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Latest iPhone 6c rumor repeats metal casing claims, claims launching in Jan, on sale in Feb

6c

A Chinese report (via GforGames) citing “Foxconn insiders” and other unnamed sources claims that the iPhone 6c, Apple’s rumored 4-inch entry-level phone to replace the 5c, is due to be announced by Apple in January and go on sale in February.

Apple may have used the term “unapologetically plastic” to describe the iPhone 5c, but the latest report about its 6c successor repeats earlier rumors that Apple will be switching to metal this time around.

There have been mixed rumors on the spec of the iPhone 6c … 

Unsurprisingly, it’s not expected that the device will support 3D Touch – a feature Apple will likely want to reserve for its flagship handsets for some time – but it has been suggested that the 6c will get Touch ID and an NFC chip to support Apple Pay.

The claimed release date would be unusual for Apple, but entirely possible given that the company didn’t launch it alongside its flagship phones. Back in the summer, there were sketchy reports of a November launch, though KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo had earlier said that was unlikely and that it would instead be the first half of 2016.

The thinking goes that the 6c would replace the iPhone 5s as the entry-level handset in Apple’s line-up. Perhaps Apple is winding down the 5s production now.

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Comments

  1. Paul Douglas - 8 years ago

    If it’s true, it’s a surprisingly big operational blunder. Why launch the budget model…Two months after Christmas?

    • Because Apple expects that people won’t give a budget phone as present. Seems logical to me.

      • Paul Douglas - 8 years ago

        Not really. The entry level device is the most sensible option for kids and teens, the primary recipients of Christmas presents.

    • iSRS - 8 years ago

      Because that is when sales start to slow down.

      • Paul Douglas - 8 years ago

        I guess. I don’t really see an entry-level model being a massive driver to change that much though. That particular category of device still seems like an option that would benefit a lot from being around for Christmas shopping.

    • tush4r - 8 years ago

      For business?

      • Paul Douglas - 8 years ago

        That’s not really an argument to miss Christmas though. They’ll sell to business either way. If they didn’t miss Christmas they could up-sell a decent number of iPod touch Christmas purchases to iPhones

    • Paul Van Obberghen - 8 years ago

      What makes you believe that this would be a “budget” model? It might be smaller and at a lower price than a 6S but not more than 100$/€ at equivalent storage.

      • Paul Douglas - 8 years ago

        …The article?

        “the 6c would replace the iPhone 5s as the entry-level handset “

      • Greg Kaplan (@kaplag) - 8 years ago

        The article is probably wrong because people have a misconception that the 5c was entry level when it came out. The 4s was entry level. The 5c was mid range and meant differentiate the 5 from the 5s – it worked. That’s why was so surprised the 6 and 6+ remained on sale.

        Replacing the 5s would be even more expensive than just keeping it around. Replacing the 6 and 6+ with one 4″ model would differentiate the older internals from the new phones. More people will buy the 6s because they want the bigger screen. People who actually want a smaller screen will finally have an option that’s only slightly behind. This also sets up the 4″ to remain an entry level iphone size next year when this new smaller 6 drops down to entry level. I imagine that with the actual 7 or 8 release we could see new 4″ device with a radically different design.

  2. uniszuurmond - 8 years ago

    “It’s not expected that the device will support 3D Touch – a feature Apple will likely want to reserve for its flagship handsets.”

    See, that’s where Apple get it wrong every single time. Why design and build a new phone if it does not have all the features of its big brothers? Why make the user experience different between the phones? In fact, why don’t they also make OIS available on all 3 phones?

    Unlike the iPad and Macs (but I can potentially argue also for them), when it gets to smaller, more personal devices, most consumers look at screen size and storage capacity only. There should be no other differences between them, not even the design should differ radically.

    Otherwise, they might as well give me last year’s iPhone 5 at a discounted price.

    • xprmntr - 8 years ago

      iPhone 5 was out 3 years ago

      Smaller screen, iPhone 6 specs

      • uniszuurmond - 8 years ago

        I meant 5s. Sorry. But no, as much as I would buy a samller screen fully specced 6c, I wouldn’t one with reduced specs. In fact, then I wouldn’t buy an iPhone at all. As it would feel as if Apple is screwing me.

    • jon187 - 8 years ago

      The thing is that to many people, features such as 3D Touch don’t matter. They’ve either never heard about it or don’t know how to use it. It’s pretty surprising the number of people who walk into a store with a 5s / a 6 and have never heard of 3D Touch.

      To these people, as long as it’s the latest device (or as long as it’s from Apple ), it’ll feel just the same to them. I agree with you that it’s a pretty crappy consumer experience, especially for those aware of it.

      From a business point of view, it’s pretty genius. ‘Let’s put a 1-2 years old device into a new case, and call it the newest iPhone’. It costs apple almost nothing to make, yet they will greatly extend the lifecycle of their product – the 5C still sells, despite having technology made 4 years ago !

      • uniszuurmond - 8 years ago

        I totally agree with everything you say, but this is the very reason I am starting to despise Apple. They never were a textbook business on making money, and I miss that the very best tech is not available on all their devices, as it used to be.

      • r00fus1 - 8 years ago

        3D touch is really not necessary to appreciate the iOS, and likely the case for the next several years (see Retina screens). Hell, even the iPad Pro doesn’t have 3D touch.

