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

[cableguy84]

This. I actually liked the concept behind the 5C but Apple blew it by presenting it as just like the iPhone 5. This should be a phone that stands on its own.

This is true they made a similar mistake with the apple watch, marketing it as an extension of iphone.
What it should have been is a cheap standalone product with optional iphone connectivity.

 

[rp2011]

If it has the A9 why not a better camera? I want a smaller iPhone but of course I still value getting the best camera possible in a smaller form factor too. It's not about saving money.

Also, they better offer it in black, Silver or space Gray and not just a funky lime green, yellow, mustard orange and neon pink.

 

[HarryWild]

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a research note corroborating rumors that Apple will release a new 4-inch iPhone next year, which he believes will resemble an upgraded iPhone 5s and launch in early 2016.

Kuo expects the new 4-inch iPhone to an A9 chip manufactured by both TSMC and Samsung, 2.5D cover glass, NFC for Apple Pay, metal casing with at least two to three color options, and identical camera specs to the iPhone 5s.

Kuo forecasted that full-year shipments of the new 4-inch iPhone will reach 20 million units, with production beginning in the first quarter of 2016. The research note said the new 4-inch iPhone could be priced at between $400 and $500 in the U.S., which would be $149 to $249 cheaper than the 16GB iPhone 6s.

The analyst also reaffirmed that the iPhone 6s may not outsell the iPhone 6, with a possible 30%-40% decline in quarter-over-quarter shipments, based on recently slowed orders within the supply chain. Kuo believes the new 4-inch iPhone could help the slowdown for suppliers.Kuo added the iPhone 7 will enter mass production in the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

Article Link: New A9-Based 4-Inch iPhone Expected to Launch Early 2016 With Colorful Metal Casing

I think those who I know who still own a 4" are not poor or in need of financial resources. One person even owns a business jet that can carry up to 10 people!
I think Apple marketing mess up on their marketing research as to who are the target market for the 4" size!
Michelle Janssen

 

[igorsky]

Somebody looking to depress the stock price. Still blows my mind that Apple's PE is 9 while Microsoft's is 37 and Google's is 24. For whatever reason W$ thinks Apple is in perpetual doom. No matter what they report someone's always predicting the next quarter is going to be bad.

They've been trying to push this same narrative for years: Apple is an iPhone company and iPhone sales are bound to decline. Meanwhile:

1. iPhone sales are showing no signs of letting up, and
2. Apple's other businesses, such as iPad and Apple Watch, are leaders in their categories and generate more revenue than most companies will ever dream of.

 

[PortableLover]

A9 chip, in gold option with 128GB, now that would be a dream come true!

 

[igorsky]

Still annoyed that this is expected to be viewed as a cheaper iphone as opposed to just one that can be easily held. I'd gladly pay the same for a 4-inch model as a 6S as long as it doesn't slip out of my hands/actually fits in a pocket.

Why does this annoy you?

 

[cableguy84]

They've been trying to push this same narrative for years: Apple is an iPhone company and iPhone sales are bound to decline. Meanwhile:

1. iPhone sales are showing no signs of letting up, and
2. Apple's other businesses, such as iPad and Apple Watch, are leaders in their categories and generate more revenue than most companies will ever dream of.

I dont think apple watch is successful, not by apples standards.

And iphone sales will bottom out eventually most likely when the chinese and indian markets are saturated

 

[mbh1976]

Me too. Tiny hands, and love my 6s plus.

But partially that's because the 6s plus is SO big that I never even consider using it one-handed. It's a very small ultra-portable iPad Mini, that's also a phone and has amazing specs. Small hands never prevented me from using various iPads, and they don't pose a problem for the 6s plus.

But the 6 was a different story. I *wanted* to use it one-handed, but it was both too big AND too slippery. I switched to an android phone after just two months of being afraid I would drop it (I'm not a case person).

A new 6c (or whatever they call it) would let me use a phone again with one hand, so even though I'm a happy 6s plus user, I would also consider switching to a 4" phone.

Why does this annoy you?

Because I like the form factor of the 4-inch, but want a phone with the most updated internals? Just because it's small, doesn't mean it has to be budget.

 

[Jsameds]

This. I actually liked the concept behind the 5C but Apple blew it by presenting it as just like the iPhone 5. This should be a phone that stands on its own.


Where does the home button go? That's not a trivial matter.

