New A9-Based 4-Inch iPhone Expected to Launch Early 2016 With Apple Pay and Colorful Metal Casing

[orange.x]

I still use a 4S and I'm in the market for a new one in a couple of months. For me a 6S would be great I guess but I'm also on of the "one-hand" users.

I think the size of the 6S or even the 6S+ isn't the biggest problem. Because there are advantages as well. The problem is usage with one hand. So, why do you want to use it with one hand? That's because you're not always able to use 2 hands because you're doing something else, cycling with one hand or I don;t know, searching something in a magazine what ever.

So, what's the problem with 1 hand usage, you can't always reach to the left top or the "menu". The double tap that they inserted is a possibility, but there are way too much gestures possible for one tiny button.. Why don't they just design apps with the menu on the bottom of the screen. Android has always a backbutton and it is always at the bottom as far as I know Android phones (maybe it depends on the brand and used skin from the manufacturer). There are some apps that already access multiple pages via the bottom screen, maybe they need to figure something out in the software that makes it possible even with a bigger screen to be able to use it with one hand.

Of people need to go use 2 hands, but I guess they can't force that one.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Thats my viewpoint. People act as though the 4 inch screen is too small for anything. I can achieve everything I want (Web browsing, Apps, games, mail, messages, notes, Facebook, twitter etc perfectly well on a 4 inch screen.

And most importantly to me, it's much more compact.

 

[warrior2000]

I still use a 4S and I'm in the market for a new one in a couple of months. For me a 6S would be great I guess but I'm also on of the "one-hand" users.

I think the size of the 6S or even the 6S+ isn't the biggest problem. Because there are advantages as well. The problem is usage with one hand. So, why do you want to use it with one hand? That's because you're not always able to use 2 hands because you're doing something else, cycling with one hand or I don;t know, searching something in a magazine what ever.

So, what's the problem with 1 hand usage, you can't always reach to the left top or the "menu". The double tap that they inserted is a possibility, but there are way too much gestures possible for one tiny button.. Why don't they just design apps with the menu on the bottom of the screen. Android has always a backbutton and it is always at the bottom as far as I know Android phones (maybe it depends on the brand and used skin from the manufacturer). There are some apps that already access multiple pages via the bottom screen, maybe they need to figure something out in the software that makes it possible even with a bigger screen to be able to use it with one hand.

Of people need to go use 2 hands, but I guess they can't force that one.

In what situation do you only have one hand to use?

Driving? Should not be using your phone.
Carrying a baby? Same. It can wait.
Carrying a bag? Put the bag down for a second.

And most of the time you can simply use Siri if you only have one hand.

I don't understand the obsession with one handed use. For me the only negative of the bigger phones are the more space it takes in my pocket. And it can bulge too much with certain pants/suits.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I don't understand the obsession with one handed use.

Then don't worry about it bud! The smaller phone won't be for you. ;-)

It's about preferences. For many people, it just "fits and feels better" at the 4" size. It's no different than different color preferences or style choices, etc.

I'm thrilled that it sounds like Apple is going to offer something to cater to those of us who prefer a smaller device. I also recognize that some people love huge phones and gold phones and massive cases for their phones, etc...

All good with me. Something for everyone's preference and need.

 

[SteveW928]

"the new 4-inch model will account for 8-9%"

its only 9% .....

Not much of a demand.... while everyone is is on bigger phones... let them upgrade.

Apple knows at some stage 4-inch will discontinue anyway, so may as well do it while not much of a demand..

That's just someone's guess. No one really knows, as the market was never given the choice.

And, why would they be discontinued at some point anyway? Are phone screens just going to be getting bigger and bigger for some mysterious reason? Like, 10 years from now, the 5.5" phones will be discontinued when the 9" ones are the hot thing? Seriously?

Yes, there is a portion of the market that just looks at spec signs and says... oh, 5.5 must be better than 5... and 6 must be better than 5.5 and 7 must be better than 6. You're always going to have that lunacy, and Apple usually doesn't get into that game.

But, there is a solid use-case for 5.5", AS WELL AS 4". THAT should be what is driving Apple's decisions, not spec-wars and pop-trends.

