A research note from a credible analyst with a good track record of Apple predictions, suggest that the 4-inch cheaper iPhone could be coming in early 2016.
The new Apple smartphone is being called the 'iPhone 6C', although, there are reports of other names like the 'iPhone 5S Mark II'. The new smartphone will sport an A9 processor chip and a metal casing with a variety of colors, says Tech News World. The unit will also have curved edges to its 2.5D cover glass, just like the iPhone 6s, and an 8 megapixel rear-facing and 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera, like the iPhone 5s.
According to a report by MacWorld UK, Piper Jaffray made a poll consisting of 1,000 US consumers. The results of the study shows that only 20% of US consumers want a 4-inch iPhone, which isn't a bad number but fairs relatively low compared to the 31.2% who would prefer a 4.7in model and 27.2% who prefer a 5.5in model.
There is also reason to believe that majority of the people who want to see a 4-inch phone are also those who still have 4-inch iPhones and have not yet tried using the bigger models, Jaffray adds. In addition to that, an analyst of Jaffray named Gene Munster, also believes that Apple is wasting its time by pursuing such a device, and will not bring in favourable numbers, according to Cult of Mac.
One will remember that the acceptance of the iPhone 5c was not as favourable either. September 2015 was the 2nd anniversary of the phone, and until late that year people were convinced that Apple fans would no longer see a cheap iPhone option ever again.
As per production, some reports from companies that claim to be Apple's suppliers, state that the smartphone model is now in production phase and could be launching soon. The rumoured price of the iPhone 6C is expected to be around $400 to $500. Although, Munster claims that a price lower than $450 would go against Apple's price-quality philosophy and isn't likely.
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