Make it smaller and trim the space between the button and the screen, and the button and the base of the phone. That'd trim 5mm off the bottom, and in doing so Apple would also take 5mm off the top too to make it even, so there's a whole centimetre straight off the bat, and then trim a couple of mm off the edges and you're done. Small phone, large screen. 60/40 screen/bezel ratio would be terrible in 2016.

 

[Saucesome2000]

You must have really long ET fingers if you are using it with one hand.

If you train yourself to use Reachability and voice input, it can be done easily. My 6+ was too big for me initially, but after some adjustments, it became second nature. It's still too big for other reasons like fitting comfortably in my pocket when sitting down and I will be getting a 6s for Christmas.

 

[ryansimmons323]

Apple should manufacture a single and unique 4 inch iPhone specifically and only for Ming-Chi Kuo.

 

[igorsky]

To me, Apple stock is a big sell right now. So many people own iPhones, and the iPhone is so good, that there in my opinion may be slowing sales coming up in the next couple of years as people push upgrades further into the future. Also carrier subsidy models changing will likely affect that as well. Since its doubtful that Apple will be able to create another huge blockbuster in the next year or two like the iPhone has been I see shares starting to fall at some point within a year or two time frame. The one thing propping them up right now is China which is a few years behind in smartphone saturation compared to other markets but I honestly think that the Chinese may be less likely to upgrade as frequently because of the high cost compared to income of Apple products in the country. To me a 4 inch phone makes sense as long as it doesn't cannibalize the sales of larger devices. If they can get penetration of the watch into the mainstream market then smaller phones may become in demand again as people are more able to use their watch a primary device for simple tasks...thats a pretty big IF at this point though

You know that Apple sells other products aside from iPhones, right? And that all the other products they sell lead their respective categories by a large margin? And that their first generation smartwatch is now a billion dollar business? And that they just implemented their own financing plan that will likely increase iPhone upgrades rather than decrease?

I'll gladly buy any shares you're selling.

 

[dannyyankou]

If there was a 4 inch iPhone with Apple Pay and an A9 chip in September, I would've bought it instead of the 6s. And if the camera specs are similar to the 5s, great. It already had a great camera.

 

[aajeevlin]

Gotta do something with those left over A9 chips. lol

I hope they finally try to attack the android market on price point just a little. I would like to see increased market penetration.

At $400-500? I won't call it cheap. I think $300-350 price point and we have a possibility, of course, the lower the better. Although I don't think Apple is into the price war game.

 

[HighDesert50]

I'm in for this traditionally sized iPhone. Was intending to switch brands rather than go to the larger iPhone form.

 

[Dydegu]

Because 4.7" is way too big. I hate reachability and I never want to have to use it again.

I think people (not saying you) think of Reachability as an all-in-one solution to making a larger phone completely usable one handed. To me, Reachability is meant for the times when you're other hand physically can't get to the phone. Juggling torches with the other hand? Holding your kid's hand as you walk down the street? Holding a camera? Without Reachability, you'd have to shuffle your hand awkwardly.

Most of the time, you just need to bring your other hand up. I actually like using the 6+ with two hands. I use my left hand to support the phone; my left thumb changes volume and takes care of the top rows of apps. My right hand takes care of the lower half of the phone. Besides, every single text input is much quicker with two hands anyway, so I'm already ready to go.

 

[aajeevlin]

I'm in for this traditionally sized iPhone. Was intending to switch brands rather than go to the larger iPhone form.

As much as I like the iPhone 6, I would go back to iPhone 5 in a heartbeat, just love that form factor. Just give me Apple Pay, and a good camera and I'm sold.

 

[Rogifan]

They've been trying to push this same narrative for years: Apple is an iPhone company and iPhone sales are bound to decline. Meanwhile:

1. iPhone sales are showing no signs of letting up, and
2. Apple's other businesses, such as iPad and Apple Watch, are leaders in their categories and generate more revenue than most companies will ever dream of.

Pretty much. And these clowns can never be wrong because it's always the next quarter that's going to be bad. It's always the future that's bleak.

Make it smaller and trim the space between the button and the screen, and the button and the base of the phone. That'd trim 5mm off the bottom, and in doing so Apple would also take 5mm off the top too to make it even, so there's a whole centimetre straight off the bat, and then trim a couple of mm off the edges and you're done. Small phone, large screen. 60/40 screen/bezel ratio would be terrible in 2016.