Almost 10 percent of the iPhone's market share is quite significant. There is demand so I don't see how it would be a bad thing for them to make it.

Again, just be careful accepting those kind of numbers. I'm guessing they are projected based on the 5c. The problem is that the 5c wasn't targeted at what we're all clamoring for. It WAS targeted as an anemic budget phone... which while there is *some* market for that, that's never been Apple's primary target.

As I keep saying, the demand is most likely among professionals who still want a more reasonable sized phone. And those people have the money... want full-featured... and use a phone as a support device, not their only device. The 5c crowd are actually the ones more likely to use the phone as a primary device. In other words, sales for BOTH would probably be better if they made a full-featured 4" 6s and a plastic 5.5" 6c.

That would better fit reality instead of the odd markets Apple is trying to invent.

I think the 32 GB model could be a surprising HOT seller, because many people want iPhone 6 functionality but in a size that's easily put into shirt and coat pockets.

You might be right about your specs... I just hope not. Also, it would be odd for them to introduce a 32GB gimp'd phone, when their flagship models start at 16 GB. Absolutely, 32 GB is a perfect sweet-spot size, but Apple's more concerned with short-term quarterly up-sells than user-experience at this point.

If you are relying on Wall Street sentiment to make investment decisions then you will be losing your shirt.

No kidding! Wall Street = Attempt to make a respectable looking Vegas-like play-land for the wealthy. It isn't about investment anymore. And, it has next to nothing to do with the reality of the company.

In what situation do you only have one hand to use?

I don't understand the obsession with one handed use. For me the only negative of the bigger phones are the more space it takes in my pocket. And it can bulge too much with certain pants/suits.

How about public transit? Or, the many times you pull the phone out of your pocket with ONE HAND and just shouldn't need to use the other, for whatever reason. Again, I've got a tablet and laptop for doing more complex interactions with a device. For example, I listen to nearly 50 podcasts while I do all sorts of work around the house/yard, etc. I'm nearly always just pulling the phone out of my pocket with one hand to do simple things like make a voice memo to remind myself of a point made in a podcast... or control the podcast app, or quickly check calendar or a phone number. When I used to spend hours per day on public transit, I seldom had a seat, so you're using one hand to hang onto the bar. The list goes on and on actually.

But, yes, it's even more important to me about the overall physical size so it fits in pockets well. It just simply doesn't need to be any bigger than it needs to be for my needs. Increasing the size just doesn't do much for me other than being more awkward to use and harder to store.

 

[lkalliance]

Some weather-worn arguments (I hesitate to call them tropes...they're just popular opinions):

The 5c was a budget phone
Apple never claimed it was. It was essentially the 5, which perhaps last year felt old, but on launch it was just a year old. I think the 5c is a wonderful phone, based on materials, visual design, hand feel, durability and pocketability. It never ever ever entered my mind that I should get it because it was less expensive, and it never ever ever entered my mind that it was supposed to be really inexpensive and we were ripped off that it wasn't. That's analyst thinking, not what I believe to be reality. I think it's a made-up narrative so that analysts, journalists and bloggers can frame discussion.

The 5c was a flop
Lots of them were sold. It's tough to sell millions and millions of something and it be considered a flop, but I guess that's life in the iPhone zone: so many millions and millions and millions and millions of iPhones have been sold that it's going to be difficult to ever be considered a success unless you match that. The 5c-flop narrative is one I see lots of places but I do see the counter-narrative a lot of places too.

Apple feature-restricts phones on purpose
I don't have any inside knowledge or any proof of this...but I don't think Apple does this (in fact it's not my default supposition about any manufacturer, though I grant it's probably true in some cases). I think if Apple doesn't include something then there is an engineering or production efficiency reason for it. I suspect that a smaller form factor means that 3D Touch must be weighed against battery size, and perhaps they choose the latter instead of the former. I think that they are probably still ramped up on A8 production (or have a contracted number still to come from suppliers) and that would be a reason to put it in a smaller phone. But I don't think Apple looks at a phone and decides to slot it into a price point and removes features that it can otherwise accommodate just to make it fit.

