Leaked Images Provide First Look at Purported Rear Shell of 'iPhone 6c'

[JM]

The whole idea behind the "c" model is to move away from the perception the original model had - the 5, and soon the 6 - to make room for the "s" model, which shares a similar look to the previous, non-s phone.

To do so, they first wrap it in colourful plastic, which gives it a whole new look and a different type of appeal.

They also iron out any of the major kinks the original phone first had on release. So if the battery was notoriously bad, they'll take measures to fix that. These are tweaks more so than upgrades - the kinds of things that would have been in place from day one of the original if they'd just had more time to test and develop it before release. (Another important reason why the "s" model never becomes a "c" model - it's had an extra year of development compared to the original in the same industrial design configuration, so they have all the time they needed to iron out kinks, which is why the "s" models always tend to last longer and have fewer problems than their original, non-s counterparts).

They also reduce the storage configurations to two, lower end choices (so you won't see a 128GB 6c, for example).

And finally they lower the price one peg, into the mid-tier range.

The 6s takes top tier pricing with three storage size ranges and the 5s goes down to the lowest pricing with only one storage size (I'm guessing 16GB this time but it could well be 8GB).

You can think of the "c" as a "downgrade" to plastic if you like, but it's really all about differentiation from the "s" model.

You make some compelling arguments that are reasonable and well thought out. However, what is your explanation for the plastic shell with the 5s camera cut-out in the photos?

-genuinely interested

 

[darcyf]

You make some compelling arguments that are reasonable and well thought out. However, what is your explanation for the plastic shell with the 5s camera cut-out in the photos?

-genuinely interested

So there's two possibilities.

The photo is a fake, or of a component for a product that was developed internally but never meant to make it to prime time.

Or the 6c will in fact be in a 4" configuration.

If the 6c is a 4" device, it would still be the mid tier phone, with the 5s being the bottom tier phone, because, for one, it would have a faster processor, better camera, Apple Pay, etc, making it a superior device. But also because how could a phone with the number 6 in front if it be cheaper than a phone with a 5 in front of it? That would just get really confusing for the consumer.

I do think making the 6c a 4" phone would also be a little confusing since we know the 6 brand as a bigger phone.

BUT, we also know the "c" brand as a 4" phone. If Apple go this route, they will seal in the notion with consumers that "c" phones are 4" phones, which will keep the door open for always having a 4" phone available.

Apple:

You want a 4" phone? You can have it. It's wrapped in plastic. Enjoy.

That would be my explanation if the photo and the assumption around it is accurate. Nothing else changes, though, in terms of where that phone exists in the lineup. It's a mid tier phone, between the 6s and the 5s.

And then the following year when the 7 rolls out, the 6c will be the bottom tier phone, the 6s the mid, and the 7 the top.

The more I think about it, the more it starts to makes sense to make the "c" brand 4 inches since you get to keep that shape/size around for the heel draggers while still making all your latest devices state of the art in terms of larger screen sizes.

Apple usually embrace change rapidly and with little to no looking back. But when they took super drives out of every Mac on the market, they kept the old 2012 MacBook Pro 13" around for those who just couldn't let go. You can still buy that clunker today. So there's some precedent here.

Maybe the 6c will be 4 inches after all. That would be interesting...

 

[darcyf]

Ok this idea of a 4" 6c is really starting to sink in...

For one, it would reduce the number of types of phones, since the current model has two sizes - big and huge. If they kept that around for the "c", then you'd have the 6c "big", 6c "huge", along with the 6s "big" and 6s "huge". AND a 5s "normal". That's five phones. Too many phones.

If people want a bigger phone, they can pay a premium for the latest device. They have two options there: 6s and 6s Plus.

If they want a normal phone, they also have two options: 6c and 5s.

The 6c: It's everything you loved about the 6, now in a smaller size and at a reduced price.

They would sell buckets of this thing.

 

[mojolicious]

Ok this idea of a 4" 6c is really starting to sink in...

<snip>

The 6c: It's everything you loved about the 6, now in a smaller size and at a reduced price.

