Skip to main content

WSJ says two larger screened iPhone models due this year, plastic 5c to be scrapped

8370634900_0e749e110e_h

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is planning to release two distinct iPhone models with larger displays later this year. This corroborates a report from Bloomberg News published late last year, so this is not entirely new information. The first new iPhone is claimed to have a screen between 4.5 and 5-inches while the second model will go beyond 5-inches in size:

The people said Apple plans an iPhone model with a screen larger than 4½ inches measured diagonally, and a second version with a display bigger than 5 inches. Until now, Apple’s largest phone has been the 4-inch display on the iPhone 5.

Both new models are expected to feature metal casings similar to what is used on the current iPhone 5S, with Apple expected to scrap the plastic exterior used in the iPhone 5C, these people said.

The phones, expected in the second half, won’t include a curved display, a feature recently introduced by rivals including Samsung Electronics Co. the people said. They cautioned that Apple’s plans weren’t final and that the company could change course.

Interestingly, today’s report indicates that Apple is planning to scrap the plastic-encased iPhone 5c. It’s unclear when Apple plans to do that. It’s widely known that the iPhone 5s has been outselling the iPhone 5c considerably. Over the past couple of years, Apple has introduced new iPhones in the September-October timeframe, so we’re likely quite far from any official Apple iPhone announcements.

Poll:

Image via GSMSpain

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. jonnikuest (@jonnikuest) - 10 years ago

    Dear GOD NOOOOOOOOO!!! a 5+ inch iPhone would be terrible idea. i’m very happy with my 4 inch 5S. a slightly larger 4.5-4.7, maybe. 5+ would make me throw up.

    • dcj001 - 10 years ago

      The extra 0.3″ in diagonal increase will ruin the iPhone for you?

      • Vaibhav Singh (@vs511) - 10 years ago

        Yes, if you apply the Pythagoras theorem, the dimensions (length and breath) change considerably with even a 0.5-inch difference. Bezel-less could compensate for it though.

      • Tallest Skil - 10 years ago

        Just about any size above the current one will ruin the iPhone for everyone, yes.

    • No one’s asking YOU to buy it.

      Let me explain something, CHOICE is NOT a TERRIBLE IDEA. Choice is a GRAND idea.

      Seriously… *smdh*

      • Tallest Skil - 10 years ago

        You’re an idiot, learn ANYTHING whatsoever about Apple, enjoy your unusably large device.

  2. Ian Grant - 10 years ago

    I’d have thought that the obvious thing to do would be to upgrade the 5c to 5s specifications and capabilities. Tossing away all that materials knowledge and expertise doesn’t make much sense.

    • rahhbriley - 10 years ago

      Yes, I agree. Not sure why…I guess “low sales” could be to blame…but 11mil for the Sept. quarter doesn’t seem so bad to me. I don’t think it’s a model that early device seekers at launch are as apt to go for. I think that its sales will increase as time goes on, people with expiring contracts may be more apt to buy a 5c.

      I own a Green 5c. I consider my self somewhat of an “early adopter” type (not completely, but when it comes to Apple swag it’s generally the case), and I’m also a daily tech news reader. I purchased the OG iPhone early, and then upgraded early to the 3GS, 4, 4S, and now the 5c.
      I point this out only to show that there are people other than kids, and people that aren’t tech savvy, that like the plastic 5c. As someone that fixes a lot of iPhones on the side, and who doesn’t like to case my phone, I was always really scared of the metal and glass back of the 5/5s. It was a really expensive repair, and with the screen coming off first (great for repairing the screen), it made it a long and arduous process to replace a damaged back on a 5/5s. For these reasons, I was REALLY attracted to the 5c. I was bummed that I was missing out on the improved camera/slow motion recording of the 5s, but that was about it. (Eh..M7 and touch ID are cool, but I was good with doing without for another year or so). The plastic was the reason I wanted it. It’s quality, and durable. I wont’ be shattering it.

      • Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

        People (especially Wall Street Analysts) need to remember also that the iPhone 5c is intended only to replace the sales of “last years iPhone” that used to happen before it came out. It doesn’t matter a whit that the sales are abysmal compared to any other product in the market, as long as they are higher than the previous sales of “last year’s iPhone.” Considering the iPhone 5c has a fatter margin, cheaper production costs, and keeps the users on newer technology, the sales could even be equal and it would still be a better idea to keep it than go back to selling refurbished models from previous years.

  3. What a surprise on the iPhone5c.

  4. Gary Weisbrodt - 10 years ago

    It’s perfect just as it is.

  5. Gary Weisbrodt - 10 years ago

    What I want is indestructible or as near to that as possible.

  6. willo (@mozfart) - 10 years ago

    Would love a 4.8″ sized iphone with touchID.

