iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and 4-Inch iPhone 6c Rumored for 2015 Release

[orioncrystalice]

I'd never go smaller than my 5S. For everything iPhone does, even with more and more sites finally getting with the mobile friendly game, smaller than this is just too small IMO. I feel like this and 6 are the sweet spots. Times change.

 

[bnw99]

a 4-inch iphone is ridculous...however if it makes some people happy, go for it Apple. Keep the 4.7 and 5.5 though!

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Skylake is Intel's 6th generation of processors, the launch should be in Q3 2015.
The wait for that is long, because it will feature Thunderbolt 3, that will be faster enough to drive 5K monitor, also it might be able to charge your macbook at the same time, maybe a Thunderbolt Display 2 that is able to charge your computer, be a dock and a monitor at the same time with just 1 cable. Pretty much USB 3 Type C on steroids.

Ahhhh...awesome! Thanks for the info.

 

[winston1236]

At this point it's not rumored, it's a fact on the 'S' models. As for that 4inch model I seriously doubt it.

 

[azentropy]

I'm more or less use to the the size of the 6 now. However, if a 4" 6s came out with the same specs as the 4.7" version I would seriously consider switching back. Every time I pick up my 5s I'm reminded how much better it feels to hold and use with one hand, which is how I use my phone 90% of the time. I just don't want to downgrade in the other specs though.

 

[jclardy]

I just pray they keep good specs in the 4 inch display!

I have large hands, I can palm a basketball easily, and I think the iPhone 6 display is simply to big.

When Steve Jobs said the 4 inch display was the perfect size because your thumb could easily manage the corner of the device, he couldn't have been more correct.

I disagree on the 6 being too big...I think I have similarly sized hands and while I can't reach the top corner without a slight grip adjustment (Or an awkward stretch) I don't think it is really necessary to be able to reach 100% of the display with the thumb of one hand. 99% of the time that corner is just a back button or a hamburger menu, both of which in good apps will have a slide gesture, meaning you never have to reach for the button.

But the thing is, not even everyone can reach that corner on a 4" iPhone. There is no one-size fits all for humans.

Also 4" isn't really the "magic" number - it is a 4" display + 3/4" bottom bezel because of the home button. I don't see Apple ditching it any time soon, but you could use closer to a 5" display in the same body size as the 5/5S with a slight width increase.

 

[ghostface147]

Just make it less slippery.

 

[cmichaelb]

Jobs said the 3.5 inch display was the ideal one. The 4 inch came after he died.

Wow, you're correct..seems like he hasn't been gone that long yet. Man time flies. Regardless, the 4 inch form factor seemed absolutely perfect and i'll be sad to see it go or have it left behind in hardware to larger devices.

Steve said nothing about 4" phones publicly. The last phone he saw was the 4S which only had a 3.5" screen. It was Tim Cook who commented on the 4" screen on the iPhone 5 and how you could easily reach across the screen with your thumb.

I think he said that about the 3.5 inch display!

Steve Jobs worked on iPhone 5 - link

Steve wasn't stupid. A larger screen was coming and even larger. Apple/Steve wasn't going to ignore all the trends. Apple sales would be in the gutter if they hadn't gone bigger. iPhone 6 and 6+ are outselling every previous generation of iPhone. Apple has a product road map that projects out 4-5 years. If Steve was around he would have sold it as the perfect size NOW due to the thinness and the double tap to slide the screen downwards.

They've had prototype larger screen phones in the labs for years I'm sure- Tim said on Charlie Rose they could have done it years ago.

--The iPad mini is a perfect example. Steve himself said Eddie Cue hounded him until he finally greenlit an iPad mini. Yet Steve had publicly said previously that any smaller than the iPad screen was too small to use comfortably (he was right too, the mini is much harder to type on, it's awkward).

--iPod w/ video is another one- Jobs publicly said no one wanted to watch video on such a small screen then the iPod 5.5 w/ video came out less than a year later.

--iTunes on Windows. Jobs said his team harassed him for 6 months until he said okay- he had already said he'd NEVER make iTunes available for Windows users.

Don't think Steve couldn't change his mind or would reveal everything. He said what he needed to say at the time.

I've adjusted to a iPhone 6 much easier than I thought I would- and I bet most people are. But I don't have some massive Otterbox case on it. I use something more reasonable. Spigen Capsule and it's good protection with not much bulk.


