A 4-inch iPhone 6c is rapidly becoming the iPhone equivalent to the Sasquatch — something much discussed, but never actually witnessed.
However, according to China’s IHS Technology Research Director Kevin Wang, we should keep faith because this mythical device is really on the way — and will be with customers by the middle of next year.
Wang made the comments on China’s popular Weibo network, although he didn’t add any further details.
What are the chances that it will prove true? I’d say that we’re almost certain to receive a 4-inch iPhone at some point, given the regularity of reports we’ve heard about a return to the 4-inch iPhone form factor. As for his precise forecast, though? I’d be very surprised — if not simply because releasing a new iPhone months before the unveiling of the iPhone 7 would cause marketplace confusion.
This wouldn’t be the first time analysts have guessed wrong. At first we were told a smaller, 4-inch iPhone 6c would arrive just two months after the launch of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus — something which hasn’t happened. Wang himself claimed back in August that the iPhone 6c would be released by the end of 2015.
The most reliable analyst in all of this is the consistently-accurate KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo has echoed the mid-2016 release (hence mentioning Wang’s report here, and not just writing it off as a totally unfounded rumor), and also claims the handset will boast an A9 processor, metal casing, but sadly no 3D Touch technology.
He additionally thinks Apple will ship 20-30 million units of the smaller handset through the end of 2016.
Would you be on board for a 4-inch iPhone 6c? I certainly think it would be a good idea, although I would personally prefer if this wasn’t a crippled version of current-gen tech, but rather a smaller version of the iPhone 6s (or 7) that other customers enjoy.
Apple already showed with the iPhone 5c that it’s not too keen on making a cheap iPhone, so hopefully the rumors about a lack of 3D Touch — the most praised feature of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus — turns out not to be the case. Leave your comments below.
Via: GforGames
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.
16 responses to “4-inch iPhone 6c tipped for release in mid-2016”
“c” will stand for “compact” and no longer mean “cheap plastic” I guess!
I think releasing a phone without 3D Touch would be a bad idea, because the only way 3D Touch will ever be fully integrated into the UI of iOS and third-party apps is if virtually all iPhones have it. If all new iPhones from now on support 3D Touch, that would be best. If some new models (even if they’re smaller/cheaper/whatever) don’t have it, then 3D Touch will always remain a kind of optional UI feature, not truly integrated and fully used in iOS.
I 100% agree – much like Touch ID.
I’m one (of the few) looking forward to a possible return to a 4″ iOS device (from my iPhone 6)!
4″ iPhone with faster processor then 5S and better usage of iOS9.x will be great. Let’s hope that they don’t build it with plastic case as 5C and do it still premium quality
Two days ago I upgraded my iPhone 5 to a 5s because the 6 is too famed big. Give me a 6sc!
No offense, but upgrading to a device 5 months away from near obsolesce seems kind of a poor choice. You’d be surprised how quickly you’d get used to (& appreciate) the fraction of an inch larger form factor :)
No offense but “5 months away from near obsolesce” means what?!
In my experience, iPhones tend to start feeling slow two years after launch especially if you’re continuously upgrading iOS. Once 3 years+ rolls around they’re so damn sluggish that its just plain painful to use as a device. I know some people use their iPhones for longer than two years, but wasting an upgrade (that you pay for in most plans) for a device that’s almost 3 years old to start is definitely near obsolesce. If that guy even just uses it for 2 years, he’ll be working with a 5 year old device by the end. That’d be the equivalent of a 4S now, the very bottom of the iOS9 compatibility, and therefore barely functional on it.
You’re a good guy. Id have told his ass to Google it LOL
I don’t mind educating people :)
If I could I’d upgrade every year and buy a new car every year and change my wardrobe entirely every year. It’s sort of up to me what I do with my money. The good thing is, older iPhones make fab iPods…
I don’t buy new iPhones every year, I get one every two pretty much entirely because I pay for the upgrade so I’m gonna use it. Thankfully cars and wardrobes don’t become less useful as quickly as new technology.
Exactly. Tech moves so quick the best move is to buy what you want when you want.
I have the iPad Pro on my Christmas list.
Can’t we let the 4″ form factor die the death it deserves? For the few harping on about needing a smaller form factor, its nonsense. If the market demand for smaller screened iPhones was there, Apple would have already released it. You want smaller? There’s plenty of Android options.
This is good news. I’m just not one to carry around a phone as big as a dinner plate.
I have small hands and the iPhone 5 was perfect, but I had to upgrade to a 6s recently. The 6s is just a little too large for me but I manage, just short of an 1inch to wrap my fingers around it. The 6s plus would be non-starter for me, I will not be able hold and type with my thumb and Siri does not always listen the 1st time round.