AppleInsider Staff
Apple has reportedly begun mass production of its new 4-inch handset, with the device slated for release this spring in a bid to kickstart sales in important emerging markets.
Development of the so-called "iPhone 6c" was completed in early 2015, according to Japanese financial newspaper Nikkei. Apple is said to delayed the new device's introduction until a more opportune moment.
The paper believes Apple will target the new 4-inch model — which some call the "iPhone 5se" — at consumers in emerging markets like India, where the company's more expensive models face an uphill battle among relatively poor consumers.
As the smartphone market becomes saturated in most industrialized nations, developing countries represent critical markets for manufacturers. Among the fastest-growing smartphone brands of 2015, most concentrated their efforts on places like India, Thailand, and China.
Little is known yet about the new iPhone, with nearly every aspect — including its industrial design — the subject of contradictory speculation. Some believe it will take after the iPhone 5s, while others say it will be more like a miniature iPhone 6.
Internals could include either the A8 or A9 processors and their corresponding M-series motion chips, along with anywhere from 1 gigabyte to 2 gigabytes of RAM and the possible inclusion of Touch ID and NFC support for Apple Pay.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
70 Comments
But emerging markets don't want a small screened phone, they want a large screen because the phone is a do-everything device. That is why Samsung phablets were such a run away success. within the last week I exchanged messages with someone wherein I suggested they do something on a PC because similar software was not available on a mobile platform. They replied they only had a phone and didn't really know anyone who had a PC. Think they were in India.
This is more a device suited to developed markets for people who don't want an S6 sized phone.
I've always believed a mid cycle "c" phone would disrupt competitors and keep Apple in the minds of the media and fans pretty much year round. Would obviously help Apple's sales post-holiday season too.
Hope this is true. A March launch would be perfect.
AppleInsider is probably backing the wrong horse in the naming game here. It's been said before by me and many others, but "iPhone 6c" makes absolutely zero sense as a name for this purported device. It's is a ridiculous name for a device that has none of the iPhone 6 level features, and doesn't (as far as we know) come in multiple colours.
I'm not convinced on "iPhone 5se" either, but it makes some kind of sense for a device that is based on an iPhone 5s.
Interesting rendering that has the display wrapping around the home button.