Apple has developed a new 4-inch iPhone based on an iPhone 5s with sixth-generation iPod touch features including an A8 chip, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 and an improved FaceTime HD camera with ƒ/2.2 aperture, according to often-reliable Japanese blog Mac Otakara [Google Translate].

iphone_5s_5c.jpg
Mac Otakara, citing reliable sources, claims the so-called "iPhone 5s Mark II" has entered production and could be shipped at any time. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the new 4-inch iPhone, which he also believes to be an upgraded iPhone 5s, to launch in the first half of 2016, a launch date corroborated by other recent rumors.

Kuo previously claimed that the next 4-inch iPhone may adopt an A9 processor in order for iOS 9 or iOS 10 smoothly, but his chip-specific prediction appears to be more guesswork rather than information sourced from Apple's supply chain.

Given Mac Otakara's respectable track record, and considering Apple's reported desire to differentiate the new 4-inch iPhone from its flagship iPhone 6s lineup, it is plausible the so-called "iPhone 6c" could be powered by an A8 chip.

Apple will also reportedly withhold 3D Touch from the 4-inch iPhone in order to encourage adoption of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

Follow our iPhone 6c roundup to keep track of the latest news about the 4-inch iPhone.

Tag: Mac Otakara
Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

soupcan Avatar
soupcan
131 months ago
Hey Apple, a smaller product should not get last-gen hardware just because it's smaller. That's a trend that needs to stop.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TurboPGT! Avatar
TurboPGT!
131 months ago
They can't possibly withhold Apple Pay from this product. That would make no sense.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Benjamin Frost Avatar
Benjamin Frost
131 months ago
A8?

Please give us the latest chip in a 4" iPhone, Apple.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
QCassidy352 Avatar
QCassidy352
131 months ago
Not gonna happen. This tier currently costs less than an iPhone 6 with an A8. Whether that stays the same, or changes to cost the same as an iPhone 6, it will not exceed the 6 by sporting an A9.
So don't make the 4" the low tier. Price it the same as the 6, or even the 6s. Where on earth did Apple get the idea smaller has to mean cheaper or less powerful? It's nonsense.

I'm perfectly willing to pay the top-tier price for a 4" phone with comparable features: A9, Apple Pay, force touch, etc. If they make it an iPhone 5s with an A8 then I'm not interested, even at the low end price tier.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
User 6502 Avatar
User 6502
131 months ago
Not gonna happen. This tier currently costs less than an iPhone 6 with an A8. Whether that stays the same, or changes to cost the same as an iPhone 6, it will not exceed the 6 by sporting an A9.
Why not? Who cares about the iPhone 6? If I want a 4'' display it doesn't mean I don't want the latest and fastest hardware; they should stop this nonsense of considering bigger devices premium devices.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mabaker Avatar
mabaker
131 months ago
TouchID and I'm sold. Couldn't care less about 3D touch.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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