Totally agree that should still offer the 4 inch phone. There seems to be a demand for it.

 

[ozziegn]

Some of these posts are very amusing. Millions of people were whining and complaining about Apple being so late with delivering bigger screen phones. Now people are whining and complaining and wishing at the same time that Apple will roll out a smaller screen model (again).

The old saying is definitely true: People will b!tch and complain either way....

 

[Mockenrue]

The best of both worlds is possible with smaller bezels. My previous phone (1st gen Moto X) was the sweet spot. 4.7" screen, but about the same size as my wife's 5S in a thin case. But I never used a case because the texture and shape was perfect as-is. No issue at all with one handed use.

I now have an iPhone 6 because I'm a heavy iPad user and it's easier to sync between iOS devices. But man do I miss that form factor. Small bottom bezel is the key to thumb reach. But iOS is stuck with a big one unless they figure out a way to embed Touch ID into the screen itself.

 

[Arcus]

I will buy the 4" instantly.

 

[kolax]

Disappointed the 4" will be the crap release, meaning it'll probably only have 1GB of RAM, no Force Touch screen and a last gen A7 CPU.

Frustrating, because if Apple made the effort, the 4" would sell well. Instead, they're making money off it by likely giving it crippled features but still charging a big premium for it.

 

[Thunderhawks]

I disagree on the 6 being too big...I think I have similarly sized hands and while I can't reach the top corner without a slight grip adjustment (Or an awkward stretch) I don't think it is really necessary to be able to reach 100% of the display with the thumb of one hand. 99% of the time that corner is just a back button or a hamburger menu, both of which in good apps will have a slide gesture, meaning you never have to reach for the button.

But the thing is, not even everyone can reach that corner on a 4" iPhone. There is no one-size fits all for humans.

Also 4" isn't really the "magic" number - it is a 4" display + 3/4" bottom bezel because of the home button. I don't see Apple ditching it any time soon, but you could use closer to a 5" display in the same body size as the 5/5S with a slight width increase.

Went to store when the 6 came out to hold it in comparison to my 4S.
As my eyes age a larger display would be nice. ^ feels good, but slippery.
(Somebody mentioned that also)

Now comes the part I haven't seen discussed:

What does the actual size feel like with a case?
There is no way to try that in a store.

I like something like the Otterbox as I am extremely rough on my iPhones, not by being klutzy, but by the way I am using it while working.

So, comparing a 5S to a 6S with an Otterbox type case would give a real feel, rather than go by screen sizes.

 

[c0ppo]

App developers, does 3 screen sizes make things much more complicated? Anyway, in my opinion 4.7" iPhone is the right sized iPhone. Hard to imagine using a 4" screen anymore.

Nope. Not much complicated. Every app now has the same aspect ratio, except for 4s, but firm where I work doesn't even support 4s anymore so...

 

[GangstaGehard]

Can't imagine using a 4 inch iPhone. Its already difficult enough hitting the right key when typing on my 6.

4.7in is truly the perfect size.

 

[cmichaelb]

Can't imagine using a 4 inch iPhone. Its already difficult enough hitting the right key when typing on my 6.

4.7in is truly the perfect size.

It's fun to play with the old phones and realize "How did I use such a small screen?" lol.

Yet, at the time, I loved them.

The 4" was great but the screen is literally the size of a business card. It's shocking now after getting use to an iPhone 6. I can't go back.

 

[Jsameds]

This is like the 10th time I've read this sentiment....

It's not getting any less idiotic.
The 5C fell into the "free on contract" slot.
It was a cheaper phone, made with cheaper parts.
It was NOT "fully specced" to the current gen. It was previous gen, in a cheaper case.
Am I the only one that remembers this????
I feel like I'm on crazy pills!!!!

None of you are getting a $200 cheaper than flagship plastic phone, that's miraculously going to have the same features of their current flagship. Duh. It will OBVIOUSLY get guts of last gen.

Chill out, you misunderstood me that's all.

When I say "fully specced" I mean I hope the 4" model isn't gimped compared to the 4.7/5.5" models.

