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Hope it's true. I don't need a giant screen. I have one in my living room. Plus my iPad has served me well when I need more screen real estate. I just want a phone. Fast, light, efficient, great optics, fits comfortably in my pocket, can reach all four corners with my thumb. That's all.
 
The need for a 4" phone exists now because there isn't enough of an incentive for a larger phone. Split screen single apps, longer battery life, and more screen real estate are a start, but those that are in love with their 4" phone need more to switch over and join the rest of us.

More RAM, larger phones, and the iPad introduction of three types of multitasking all hint at what we might see for iOS X and the iPhone 7. Not to mention interactive notifications and quickly returning to apps that we now have. If we don't see some combination of Slide Over, Split View, or Picture in Picture on the iPhone next year I'll be very disappointed.
 
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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.

How about keeping the 5S chassis which I love (not keen on the rounded edges) with latest components and a lovely big battery!
 
I think it's always good to have options, as long as they are made simple and not convoluted like Samsung's hell stew of products they have.

I think this would be a greatly welcomed product, tons of people are either on a lower budget and or won't budge when it comes to a larger screen size.
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.

I personally think it's go big or go home with phone sizes. I don't see the point of a 4.7 inch phone, it's already big enough where you can use it with one hand but it's cumbersome enough where you may as well just get the full size phone. And if you aren't about screen size, go the other size of he spectrum and give yourself more pocket space. This is coming from a regular iPhone 6 user, had it for a year now. Im personally getting the plus next, 4.7 is too big to be considered "small" I think.
 
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Ugh really? Here is something more innovative they can do. Get rid of the top and bottom bezels so the 4.7 inch iphone is as small as the iPhone 5.

It's not JUST about the overall device size though. A smaller screen size means your thumb can reach the corners of the screen more easily, for better one-handed use.
 
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the 6c, with touch id------------------->4"
the 6s, with touch id and 3D---------->4.7"
the 6s+, with touch id, 3D and OIS -->5.5"

This makes total sense if the pricing is right.
$649 for the 6s (32gig)
$749 for the 6s+ (32gig)

Therefore I would expect $549 for the 6c. If Apple really wanted to make waves, they would find a way to sell it at $449 and still maintain margins.
Of course they can. 8 gig base model that no one buys.
 
The analysis that because the 5C did not sell as well as the 5 it will be the new form factor is completely bogus. The 5C had inferior tech, no Touch ID, slower CPU/GPU, and when it was discontinued, only the base model was sold at 16 gig storage. Of course it didn't sell.

I'd pay the same price as a 6 plus for a 6C with up to date tech and slightly thicker so the latest camera doesn't have a bump and bigger battery the extra space allows.
 
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I personally think it's go big or go home with phone sizes. I don't see the point of a 4.7 inch phone, it's already big enough where you can use it with one hand but it's cumbersome enough where you may as well just get the full size phone. And if you aren't about screen size, go the other size of he spectrum and give yourself more pocket space. This is coming from a regular iPhone 6 user, had it for a year now. Im personally getting the plus next, 4.7 is too big to be considered "small" I think.
I agree, that's what I thought when I got my 6+. I've been happy with it, but if Apple came out with an actual small phone is buy it to replace the 6+.
 
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.
Well said. I want a 4" option back but not if its the redheaded stepchild of the iPhone family. A9, Apple Pay, 12 mp camera, force touch, etc. should all be included.

I do like my iPhone 6 but prefer the smaller size, if it had comparable internals.
 
Well said. I want a 4" option back but not if its the redheaded stepchild of the iPhone family. A9, Apple Pay, 12 mp camera, force touch, etc. should all be included.

I do like my iPhone 6 but prefer the smaller size, if it had comparable internals.
I agree with everything you said, except the part about the redheaded stepchild. I was a redheaded stepchild, so...ouch.
 
The need for a 4" phone exists now because there isn't enough of an incentive for a larger phone. Split screen single apps, longer battery life, and more screen real estate are a start, but those that are in love with their 4" phone need more to switch over and join the rest of us.

More RAM, larger phones, and the iPad introduction of three types of multitasking all hint at what we might see for iOS X and the iPhone 7. Not to mention interactive notifications and quickly returning to apps that we now have. If we don't see some combination of Slide Over, Split View, or Picture in Picture on the iPhone next year I'll be very disappointed.

