when do you think Apple will release the 4-inch iPhone?

[aces99]

Where else are you going to look for a good 4" phone? No one makes smartphones with such small displays anymore.

I am not sure but whoever comes out with a good 4 inch phone is the one that will be getting my business weather it's Apple or someone else. Hence why I said I have been waiting months to buy a new phone. I am not to worried I know I will find a phone a will like one day, but which company it is fresh is the question.

 

[aces99]

I personally don't think they'll go back down that road again. And let's not forget that all of these same "insiders" swore last year that they'd release another 4 inch iPhone. If they were to release a "new" 4 inch iPhone it would cause additional fragmentation in the line as far as what features are available on the smaller handset. Additionally, it's not like they will heavily discount the device so it will cause problems with pricing UNLESS they finally do away with the 16GB option for the top tier models (slated to be named the 7 & 7+).

If Apple released a new 4 inch phone it wouldn't "cause additional fragmentation in the line as far as what features are available on the smaller handset" because they already sell a 4 inch phone, called the 5S. All they would have to do is drop the 5S and call the new one the 6C or whatever. Wouldn't cause anymore additional fragmentation than they have now.

 

[joeblow7777]

I am not but whoever comes out with a good 4 inch phone is the one that will be getting my business weather it's Apple or someone else. Hence why I said I have been waiting months to buy a new phone. I am not to worried I know I will find a phone a will like one day, but which company it is fresh is the question.

Honestly, if this rumour of a new 4" iPhone doesn't pan out, it's unlikely that anyone else will release a high end 4" phone in the foreseeable future. There's not even a whisper of any other company going in that direction.

 

[Retired Cat]

Likelihood of a soft release like last iPod Touch when that saw a major spec bump with no publicity? I.e. same external shell as a 5s but with nearly up-to-date internals (A8) and maybe Apple Pay? I can't see iPhone mini as a viable name but then I scoffed at iPhone 6 Plus when I first heard it as a rumour so who knows!

I'm thinking A8, Apple Pay, and more LTE bands. Moving all lower end devices to the A8 would simplify component procurement, and the 5S is probably cheaper to make than the 6.

I could actually see Apple dropping the 6/6+ next year and having an "improved 5S" as the basic phone, 6S/6S+ in the middle, and 7/7+ at the high end.

 

[aces99]

Honestly, if this rumour of a new 4" iPhone doesn't pan out, it's unlikely that anyone else will release a high end 4" phone in the foreseeable future. There's not even a whisper of any other company going in that direction.

Actually there are a few 4 inch phones running Android. They are not top if the line premium phones though but I found a 4.3 phone from Sony that I almost bought the other day. But I decided to hold off for a bit to see if anything developers from this rumour. If not then I will have to seriously consider that other phone. But I hear you nobody seems to be making a high end premium phone nowadays until you get into 4.3 inch and higher.

 

[joeblow7777]

Actually there are a few 4 inch phones running Android. They are not top if the line premium phones though but I found a 4.3 phone from Sony that I almost bought the other day. But I decided to hold off for a bit to see if anything developers from this rumour. If not then I will have to seriously consider that other phone. But I hear you nobody seems to be making a high end premium phone nowadays until you get into 4.3 inch and higher.

Just out of curiosity, what makes the smaller phones so appealing to you? Small hands? Easier to fit in the pockets?

 

[aces99]

Just out of curiosity, what makes the smaller phones so appealing to you? Small hands? Easier to fit in the pockets?

Both, I like a small phone because it is way easier to use one handed and fits in pockets a lot easier. I use my phone as a phone and don't use it to read on, I got my iPad Air for that.

 

[mtneer]

I think a new 4" iPhone model will come free with the updated 17" MBP.

 

[skwood]

I think a new 4" iPhone model will come free with the updated 17" MBP.

You mean the one with the slot-load Blu-ray drive in it?

 

[geta]

It will be interesting to see that in a 4" device. Time will tell.