      • Richard Krvaric - 8 years ago

        It’s the same sales tactic as most manufacturers…
        Look… you can get this model.. but for just $XX you can have THIS ONE!!!
        Cars… you can have the budget model, but for only $29 more/month, you get the upgraded stereo package, backup camera, etc…
        Most people bump up…
        The 6C model is not for the everyday consumer… we go for the bigger models… My MOTHER would probably get the 6C… she needs it to make calls, and MAYBE check email. it’s perfect for her…

  3. Robert - 8 years ago

    I really hope this isn’t a “budget” phone like is being assumed. I desperately want a smaller phone because The iPhone 6 is uncomfortable in my pocket and I can’t reach the entire screen when using it in one hand.

    I really hope that it has respectable specs, and I hope it is super thin (perhaps without the 3.5mm jack) and light and something Apple will market as an “iPhone Air”. This would be far better marketing than saying it is a “budget” phone. A “budget” phone should cost $50. Apple will never make a true “budget” phone, so why should people who buy the smaller phone be made to feel it is inferior, surely smaller and thinner and lighter makes it better.

  4. Robert - 8 years ago

    The more fun and playful anodized colors we have seen in the iPod line are more desirable to me than any of the current iPhone colors. I think many customers would choose one of them.

  5. RP - 8 years ago

    If it’s a sufficient upgrade to the 5s, and looks nice enough to replace the 5s (i am skipping the 6 series because it looks too frumpy for my tastes) then I certainly buy it. Otherwise I will wait for the 7.

  6. jrv6 - 8 years ago

    5S died (actually, a replacement phone since the first one had a camera with focus issues)
    He’d to settle for a 6S.. Not impressed by the extra screen real estate and a bad (for me) tradeoff vs a sleeker phone and comfortable one-handed operation.
    A smaller phone should come in two versions
    1) fastest processor, great screen, 32GB or 64 GB, no 3D touch, 8MP camera. Priced below the 6S. Budget/Business
    2) fastest processor, great screen, 3D touch, 64 GB or 128 GB, 12MP camera, next-gen battery, titanium and/or other exotic material, thinner?. Price equivalent to the 6S plus. Premium/fashion…. Target buyer (someone who has a SS apple watch and a macbook.

    • Robert - 8 years ago

      You write: “Not impressed by the extra screen real estate and a bad (for me) tradeoff vs a sleeker phone and comfortable one-handed operation.”

      Exactly my feeling! The smaller screen worked better.

      Apple has promised to get rid of the wallet. Apple Pay was the ‘first step’ in doing this. The feeling of not having to carry a wallet is liberating. Their should only be one small bulge in my pocket – my phone – and that should take up as little space as practical – I should be able to move around freely and sit without having to take it out of my pocket first.

  7. There are still many that prefer smaller phones because Apple hasn’t given us enough reason to switch to the bigger screen. More screen real estate and better battery life are nice, but not enough to make the switch wholly worthwhile. Larger phones means more time spent out of your pockets; it changes the way you interact with the device which, at first, can be seen as an inconvenience. I’ve grown to love my 6+; it’s too large to be in my pocket all of the time, but this means that I interact with it more frequently. Still, there needs to be more gained from a larger device.

    With the advent of larger screen sizes, more RAM, and an embrace for three versions of multi-tasking on the newest iPads, let’s hope to see some solid multi-tasking on the iPhone side in some flavor in 2016. Hopefully iOS 10/X will be what we’ve all been waiting for.

  8. danursu2014 - 8 years ago

    There is not going to be a 4inch iPhone. Nor will they make a plastic phone, or a phone that is less than the absolute best. Every article about a possible C iPhone was dead wrong. Can we grow up?

  9. Greg Kaplan (@kaplag) - 8 years ago

    This doesn’t make any sense to me. Nothing is replacing the 5c. Apple won’t sell a phone cheaper than the 5s. It also doesn’t make sense to replace the 5s. It’s already a different form factor than the flagships and apple already has their manufacturing down why waste any money on that if the goal is to be entry level?

    The 5c came out to replace the 5. It wasn’t entry level it was mid level. The 4s was entry level at the time. It was mostly about differentiating the old phone from the new one. What makes more sense to me is apple keeping the 5s on sale and dumping the iphone 6 and 6+. There is no reason for them to remain on sale and I’m sure they are reducing 6s ans 6s+ sales. Apple showed it could put 6 internals in the ipod touch so after a little more time it could cram radio into it too.

    5s 4″
    6 4″
    6s 4.7″
    6s+ 5.5″

    • distressedcactus - 8 years ago

      The 5C is already discontinued, the 5S is technically the entry-level iPhone now. The 6/6+ are mid level. The 6C could replace the 5S, not from an entry level perspective, but at least to satisfy the people who want to 4″ size back.

  10. I just want/need cheap service with data to be able to afford my first cell phone plan. Times 5 for my household/family, and it’s been so far an impossible expense for me.

    • r00fus1 - 8 years ago

      T-Mobile works for me. $160 for 10 lines with 2.5GB each (~$210 with fees). That’s about $20/line for 2.5GB data, no overages.

      • Beyond me. My paygo is about between $5 to %10 per month per phone. and that is more than I want to pay.

  11. Joe (@JozefC_) - 8 years ago

    That means the next event is in Jan ! Yeaah !

  12. janisonjunio - 8 years ago

    Yes please! I tried using a 6s and I still think it’s too big for a phone, 4 inch will always be a good size, that’s why I have a 5s and an iPad mini if I want a larger screen. Apple did a good move going for larger screens but not everyone wants one.

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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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