A sketchy report from Chinese website TechWeb [Google Translate] (via GforGames) claims Apple's rumored "iPhone 6c" could feature a colorful metal design and Touch ID, lack 3D Touch and launch in February 2016, corroborating previous rumors claiming Apple will release a new 4-inch iPhone in early 2016.
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The report, citing unnamed "Foxconn insiders" and other various sources, confirms that Apple is working on a new 4-inch iPhone with a "colorful metal body design," in contrast with the plastic-backed iPhone 5c, but adds that Foxconn has not received orders yet for mass production of the device.
Apple's exact release plans for the so-called "iPhone 6c" remain unknown, but the report speculates about a possible January unveiling of the device, and says the budget handset could be priced between $400 and $500 in the U.S. The iPhone 5c, released in 2013, started at $549 off-contract for the 16GB model.
Often-reliable Japanese blog Mac Otakara said last month that Apple has developed a new 4-inch iPhone that is essentially 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.
The report said the so-called "iPhone 5s Mark II," likely an internal name for the new 4-inch iPhone, has entered production and could be shipped at any time, and a recent research note from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and other rumors point towards a 2016 release date.
GforGames recently cited a similarly sketchy report claiming Apple is experimenting with at least five different "iPhone 7" models with unique hardware features, reportedly including a USB Type-C connector for headphones, wireless charging technology, multi-Force Touch, dual camera configurations and Touch ID embedded in the display.
Follow our iPhone 6c roundup to keep track of the latest news about the 4-inch iPhone.
Top Rated Comments
Can you please visit Tim Cook in a dream and kick his butt for ruining your perfect concept of a mobile phone? I want a one-handed device that contains all the bells and whistles and isn't gimped in some way.
Thanks in advance.
I hate to be that guy, but boy, this is becoming Android fragmentation.
I disagree. This is nowhere near as bad as Android fragmentation.Every iPhone contains:
A 16:9 screen with 5 point multitouch
5 Point Multitouch
A front camera and a rear camera.
Rear flash
Speakers
Touch ID
Home Button, Lock Button, Volume Up and Down, Lock
Accelerometer
Compass
GPS
Wifi + Cellular
The things that vary from iPhone to iPhone are:
Pressure sensitive (Either it is or it isn't)
Screen size? (Three to pick from)
CPU and RAM? (Three combinations to pick from)
The vast majority of things with iPhones are consistent across all devices. Most developers don't need to worry about CPU and RAM constraints.
In contrast, with Android, almost nothing is standardized. It might have a physical keyboard. It might not. It might allow for 10 touches at a time. It may rely on array keys and not be touch sensitive at all. How slow is the slowest Android device? Which one has the least RAM? Good luck finding out - anyone at all can make one, from any components they want. Where is the flash? Anywhere the manufacturer wants, if they want one at all.
Whereas there are 5 iPhones you'll likely need to support (5S, 6, 6+, 6S, 6S+), there are thousands of Android configurations.
Right now my old 5s is in that role.