Right now, I like my 5s 16 GB for what it is -- A phone with an internet browser. I don't watch much youtube, netflix. I play the occasional game. I use the calendar, but beyond that not much else.

Finishing up my 2 year contract soon with Verizon and i'm at the point that i might get a new phone, but I'm leaning at getting a 5s with 64GB next if there is no 4" announcement. Same Form factor, more Memory and cheaper right now too. Now if they offer the same size with a better processor sign me up and good battery life sign me up!
 
Is there only me that prefers the look and feel of a 5c? I find the 5c very tactile and overall more pleasing to hold and use than the 5s - plus I like the coloured finish.
 
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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

Same. I went from a 5S to the 6S Plus and adapted very quickly.

I had to use a friend's iPhone 5S the other day and the keyboard felt very cramped.
 
It's not JUST about the overall device size though. A smaller screen size means your thumb can reach the corners of the screen more easily, for better one-handed use.

A 4.7 inch screen can actually fit inside the body of an iPhone 4. So, with some great engineering and design, I think that a bigger screen and one handed use is possible. Reaching the top corners of the screen was pretty much gone for most people (without adjusting their hands) since Apple moved away from the 3.5 inch screens if that is what you're referring to.
 
It's rare for me to write negative posts, but I can enlighten you with my post here: it was a weak joke referencing an old Apple ad: http://www.simpletranslation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/apple-macintosh.jpg

I was radiating optimism, as is my wont, in expressing hope for the return of the 4" iPhone.
:D

Thank you! I thought it referenced that after writing the post, but thank you for confirming it! I hadn't seen the print version of that ad, only the video of it.
 
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I have been waiting for this and it can't come soon enough. My wife iPhone 6 is too big to comfortably carry in my pocket. I want an upgraded 5S.
 
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I often wonder if people with these large phones realise what they look like when they are making an actual phone call and how members of the public give them a crafty sideways glance and smirk. It's not a 'oh don't they look cool' glance either.
 
The analysis that because the 5C did not sell as well as the 5 it will be the new form factor is completely bogus. The 5C had inferior tech, no Touch ID, slower CPU/GPU, and when it was discontinued, only the base model was sold at 16 gig storage. Of course it didn't sell.
I think Apple is smart enough to know with what it has to compare 5c sales. The most appropriate comparison in my view is the ratio between 5s over 5c sales with that of iPhone 4s over iPhone 4 sales. But there many more metrics to look at that are more indirect, like what is the switcher rate from Android (or any other non-Apple phone) of the 5c compared to what it was for the iPhone 4.

There are multiple questions Apple tried to get answered:
  1. Does it help sales to repackage last year's model in a new case or is selling it in its existing form?
  2. Does it help the 's' model sales (in an 's' year) if the previous model isn't available anymore in the same case?
  3. Does adding another material and probably more importantly very noticeably different colours (the colours of the metal phones are much more subdued in comparison) attract new customers or entice earlier upgrading?
I often wonder if people with these large phones realise what they look like when they are making an actual phone call and how members of the public give them a crafty sideways glance and smirk.
Except that this matters not a lot because people will use their phablets overwhelmingly for things other than making phone calls. Even for communication, WhatsApp and Co are definitely have taken over market share from actual phone calls. Listening to anything on your phone also means you are likely already plugged in with a microphone on your headphones, again making raising the phone to your ear unnecessary.
 
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I think it's always good to have options, as long as they are made simple and not convoluted like Samsung's hell stew of products they have.

I think this would be a greatly welcomed product, tons of people are either on a lower budget and or won't budge when it comes to a larger screen size.


I personally think it's go big or go home with phone sizes. I don't see the point of a 4.7 inch phone, it's already big enough where you can use it with one hand but it's cumbersome enough where you may as well just get the full size phone. And if you aren't about screen size, go the other size of he spectrum and give yourself more pocket space. This is coming from a regular iPhone 6 user, had it for a year now. Im personally getting the plus next, 4.7 is too big to be considered "small" I think.

See, my hand size makes the 4.7" perfect. I can hold and use a 4.7" phone just as I would a 4" device, but no larger. The Plus move in to two hand territory. I really like using the Plus when sitting somewhere though, but it's a little big for my "always on me" device."
 
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