Claimed 4-inch iPhone in Leaked Video Likely Just an iPhone 6s

[SteveW928]

I miss the 3.5" screen. I hope that makes a comeback.

I'm guessing you are trying to be funny, but you know what? I'd buy a 3.5" iPhone before I'd buy a 4.7" iPhone. That's because I never intend on using an iPhone as my primary computing device. So, I need a screen that's big enough to do what I need to do with a smart-phone AND that is most convenient to use as a phone. The 4" (or a bit less) is pretty much the sweet-spot with maximum screen space while still being reasonable in size.

What if this guy on video just has really big hands?

Even so, when I first saw the photo on the articles, I thought, "That's way to big to be a 4" device."

If you like smaller version iphone like 3 out of 5 in my family, than you will buy otherwise it's just a talk, jibber-jabber on net. Those who still using 4S/5/5S and more comfortable like smaller footprint iphone don't care big tech jump long as main features(ApplePay,VoLTE,etc) are covered and user experience is still great as any iphone(IOS).

I think it's a split market. There is a market for a 'budget' iPhone of people who just want an iOS phone device and don't care that much if it has the latest and greatest. But, I think there is also a sizable group of people who want the latest, but don't like the huge size (like me).

If it's a budget phone, I'll likely not buy it. And, since I will no longer buy a 5s, then I'll not be an iPhone user.

That means I have to carry a dumb-phone and an iPod touch... until Apple makes enough stupid moves with OS X that they lose me on the Mac platform as well... at which point the whole eco-system will be too weak to keep me with Apple anymore period.

Not only will Apple be losing a 30 year brand evangelist (I'm responsible for thousands, maybe tens of thousands of people buying Apple over those years, and entire companies sticking with Apple in the dark-times of the 90s) but also someone who regularly purchases a number of Macs and iOS devices each year.

So, is it worth it to Apple to make a device a smaller pie-segment are clamoring for? To the bean-counters, who can't see the big picture of what I've just said above? No. In reality, it's well worth it. I guess we'll see who is in charge in a couple of months.

 

[cliffster82]

#savechamferededges

 

[SteveW928]

#savechamferededges

Heh, not sure if that was meant to be a joke or not. But, IMO, the 5s was kind of the pinnacle of Apple's ID for the iPhone line. While the rounded glass and such is kind of cool technology, the 6 and 6s seem 'cheaper' to me.

 

[HarryWild]

Back to 1GB of RAM. Oh yeaaah. It was enough and it will always be......

......

......

Junk for $500! At least put in an A9 and 2GB LPDDR4 and mark it up another $50.00 to future proof it!

 

[Mr. Donahue]

I'm guessing you are trying to be funny, but you know what? I'd buy a 3.5" iPhone before I'd buy a 4.7" iPhone. That's because I never intend on using an iPhone as my primary computing device. So, I need a screen that's big enough to do what I need to do with a smart-phone AND that is most convenient to use as a phone. The 4" (or a bit less) is pretty much the sweet-spot with maximum screen space while still being reasonable in size.



Even so, when I first saw the photo on the articles, I thought, "That's way to big to be a 4" device."



I think it's a split market. There is a market for a 'budget' iPhone of people who just want an iOS phone device and don't care that much if it has the latest and greatest. But, I think there is also a sizable group of people who want the latest, but don't like the huge size (like me).

If it's a budget phone, I'll likely not buy it. And, since I will no longer buy a 5s, then I'll not be an iPhone user.

That means I have to carry a dumb-phone and an iPod touch... until Apple makes enough stupid moves with OS X that they lose me on the Mac platform as well... at which point the whole eco-system will be too weak to keep me with Apple anymore period.

Not only will Apple be losing a 30 year brand evangelist (I'm responsible for thousands, maybe tens of thousands of people buying Apple over those years, and entire companies sticking with Apple in the dark-times of the 90s) but also someone who regularly purchases a number of Macs and iOS devices each year.

So, is it worth it to Apple to make a device a smaller pie-segment are clamoring for? To the bean-counters, who can't see the big picture of what I've just said above? No. In reality, it's well worth it. I guess we'll see who is in charge in a couple of months.

