New 4-Inch iPhone Rumored to Feature A8 Chip, Bluetooth 4.1 and More

Tuesday November 17, 2015 8:22 AM PST by Joe Rossignol
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: macotakara.jp
144 comments


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soupcan
49 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.
Rating: 35 Votes
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QCassidy352
49 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.
Rating: 17 Votes
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TurboPGT!
49 months ago
They can't possibly withhold Apple Pay from this product. That would make no sense.
Rating: 17 Votes
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Benjamin Frost
49 months ago
A8?

Please give us the latest chip in a 4" iPhone, Apple.
Rating: 17 Votes
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WalterTizzano
49 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.
Rating: 16 Votes
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mabaker
49 months ago
TouchID and I'm sold. Couldn't care less about 3D touch.
Rating: 12 Votes
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mojolicious
49 months ago

no one wants a 4 inch screen anymore.

iceman42 has spoken. Close the thread!
Rating: 10 Votes
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ActionableMango
49 months ago
Damn I wish I had known about this before I went to a 6S. The 6/6S are simply too big.
Rating: 9 Votes
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Icaras
49 months ago
As much as I am excited for the new Apple Watch dock, why did that get front page main section and this get sidelined to the blog? A new iOS product device certainly seems like big news to me.
Rating: 7 Votes
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mbh1976
49 months ago
I won't complain about an A8, as long as the battery/camera/internals are upgraded from the 5S and they add applepay.

Annoying that this is viewed as an entry-level model rather that something that can rival a current 6S, but that actually fits in one's pocket/doesn't slip out of one's hands when trying to hold it.
Rating: 7 Votes
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