  7. Shamil Mubarak (@smub99) - 10 years ago

    They can create a big a phone as they like, but I hope they stick by their principles and continue selling a 4″ phone in order to cater for those of us that appreciate one handed use

  8. Claude-Michael Comeau - 10 years ago

    Can I doubt the WSJ? I am right now.

  9. Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

    This report makes literally no sense at all. One either has to believe that they are going to scrap the world-leading, award-winning current iPhone and replace it with two untried larger models that will only satisfy a tiny minority of iPhone users, or one has to believe they are going to expand the lineup to three separate phones. Even in the second case, the only phone that would remain the same as the world-leading, award-winning current design is … the current design?

    So in other words, the 5s stays around and we get two completely different larger new phones? Absolute nonsense. And if the 5S is staying around, why *not* put it in a plastic case and having it be “iPhone 6c”? None of this makes any kind of sense.

    • rahhbriley - 10 years ago

      Ya the report is fishy on so many levels. Like you allude to…why wouldn’t they be making an iPhone 6, in the current screen size of the 5? I doubt Apple releases 3 iPhone 6’s. They may release a larger iPhone, but there will only be one larger model. They will keep the current screen size along with it. And why they wouldn’t release a plastic c model again??

      Though I do recognize, it would be weird getting an iPhone 6 and 6c this next year without a 6s. What would they do with the 6c in two years when the 6s comes out…anyone follow that? (a 6c+?) There’s gonna be a naming/model problem in a year or two. Maybe they’ll finally ditch the numbers like they’ve started with the iPad. iPhone, iPhone Air, iPhone C, iPhone S? That doesn’t seem that elegant either.

  10. rettun1 - 10 years ago

    I think they will keep the 5c and make it free with a contract, but don’t think they will make another plastic model. And I pray that they release a new 4 inch phone as well, but either way I think the 5s will take the $99 slot.

    Maybe not as likely, they’ll have a new 4 inch $200 iPhone And a larger one for $249.

  11. Juan Segura - 10 years ago

    Would love a 5+ inch Iphone because of the bigger battery, Bigger screen and just maybe apple will add some gestures

    • Tallest Skil - 10 years ago

      >>bigger battery

      A physically larger battery ≠ longer battery life.

      >>bigger screen

      Enjoy not being able to use the device.

      >>gestures

      Guess you’ve been in a coma since 2007.

  12. Franco Grisafi - 10 years ago

    This is extremely fishy. Maybe there ( as in apple and wsj) trying to throw us a loop. Iphone 6 (air) will be the thinnest and lightest phone ever made. They can do this by making it out of Liquid-metal. 5c will adapt 5s parts,camera and processor. Just don’t see apple scrapping all the work they did on the 5c just that quick.

    • Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

      For the record … LiquidMetal is *not* lighter than other metallic alloys, it’s just stronger for a given thickness.

      It’s also 100% impossible to make a phone out of LiquidMetal in the same way as they make the current iPhone as well as most of their other products (by carving it out of a block of metal). It would instead have to be forged, or moulded, or both, and that would mean literally the biggest, most radical redesign of the iPhone ever. So it’s not only really unlikely, we would probably hear about this in rumours long before it became a reality.

      Finally, such a phone would cost at least (at *least*) a hundred dollars more than a phone made in an identical fashion, except out of regular metal. In short, it would add very little to the design but cost and a bit of bling.

  13. driverbenji - 10 years ago

    Apple won’t be stupid enough (hopefully) to kill itself with a “phablet” sized (over 5″) “iPhone”. Plus it would eat into iPad Mini sales.

    I seriously doubt apple will drop the 5c, it will remain…4S WILL be dropped, 5c will be the new entry level iPhone.

    I, personally, hope that the A8 will be available in both a 4″ & under 5″ screen, as I want to update but do not want a larger phone!

    Not as many people want large phones as one might think. People might get the largest because it is also the only way to get the best/newest hardware. I really hope Apple does not make that mistake.

    Apple currently offers the A7 chip in two sizes of iPad… Mini retina, and Air. It would seem that they would offer 4″ & 4.7 (or around there) screen sizes for an iPhone 6. At least, that is what I want because I am due for a new phone this year and want the 4″ to be the best, as I do not want a larger phone (have iPhone 5 right now).

    It’s a PHONE dang it! Apple better keep it a phone. I want it to be compact, not large.

  14. Torrey Huerta - 10 years ago

    I doubt they will kill the 5c, unless sales were just awful. Hope that’s not the case.

  15. e. w. parris (@ewparris) - 10 years ago

    I’d wager this report is debunked within a week. Has Dalrymple said “yup” to it yet?

  16. You will all hate it until Apple releases it. At that point it will be the best thing you ever laid eyes on.

  17. Marklewood at Serenity Lodge - 10 years ago

    Whatever Apple does with a new iPhone, I hope they will address the idea of “waterproofing”.