Apple's product lines are getting confusing like they used to be
Totally disagree. I remember the '90's, and I remember more than one time (it was probably 3 or 4 times) that I was mystified as to which model to get as they seemed to have very minimal differences in spec...or a lot of really small differences that had to be weighed against each other. I don't see this at all for any current Apple products. Size is a clear differentiator. Power is a clear differentiator. Camera is a clear differentiator. Design is a clear differentiator. I feel it's pretty easy to look at these four things, prioritize them, and come to a decision. Same for iPad.

 

[SteveW928]

Some weather-worn arguments (I hesitate to call them tropes...they're just popular opinions):

The 5c was a budget phone - The 5c was a flop

Apple feature-restricts phones on purpose

re: 5c budget phone

I somewhat agree, in that it wasn't priced well enough to truly be a budget device. At the same time, it was old tech when new and too low in storage options (especially when they limited it to 8 GB!). It might have sold OK, but would have done better if they'd not have tried to spit categories.

I do agree on the flop... Apple sells so many of pretty much anything it produces that most companies would consider their 'flops' to be wild successes. But, I was more talking in terms of market expectations. Heck, OS X devices are now 'flops' in comparison... which worries me a bit that Apple is seeing them that way too... too small of pie slice to continue to put much effort into.

re: feature restrict on purpose

Oh, they totally do. How else do you explain a 16 GB iPhone?

 

[pappy53]

The new line for iPhone is finally ready.
Same as iPads, (iPad mini, Air and Pro) we gonna have iPhone 6C, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S+.
Interestingly, there are also 3 sizes for Macbooks: Air, Macbook, Pro.
There are also 21, 24 and 27 inch iMacs.
As owner of first three large iPads and 2 minis, the wider choice is welcome!
Once the line is complete, maybe we can ask for three Macs?
There are now only Mac mini and Pro, but not the mid-tower. I want mid-tower with graphic card expansion bay!

Where does Apple sell a 24-inch Mac?

 

[VertPin]

Personally, I think in the end, the new 4" iPhone 6c will probably have this spec:

1. Case that looks like a reduced size iPhone 6/6s, which looks metallic but in up to six different colors (the same color choices as the iPhone 5c).
2. The same 4" screen from the iPhone 5/5s. 3D Touch functionality missing to save on production costs.
3. A9 SoC (or maybe an improved A8 SoC) with 1 GB of RAM.
4. 16 or 32 GB of local storage.
5. Touch ID sensor on the Home button.
6. NFC to support Apple Pay.

I think the 32 GB model could be a surprising HOT seller, because many people want iPhone 6 functionality but in a size that's easily put into shirt and coat pockets.

Apple would be criticized for this...and absolutely deserve it. 1 GB of RAM in 2016 is such a joke. As someone who owns a 5S and absolutely loves it, there is no reason whatsoever for me to upgrade to this upcoming device. 1 GB of RAM and a non-upgraded camera from the 5S? What a joke.
My 5S runs smooth and perfect on the latest iOS release. The only way I could see myself upgrading from my 5S were if it was broken beyond repair and Apple had stopped selling unlocked models.

 

[lkalliance]

re: 5c budget phone
I somewhat agree, in that it wasn't priced well enough to truly be a budget device. At the same time, it was old tech when new and too low in storage options (especially when they limited it to 8 GB!). It might have sold OK, but would have done better if they'd not have tried to spit categories.

Well, at the time it was old tech, but no older than the 5S than the 6 is older than the 6S now. And it was originally sold in 16/32/64 configurations (or was it 8/16/32? I don't remember. I have a 32 myself). If it weren't the 5c, it would have been the 5 with the same specs (as we know it really WAS the 5). A year later (with two-year-old tech) it was limited to 8GB, but by then the 5S was in the middle spot. It's the same that they've done with all prior models, stepping them down a level each of two years, and then discontinuing. The only difference was that they created the 5c line after year 1...but really we're just talking about the 5.