I was not joking. I would buy a 4" or smaller iPhone in a heartbeat. I don't care if it's "gimped"

 

[Mac 128]

I was not joking. I would buy a 4" or smaller iPhone in a heartbeat. I don't care if it's "gimped"

Here's the real question though ... if Apple offered a 4" iPhone 7, with a few less features than the 4.7" model (think difference between 6S & 6S Plus), and charged $700 for it, would you buy it in a heartbeat as well?

 

[SteveW928]

Junk for $500! At least put in an A9 and 2GB LPDDR4 and mark it up another $50.00 to future proof it!

Make it equivalent to a 6s in terms of hardware, and I'll pay $650 for it, just like I would for a 4.7" 6s. Heck, if they have to justify a smaller market-segment, I'll pay $700 (split the difference between the 6s and 6s Plus... they don't sell that many Plus either but they make them).

I was not joking. I would buy a 4" or smaller iPhone in a heartbeat. I don't care if it's "gimped"

It depends, to me, on what is meant by 'gimped'. It would consider it depending on what features it has or has left out, with the exception of an A9 and 2 GB RAM. If it doesn't have those, then it isn't worth investing that kind of money in at this point. If it's $500 or less, *maybe* I'd consider one with an A8 if it had enough of the updated features (knowing I'll have to buy a new one again much more quickly).

Here's the real question though ... if Apple offered a 4" iPhone 7, with a few less features than the 4.7" model (think difference between 6S & 6S Plus), and charged $700 for it, would you buy it in a heartbeat as well?

Yes, depending on what those missing features were. For example, I could care less if it has 3D Touch. Other things like camera, touch ID, Apple Pay, CPU, GPU, RAM, etc. aren't optional. Another way to put it... if it makes sense that an option is dropped because of the size constraints, then it makes sense that it won't have it. If they are dropping a feature to try and differentiate it... it depends on what it is, but in principal no... because there is no good reason for it (other than a stupid marketing decision).

So, yes, I'd happily pay $700 for a 4" iPhone 7 with feature parity unless for some reason technology limitations limit a feature or two.

 

[Mac 128]

So, yes, I'd happily pay $700 for a 4" iPhone 7 with feature parity unless for some reason technology limitations limit a feature or two.

Right, and that's my whole point. Apple will be leaving money on the table if they simply update the 5S with an A8, Touch ID and NFC and sell it for $450, or $500 (I don't see them updating it and giving it away, though they kind of did that with the iPod Touch refresh, and dropped it $50-$100 to boot).

If that's all Apple offers, then you'll probably buy it, as will most of us who want an updated 4" phone.

And that's why this rumor doesn't make sense. If they do intend to update the 5S, then there's going to be a 6 something as well for customers like you who can afford as much as Apple will offer. And depending on how well they sell, likely will determine whether Apple pulls the plug on a 4" 7 or not.

And they can do the same thing with the "5se" that they did with the 4S, and continue selling it in developing countries for another year or two to get their R&D costs out of it. In fact I'd bet the "5se" actually will look like the 5, chamfers and all, and to the extent we've seen any leaks of the 4" 6S, it will look like the rounded 6 series, which is where those rumors are coming from.

 

[LizKat]

I sure have my doubts about the guts of this article, but I am one of the ones who really wants to upgrade to a 4" iPhone 7. So pieces like this get my attention and I appreciate the comments if not always the content of a particular rumor article. I'm happy realizing that many people also prefer a smaller smartphone and use it primarily as a phone and for ApplePay, and then use something else like iPad mini or whatever for apps and browsing.

 

[SteveW928]

Right, and that's my whole point. Apple will be leaving money on the table if they simply update the 5S with an A8, Touch ID and NFC and sell it for $450, or $500 (I don't see them updating it and giving it away, though they kind of did that with the iPod Touch refresh, and dropped it $50-$100 to boot).

If that's all Apple offers, then you'll probably buy it, as will most of us who want an updated 4" phone.

And that's why this rumor doesn't make sense. If they do intend to update the 5S, then there's going to be a 6 something as well for customers like you who can afford as much as Apple will offer. And depending on how well they sell, likely will determine whether Apple pulls the plug on a 4" 7 or not.