Check the last iPod Touch generation (6G?) and you'll get the idea.

Looking forward for this release, the 5s had the best size-weight ratio, but these days i wouldn't buy it new for the asking price, it should cost half price coz of the 2 years old tech\parts. for the price they asking, it should come with up to date parts.

In my opinion the next iPhone lineup will be like this:
- Low > 'iPhone Mini' (4" or 4.3" screen with iPhone 6\6s specs) with 16\32GB
- Mid > iPhone 6s\6s Plus with 16\64GB
- High > iPhone 7\7 Plus with 16\64\128GB

I'll be up for one, as long as it wont have plastic back like the 5c...

 

[Newtons Apple]

Check the last iPod Touch generation (6G?) and you'll get the idea.

Looking forward for this release, the 5s had the best size-weight ratio, but these days i wouldn't buy it new for the asking price, it should cost half price coz of the 2 years old tech\parts. for the price they asking, it should come with up to date parts.

In my opinion the next iPhone lineup will be like this:
- Low > 'iPhone Mini' (4" or 4.3" screen with iPhone 6\6s specs) with 16\32GB
- Mid > iPhone 6s\6s Plus with 16\64GB
- High > iPhone 7\7 Plus with 16\64\128GB

I'll be up for one, as long as it wont have plastic back like the 5c...

A 4" phone with all the bells and whistles would run at no less than the 6S cost, maybe more but all is just a rumor at this point.

 

[saratoga172]

I would even be perfectly happy with a 4.3" iPhone. That or back to the 4" of the 5s was perfect. Hoping for a release this fall since I'll be due for an upgrade.

 

[geta]

A 4" phone with all the bells and whistles would run at no less than the 6S cost, maybe more but all is just a rumor at this point.

And why is that?
Nowadays iPhone 6 cost $100 less then 6s, and 6s $100 less then 6s Plus. so based on this, 4" iPhone with 6\6s specs will be cheaper from top on the line iPhone. even if it will have the same specs as the next flagship model (7), still it will cost less then 4.7" version.

 

[Newtons Apple]

And why is that?
Nowadays iPhone 6 cost $100 less then 6s, and 6s $100 less then 6s Plus. so based on this, 4" iPhone with 6\6s specs will be cheaper from top on the line iPhone. even if it will have the same specs as the next flagship model (7), still it will cost less then 4.7" version.

Not and have the same features of the 6S. The cost of designing and making a new circuit board with everything crammed on an even smaller new circuit board will be expensive. Especially when you consider the small number of 4" devices that will be sold. Designing and making a brand new even higher density circuit board ain't going to be cheap.

Apple is going to make profit and if you think your are going to get a brand new 4" iPhone with all the features of the 6S for even cheaper . . . well someone needs to rethink.

 

[cableguy84]

I don't understand the demand for a smaller phone.

I use a 4s for work (not by choice) , its a lovely designed and built phone but the thing is horrible to use, the screen is way too small ,writing down notes is a pain in the ass

 

[CYKBC]

I workout. 6 times a week. The 5s size and weight is at the limit of being comfortable enough to have in pocket while running.

I travel. Quite a bit. Phone gets stuffed in and out of pocket. I watch a ton of steamed content. I like watching this stuff on couch laying down chillaxing. Every gram and finger stretch to hold it add up over time. The 6s models added too many grams and two mm too many for all that added horsepower and touch functionality.

I want a lightweight, thin iPhone a la 5s with more bands, better efficiency, Apple Pay and slightly bigger screen size with slightly less bezel.

It'd be great for my mobile needs. Right now the 5s is the phone keeping me in the apple camp.

 

[ucfgrad93]

"Never" should be an option. I don't say this to be snarky. I just don't think it will happen, so none of the responses are applicable to me.

Agreed. I don't see Apple releasing a 4" iPhone. However, if they do it will be when the other sized iPhones are released.