The 4.7" iPhone 6 was gimped compared to the 6+ because it had

- Lower pixel density display
- Lower battery life
- No OIS

 

[Leonard1818]

My wife would love a 4" but I'm pretty sure she's gonna get a six incher. 😀

 

[cmichaelb]

I'm more or less use to the the size of the 6 now. However, if a 4" 6s came out with the same specs as the 4.7" version I would seriously consider switching back. Every time I pick up my 5s I'm reminded how much better it feels to hold and use with one hand, which is how I use my phone 90% of the time. I just don't want to downgrade in the other specs though.

Not going to happen. The C series is lower specced. At best you will get 5S internals - IF it happens.

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Chill out, you misunderstood me that's all.

When I say "fully specced" I mean I hope the 4" model isn't gimped compared to the 4.7/5.5" models.

The 4.7" iPhone 6 was gimped compared to the 6+ because it had

- Lower pixel density display
- Lower battery life
- No OIS

LOL. I would hardly call that 'gimped'. No OIS is the only thing I'm jealous of. The 6 if managed well, gets great battery life but of course not as good as a LARGER battery in the 6+.

 

[prowlmedia]

Your quote started out batting 1.000 in the first half: You're right Apple doesn't need a design change, nothing wrong with it per se. If I was to make any change it would be to find a way to make it less slippery with the rounded edges. And the bezel. Holy crap the bezel.

Then you completely struck out: There's no logic to your case and accessories argument. Cases for 5C, 5S, 6, 6+ aren't interchangeable. Every new phone has required a different case size. Not sure where you're getting your Android and WP info, but it's wrong. Cases and accessories are available for pretty much any phone from budget to flagship.

Jobs championed 3.5" as the right size. Cook said 4". Neither was right then, and it's still not right today. The right size is the one that each individual customer chooses for him/herself. It's okay to want a 4" phone. Everybody has preferences. There is no one right size.

Nope I am talking about shelf life for the case and accessory manufacturers - There are a lot of cases for the flagship android models but way less for any others - also the quality of those are shocking.

2 years having the same form factor encourages the companies to actually make something for the phone - such as the Gamepads and Battery cases. Yearly design cycles are a nightmare for external companies... but the time they get the specs and redesign a battery case for example and get it out there they only have 7 months sale time before the next model comes out. I know that obviously that phone will still exist and the owner may need one later, but premium selling time is in the first year.

By accessories I am talking about actual devices that either connect to the iPhone or are used by it. There are 100s for the iPhone and Very very little for Android. The reason is support. No manufacturer can be sure that it works on the 1000s of droid devices. Bar perhaps some bluetooth speakers - Even Keyboards and Game pads are completely hit and miss.

This is why the MFI is such a good system. Albeit making things more expensive.

Re: size - I totally agree that choice is the best option. My father in law just bought a 5s... the reason... the 6 sticks out of his top **** pocket!

But one this I totally agree with is that size is not important 😉

 

[cliffster82]

I am all about a 4" iPhone 6C but please not plastic! Keep it metal. Seriously this has already been done with the iPod Touch so why can't they use the same idea for the 6C. Not likely but why not?

 

[JuryDuty]

I'd go for the 4" version. I still use a 4S and am quite happy with the tiny size. Of course, I faithfully carry my iPad Mini everywhere I go and pretty much only use my phone for calls and one running/music app.

 

[Jsameds]

I am all about a 4" iPhone 6C but please not plastic! Keep it metal. Seriously this has already been done with the iPod Touch so why can't they use the same idea for the 6C. Not likely but why not?

A metal iPhone 6C is an iPhone 6.

EDIT Just seen the 4" bit. Ignore me. I'm an idiot.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

Why won't they just call the 4 inch iPhone "mini"

iPhone 6S
iPhone 6S Plus
iPhone 6S Mini

 

[azentropy]

Not going to happen. The C series is lower specced. At best you will get 5S internals - IF it happens.

There was only one "c" previously and you are right it was lower specced. However by pretty much all accounts it was not a successful product, just like the iPad mini 3 by most accounts has not been a successful product. Maybe they learned from that and realize the people want a smaller device, not a smaller and less powerful device.

 

[Sasparilla]

Why won't they just call the 4 inch iPhone "mini"

iPhone 6S
iPhone 6S Plus
iPhone 6S Mini

That's a good idea on the name and very consistent with Apple's naming policy. They should make it have the 6s innerds though (top spec). Been using my 6 very happily, however the small size for use and transportability might have me jump to a 4" 6s if Apple offered it - and Mini would be the right branding.