. I thought it was stupid.

I owned a SII, Nexus 4 and then a Nexus 5 during those years. Hated TouchWiz, loved my Nexuses. I also like Lollipop except that it had lots of bugs on my Nexus 5 including memory leak, and huge battery drain. I went from charging every 2 days to charging twice a day.

Since my gf wanted an iPhone and I was quite frankly tired of quirks that you get with Android I wanted a very good camera so I bought my gf and myself an iPhone 6 at full price as I don't do contracts. We both love every bit about the iPhone 6. Great camera and we both get 3 days of battery life on ours. I was only excepting a day. I use mine for work and all while hers is just personal.

In all, the bigger screen of the iPhone 6 with the new UI of iOS8 along with the great camera is what brought me back. I use a Tech21 case on mine and I love it.

Oddly my Nexus 5 with a 5" screen and my iPhone 6 with a 4.7" screen are the same size. If Apple could reduce the bezel on the top/bottom it would help others with one-hand use further cementing their size with easier use rather than backtrack to a 4" screen.

Sorry for the long post...
 
sualpine said:
Oh I get it! Post one rumor where they are releasing it and then post one rumor where they aren't releasing it and then you'll be right either way.
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That's why this website is called 'MacRumors' and not 'MacFacts'.

With Apple, nothing is certain until the keynote is held (well, except with the iPhone 4... :rolleyes:)
 
stevearm said:
I returned my 6 after two days. Far too big and uncomfortable to use, especially compared to the beautifully designed 5S. I'm amazed Apple sacrificed usability for this pointlessly giant screen in your pocket :rolleyes:

Oh well, I'll hold onto my 5S until their next 4 inch phone.
Click to expand...

you mean 6+ right?
 
My ideal devices:
3.5" iphone
+ 6.5" ipad.

For me, when I'm out and about, all I want is the smallest footprint device possible. I almost never need/want a large screen. I loved the one-handed usability of my 4s. I tried the 6+ for awhile but it wasn't happening. Now I have a 5s which is awesome, but I still miss my 3.5" screen. Heck, I might get a 3" screen if I could.

When I'm home, though, that's a different story. I do want a large screen because that's when I do most of my app using and e-reading--plus home is a place where I don't need a small footprint. And because of continuity, it's now possible to have a second larger device that will handle your calls and texts when on the same wifi network. So I can use it exclusively at home and leave my phone charging.
The only problem now is I don't find the current selection of iDevices ideal to fill this hole. 5.5" is too small because it's still designed to be a portable phone. And iPad Mini is too big because it was designed to use regular iPad apps. If I'm going to be doing extended e-reading, for instance, I need to be able to palm the device. So, to me, the perfect size is 6.5". It's nice and big, yet easily palm-able and fits into almost any pocket if needed. I doubt Apple will make this device for me though. =( For one thing, I don't know what kind of apps it would run--it's too small for ipad apps, and possibly too big for iphone apps.

In regards to Apple pushing bigger screens in order to create a market for the watch--it's possible. But either way it's not going to work on me, even if I'm forced to get a larger screen. I'm much more drawn to something low key, like a smart band, because all I want is notifications and maybe the ability to control media. IF I get an Apple watch, it will be because of a very useful function that I have yet to find out about--it will not be because my phone is too big to use comfortably.
 
That would be pretty stupid on Apple's part. Obviously a lot of 5S users will be willing to buy a new phone after two years into their contracts, which is middle/end 2015. If they want 4" phones, they'll be lost customers and won't come back in 2016.

Not that I believe any of this.
 
terencedriver said:
Jobs didn't join the race to the bottom.

He used to say 'we don't know how to make a good $500 laptop so we don't'.



I suspect he would never have allowed these cheap plastic ugly devices.[/QUOTE

I think you misspoke and meant to say that the "iPhone 5C is beautifully, unapologetically plastic" and not cheap plastic ugly devices.....right :)
Click to expand...
 
This is silly because those that were holding out (more like holding onto their 5 or 5s) will be itching to upgrade. Once you force them to a 6s (being that there won't be a smaller option) I would say at least half of them will never go back to a smaller size again.

My wife included. She's upgrading in the fall. She prefers a smaller screen but if 6s and 6s+ are the only options then she'll be getting a 6s and I betcha she'll never go back to a smaller phone again.

Oh well, if the margins on the "flagship" phones is higher, then that's probably fine by Apple anyway.
 
I think I'd have to throw my hat in with those that think there should be 3 premium size options from 4" - 5.5". I have a 5c, but have large hands and could - I think - adapt to the 6 easily enough.

I would not go to the 6+ until applications on the Watch are complete enough to not require extensive handling of the phone for short messages or just listening to voice mail. I would want it out of my way.

7s, 7m, 7l, and maybe a 5c/6c as a $1 with contract entry unit.
 
I much prefer the 5/5s form factor over the new phones. The flat sided phones feel much better in the hand than the 6.
 
EvilEvil said:
The 6+ is the perfect size. We don't need Apple to go backwards.
Click to expand...

Well, that's what many people said about the iPhone 5 in 2012 (including me). However, times change and now I'm happy with my 6+, although it is definitely not for everyone. Swiping on it is fantastic with SwiftKey though (with two handed use, obviously).
 
as others have noted:
the headline for this report should read "...New LowER-End Model...

as in, reduced selling price by Apple.

not to be confused with the prevailing "low" end selling prices by other manufacturers.

Apple will never, ever stoop "that" low.
 
duh

The iPhone 5S will be given a colorful back and a new name. That's how they give people a 4" option this year. I have little doubt that it will go down any differently.

This actually causes a problem for my wife. She needs to upgrade, but already has a 5S and doesn't want a bigger phone. So, Apple is forcing her to choose between a bigger phone or buy something that's not an iPhone by way of not providing an option that is comfortable for her.

My hope is that the iPhone 7 re-introduces a new 4" design for those who don't want the bigger phone.
 
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