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Why would anyone buy this? If the pricing is correct it will only be around $200 cheaper than an iPhone 7...and even less difference to a 6s.

Also why 5e? Just because it has iPhone 5 specs? It seems weird that you would announce iPhone 7 and iPhone 5e.
 
Why? Apple, why? Is it so hard to create a 4" iPhone with flagship specs? Why deliberately gimp your own products this way? There is nothing about a smaller phone which suggests it has to be inferior to a larger phone.

Why is it so hard for you to understand that Apple doesn't do that in any of their products. Apple always equates a larger screen with higher end specs. They do it with the iMac, with the Macbook Pro, with the iPad, with the iPod, and with the iPhone. I can't think of a single instance in the last 20 years of Apple ever giving a smaller screened device equivalent specs to a larger one. Maybe the 12/14" iBook? I'm not saying it's right; I'm saying it's the way they do things, and they aren't likely to change.
 
What is the point of this? If true and the phone launches in April, it will mean that it will be on sale for only 5ish months before the A8-class (this, iPhone 6) get dumped down to the lowest end model. At this point the iOS updates typically tend to be optimised for the old flagship (6s) with new features reserved for the new flagship (7). The bottom-rung model gets support (6) but starts to show its age - possibly more so with RAM difference.
 
This will sell very well. I know a lot of women who use 4" iPhone's currently who have no desire for an iPhone 6 due to the screen size.

I'd prefer seeing a 4" iPhone 7 this fall but this will do too. Better than no 4" iPhone in the lineup entirely.
 
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This is one area where they copy Android phones and shouldn't. Why do all manufacturers insist on using low end specs for small phones?

Mainly because they haven't got the engineering ability to fit everything they do in the massive handset into a smaller frame. You'd think this is where Apple, with its wizardry, years of making powerful 4" flagship phones and money could succeed. Seems they just don't want or need to though.
 
Hey, I don't like paying for extra memory, but at least I know I can get extra memory. Apple really needs to get over this thinness thing and start putting bigger batteries in their phones. The new 6 and 6s power case is PROOF POSITIVE that folks want BIGGER BATTERIES for their PREMIUM PRICED PHONE. I think Apple makes the best devices. But I just went to Android because I wanted a bigger battery and didn't want a PLUS size phone. I do miss IOS, but I think I can make do with my lower priced phone with a honking battery.
 
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This makes sense to me. When the iPhone 7 comes out, Apple's obvious choices are either to make the 6 the "entry level" phone or to sell a 4" phone with iPhone 6-like specs. This rumor is banking on the latter.
 
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