And they can do the same thing with the "5se" that they did with the 4S, and continue selling it in developing countries for another year or two to get their R&D costs out of it. In fact I'd bet the "5se" actually will look like the 5, chamfers and all, and to the extent we've seen any leaks of the 4" 6S, it will look like the rounded 6 series, which is where those rumors are coming from.

Yea, the right thing to do would be to not buy an iPhone until Apple gets their act together... but at some point, I might have to compromise and either get an iPhone 4.7" and a saddle-bag and hate it... or buy their sub-standard old-tech model that I know will be obsolete much more quickly (in a tech area that *already* becomes obsolete much too quickly). Probably the latter, because at least then I'll have a phone-sized-phone that I'm comfortable using... I'll just lose a lot more cash in the long-run unless it's *really* cheap (which I doubt). And, unfortunately, yes, that would send a signal to the bean-counters at Apple that they did it right.

I don't think jumping the Apple ship is really yet an option for me, as the alternative is worse. But, if Apple keeps on the current path, that's what is coming some day.

 

[cliffster82]

Heh, not sure if that was meant to be a joke or not. But, IMO, the 5s was kind of the pinnacle of Apple's ID for the iPhone line. While the rounded glass and such is kind of cool technology, the 6 and 6s seem 'cheaper' to me.

No seriously. I agree. Always loved the shiny edges. I'm glad the iPad still has them..for now.

 

[Smashy]

you mean really massive hands!

Oh right. Sorry. Sometimes I
have trouble thinking fourth- dimensionally.

 

[Chloec]

Maybe they'll call it the 6 minus?

i like the iphone 6m

 

[DanKilroy27]

Oh look, a headphone jack!

Only the iPhone 7 is 'supposed' to have no headphone jack not the iPhone 5se. And this is clearly NOT an iPhone 6s

 

[Mac 128]

Only the iPhone 7 is 'supposed' to have no headphone jack not the iPhone 5se. And this is clearly NOT an iPhone 6s

To be fair, the 4" rumors are all over the place. It could end up being anything, even two phones.

However, I wouldn't rule out eliminating the 3.5mm headphone on this phone for a few reasons: the 5s is physically smaller than the 6s, and understandably will need more room to accomodate the additional features, not to mention comperble battery life. One rumor has already indicated the new 4" phone will have a larger capacity battery, which if true is going to need space somewhere. The 3.5mm Jack is an excellent space saver for internal expansion.

Also, removing it on a phone which is non-critical to the success of the iPhone line is not a bad testing ground. The 4" customers will likely buy it regardless. But it will send a signal to developers and consumers alike that the 7 may just get released without one too, and not only start an open dialogue that may have the effect of preparing 7 customers for it, but get the developers cranking up production of wireless and lightning products to be ready for the launch. And considering it's only 3-6 more months out, not enough time for the competition to do anything about it. Moreover, if there is a massive backlash against the removal of the 3.5mm jack, you can be sure Apple has designed two versions of the 7, and that gives them enough time to implement the design with the jack, without back peddling on the removal of the 4" phone.

And, if there are indeed two phones, the entry level phone may retain the 3.5mm jack, while the more premium 4" won't, also indicative of the 7 landscape which may offer the flagship without, but a very competent 6S with, as well as an updated 4" option which will appeal to the budget minded customer who isn't otherwise going to spend money on expensive wireless headphones, or perhaps, so that they can.

So frankly, for all these reasons, I'd be surprised if Apple releases only one 4" phone with a 3.5mm jack.

 

[SteveW928]

To be fair, the 4" rumors are all over the place. It could end up being anything, even two phones.

However, I wouldn't rule out eliminating the 3.5mm headphone on this phone for a few reasons: the 5s is physically smaller than the 6s, and understandably will need more room to accomodate the additional features, not to mention comperble battery life. One rumor has already indicated the new 4" phone will have a larger capacity battery, which if true is going to need space somewhere. The 3.5mm Jack is an excellent space saver for internal expansion.

