Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

New 4-Inch iPhone Again Predicted to Launch in 2016

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,214
38,993



IHS Technology research director Kevin Wang, who previously said a new 4-inch iPhone would launch by the end of 2015, has now changed his prediction to mid 2016 on Chinese microblogging service Sina Weibo (via GforGames), corroborating information shared by reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

iphone5s5c.png

Wang did not provide any new details about Apple's oft-rumored 4-inch iPhone, beyond confirming the smaller screen size, but Kuo recently said the device will "resemble an upgraded iPhone 5s," including a metal design with an A9 processor, and launch in the first quarter of 2016.
As there is still demand for a 4-inch iPhone, we believe Apple will upgrade this product line. Because the iPhone 5s is more popular than the iPhone 5c, we think Apple is likely to launch an upgraded iPhone 5s. We predict Apple will mass-produce this new 4-inch iPhone in 1H16 with metal casings. In order to make the current iOS 9 or next-generation iOS 10 run smoothly, Apple may adopt an A9 chip for this new phone.
Click to expand...
Kuo believes the so-called "iPhone 6c" will not feature 3D Touch to differentiate it from Apple's flagship iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Foxconn is expected to be the primary manufacturer of the 4-inch smartphone, with 20-30 million shipments projected through the end of 2016.

Given his recent track record, Wang's new prediction should be treated with a proverbial grain of salt, but it does corroborate multiple rumors suggesting Apple will release a new 4-inch smartphone in 2016. The so-called "iPhone 6c" was originally rumored to launch in 2015, but those plans were reportedly scrapped.

Article Link: New 4-Inch iPhone Again Predicted to Launch in 2016
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/11/16/4-inch-iphone-mid-2016-ihs-kevin-wang/
Schranke said:
The idea of not having the latest tech in a 4" model is annoying.
For me it would mean that i might not upgrade with the same pattern as previous. Also having the latest tech combined with a decent battery life in a small vessel would be great showmanship of what you are able to do in engineering
Click to expand...

I hear you.. this seems to be Apple's course though. iPad Mini has trailed the Air and now it looks like the Air may be setting up to trail the Pro. Even the 6S trails the 6S Plus to a minor extent.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ThomasJL, Lopov Jack, Sea Bass and 13 others
Or just that iPhone 7's form factor is smaller, with little to no bezels.
..oh wait that mean even smaller battery.. Abort! :D
 
Why not just meet in the middle with a 5" screen with smaller top & bottom bezels? The 5.5" iPhone Plus is honestly too big. If it wasn't for the Optic Image Stabilization in the Plus models I'd have the 4.7".
 
  • Like
Reactions: SuperBrown and 5105973
FFS, give it a rest with the 4" rumours. Just upgraded from a 5s to a 6s and would never go back to the smaller screen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Radeon85
I always think a 4" phone would be perfect. I do not like the bigger screens. On the other hand as I am getting older I can not see as good anymore in close. So maybe I need a bigger phone from that perspective. I guess everything is larger on the larger phones?
 
  • Like
Reactions: bchreng and Benjamin Frost
CmdrLaForge said:
I always think a 4" phone would be perfect. I do not like the bigger screens. On the other hand as I am getting older I can not see as good anymore in close. So maybe I need a bigger phone from that perspective. I guess everything is larger on the larger phones?
Click to expand...

Yes; there is an option to use zoom mode, which slightly increases the size of text.
 
jpgr15 said:
I hear you.. this seems to be Apple's course though. iPad Mini has trailed the Air and now it looks like the Air may be setting up to trail the Pro. Even the 6S trails the 6S Plus to a minor extent.

FWIW, I don't like it any more than you do. You shouldn't have to choose between screen size and specs. Everybody needs a different screen size but that doesn't mean you necessarily want lesser specs because you want a smaller screen.
Click to expand...
  • The iPad mini trailed the 'Air' in 2012 (retina vs no-retina, A6x vs A5, 1 GB vs 512 MB).
  • The iPad mini matched the Air in 2013 (both retina, both A7, both 1 GB)
  • The iPad mini trailed the Air in 2014 (A8x vs A7, 2 GB vs 1 GB)
  • The iPad mini (almost) matched the Air in 2015 (A8x vs A8, both 2 GB)
That's a nice pattern.

Where the 6s trails the 6s Plus is in areas that related to the 'Plus' being larger, both in thickness as well as a screen size (thicker body allows for a thicker camera module with stabilisation and larger screen + thicker body allows for a larger battery).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Keane16
Initially this sounds great, for those of us who prefer a smaller sized phone.. but if it's not going to have the same features as the 6S/6S+, then it's a far less attractive upgrade from my 5S.

My 5S is plenty fast enough, and works perfectly well. So whilst a new 4" phone would prick my interest, it would have to have some feature improvements to make me want to upgrade, from the excellent 5S.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rhoydotp, journeyy, Sea Bass and 3 others
I personally think 4.7" is the perfect smartphone size, with 5.5" being a good size for a phablet device, if the user wants it. However, I know many people personally that want a 4" device so I do hope Apple's pulls through here. They're close with the iPod Touch. Bulk it up with batter, slap in a radio and A9 chip and call it a day.

shanson27 said:
I've got a better idea, iPhone 7 with 3D Touch surface and Touch ID, without the home button
Click to expand...

I think that would be pretty cool, minus the circle icons.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: Sea Bass and Benjamin Frost
If this comes true, I hope it won't be like the 5c and have intentionally crippled hardware. I loved the look and feel of the 5c, but it was saddled with old tech. I agree that there's a market for a smaller form factor, as long as the specs are the same as a larger phone. Apple shouldn't force people to use a device too big for their hands. If there are people who want a smaller device, then give them the power they need in a form factor that works for them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sea Bass, thekaiju, Garsun and 4 others
I don't know. I got a 6s Plus (coming from a 5) and I will NEVER go back. I honestly won't go below the size of the 6s Plus again. It's a wonderful size for me. I can't imagine having to use that tiny keyboard again. lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: Berthacrowley
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back