“A revamped 4-inch iPhone from Apple will boast not only the same A9 processor as the latest iPhone 6s series, but also a NFC radio to enable Apple Pay transactions, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo,” Neil Hughes reports for AppleInsider.
“The KGI Securities analyst, who has a strong track record in predicting Apple’s future product plans, believes Apple’s new 4-inch iPhone will resemble an upgraded iPhone 5s,” Hughes reports. “The handset will come in a metal casing, and will feature identical camera specifications to the current entry-level iPhone, he said.”
“But in a key specification upgrade, Kuo said the new 4-inch iPhone will boast an A9 processor, as well as near-field communications technology for Apple Pay,” Hughes reports. “Kuo said he expects an improved 4-inch iPhone to ship in early 2016, potentially around the March-April timeframe.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: If accurate, sales of this device could be good as there looks to be a market for a 4-inch iPhone made the right way. The only real issue would be if Kuo is correct about this 4-inch “iPhone 6c” lacking 3D Touch which could temper response to some, possibly significant, degree. Of course, that issue could also spur potential buyers to upgrade to the iPhone 6s to get 3D Touch (and a better camera and a larger screen), depending on how the pricing is structured.
In March, we ran the following poll and found:
SEE ALSO:
Rumor: Apple to launch 4-inch iPhone 6c with colorful metal cases in February 2016 – December 1, 2015
Apple’s forthcoming 4-inch iPhone to be powered by Apple A8 SoC, sources say – November 17, 2015
KGI: Apple to release new 4-inch iPhone in early 2016; A9-powered, but no 3D Touch – November 4, 2015
Why Apple might launch a new 4-inch iPhone in early 2016 – October 15, 2015
No 4-inch ‘iPhone 6c’ at Apple’s September 9 event, iPhone 5c to be discontinued – August 27, 2015
Should Apple make a state-of-the-art 4-inch iPhone? – July 31, 2015
Analyst: Apple has scrapped plans for a 4-inch iPhone 6c – July 27, 2015
Analyst: No 4-inch iPhone coming – May 12, 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
It needs 3D Touch, A9, NFC, basically all the features of the 6s, just in a more compact package, otherwise the people who really want a smaller phone will be forced to compromise.
People like me who never upgraded to the 6 because of the size issue, will not miss 3D touch because we never had it anyway. Most of us are looking for the speed offered by the A9 in a 4″ size.
My 4s behaves like a dog walking through quicksand now, so performance is the primary reason I want to upgrade.
Same here. I want to buy a new iPhone, but Apple currently don’t offer anything that attracts me as a customer. An updated 4″ phone, even with an A8, would suit me perfectly. An A9 even more so.
3D Touch? I’m sure it’s wonderful, but having never used it how can it be missed?
I see no reason why Apple would not make 3D touch for 4″ device. Especially since it is going to be thicker than 6s anyway (not thinner than iPhone 5s is).
Agree! Not everyone wants a Samsung-ish MEGA phone. I still have my 5 because I don’t want a mega phone. I hope this return to Steve Jobs sized phones is not just a rumor.
Good point.
“Most of us are looking for the speed offered by the A9 in a 4″ size.”
That, and Apple Pay.
I never had it before the 6s, but I see it as an extremely important evolutionary step in the touch interface. I love how a press on the keyboard turns it into a trackpad. I’ve been complaining about the lack of arrow keys since 2007 and this feature got me to say “oh, never mind”! That’s quite an accomplishment! As more apps adopt it (and it’s too useful not to adopt) it will become a must-have feature. I’ll bet you it shows up on Samsung’s next flagship phone.
I think that 3D touch is a key element of the newest user interface and therefore 3D touch should be present on all new iPhones.
It’s OK to offer something like a less functional camera on certain models because there will still be a perfectly decent camera anyway, but completely doing away with something like 3D touch doesn’t make sense to me.
After using 6 and 6s, who would go back using smaller screen, not a lot. Now Apple is like Blackberry few years back that keeps on insisting qwerty keyboard. Anybody can look at the smartphone market today, does small screen still sells? May be thru the eyes of Eddie no Cue.
The article predicts sales of up to 20 million units. I can see that happening. There are still a lot of people on 4s, and 5s, including me. I can’t speak for others, but I don’t want a larger screen. For me 4″ is big enough.