“Rumors of a new 4-inch iPhone 6c are once again making the rounds,” Neil Cybart writes for Above Avalon.
“The idea of Apple expanding the iPhone line to include simultaneous development of three different screen sizes is intriguing because it may be the missing piece that allows Apple to reposition the iPhone line for a more sustainable future,” Cybart writes. “Given current smartphone market dynamics, it would be in Apple’s best interest to continue expanding the iPhone line as the product matures.”
“Not only would an updated iPhone with a 4-inch screen appeal to a certain segment of the market, but Apple could position the new model as a way to begin differentiating the iPhone line according to its primary distinguishing feature: screen size,” Cybart writes. “Apple wouldn’t reduce the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus by $100 this year, but instead sell a new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus for the same $649 and $749, respectively. The iPhone 6c would be positioned as the device for those who want to spend less money on an iPhone while the iPhone 5s would occupy the ‘free with carrier contract’ bucket.”
Much more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Cybart seems to assume that the “iPhone 6c” would be a “new” device rather than what most expect, basically an iPhone 5s in a plastic… er, hard-coated polycarbonate case. (A “leak” today suggests either possibility.)
For those who desire a 4-inch iPhone: Would you choose a 4-inch iPhone 6c if it had a current Apple A-series processor and other “iPhone 6s” series specs? Would you still choose it with iPhone 6 series specs? What if it came with iPhone 5s-class specs? Let us know below and in our latest poll (left column on main site or in app menu).
Related articles:
Leaked ‘iPhone 6C’ rear shell lends further credence to rumors of new 4-inch model – March 30, 2015
If Apple makes a next-gen 4-inch iPhone, they should do it right, not make it a second class device – March 26, 2015
Apple to release 3 iPhone models, including iPhone 6c with 4-inch display – March 26, 2015
4 inch 6s. Yes.
Small is the new big.
I want a 4in screen but I DON’T want a bright colored children’s phone.
Just give me a 6s with a 4in screen. PLEASE
I had an iPhone 6 for a week – and gave it back. It was way too uncomfortable for me to hold and use it with one hand.
Scored a sweet deal on an iphone 5s 64GB and am so far not inclined to update this autumn – probably wait another year, so I’d appreciate an iPhone 6S / 7 with 4″ (and at least 64 GB).
I’m not tiny at 6 feet tall and 190 pounds, but the 5S just feels so much more natural…
@matty
I had a similar problem for the first 10-14 days with my 6. Not only the size, but the curved edges, was surprisingly enough of a difference that I repeatedly fumbled the phone when taking it out of my pocket. After the 14 day mark, it was no longer a problem. Of course, then I left it in my pocket and put it through a wash cycle…DOH!
Different people have different needs. Not everyone surfs endlessly on their phones and some of those that do are quite content to have a smaller, more compact and portable phone.
I think the 4″ size is a must and I just hope they put NFC in it for Pay… (Of course, I’m sticking with my 6, but I think there should be a choice- my sister just bought a 5s because the 6 was too big for her…)
4″ iPhone is ABSOLUTELY a MUST…
I’m telling you, If they don’t release a new smaller iPhone, Apple HAS NO SHOT at becoming the world’s most valuable company and selling a record number of iPhones and reporting the most profitable quarter in the history of business…
Oh….. wait..
Who’s it for? Me. I’m still on the iPhone 5 and I don’t like big phones.
The 6c needs to be as small as possible — with a screen even as small as 3.5/3.75 inches — with guts as close as possible to the 6.
As you say, keep the 5s as the ‘free with contract’ model, but make sure that the new, smaller version of the 6 keeps up with the larger models, as best it can given its smaller size.
The polycarbonate doesn’t bother me since I’ll put an Incipeo cover on it, as I have all four of my previous iPhone models.
I want a smooth, Incipeo black cover over a small iPhone 6 that I can unobtrusively carry in my left front pant’s pocket.
For me: the original iPhone size is just THE perfect size for my use.
I’m looking forward that iPhone mini and will buy it as soon obsolescence has doomed my actual 5s.
Agreed. And i’d prefer a metal casing and of a thickness and cured edges of the original – with the spare volume taken by the biggest battery that can be fitted inside
Amen! (Still using a 4S hoping the original iPhone form factor returns.)
Will eventually buy for my girls (who are now 12 and 10yo). I would not expect too many people over the age of 17 to have a plastic candy-colored iPhone.
I too returned my 6. It’s simply too wide. The old size was good enough all these years, suddenly customers that prefer are relegated to Apple leftovers? This is ridiculous.
It needs to Spec out with as current a tech as the new 6 when it comes out.
I like the original 4″ design, it fits in my hand. I don’t like being forced into a two handed phone just to have the better technology. It’s a phone, not a tablet
As Ithe rumor mill reveals its more and more likely to be a 5s in plastic (plus maybe ApplePay) I am more and more inclined to stick with my 5s. I had hoped for a real 4′ six. 🙁
I want a smaller phone. Not a bigger one. Sign me up.