Given that:

a) the difference in production costs between an aluminium bodied phone and a plastic bodied phone is roughly 27¢*, and

b) Apple can get away with charging an extra $100 for that 27¢*'s worth of metal because it's 'premium' and stuff, then

c) there's no chance in hell that an iPhone 6s Mini will debut in plastic.

Personally I think that there won't be a 6s Mini of any description, although it might well return in iPhone 7 guise. I reckon we're looking at a 5SC release, which would be sweet.

* It's more than 27¢, but I'd be surprised if it were more than ten times that figure.

 

[JM]

Ok this idea of a 4" 6c is really starting to sink in...

For one, it would reduce the number of types of phones, since the current model has two sizes - big and huge. If they kept that around for the "c", then you'd have the 6c "big", 6c "huge", along with the 6s "big" and 6s "huge". AND a 5s "normal". That's five phones. Too many phones.

If people want a bigger phone, they can pay a premium for the latest device. They have two options there: 6s and 6s Plus.

If they want a normal phone, they also have two options: 6c and 5s.

The 6c: It's everything you loved about the 6, now in a smaller size and at a reduced price.

They would sell buckets of this thing.

I'm on board with everything you said in both posts; it was a fun read. I still think they wouldn't have a 4" 5s and a 4" 6c, though. While that would be really cool, I would be surprised if they did: HAPPY, but surprised.

That last marketing line you had makes a good point about the power of marketing. The 5s could exist beside the 6c if they educate people on why buying the plastic 4" 6c would be better than saving $100 and getting 5s. Maybe it would be Apple Pay to entice people to spend $550 over $450.

Thanks for your thoughts. Let's see what happens in September.

 

[London Lad]

My take on this is simple, I would like to upgrade my 5s to benifit from newer and faster technology but I don't want a big phone like the 6 or 6+. I know a lot of people in the same boat.

 

[darcyf]

I'm on board with everything you said in both posts; it was a fun read. I still think they wouldn't have a 4" 5s and a 4" 6c, though. While that would be really cool, I would be surprised if they did: HAPPY, but surprised.

That last marketing line you had makes a good point about the power of marketing. The 5s could exist beside the 6c if they educate people on why buying the plastic 4" 6c would be better than saving $100 and getting 5s. Maybe it would be Apple Pay to entice people to spend $550 over $450.

Thanks for your thoughts. Let's see what happens in September.

Keep in mind, the 5s will only have one storage size option, and the lowest possible storage size option at that.

So even if customers don't immediately understand that a 4" 6c is internally better than a 5s, they can still look at it in terms of a willingness to pay more for more storage space.

 

[darcyf]

Given that:

a) the difference in production costs between an aluminium bodied phone and a plastic bodied phone is roughly 27¢*, and

b) Apple can get away with charging an extra $100 for that 27¢*'s worth of metal because it's 'premium' and stuff, then

c) there's no chance in hell that an iPhone 6s Mini will debut in plastic.

Personally I think that there won't be a 6s Mini of any description, although it might well return in iPhone 7 guise. I reckon we're looking at a 5SC release, which would be sweet.

* It's more than 27¢, but I'd be surprised if it were more than ten times that figure.

Who said anything about a 6s mini? If they release a new 4" plastic phone it will be a 6c.

 

[mojolicious]

Who said anything about a 6s mini? If they release a new 4" plastic phone it will be a 6c.

*re-reads*

Okay then, '6 Mini'.

Regardless, unless Apple has turned altruistic in its old age, I don't see the A8's first outing in a 4" case being a 'c' release. An aluminium Mini would sell better than an otherwise identical polycarbonate Mini, and with significantly higher margins. The company aren't going to miss out on that gravy train.

 

[darcyf]

*re-reads*

Okay then, '6 Mini'.

Regardless, unless Apple has turned altruistic in its old age, I don't see the A8's first outing in a 4" case being a 'c' release. An aluminium Mini would sell better than an otherwise identical polycarbonate Mini, and with significantly higher margins. The company aren't going to miss out on that gravy train.