 

[Fried_Gold]

They all ready did release it, it's called the iPhone 5/5S.

 

[geta]

Apple is going to make profit and if you think your are going to get a brand new 4" iPhone with all the features of the 6S for even cheaper . . . well someone needs to rethink.

I'll be more then happy to have 4" iPhone with the 6 specs as well, time will tell...

I don't understand the demand for a smaller phone.

I use a 4s for work (not by choice) , its a lovely designed and built phone but the thing is horrible to use, the screen is way too small ,writing down notes is a pain in the ass

And i dont get the demand for bigger (5" and up) phones.

i dont see the point of having huge phablets in my pocket (if it fits my pocket...), to big for using one handed as my daily phone and to small for a tablet... but i understand why ppl like having all in one machine in their pockets\hands, so im guessing the phablets are some kind of compromise.

End of the day its all about your needs and the way you using it. for some its first a phone for calls and messages, others using it first as media center. personally 4" phone would be the ideal size for my needs.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I'll be more then happy to have 4" iPhone with the 6 specs as well, time will tell...



And i dont get the demand for bigger (5" and up) phones.

i dont see the point of having huge phablets in my pocket (if it fits my pocket...), to big for using one handed as my daily phone and to small for a tablet... but i understand why ppl like having all in one machine in their pockets\hands, so im guessing the phablets are some kind of compromise.

End of the day its all about your needs and the way you using it. for some its first a phone for calls and messages, others using it first as media center. personally 4" phone would be the ideal size for my needs.

What is too big for some is perfect for others. It is good to have a choice and Apple's larger phone sales prove that. There area a few who want to go back to the 4" screens hence the rumors of a 4" phone.

Choice is good and I love my 6S+. I would have left apple long ago if they stuck with the 4" phone. Even the 5S was too small for me. My 6S+ does not replace my iPad Pro or Air 3, it just compliments it.

 

[aces99]

What is too big for some is perfect for others. It is good to have a choice and Apple's larger phone sales prove that. There area a few who want to go back to the 4" screens hence the rumors of a 4" phone.

Choice is good and I love my 6S+. I would have left apple long ago if they stuck with the 4" phone. Even the 5S was too small for me. My 6S+ does not replace my iPad Pro or Air 3, it just compliments it.

There is no iPad Air 3 yet. You must mean Air 2?

 

[Newtons Apple]

There is no iPad Air 3 yet. You must mean Air 2?

Thanks, it was a typo. . . .or maybe I am special!

 

[aces99]

I wish the Air 3 was out, I would be getting one for under the tree for myself. If you are special let me know so I can try and get one too.

 

[nordique]

Likelihood of a soft release like last iPod Touch when that saw a major spec bump with no publicity? I.e. same external shell as a 5s but with nearly up-to-date internals (A8) and maybe Apple Pay? I can't see iPhone mini as a viable name but then I scoffed at iPhone 6 Plus when I first heard it as a rumour so who knows!

Definitely Apple Pay is the big feature to add

If all they're doing is putting in an A8 though, that's pointless since it's a tiny upgrade from the A7. It's almost the exact same chip, were it not for the higher clock speed and the more capable GPU. The 5s and 6 are probably the two most similarly powered iPhone devices since the original iPhone and 3G (and those were the exact same thing minus the 3G radio lol)

I would expect A9, 2GB of ram and Apple Pay as the major upgrades.

Perhaps they will throw in an A8 but then add 2GB of ram. That may make a difference too.

 

[nordique]

I am not sure but whoever comes out with a good 4 inch phone is the one that will be getting my business weather it's Apple or someone else. Hence why I said I have been waiting months to buy a new phone. I am not to worried I know I will find a phone a will like one day, but which company it is fresh is the question.

Why is so tiring about the 5s? It is still a very capable device and looks beautiful.

It's probably still the most high end and premium 4 in device on the market.

I like 4 in devices too but the mass market has spoken and big screens are the focus for all manufacturers, including Apple.