Now, there IS one thing that makes this particular model different from all the others before, and DOES lend strength to the "old tech" argument: the 5(/5c) was the last iPhone with a 32-bit chip. So though it was a year older than the 5S, you could definitely say that year was a bigger-difference year than the year between the 6 and 6S.

I do agree on the flop... Apple sells so many of pretty much anything it produces that most companies would consider their 'flops' to be wild successes. But, I was more talking in terms of market expectations. Heck, OS X devices are now 'flops' in comparison... which worries me a bit that Apple is seeing them that way too... too small of pie slice to continue to put much effort into.

I don't worry that Apple sees things the way that outsiders do. I feel they follow the beat of their own drum; in fact I think most companies do. It's really just us out here in the ether that role-play at being Apple as we pose our own questions and imagine that since we don't have the answers that they must not either.

But that is an interesting thought about OS X and its shrinking piece of Apple's revenue pie. Though their Mac sales have gone up for quite a few straight quarters now, so it's a thriving business. I recently read an article that referenced an interview by Phil Schiller, advising on a way to look at Apple's product line. Apple really sells one product: the Apple Experience [insert eye roll here if you like]. The devices are just a spectrum of devices with which we interact with that one product. There seems to be a lot of demand on the part of reviewers that every product has a specific purpose, but that's just not true any more. The products overlap, in terms of convenience and portability, but they all deliver the same thing:

--Use the Watch for things that you find it more convenient than your iPhone.
--Use the iPhone for things that you find it more convenient than your iPad.
--Use the iPad for things that you find it more convenient than your iPad Pro.
--Use the iPad Pro for things that you find it more convenient than your Macbook.
--Use the Macbook for things that you find it more convenient than your Mac.
--Use your Mac for the leading-edge stuff.

And by "leading-edge stuff" I just mean that frontier where the other devices just can't do it yet. That's why the Mac is still so important, particularly the Mac desktops: that's where Apple pushes forward to expand the realm of things that our devices can do. And any new thing filters down to the lower ones as they become able to handle it.

I'm really just paraphrasing (and probably poorly) this article, which is a good read:
http://www.aboveavalon.com/notes/2015/12/02/the-grand-unified-theory-of-apple-products

I'd go further and say that this is the Innovator's Dilemma encapsulated. You make a product, a successful product, that matures fully, and then someone else makes a new product that's way less mature but does enough things the other product does for a lower cost (not necessarily cost in terms of price, but in terms of convenience). Over time that product matures and does a bunch more...until the next one comes. And so on. A great company tries to bring all this in-house, so that the next product just comes from them and not from someone else. Anyway, I'm not (yet) concerned that OS X is going away.

re: feature restrict on purpose

Oh, they totally do. How else do you explain a 16 GB iPhone?

Well, 16GB isn't a feature restriction in that it's available in the flagship too. It's not limited to just the lower end phones. I think the concern that 16GB isn't enough is a little overblown, but YMMV. Anyway, I bet it has to do with current supply, and current contracts. I'm guessing Apple has a TON of 16GB NAND, which is why they get it for such advantageous prices. So they're using it.

 

[subjonas]

Biggest problem for me is that they will probably ONLY offer it in 16gb and 32gb. As far as everything else, I can make do, but I need my high capacity storage.

 

[nviz22]

Apple: "Want to see us waste resources (5C)? Want to see us waste resources again (6C)?" Pretty much the Spongebob Quickster meme.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Biggest problem for me is that they will probably ONLY offer it in 16gb and 32gb. As far as everything else, I can make do, but I need my high capacity storage.

However, the vast majority of iPhone users may not need big amounts of local storage. As such, the 32 GB local storage version of the new 4" iPhone is perfect for many users, since much of that local storage is useful for storing apps, and allowing for over-air updates.

 

[Keirasplace]

However, the vast majority of iPhone users may not need big amounts of local storage. As such, the 32 GB local storage version of the new 4" iPhone is perfect for many users, since much of that local storage is useful for storing apps, and allowing for over-air updates.

Just bought an Air 2 with you guessed it... 16GB... Yes, in this day and age!

I always find it absurd that people say that you absolutely need 64GB or whatever.

