Apple could release the iPhone 6s, 6s Plus and 6c at the same time, claims notorious leaker Evan Blass, better known as @evleaks on Twitter.
This is the latest in a series of reports suggesting that Cupertino is looking to offer a new 4-inch iPhone “c” model — having abandoned the name and form factor when it made the jump to phablet-sized phones.
Sounds like iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, and 6c will all arrive concurrently.
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 11, 2015
Rumors about an iPhone 6c began popping up late last year, when sources suggested that Apple was investigating the possibility of a lower-cost device, aimed at people wanting a smaller handset.
More recently, there were reports suggesting that plans for an iPhone 6c had been distributed to Apple’s manufacturers, only to later disappear — although this was later revised to suggest the phone had been pushed back to the second quarter of 2016 instead.
The iPhone 6c is said to boast advanced “FinFET” processors to deliver increased performance and greater power efficiency. It has also been suggested that the 6c won’t repeat the plastic look of the iPhone 5c, but instead sport a sleek all-metal form factor.
Given that the Chinese smartphone market is currently slowing down, while the country’s currency devaluation looks to threaten Apple’s margins, a budget iPhone to compete with the likes of Xiaomi could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
And with rumors suggesting that Apple is planning to unveil three new iPads in 2015 also, this year could turn out to be a monster one for new iOS devices.
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
3 responses to “Apple has plans to launch an iPhone 6c this year”
How many times does Apple have to say, they aren’t interested in budget phones? Its the same rumors that circled before the 5C came out. The only thing a budget phone does is help with market share, and for the love of all things holy, I think their strategy of ceding market share for profits is working! Why would they shoot themselves in the foot? I think it makes a lot more sense to just build a 4″ iPhone 6S, that way size is put to bed once and for all. Like small phones? Check. Like big phones? Check. For emerging markets put the old 6 on sale!
That’s not a bad idea actually.
The iPhone Success and the iPhone Sexy, this should be interesting…