I'm going to assume Apple engineers know what they're doing. Also I think it would look stupid if the home button barely fit just to shave a millimeter or two off the bezel (if it's even possible). No doubt Apple is working on integrating the home button into the display.

 

[Marcus72]

I am one of the people who wants to see a new 4" iPhone. But not getting this phone won't mean in not putting my money where my mouth is. I want the newest iPhone in 4", not some repackaged iPhone from 2 years ago.

I agree, I want everything that in iphone6s in the 4" size.

 

[igorsky]

I dont think apple watch is successful, not by apples standards.

And iphone sales will bottom out eventually most likely when the chinese and indian markets are saturated

Tim Cook has said repeatedly that they believe the Apple Watch is a success. And considering that they'll likely sell close to 10 million units he's absolutely right. Maybe people's expectations are way off.

I don't know when "eventually" will come, but right now iPhone is not showing any signs of bottoming out. In fact it's proving to be a transcendent product that doesn't necessarily follow market conditions. People feel like they have to have one...can't put a price on that.

 

[Marcus72]

As much as I like the iPhone 6, I would go back to iPhone 5 in a heartbeat, just love that form factor. Just give me Apple Pay, and a good camera and I'm sold.

This is what i want also.

 

[QCassidy352]

A9 and Apple Pay: good. 5s camera: bad.

Outstanding questions: how much RAM? Force touch? Which version of touchID? Pretty sure I know all of these answers, and they won't be good…

 

[johngordon]

I have small hands and seriously i use a 6s plus with no problems at all

I simply don't believe that you have small hands and can pick up the phone and tap on any icon on a full screen of icons with one hand, without jiggling the phone around awkwardly in your hand.

I still have a 5S that I love, but just bought a new iPod touch for my wife for her car - mainly to use Apple Music.

Have thought for a while that an end point for the iPhone design is to put it in the iPod touch design. (Yes, I know there;s never any end point for design, but as long as there has been the iPod touch it has felt like that was the optimum and preferred design for the phone, but the phone was subject to limitations that prevented that from happening.)

They seem pretty close now, but I still really don't like the lines across the back (yes, I know - a necessary evil) (yes, I know, not literally evil).

So in that sense it might make sense - introduce a 4" phone which is essentially the iPod touch with a phone, and release the new top end ones later in the year in a very similar design, but in the more traditional iPhone colours.

Or something. Who knows.

 

[HarryWild]

One thing that bothers me is the promotion of Ming-Chi Kuo. While I understand that the main goal is to drive traffic to the site for ad revenue and exposure, I just can't fathom the ruthless promotion of this analyst who is far from "most accurate.

In evidence of this, I submit to you a couple of brilliant articles written by Chris Rawson, former writer for TUAW. In his articles, he looked at the accuracy of various Apple rumors throughout the year. His findings demonstrated that Ming-Chi KuoMing-Chi Kuo has one of the lowest accuracy rates. Even Time Magazine agreed after reading Chris' brilliant rumor roundup for the year.

"Here at TIME Tech, we like to occasionally remind you that Apple rumors can be purenonsense, and treat most of them with skepticism. But we’re not infallible. For instance, I was too lenient on KGI Securities analyst -Chi Kuo because of his accurate track record in 2012. Rawson rightly shreds Kuo to pieces for a year full of crazy predictions. Kuo’s no longer looking much better than Peter Misek and Gene Munster, both of whom continue to get press despite a long history of being wrong."

Here are the links to the articles I am referencing:
http://techland.time.com/2014/01/03/last-years-apple-rumors-mostly-bogus/
http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/30/2013-rumor-retrospective-all-the-leaks-were/
htt
Michelle Janssen
p://www.engadget.com/2014/09/11/rumor-roundup-iphone-6-and-iwatch-retrospective/

Personally, if I were going to label someone as "most accurate", I would name John Gruber. He seems to have some good inside sources, though he has been wrong also, but not at the level of Ming-Chi Kuo.

I think Ming-Chi Kuo maybe Cook's boss! LOL!

 

[Max(IT)]

skip the cheap ... there is a market for a 4'' iPhone. While I am not in that market (I love my 6s+), I know enough people that want a 4'' phone with the latest technology, not yesterdays technology.

I said cheaper, not cheap.

one month ago I was to buy a phone for my wife. I offer her an iPhone 6 but she preferred the iPhone 5S for the form factor.