Another rumor points towards an iPhone "mini" launching this year

posted by Paul.K / Jan 02, 2015, 9:07 AM

So, this past year, even Apple joined the "screen size" race, by pumping the display of its flagship iPhone 6 to 4.7" and adding a phablet iPhone 6 Plus in its portfolio. The change had an extremely positive reception, as 4 months after the launch, Apple is still selling its new handsets like hot cakes, and even dominated the statistic for device activations this Christmas.

There is, however, a group of people, be it a minority if you wish, that actually liked the 4" constraints that Apple had put on itself with the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s – easily pocketable, perfectly usable with one hand, still good for checking emails, social media, and chatting. With the release of the new iPhones, one was left to wonder – is Apple completely done with the small-sized smartphones?

Well, rumors claim that Cupertinians are, in fact, planning to launch a "mini" version of their flagship this year (iPhone 6 mini, or 6s mini? We don't know) – the first time we heard of such plans was around 10 days ago, when analyst Timothy Arcuri of Cowen and Company apparently sent a note to investors, claiming that Apple is working on a possible "mini" iPhone.

Well, now, an alleged report from another US investment company, called Zacks Equity Research, reportedly also makes a mention of a "mini" iPhone being in the works for 2015. Not only that, but the price is expected to "be a lot cheaper".

Now, that's interesting. Currently, the cheapest iPhone on Apple's portfolio is the 5c – and it's still rather pricey, at $450 for a SIM-free version. We wouldn't really expect Apple to release a brand new model, be it a "mini", and slap a price tag on it lower than that. The rumors suggest that Cupertinians are thinking about equipping it with lower tier hardware, in order to justify a large price drop, but we'd say the iPhone 6's sales have proven that the company does not need to produce a low-end smartphone in order to have market dominance, so we're at the edge of calling shenanigans on that rumor. Not to mention that customers that want a smaller screen will not necessarily agree to a less powerful handset.

What we find believable about the rumors, however, is that Apple may really be thinking about having a line of 4”-screened iPhones, instead of completely abandoning the handy-sized devices. Whether the Cupertinians will go through with it, and whether it's going to happen this year, remains to be seen.

iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus vs iPhone 5s

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iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus vs iPhone 5s

source: MyDrivers.com (translated) via BGR

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38 Comments

1. Kruze

Posts: 1285; Member since: Dec 30, 2014

Could it be a cheap plastic crap iPhone 6C? I mean, Apple knows that their cheap plastic crap 5C was a failure. Just focus on premium, Apple. Apple and cheap doesn't feel right at all.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 9:19 AM 3

2. Exempt1 unregistered

The iPhone 5S was the 6 mini. Similar specs, similar dpi with the screen, iOS 8 onboard... They continued selling it along with the new series because it was capable to perform just like it's bigger brothers. They might bring out an S version this year, but what's the point? Unless Apple do major upgrades with the 6S, which they never do with the S series anyway, I don't see the money grabbing company making up another model when there is already one which is already a smaller version of it's bigger brothers.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 9:23 AM 5

5. nctx77

Posts: 2540; Member since: Sep 03, 2013

With S midels, the internals are always upgraded, so that would make the 5s two years behind. Also, the 5s doesn't have NFC. This is why a 6s mini will be made.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 9:37 AM 0

12. Wiencon

Posts: 2278; Member since: Aug 06, 2014

Actually S series bring bigger improvements than main serie, 4S brought dual core processor and 5S brought 64 bit and touch ID, much bigger update than 5 over 4S or 6 over 5S if you ask me.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 10:32 AM 0

14. cheeseycheeser

Posts: 413; Member since: Mar 24, 2011

The S series usually brings the bigger INTERNALS improvements. However, the 4/5 brought major design changes and improvements. Which are more important to most consumers.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 10:39 AM 0

30. bob_monkeywarts unregistered

The s series is just Apple waiting for everybody's contracts to expire so that when the next different phone comes everybody will be ready to buy it. That's why if you go to a carrier store after the new iPhone comes out it's more crowded than when the new s comes out; when the new s comes out everybody still has a contact.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 4:55 PM 0