Then why would they have released a plastic 5 as the 5c in the first place?

The A8 will be last year's tech when they put it in the 6c. Just like the A6 was last year's tech when they put it in the 5c.

How is the logic any different today than it was two years ago?

 

[mojolicious]

How is the logic any different today than it was two years ago?

Because there was no size issue two years ago.

There's still significant demand for a 4" iPhone. There's also significant resistance to plastic. An iPhone 6s Mini would sell better than a 4" iPhone 6c, while at the same time enjoying a much higher profit margin.

 

[mcarling]

If the 6c is a 4" device, it would still be the mid tier phone, with the 5s being the bottom tier phone, because, for one, it would have a faster processor, better camera, Apple Pay, etc, making it a superior device. But also because how could a phone with the number 6 in front if it be cheaper than a phone with a 5 in front of it?

The iPhone 5S will almost certainly be discontinued in major markets later this year. The iPhone 6C would be the low-end phone. The iPhone 6 would be the mid-tier phone.

The iPhone 5S might or might not be continued in an 8GB version for markets like India and Brazil, but it almost certainly will not be available in the US or the EU.

 

[darcyf]

The iPhone 5S will almost certainly be discontinued in major markets later this year. The iPhone 6C would be the low-end phone. The iPhone 6 would be the mid-tier phone.

The iPhone 5S might or might not be continued in an 8GB version for markets like India and Brazil, but it almost certainly will not be available in the US or the EU.

What are you basing this off of?

The 4s was kept as the low end phone when the 5c was released.

And they didn't keep the 5 while also releasing the 5c. That would make zero sense since the 5c is the 5, just wrapped in plastic.

Releasing a 6c while keeping the 6 would make no sense. Even if the 6c winds up being a 4" model, it's still got the exact same internals as a 6. And then you'd have the 6 and the 6s looking virtually identical, which was problematic back in the days of the 3G and 3Gs, and the 4 and 4s.

The 6 is metamorphosing into the 6c. There will be no 6 available for sale from Apple when the transformation is complete.

 

[twoodcc]

a 4" iPhone 6c makes sense to me

 

[darcyf]

Because there was no size issue two years ago.

There's still significant demand for a 4" iPhone. There's also significant resistance to plastic. An iPhone 6s Mini would sell better than a 4" iPhone 6c, while at the same time enjoying a much higher profit margin.

A phone with more advanced internals and a more expensive material cost will enjoy a higher profit margin... how?

And what's this resistance to plastic you speak of?

The 5c sold like hotcakes. And the Apple Watch Sport, with its plastic bands, exceeded the demand of the standard Watch with non-plastic bands by a significant margin.

I'm not sure where you're getting this idea of a 6s mini making more sense than a 6c because, no matter how you slice it, it just doesn't.

 

[mojolicious]

A phone with more advanced internals and a more expensive material cost will enjoy a higher profit margin... how?

By being priced at $100 more, whilst costing all of $10–$20 more to produce?

And what's this resistance to plastic you speak of?
The 5c sold like hotcakes. And the Apple Watch Sport, with its plastic bands, exceeded the demand of the standard Watch with non-plastic bands by a significant margin.

I'm basing my 'plastic resistance' on opinions voiced these forums, and the constant reports that the 5c was a sales flop. Obviously it can't be called a 'flop' because I believe we know neither Apple's sales projections nor sales figures. If you're party to those numbers, please share.

The Watch is in no way analogous. The 38mm Sport is $349; the 38mm Sport is Watch is $549 with Sport Band or $649 with the cheapest non-Sport Band. That's a huge price differential, and there's a degree of reluctance to invest that much on a new product. Furthermore: it's a watch. It's probably good ol' fashioned Swatch conditioning, but the perception seems to be that rubbery bands are young, fresh and funky. But the people who are on Team Young, Fresh and Funky can also hold the opinion that non-metallic iPhones are cheap and nasty.