If you have a fast WIFI, you can pull apps in an out of your phone in seconds, so they never really fill it. With App thinning that will be ever more so the case. Everything I access is on my servers in my house or on the net.

When you have a very good WIFI network, the difference between on the phone and on the net is marginal.

It would only make a difference if your doing heavy processing on it (like say, editing a 4K footage), rendering, or many things most people never ever do on a phone.

 

[HarryWild]

I read in a marketing based website that the reasons why Apple is releasing the 4" as a budget phone. First, it will fill a gap for Apple in the developing countries and in developed countries; it could use as a promotional tool to get new business by the sellers. Apple never thought of marketing a regular 4" iPhone with state of the art technology because it may impact their other two models! And they never consider pricing it the same as the larger model either. So basically, Apple has lost focus on it customer base! LOL!

 

[Mac 128]

"the new 4-inch model will account for 8-9%"

its only 9% .....

Not much of a demand.... while everyone is is on bigger phones... let them upgrade.

Apple knows at some stage 4-inch will discontinue anyway, so may as well do it while not much of a demand..

They did this with the iPad 2.

Well you would appear to be completely wrong judging from this latest survey of preferred smartphone size:

 

[SteveW928]

Apple would be criticized for this...and absolutely deserve it. 1 GB of RAM in 2016 is such a joke.

Not even so much that it's a joke, but that the latest models of Apple's iOS devices have moved to 2GB. Since RAM is one of the biggest factors in obsolescence, you'd be buying a device with a much shorter life-span from the get-go. Even if 1 GB works OK now, it probably won't for iOS 10 or 11. (ex: look what happened to iPad 2 / mini when iOS 8 came out... pretty much bricked them. And Apple was even still selling the mini for some time after iOS 8 came out.) Apple doesn't care about user experience anymore... so buyer be warned!

Well, at the time it was old tech, but no older than the 5S than the 6 is older than the 6S now. It's the same that they've done with all prior models, stepping them down a level each of two years, and then discontinuing.

See my point above. The problem is this tech is moving so fast that Apple shouldn't be selling the last model, aside from a fire-sale to clear inventory at each new introduction. They are selling obsolete or nearly obsolete models. That's really really bad for user experience.

I feel they follow the beat of their own drum...

They used to. Now it's bean-counters and typical tech business tactics. (cf. Apple in the mid-90s)

... an interview by Phil Schiller, advising on a way to look at Apple's product line. Apple really sells one product: the Apple Experience [insert eye roll here if you like].

Yep, unfortunately, I'm rolling my eyes. I used to not. I've been an Apple evangelist for over 30 years now. They USED to put user experience first. They no longer do. Now, it's just mostly-empty marketing speak.

And by "leading-edge stuff" I just mean that frontier where the other devices just can't do it yet. That's why the Mac is still so important, particularly the Mac desktops: that's where Apple pushes forward to expand the realm of things that our devices can do. And any new thing filters down to the lower ones as they become able to handle it.

Just so we and Apple realize the frontier keeps moving. So, the Mac always should have that same place. But, Apple seems to have given up on the Mac's future. OS X is falling apart. They aren't innovating the pro hardware anymore. They've mostly killed all the excellent pro apps they once had. They seem to have forgotten all the creatives who make the content their devices consume.

Or, in other words, they are looking at those pie slices, and deciding where to put their emphasis... and forgetting the big picture that will one-day erode the big piece. And, this is the Apple that used to put effort into reaching students that would one-day be their business customers. Now that they've finally succeeded in that... they are throwing the opportunity away.

Well, 16GB isn't a feature restriction in that it's available in the flagship too.

The problem is user experience. 16 GB can work for some people, but I've heard so many 8 and 16 GB iPhone owners (who aren't tech folks) complain about being out of space. IMO, for current technology, 32 GB should be the very minimum an iOS device has.

However, the vast majority of iPhone users may not need big amounts of local storage. As such, the 32 GB local storage version of the new 4" iPhone is perfect for many users, since much of that local storage is useful for storing apps, and allowing for over-air updates.