6 is perfect
I have no problems with the size of the iPhone 6, as i tend to have a chest pocket on my shirt or jacket.
But whoever the idiot was who thought it was a great idea to put the volume controls exactly opposite the power button needs his head examined! Stuuuuuuupid!
It would be called the iPhone 6 Minus
If you’re planning to get a new Apple Watch, then a smaller form factor iPhone 6 that would fit/stayin your pocket better might be an optimal choice.
Wait and see. With the way Apple is butchering the Mac (new, underpowered and underported) we will see if Apple screws this up or steps up.
Yes, you are so right. Apple is in the habit of butchering everything they touch up. I mean, just look like no one, i mean, nobody, ever, follows their design or hardware type.
Apple, give it up, you are doomed baby!
The new MacBook as with all of its generations is a base model. 80% of the users will never use more than 10% of its power capabilities. Other than taking away the MagSafe feature that probably saved tens of thousands of laptops from premature death falls, I like most people rarely use any of the ports on my laptop. Desktops are for ports.
Smaller iPhone with NFC and fingerprint recognition for those who want to sue the phone as a phone and Apple Pay device in conjunction with the watch. Would also interface with car play and in car WiFi. Love to stream Pandora and listen to Tune in Radio stations in my car. Was going to sue my old iPod, but then I have to have to subscribe to data for the car rather than just using my iPhone T-mo plan which doesn’t count Pandora agains your data bucket.
How about one with double the battery life, by keeping it a little thicker, and if it’s thicker, why not a better camera, since optics is constrained by the distance between lens and focal plane. It’d be the pocketable camera iPhone that lasts.
All the geniuses at work here again. ” Yes a 4″ is a must… Absolutetly, Apple needs a 4″ phone, etc., etc.”
But it seems that Apple is doing quite well dojng it the way they are doing it, doesnt it? Of course, GM could sell a lot more cars if they made a flying car, etc, etc.
Even though a question was asked, it didnt ask you for your opinion why, or your conceived logistics and marketng understanding. All you need to say is…yes, i would like a 4″ because it feels better, yes because my pants are too tog
It’s called choices. The goal is to make the most money right? That why Apple has so much and wants more. And by making a 4″, they will get more and bonus, retain people that might switch elsewhere to keep that size. Do they have too? No. But it would be wise of them to.
Gee… I thought Apple’s goal was to make products that people love.
That’s the corporate propaganda, but Apple clearly isn’t succeeding in delivering what its prospective people want.
–
Before you argue otherwise, look at all the non-MDN blogs and press. Practically nobody says “This is absolutely perfect” about Apple anymore. Look at the ratings on Apple’s App stores — not so many 5 star ratings these days for Apple stuff. Reviewers and pundits are always suggesting that Apple should do to overcome the many limitations of last year’s iThing. MDN keeps reminding everyone that we really should have Liquidmetal and Sapphire Apple products by now. Objective reviewers often conclude that Apple solutions is amongst the best overall on the market, but they wish Apple hadn’t screwed up about 4 or 5 things about it, and they identify numerous cases where Apple isn’t even a contender. Face it, Apple has a lot of work to get back to when they delivered the “it just works” experience that we had years ago. Every Maps fuck up, every failed AirDrop, every dropped WiFi, every iPhone reboot, every spinning beach ball, and every removed hardware & software feature reminds us of this. Apple needs to listen to customers, and I don’t think they do anymore. Apple is now run by a LGBT rights activist and fashionista, not a visionary products developer that delights users with a better RELIABLE computing experience. Sorry if you can’t see this, but I don’t think I’m alone in this assessment.
just because we like something, becuase our hands are big but our fingers shorts, etc. doesnt make it that it will do well.
Most times people that demand these type of things are in the very minority.
Its like a linux user telling Apple how they should market os x and what is missing according to him. And that if Apple follows his advice it will bring glory back to earth.
Jajajajajajajajaja…
NO!!! What Apple needs to do is skip the iPhone 6S and 7 and call the next phone the iPhone 8. It should be polycarbonate and have a 1″ screen.
Only way I am sticking with iphones going forward is they have a 4″ model with all the same specs as the flagship phones and with 128GB or higher memory options. If they are going to release the 8GB plastic version, they need not bother at all.
There’s plastic and there’s polycarbonate, which is used to make the canopy for the F22 fighter. We made a polycarbonate cased electrical product that weighed several pounds whose indestructability I deminstrated by kicking it down a metal stairway for a customer who had no concept of the characteristics of various plastics.
No. I bought the iPhone 6 and now have trouble using the wife’s 4S. The only downside is having to use a different pocket for the larger size whereas the larger iPhone 6 makes usability a breeze.
YMMV
ME
I want a 6s+. Wife wants a 4″, iPhone 6c with polycarbonate shell matching the color of the new Apple Watch sport that she will be getting. I will be getting the sport in black aluminum with black strap, thus a black iPhone, even polycarbonate, will do me fine.