I'm not sure where you're getting this idea of a 6s mini making more sense than a 6c because, no matter how you slice it, it just doesn't.

You are right; I am wrong. I do apologise.

 

[darcyf]

By being priced at $100 more, whilst costing all of $10–$20 more to produce?

So are you suggesting they're going to make a 6s in 4", 4.7" and 5.5" inch configurations, with the 4" and 4.7" being the same price? Because at $100 more than what a 6c would sell for, that's exactly what you'd get.

 

[mojolicious]

So are you suggesting they're going to make a 6s in 4", 4.7" and 5.5" inch configurations, with the 4" and 4.7" being the same price? Because at $100 more than what a 6c would sell for, that's exactly what you'd get.

I don't believe there will be an iPhone 6s Mini.

But if there was one, why shouldn't it be the same price as the 4.7"?

The most widely quoted figures for the production costs of the 16GB iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are $200 and $216 respectively. Half of that difference is due to the cost of the larger screen. If there's a $10–$15 differential between the cost of producing a 6s Mini and a 6s, there's no need for Apple to price the two sizes differently.

 

[darcyf]

I don't believe there will be an iPhone 6s Mini.

But if there was one, why shouldn't it be the same price as the 4.7"?

The most widely quoted figures for the production costs of the 16GB iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are $200 and $216 respectively. Half of that difference is due to the cost of the larger screen. If there's a $10–$15 differential between the cost of producing a 6s Mini and a 6s, there's no need for Apple to price the two sizes differently.

So you don't believe there will be a 6c or a 6s mini? That's all you needed to say.

 

[JM]

Keep in mind, the 5s will only have one storage size option, and the lowest possible storage size option at that.

So even if customers don't immediately understand that a 4" 6c is internally better than a 5s, they can still look at it in terms of a willingness to pay more for more storage space.

Ah yes. Good point. The 8 GB. That would be weird to have a 5s 8GB but would definitely encourage people to get the plastic 6. Man, I really want to know what Apple will do.

 

[mcarling]

What are you basing this off of?

The biggest single consideration for Apple in determining the iPhone lineup, possibly bigger than all others combined, is advancing the adoption of Apple Pay. For Apple to include an iPhone in the 2015/2016 lineup that doesn't support Apple Pay in markets with Apple Pay (like the United States) is almost as far-fetched as discontinuing iPhone production altogether. It would simply make no sense whatsoever.

The 4s was kept as the low end phone when the 5c was released.

So what? Apple Pay was not a consideration then.

And they didn't keep the 5 while also releasing the 5c. That would make zero sense since the 5c is the 5, just wrapped in plastic.

Irrelevant.

Releasing a 6c while keeping the 6 would make no sense. Even if the 6c winds up being a 4" model, it's still got the exact same internals as a 6.

Wrong on multiple counts. All the evidence points to the 6C being a 4" iPhone. The 6C would not have "the exact same internals as a 6." It would share the A8 and the NFC chip and probably not much if anything else. The camera, battery, case, antennas, and logic board would certainly be different from those of the iPhone 6. The broadband chip might also be different.

And then you'd have the 6 and the 6s looking virtually identical, which was problematic back in the days of the 3G and 3Gs, and the 4 and 4s.

That wasn't at all problematic for Apple.

The 6 is metamorphosing into the 6c. There will be no 6 available for sale from Apple when the transformation is complete.

ROTFL!!! It would be stunning if the iPhone 6 were to be discontinued in 2015. The iPhone 6 Plus will probably be discontinued, but not the iPhone 6.

The new lineup (with subsidized / unsubsidized prices) will probably be:
iPhone 6S Plus: $299 / $749
iPhone 6S: $199 / $649
iPhone 6: $99 / $549
iPhone 6C: $0 / $450

 

[mojolicious]

So you don't believe there will be a 6c or a 6s mini? That's all you needed to say.

I refer you to my first post in this thread.

It'll be a 5s plus the Secure Element chip in a polycarbonate casing; it'll be named the 5sc; it'll be priced the same as the current 5s, with the (8GB) 5s becoming the 'free' phone; and it'll be fanbloodytastic.

