A recent report by Apple Insider via
Japanese blog Macotakara claimed that
Apple is currently working on two
different iPhone models. One of these
will be a successor to the iPhone 5 with a
4.5-inch screen and the other a cheaper
smartphone model sporting a
polycarbonate body. The blog also
mentioned that the next iPhone is likely
to be expected by sometime in 2014,
while the cheaper model should launch
sooner.
Now, MacRumours is reporting via
Taiwan's Commercial Times that according
to Barclays analyst Kirk Yang, Apple is
indeed working on both an iPhone 5S and
a cheaper iPhone expected to launch in
the August-September this year.
Yang also believes that both the iPhone 5
successor and the budget iPhone will
have two models, with the second one
being manufactured especially for China
Mobile.
MacRumours further points out, "The
report claims that Apple is still weighing
production volume for the new phones,
working to estimate how much the lower-
cost iPhone will cut into iPhone 5S sales
and still gauging appropriate volumes for
an expansion to China Mobile. Regardless,
Apple does expect total iPhone shipments
to be higher than last year's levels."
Earlier this year, KGI Securities analyst
Ming-Chi Kuo, known for his accuracy
when it comes to Apple's product lineup ,
offered his predictions stating that Apple
will launch the majority of its new
products in the third quarter of this year.
Yang's report may be conflicting with that
of Macotakara's, but seems to coincide
with Ming's findings.
Kuo also mentioned that the next-gen
iPhone will be called iPhone 5S, which will
be identical to the iPhone 5 and will
feature a faster 28-nm A7 chip, a
fingerprint sensor, smart LED flash and an
enhanced camera with f2.0 aperture. The
phone is expected to be available in two
colours, just like the current iPhone.
He further indicated a low-cost revamped
iPhone 5 priced between $350 to $450,
sporting a slightly thicker (8.2mm) plastic
encasing and expected availability in six
colours.
MacRumours had earlier cited the findings
of analysts Brian White of Topeka Capital
Market and Jeffries' Peter Misek that
seem to strike similarity with Kuo's
findings . According to Brian's research,
Apple could offer the device in various
colours and also feels that the iPad could
be included in its multiple colour scheme.
White further thinks that the company
will bring a new iPhone model with
varying screen sizes that will help the
benefit the company in terms of reach.
He specifically mentions a smaller iPhone
version that could allow Apple to target
markets like China and open up
opportunities in India.
And of course, he believes that Apple
could unveil a larger screen size
compared to the recently updated 4-inch
screen on the iPhone 5, which seems to
be in line with what Macotakara reported.
Peter Misek's research finding mentioned
that the next iteration of the iPhone will
feature a new super HD camera/screen, a
better battery and NFC along with an
IGZO screen for Retina+, 128GB storage,
and could be available in 6 to 8 colours.
In this regard, Misek stated that many
iPhone 6 prototypes are doing the rounds,
especially a 4.8-inch screen model that
he finds interesting. According to him, the
device has a Retina+ IGZO screen, a new
A7 quad-core processor variant, a new
design with no home button and even
fully in-built gesture controls.
Misek also refers to a budget iPhone
offering at a $200-$250 price point on an
"unsubsidised basis", but claims that the
project has not yet been given the go-
ahead.
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