Also, removing it on a phone which is non-critical to the success of the iPhone line is not a bad testing ground. The 4" customers will likely buy it regardless. But it will send a signal to developers and consumers alike that the 7 may just get released without one too, and not only start an open dialogue that may have the effect of preparing 7 customers for it, but get the developers cranking up production of wireless and lightning products to be ready for the launch. And considering it's only 3-6 more months out, not enough time for the competition to do anything about it. Moreover, if there is a massive backlash against the removal of the 3.5mm jack, you can be sure Apple has designed two versions of the 7, and that gives them enough time to implement the design with the jack, without back peddling on the removal of the 4" phone.

And, if there are indeed two phones, the entry level phone may retain the 3.5mm jack, while the more premium 4" won't, also indicative of the 7 landscape which may offer the flagship without, but a very competent 6S with, as well as an updated 4" option which will appeal to the budget minded customer who isn't otherwise going to spend money on expensive wireless headphones, or perhaps, so that they can.

So frankly, for all these reasons, I'd be surprised if Apple releases only one 4" phone with a 3.5mm jack.

I honestly don't get the point of this whole 1/8" to Lightening rumor/move. I suppose it saves a bit of internal case space, but it can't be all that much. And, Apple already makes thinner products with an 1/8" jack, so it isn't a thickness thing either (as many of the rumors speculated).

If it were USB-C and the industry seemed to be moving in that direction for everything audio, I guess I'd get it. But Lightening is proprietary and mechanically inferior. It seems like nearly all downsides to me. Not that Apple won't do it, but I sure don't see why.

 

[Mac 128]

I honestly don't get the point of this whole 1/8" to Lightening rumor/move. I suppose it saves a bit of internal case space, but it can't be all that much. And, Apple already makes thinner products with an 1/8" jack, so it isn't a thickness thing either (as many of the rumors speculated).

If it were USB-C and the industry seemed to be moving in that direction for everything audio, I guess I'd get it. But Lightening is proprietary and mechanically inferior. It seems like nearly all downsides to me. Not that Apple won't do it, but I sure don't see why.

I don't really agree that Lightning is mechanically inferior. But that's the least of this, and you don't explain why you think the contrary to debate.

However, as far as eliminating the headphone jack for space, look at the inclusion of the Optical image stabilization on the 6 Plus. How much room could that take up that they can't add it to the 6? Add to that the 6 Plus battery life gets up to a third more, despite having a much bigger screen. Don't you think the 6 would have that kind of battery life if it could? Instead they release a humpback battery case for the 6 only. Now they have to squeeze the 6S components into a 5s case, and get at least the same battery life as it previously had -- Apple never offers less.

Now when you consider the headphone jack takes up about 240 square mm, that's actually a lot of space inside a device so constrained. I don't have a problem imagining the need to eliminate a redundant single function port given all of that. In order to add new technology and supply the same or better battery life, something has to go.

As for proprietary, that could be a good thing depending on whether USB-c becomes a standard at all, much less one that doesn't get replaced in 5-10 years obsoleting audio devices with USB-c connectors. Apple can support the Lightning connector long after its replaced by another standard to maintain compatibility with audio devices. Besides, lightning products is not the goal here -- wireless is, and that is a universal standard. Lightning is just a means to give die hard wired headphone users, or those demanding a higher audio standard, an option to continue to connect that way. The future is otherwise wireless.

 

[SteveW928]

I don't really agree that Lightning is mechanically inferior. But that's the least of this, and you don't explain why you think the contrary to debate.

However, as far as eliminating the headphone jack for space, look at the inclusion of the Optical image stabilization on the 6 Plus. How much room could that take up that they can't add it to the 6? Add to that the 6 Plus battery life gets up to a third more, despite having a much bigger screen. Don't you think the 6 would have that kind of battery life if it could? Instead they release a humpback battery case for the 4.7" phone only. Now they have to squeeze the 6S components into a 5s case, and get at least the same battery life as it previously had -- Apple never offers less.

Now when you consider the headphone jack takes up about 240 square mm, that's actually a lot of space inside a device so constrained. I don't have a problem imagining the need to eliminate a redundant single function port given all of that.