The new lineup (with subsidized / unsubsidized prices) will probably be:
iPhone 6S Plus: $299 / $749
iPhone 6S: $199 / $649
iPhone 6: $99 / $549
iPhone 6C: $0 / $450

...something with a '6' in the name being the free phone from the time of the 6s launch? Can't see it.

I wonder how attached Apple are to the concept of a free phone. The 8GB 5c offering devalues the brand, in my opinion. Not in the US so I'm not in the habit of thinking in terms of 'subsidies', but has the 'nothing upfront' iPhone been around for that long?

 

[darcyf]

The biggest single consideration for Apple in determining the iPhone lineup, possibly bigger than all others combined, is advancing the adoption of Apple Pay. For Apple to include an iPhone in the 2015/2016 lineup that doesn't support Apple Pay in markets with Apple Pay (like the United States) is almost as far-fetched as discontinuing iPhone production altogether. It would simply make no sense whatsoever.


So what? Apple Pay was not a consideration then.


Irrelevant.


Wrong on multiple counts. All the evidence points to the 6C being a 4" iPhone. The 6C would not have "the exact same internals as a 6." It would share the A8 and the NFC chip and probably not much if anything else. The camera, battery, case, antennas, and logic board would certainly be different from those of the iPhone 6. The broadband chip might also be different.


That wasn't at all problematic for Apple.


ROTFL!!! It would be stunning if the iPhone 6 were to be discontinued in 2015. The iPhone 6 Plus will probably be discontinued, but not the iPhone 6.

The new lineup (with subsidized / unsubsidized prices) will probably be:
iPhone 6S Plus: $299 / $749
iPhone 6S: $199 / $649
iPhone 6: $99 / $549
iPhone 6C: $0 / $450

The 6c will have apple pay. Whether it's 4", 4.7", 2" or 22", it wil be the mid tier phone and will replace the 6.

As far as the marketable internals/features go, like the A8 chip, the camera sensor, apple pay, etc, it will be the same as the 6. Maybe with some minor tweaks. And wrapped in plastic.

The 5s will be the bottom tier device. It will not have apple pay. It will be the same 5s you can buy today but maybe in a smaller storage configuration.

They don't keep the bottom tier phone around with the expectation of selling very many. They keep it so that the mid tier phone doesn't fall into the perception of being the least good option. The mid tier is a phone for people who want to spend less but don't want to feel like they're buying the worst. The worst is one phone down. Which this time around will be the 5s.

There's no way apple is investing resources into putting apple pay into a device that will hardly sell.

----------

I refer you to my first post in this thread.

It'll be a 5s plus the Secure Element chip in a polycarbonate casing; it'll be named the 5sc; it'll be priced the same as the current 5s, with the (8GB) 5s becoming the 'free' phone; and it'll be fanbloodytastic.


...something with a '6' in the name being the free phone from the time of the 6s launch? Can't see it.

I wonder how attached Apple are to the concept of a free phone. The 8GB 5c offering devalues the brand, in my opinion. Not in the US so I'm not in the habit of thinking in terms of 'subsidies', but has the 'nothing upfront' iPhone been around for that long?

Ah you did just say that

Ok well a 5sc isn't going to happen. You're either an s or a c. S phones stick around. Non-s phones turn into c phones.

We've come full circle so I guess now all we can do is wait and see who's right... or if we're both wrong

 

[mcarling]

The 5s will be the bottom tier device. It will not have apple pay. It will be the same 5s you can buy today but maybe in a smaller storage configuration.

They don't keep the bottom tier phone around with the expectation of selling very many. They keep it so that the mid tier phone doesn't fall into the perception of being the least good option. The mid tier is a phone for people who want to spend less but don't want to feel like they're buying the worst. The worst is one phone down. Which this time around will be the 5s.

There's no way apple is investing resources into putting apple pay into a device that will hardly sell.

We'll see in September.

 

[darcyf]

We'll see in September.

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