Many people haven’t even gotten their iPhone 6 devices yet, and already the rumors are starting up about what Apple has planned for its next generation handsets.
One slightly sketchy rumor, citing sources in the Apple supply chain in China, suggests 2015’s iPhone lineup could include a 4-inch model, in line with the size of the iPhone 5 and 5s. According to the report, the idea would be to appeal to “female users” who are put off by the larger screen size of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
The rumor doesn’t elaborate on whether Apple would create a new 4-inch iPhone from scratch, or refresh a previously launched model instead.
We’re not convinced!
Personally, I’d suggest the report is 99 percent likely to be nonsense. Apple only just upgraded to the larger screen size with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, to both critical and commercial acclaim. Between them, the two handsets smashed records with 10 million+ sales in their first weekend on sale, and analysts are predicting 71.5 million more units will sell over the holidays.
For all the criticisms we’ve heard about the new iPhones, virtually none have suggested both handsets are too big for a substantial portion of users. Larger “phablet” phones have also consistently shown themselves to be the fastest-growing smartphone category — and particularly popular in Asia, which is where Apple is focused on expanding its presence in.
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.
19 responses to “Unlikely rumor claims Apple will bring back the 4-inch iPhone for 2015”
I really hope this isn’t nonsense. My wife got the 6 and it’s just too big. I actually thought about picking up a couple extra 5s’s just so I can have a phone that fits in my pocket until Apple comes out with the iPhone Mini (which would be back to the 4-inch form factor) years from now.
Sure, phablets are trendy, but the problem with trends is that they don’t last. Big is king for now, but small will return. Apple would be wise to offer the smaller form factor again for those of us out there that like it.
A friend of mine has a 6+. It fits in my pocket just fine. I will be updating to a 6+ in the near future.
My 6+ fits in a jeans pocket without a problem, but I understand, big phones aren’t for everyone. The fact remains that the 6 is only half an inch taller; it fits in pockets just as easily as the 5.
Yeah, and the 5s was only half an inch taller than the 4 before it. I can deal with the 5s, but, to be honest, I miss the form factor of my 4.
In all likelihood, they’ll simply coexist. One wont replace the other, for the same reason that 11″ laptops sell in a world where 17″ laptops and 30″ desktop monitors also sell; a demand filled.
How is this nonsense at all? Many users have smaller hands and still prefer the smaller, one-hand operatable form factor. Heck, the 4″ size was perfectly designed to fit in 99%, if not 100%, of users’ hand while allowing them to still reach all coners with their thumb. They can keep the 4″ a lower-end choice for sure, but doesn’t mean they can’t give it newer specs or designs. The 4.7″ iphone6 is perfect for my hand, but still too wide for my girlfriend.
I doubt this rumour is true but I really hope that it is.
The photo used is not from Apple. Smh.
I absolutely think this should be in their product lineup. Not everyone wants a 6+ or even a 6. I do love my 6+ but fully admit that I need to compromise usability from time-to-time versus my old 5S. That said, Reachability is itself a compromise. If Ive really wants to focus on user experience he’ll re-tool the OS to allow us to place icons anywhere we want. I’d pin my most-used icons at the bottom of the screen and gain back easily 75% of one-handed usability.
Jailbreak, and then you can reorganize, or add icons wherever you want. I keep stock icon layout myself, but I love having a fifth icon in the dock, especially on the 6+.
At the same time, Apple makes 11-inch Airs and doesn’t seem to stop making them. There is absolutely No nonsense point here. It’s a pleasure for Apple to make more and more people happy, so the new 4-inch model is definitely true.
What’s kind of funny is that when Cell phones first came out, the trend was to make them increasingly smaller, I used the Motorola Startac phone for years, which was tiny. Now, since smartphones got released, the trend is how big they can make them. I think that the market is so big and that people can’t make up their minds as to what they want and people are confused as to what to get. I think Apple might do well to still release a 4inch iPhone 6 model, just to have something for those that want a small smartphone. There is still a big enough market for the things. It’s going to be interesting if Apple does a iPhone 6/6+ in Polycarb much like the 5C next year and then release the 7/7+ models. I just hope they will pick better colors, make them a little thicker with a little bit bigger battery.
A plastic iPhone won’t happen again. The screen on the 5C shatters more easily than the 5 did.
I do hope this is true. The 5/5s is the perfect size. Take it out, do what you need single handed, and put it away. Done.
Call it iPhone 6 Minus
Won’t the 5S just become the free model like always? This seems really obvious to me.
My wife got my iPhone 5C but I’d like to change it next year and, of course, not to a 2 years old 5S model. So I very hope they will make a new 4″ phone.
The 5/5s form factor was near perfect for me, so I’d love to see this option. Right now, I have no interest in upgrading to a 6 because I found both variants too large for my tastes.
Makes a lot of sense, even for men who also can have small hands.
4 inch iphones for 2015 are just recycled 5/5s…way to go for Apple sky high profit margins