As for proprietary, that could be a good thing depending on whether USB-c becomes a standard at all, much less one that doesn't get replaced in 5-10 years obsoleting audio devices with USB-c connectors. Apple can support the Lightning connector long after its replaced by another standard to maintain compatibility with audio devices. Besides, lightning products is not the goal here -- wireless is, and that is a universal standard. Lightning is just a means to give die hard wired headphone users, or those demanding a higher audio standard, an option to continue to connect that way. The future is otherwise wireless.

Lightening (in my experience) is much easier to make lose proper (functional) connection with a bit of stress on the cord. And, while I've not broken on off in the port, it doesn't seem that hard to do. It's a lot different plugging in something on the night-stand or a shelf, and a port that is used during active use. For example, I used to keep my iPod in my pocket with wired headphones on while I worked around the house. My headphones them selves often broke, but I never hurt the iPod itself. I'm not so sure that would be the case with Lightening.

Some of the rest of what you've said I agree with, I'm just not sure it's worth the overall tradeoff. That said, I agree stuff will probably move wireless, especially as it gets less finicky and problematic. (I do have some health concerns about that though... but I've switched to a BT headset for most of my podcast listening while I work, I'm just *hoping* it's too low of power to hurt me.)

And, I'm really hoping things go to USB-C. It seems like a MUCH better connector than other USB variations, and can now include Thunderbolt as well, so it's a VERY flexible connecter in terms of use.

 

[HarryWild]

I would love to go back to a 4" size, but I'm not buying a new iPhone that has the same specs as my 2014 iPhone 6. A9 and 2 GB ram and I'd gladly buy one.

I don't quite understand why Apple thinks that the 4" should be a budget only version? Before the new larger versions; it was 4" or smaller and people brought it at a premium price! It seems stupid to think people want a budget version - old technology inside just because Apple thinks nobody would want a 4" state of the arts iPhone selling at a flagship price!

 

[uid15]

"Looks legit", parrots everyone who hasn't considered all the possible ways in which this could be faked, including the obvious one, being that the person handling purported device could be handling a 6/6S, and/or be "Mr Shovel Hands".

No objects of known size and scale, for context? "looks legit" ...

 

[mountain]

There might be a small audience for the 4" but I can't see myself going back to that size.

 

[Mac 128]

There might be a small audience for the 4" but I can't see myself going back to that size.

What's small to you?

 

[SteveW928]

I don't quite understand why Apple thinks that the 4" should be a budget only version? Before the new larger versions; it was 4" or smaller and people brought it at a premium price! It seems stupid to think people want a budget version - old technology inside just because Apple thinks nobody would want a 4" state of the arts iPhone selling at a flagship price!

I guess to be fair to Apple, we don't know *they* think it should be a budget phone. It's all the 'industry experts' and 'analysts' who seem to think so. And, Cook actually said Apple has little interest in budget models. That said, what Cook says and does don't necessarily match up. And, Apple has been selling budget phones, to an extent, in their peddling of old technology (I'd rather they do a budget model, as old tech is worse). And, Apple has been acting more and more like the typical goofy tech company lately, so who knows?

My guess is that if this new model is scaled down in features and lower in price, that it will be in typical Apple style and only slightly cheaper, not a true budget model. And, part of the 4" and budget-crowd will like that. The other part of the 4" crowd (like me) will be ticked off, and have a hard decision to make about whether to buy it (and reward Apple for being incorrect), or hold off.

The problem is that when you're as successful as Apple is currently, it's really easy to misinterpret the data. Make a bigger phone, sales go up, must have been the right decision, correct? Or, make a reduced feature 4", lots of people buy it, must have been the right decision, correct? Make a reduced feature 4" and it doesn't sell well, must not be a demand for 4" phones anymore, correct?

No objects of known size and scale, for context? "looks legit" ...

Yea, that was about the worst attempt I've seen in a long time. It wasn't only fake, but incredibly cheesy.

What's small to you?

Even conservative estimates would be about 10%, which I think is a bigger market than the iPad Pro is of the iPad line (and Apple seems super-stoked about that). IMO, it would be more like 30% if Apple does it right.... but I won't be holding my breath.