But, remember, we're talking about high-end pro users here. Our point is that the 4" shouldn't be a budget phone, but equal to the the rest of the high-end line. It should offer the same storage options as the 6s Plus.

Can people get by on 16 GB or 32 GB? Sure, but the point is to *ensure* (to a reasonable extent) a good user experience. Not give them minimal stuff they might figure out how to get by with. Apple products are premium products.

Just bought an Air 2 with you guessed it... 16GB... Yes, in this day and age! ... It would only make a difference if your doing heavy processing on it (like say, editing a 4K footage), rendering, or many things most people never ever do on a phone.

Or, a few minutes of video or not all that many photos. Or, maybe they want some apps on it and still want to be able to run updates. Yes, Apple had done a better job on that front, but I've heard so many iPhone owners complain about their devices being full.

My point is that Apple should care more about the average user experience than making a bit more money off of up-sells. There's no other reason to start the lineup at 16 GB.

I read in a marketing based website that the reasons why Apple is releasing the 4" as a budget phone. First, it will fill a gap for Apple in the developing countries and in developed countries; it could use as a promotional tool to get new business by the sellers. Apple never thought of marketing a regular 4" iPhone with state of the art technology because it may impact their other two models! And they never consider pricing it the same as the larger model either. So basically, Apple has lost focus on it customer base! LOL!

Yep, that all makes sense considering the 'new' Apple. And, it's horribly stupid for them to do.

Should they make a budget phone for those reasons? Sure. But they also need to have a 4" 'pro' model!

And, why should they care how it impacts the larger models???

Exactly, Apple HAS lost focus on it's customer base. Amen.

Well you would appear to be completely wrong judging from this latest survey of preferred smartphone size:

Thanks! So, lets consider that the % for the 4" 5s is probably low because it's old tech... and think about how much of that 4.7" would move to 4" if it were a valid option (i.e. full 'pro' model equal to the 4.7" and 5.5"). I might actually make a bet it outsells the 4.7" if they had one.

 

[matthewhuk]

I would love this as I'm not over fussed on the bigger screen size of the iPhone 6, but prefer a more affordable phone that would store more of my music (to also replace my iPod classic)
I'd only buy it on 2 conditions though:

1. It is available in greater than the absolutely pathetic 8GB version that was the iPhone c (in the uk)

2. There is a significant price decrease over the iPhone c

I really hope apple learn from their iPhone C error of judgement!

 

[Lopov Jack]

Eliminate all 16 GB models and release 4" iPhone 6C (with A9, ApplePay, colors as iPod Touch with 32, 64 and 128 GB).
Off course, I am really looking forward to next year's 10 Anniversary iPhone

 

[JustThinkin']

The iTouch is A8 and so is the just release Apple TV! Not sure about the iPads that are still selling. Current release Air are A9 but there are a low cost version too.

In case you missed it, the Apple TV is rumored to have a significantly more powerful updated going into production early next year, meaning it's impossible for it to run an A8! That leaves only the possibility of the iPod Touch remaining on the A8 (should Apple even want to continue that product or update it), and it's always the last to have rumors out about updates to it anyway.

Thank you for your help. It's made me now realize there's a very good reason to believe the Apple TV update rumors.

So once again, it's highly plausible the A9 will become the lowest chip soon (although iPad Mini 4 and Air 2 may be the last to get updated to get past A8/A8X).

 

[hayesk]

In what situation do you only have one hand to use?

Driving? Should not be using your phone.
Carrying a baby? Same. It can wait.
Carrying a bag? Put the bag down for a second.

Carrying a bag? No, I don't want to put my bag down. It's in a busy place. It might get stolen.
Holding a small child's hand in a store so they don't run off. Happens all the time.
At a party holding a drink, no table nearby? Absolutely.
Only able to use one hand? You bet.

I could go on. There are lots of situations.

