Apple reportedly plans high-res 5.5" iPhone 6, all new 4.7" model for later this year
Apple will release two new iPhones this year, with an all-new redesigned 4.7-inch model and high-resolution "phablet" type 5.5-inch version poised to take the high-end smartphone world by storm this fall.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is planning to debut two new iPhone models with two distinct screen sizes in 2014, an unprecedented move for the company that traditionally shies away from screen size wars.
Aside from obvious size differences, the top-of-the-line 5.5-inch model will sport a higher-resolution screen at 1,920-by-1,080 pixels, which translates to 401 pixels per inch. The 4.7-inch iteration will use an oddly-spec'd 1,334-by-750 pixel display to maintain scalability with existing apps. That screen is good for a pixel density of 326 ppi.
Both handsets will use Apple's next-generation A8 system-on-chip with 1GB of LPDDR3 RAM, low temperature polysilicon in-cell touch panels and Touch ID fingerprint security. A near-field communications chip (NFC) and metal casing are also part of the build. An 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with the same f/2.2 aperture found in the iPhone 5s is expected, though Apple could include optical image stabilization to improve low-light performance.
On the aesthetics side, the iPhones' bezels are said to be 10 to 20 percent more narrow than the current iPhone 5s, while thickness is pegged at 6.5 to 7.0 millimeters. Interestingly, Kuo says Apple may move the location of the sleep/wake button to the side of the device in order to facilitate one-handed operation. Alternatively, the relocation may indicate a new feature that requires frequent presses of the power button.
While the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will be just within Apple's guidelines of one-handed operation, the analyst believes the company will position the 5.5-inch version as a high-end phablet.
Overall, Kuo believes the 4.7-inch device will be Apple's main driver of handset sales in late 2014 and full-year shipments could hit 60 million units. The larger model may cannibalize sales of the iPad mini, but if the company can reduce the price tag of its smaller tablet, its portfolio should remain strong.
Kuo expects both iPhone 6 models to hit store shelves this fall, with Apple keeping the iPhone 5s and 5c on board as mid- and low-tier offerings. Due to the expanded handset lineup, the iPhone 4S and 4 will reach end of life in the third quarter.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is planning to debut two new iPhone models with two distinct screen sizes in 2014, an unprecedented move for the company that traditionally shies away from screen size wars.
Aside from obvious size differences, the top-of-the-line 5.5-inch model will sport a higher-resolution screen at 1,920-by-1,080 pixels, which translates to 401 pixels per inch. The 4.7-inch iteration will use an oddly-spec'd 1,334-by-750 pixel display to maintain scalability with existing apps. That screen is good for a pixel density of 326 ppi.
Both handsets will use Apple's next-generation A8 system-on-chip with 1GB of LPDDR3 RAM, low temperature polysilicon in-cell touch panels and Touch ID fingerprint security. A near-field communications chip (NFC) and metal casing are also part of the build. An 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with the same f/2.2 aperture found in the iPhone 5s is expected, though Apple could include optical image stabilization to improve low-light performance.
On the aesthetics side, the iPhones' bezels are said to be 10 to 20 percent more narrow than the current iPhone 5s, while thickness is pegged at 6.5 to 7.0 millimeters. Interestingly, Kuo says Apple may move the location of the sleep/wake button to the side of the device in order to facilitate one-handed operation. Alternatively, the relocation may indicate a new feature that requires frequent presses of the power button.
While the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will be just within Apple's guidelines of one-handed operation, the analyst believes the company will position the 5.5-inch version as a high-end phablet.
Overall, Kuo believes the 4.7-inch device will be Apple's main driver of handset sales in late 2014 and full-year shipments could hit 60 million units. The larger model may cannibalize sales of the iPad mini, but if the company can reduce the price tag of its smaller tablet, its portfolio should remain strong.
Kuo expects both iPhone 6 models to hit store shelves this fall, with Apple keeping the iPhone 5s and 5c on board as mid- and low-tier offerings. Due to the expanded handset lineup, the iPhone 4S and 4 will reach end of life in the third quarter.
Comments
Is it possible that Apple will release just one new screen size but they are secretly leaking information about two sizes to mislead the competition?
I don't know if it makes any sense but I would think the "top" iPhone in this scenario would be the 4.7" and that the bigger one would be the less sophisticated one, with the bigger screen as a part of the trade off.
Reduce the price of the 5c and 5s to make room, Apple. Please. The 16 GB 5s starts at €699 in Ireland. I think it's kind of a ridiculous price.
The 5.5" does not sound right.
I doesn't, but Kuo seems eerily confident about it. I have a hunch at this point that there's something to it. It'll be interesting to see what Apple's up to.
Blame the people you elect -- not Apple -- for that doozy.
As a shareholder, I don't want them to lower to their price one euro-cent so that EU politicians can get their grubby hands on taxes from Apple sales.
Hopefully Apple will keep a normal sized phone around for people who can't carry around a monstrous 5+" iPhone. I don't wear baggy prison pants so it would be a real pain to try and carry around a phone bigger than the current iPhone in my pocket, and don't even mention the back pocket as an alternative. One would have to take it out to sit. I simply don't like to carry my phone around in my hands all day like the people with these gigantic phones do. Although I do find it amusing to watch these few people who have them struggle not only with using them for a call, but with where to keep their huge phones. Recently I seen a guy at work that was walking around with his note sized phone at his ear, and needing two hands to keep it there, what a riot!! I guess I shouldn't complain, if there was enough of these instances I could cancel cable as I wouldn't need any more entertainment in my day. Having said that I am sure there is a market for them, and Apple will sell more than anyone else could ever dream of selling.
Not to derail but, speaking of the market for these huge phones, I seen an ad today that the new samsung galaxys5 is already BOGO. How the hell is that even possible? I thought samsung and android was the be all - end all for mobile devices. Would it be a desperate attempt to bolster anticipated poor sales of their fagship product? When you think about it, it really is the only way that they can compete on sales volume with Apple's incomparable products.
This is getting tired-
just slap cellular capability on an iPad mini and call it a day.
LOL GROSS!
Interestingly, Kuo says Apple may move the location of the sleep/wake button to the side of the device in order to facilitate one-handed operation. Alternatively, the relocation may indicate a new feature that requires frequent presses of the power button.
No home button finally? Touch id is built into the sapphire screen?
I think I am dreaming.
Home button is not the same as power button.
I personally don't like the idea of the lock button on the side mostly because it is a lot more likely for it to be pressed accidentally.
One of the most annoying design failures o Samsung devices is that the loc button and the volume buttons are located on the same position in either side of the phone, when you use one hand to lock the phone you end up changing the ringer volume.
I'm doubting very much that Apple will launch two new screen sizes in the one year.
Is it possible that Apple will release just one new screen size but they are secretly leaking information about two sizes to mislead the competition?
Mislead the competition? What is there to mislead? It's not like HTC, Samsung, LG, etc are all of a sudden saying, "OMG! Apple is creating a 5.5" phone, we better create one too." The competition already owns the phablet market. In fact, Samsung created it with the Note series.
It is breaking news
Kuo doesn't say he thinks or what so ever. He seems confident.
Something went wrong?