31. bob_monkeywarts unregistered

Contract

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 4:55 PM 0

3. theguy2345

Posts: 1216; Member since: Jun 24, 2014

As the article states, people don't want lower specs even though it has a smaller screen. I don't understand why they do this. Especially for apple, who only makes 'high end' phones, if you want to call them that. They should all take the Sony route, with a small phone that packs the punch of its flagship brother.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 9:24 AM 1

4. darkkjedii

Posts: 30836; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Smart move Apple, keep a 4. incher in the lineup

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 9:32 AM 3

6. greenelektron

Posts: 537; Member since: Sep 10, 2014

I have an iPhone 5 and i loVe its size. But ios9 on that? I dont think so

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 9:48 AM 1

13. Wiencon

Posts: 2278; Member since: Aug 06, 2014

Well, iOS is well optimised for small screen sizes, on Z3C I feel that everything was designed for bigger size and than just ported to 4.6 inch.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 10:35 AM 0

7. Commentator

Posts: 3722; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

Good idea, if only because it will probably spur other companies to make high-end mini devices as well. Also, I know plenty of people who will be thrilled about this. Some people just still don't want a 4.7+ inch phone.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 9:57 AM 2

8. iPhoneboy597

Posts: 13; Member since: Dec 18, 2014

Apples increasing the number of devices it's releasing each year, from 1 to 2 devices and if this rumours correct then 3, kinda like Samsung and lg who release multiple flagship grade phones in year, they would be wise to keep it at 2, max 3

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 10:05 AM 0

9. KingKurogiii

Posts: 5713; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

either make a small sized iPhone with iPhone 6 specs or don't bother because otherwise we can just get the iPhone 5S. it has a better design anyway.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 10:24 AM 0

10. Wiencon

Posts: 2278; Member since: Aug 06, 2014

I'm really interested in this one, I own Z3C now and I love it but I guess iOS just suits me better. I'd like to trade it for 5S but I will wait to see what Apple will show, I hope this time they will add another Gig of RAM, one is not enough anymore. Also if it had waterproofing I'd buy it instantly, surprisingly this is my favourite feature of Z3. After battery of course :) And if it disappoints I'll just get 5S at lower price.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 10:27 AM 1

11. Napalm_3nema

Posts: 2236; Member since: Jun 14, 2013

My wife would probably kill for a 5/5S with the internals of the 6/6+. She hates that my 6 Plus is better than her 5S, but she also hates the size of the new iPhones, especially because they only fit in the pockets of her dress pants.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 10:29 AM 1

15. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

So unless the resolutions match, the 6s mini is going to crush the 6s in benchmarks just like how the current 6 crushes the 6 plus in benchmarks. Funny how ifans ignored the resolution difference when comparing a sub 720p resolution 5s to 1080p Androids in terms of benchmarks. And now they just ignore the benchmarks all together. Oh ifans....they are hilarious.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 10:51 AM 0

19. Wiencon

Posts: 2278; Member since: Aug 06, 2014

Why would they compare benchmarks when games and whole UI works buttery smooth even with 1GB of RAM? Only fandroids are getting excited with those benchmarks which only show potential of specs but doesn't mean sh*t and I played with G3 with 5.0 lately and was shocked how much it was lagging, dunno about S5, but G3 has nice results in your benchmarks.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 11:37 AM 1

21. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Because they did before...and just recently stopped now that they have some fragmentation.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 1:07 PM 1

16. iOSLMFAO

Posts: 290; Member since: Dec 15, 2014

LOL, apple has run out of ideas to steal and is now recycling their old trash. Next year we will see a return to the 3.5 inch size, plastic body, and curved back (3G/3GS).One Infinite Loop!

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 11:11 AM 1

17. Symon_Fleece

Posts: 351; Member since: May 30, 2014

Wow! Even apple is making a mini version now!. I think the specs of this will be the same on the 6s in a compact body, like z1c and z3c, but the price of this is not gonna be great.

posted on Jan 02, 2015, 11:20 AM 0

18. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

I wonder whose idea are they borrowing now? Make a regular size device and then make a smaller version next to it and call it a Mini. Why is Apple doing all this Samsung copying? First Samsung had an S4 Mini and S5 Mini. Then HTC made mini versions of a couple of the M series device. Now Apple wants to make a Mini too? What size? If they go down to 4" that was ould stupid. Also why to they need a Mini? Isn't the iPhone 6 a Mini of the 6 Plus? No one is hardly going to buy a small iPhone after finally getting a big one.