 

[nviz22]

iPhone 6C = yesteryear

 

[CouperWoods]

Not even so much that it's a joke, but that the latest models of Apple's iOS devices have moved to 2GB. Since RAM is one of the biggest factors in obsolescence, you'd be buying a device with a much shorter life-span from the get-go. Even if 1 GB works OK now, it probably won't for iOS 10 or 11. (ex: look what happened to iPad 2 / mini when iOS 8 came out... pretty much bricked them. And Apple was even still selling the mini for some time after iOS 8 came out.) Apple doesn't care about user experience anymore... so buyer be warned!



See my point above. The problem is this tech is moving so fast that Apple shouldn't be selling the last model, aside from a fire-sale to clear inventory at each new introduction. They are selling obsolete or nearly obsolete models. That's really really bad for user experience.



They used to. Now it's bean-counters and typical tech business tactics. (cf. Apple in the mid-90s)



Yep, unfortunately, I'm rolling my eyes. I used to not. I've been an Apple evangelist for over 30 years now. They USED to put user experience first. They no longer do. Now, it's just mostly-empty marketing speak.



Just so we and Apple realize the frontier keeps moving. So, the Mac always should have that same place. But, Apple seems to have given up on the Mac's future. OS X is falling apart. They aren't innovating the pro hardware anymore. They've mostly killed all the excellent pro apps they once had. They seem to have forgotten all the creatives who make the content their devices consume.

Or, in other words, they are looking at those pie slices, and deciding where to put their emphasis... and forgetting the big picture that will one-day erode the big piece. And, this is the Apple that used to put effort into reaching students that would one-day be their business customers. Now that they've finally succeeded in that... they are throwing the opportunity away.



The problem is user experience. 16 GB can work for some people, but I've heard so many 8 and 16 GB iPhone owners (who aren't tech folks) complain about being out of space. IMO, for current technology, 32 GB should be the very minimum an iOS device has.



But, remember, we're talking about high-end pro users here. Our point is that the 4" shouldn't be a budget phone, but equal to the the rest of the high-end line. It should offer the same storage options as the 6s Plus.

Can people get by on 16 GB or 32 GB? Sure, but the point is to *ensure* (to a reasonable extent) a good user experience. Not give them minimal stuff they might figure out how to get by with. Apple products are premium products.



Or, a few minutes of video or not all that many photos. Or, maybe they want some apps on it and still want to be able to run updates. Yes, Apple had done a better job on that front, but I've heard so many iPhone owners complain about their devices being full.

My point is that Apple should care more about the average user experience than making a bit more money off of up-sells. There's no other reason to start the lineup at 16 GB.



Yep, that all makes sense considering the 'new' Apple. And, it's horribly stupid for them to do.

Should they make a budget phone for those reasons? Sure. But they also need to have a 4" 'pro' model!

And, why should they care how it impacts the larger models???

Exactly, Apple HAS lost focus on it's customer base. Amen.



Thanks! So, lets consider that the % for the 4" 5s is probably low because it's old tech... and think about how much of that 4.7" would move to 4" if it were a valid option (i.e. full 'pro' model equal to the 4.7" and 5.5"). I might actually make a bet it outsells the 4.7" if they had one.

Sorry if I'm late to the party, but has anyone speculated on the battery life if they use a 5S chassis with new technology? Don't you get a pocket sized phone with better battery life?

 

[subjonas]

However, the vast majority of iPhone users may not need big amounts of local storage. As such, the 32 GB local storage version of the new 4" iPhone is perfect for many users, since much of that local storage is useful for storing apps, and allowing for over-air updates.

Maybe. I don't know what the numbers are.

Regardless, my point was simply that while others demand all the newest cutting edge tech in a 4" phone, I would largely be satisfied with a 4" phone that maintains current performance and features (of the 5s). But instead, while every other aspect of the phone will get better or stay the same, the storage capacity will probably be chopped in half. And that, for me, is a real usability issue.

 

[VertPin]

C'mon...I hope that the 6C rumors are false and that it is really just a 7 mini. I would love it to have the same camera of the 6S and 2GB of RAM. You can throw in an A9 CPU for all I care.

Give us a 4 inch screened device, Apple. There is a big demand for it. I don't want a budget friendly 4 incher. 4.7 inches is slightly to big! I like being able to reach all of the corners with my thumb.