Munster: 4" iPhone doesn't make sense for rumored Apple event in March
Despite rumors that Apple plans to hold a mid-March event to introduce several new products, it may not make sense to include a 4-inch iPhone among them, according to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster.
Were Apple to launch a phone in the spring, it would quickly look outdated following the iPhone 7's expected September launch, Munster wrote in an investor memo obtained by AppleInsider. He also remarked that having two iPhone events per year would detract from the releases of other products.
The analyst suggested that Apple will instead concentrate on a second-generation Apple Watch and a third-generation iPad Air for its March event. The former will probably be an "S" version, he said, with a similar design but upgraded components like a better battery and new band styles.
The "iPad Air 3" will probably include a redesigned body, Force Touch, and better internal components, Munster said. it might also offer a Smart Connector akin to the iPad Pro.
Munster's claims are at odds with recent reports indicating that Apple is not only preparing to launch a new 4-inch phone -- alternately referred to as the "iPhone 5se" or "iPhone 6c" -- but that the device is already in production. The device might share similarities with the iPhone 5s, but upgrade to an A8 or A9 processor, as well as support for features like Apple Pay.
Likewise, rumors have hinted that the Watch itself will be unchanged, but simply pick up new bands and a watchOS update. The new iPad Air might indeed have a Smart Connector and a rear camera flash, among other improvements, but generally Apple isn't expected to add 3D Touch to iPads until sometime after this fall's iPhone refresh.
Were Apple to launch a phone in the spring, it would quickly look outdated following the iPhone 7's expected September launch, Munster wrote in an investor memo obtained by AppleInsider. He also remarked that having two iPhone events per year would detract from the releases of other products.
The analyst suggested that Apple will instead concentrate on a second-generation Apple Watch and a third-generation iPad Air for its March event. The former will probably be an "S" version, he said, with a similar design but upgraded components like a better battery and new band styles.
The "iPad Air 3" will probably include a redesigned body, Force Touch, and better internal components, Munster said. it might also offer a Smart Connector akin to the iPad Pro.
Munster's claims are at odds with recent reports indicating that Apple is not only preparing to launch a new 4-inch phone -- alternately referred to as the "iPhone 5se" or "iPhone 6c" -- but that the device is already in production. The device might share similarities with the iPhone 5s, but upgrade to an A8 or A9 processor, as well as support for features like Apple Pay.
Likewise, rumors have hinted that the Watch itself will be unchanged, but simply pick up new bands and a watchOS update. The new iPad Air might indeed have a Smart Connector and a rear camera flash, among other improvements, but generally Apple isn't expected to add 3D Touch to iPads until sometime after this fall's iPhone refresh.
Comments
http://9to5mac.com/2016/02/02/march-15-event-4-inch-phone-new-ipad-apple-watch/
http://www.buzzfeed.com/johnpaczkowski/apple-to-debut-new-ipad-smaller-iphone-at-march-15-event#.mhpDzzXMQD
And both Gurman & Paczkowski have great sources.
2) How many times do we have to look at that ridiculous render (also placed on every story of this type) of the Android-esque iPhone that will literally NEVER happen.
New 4" iPhone, and iPad Air 3, and watch bands ain't it.
How did that TV prediction work out? Yeah, thought so...
I am sure the next real iPhone wil be nice but I doubt it wil be a massive upgrade. The rumors of the dual camera would be, if true, the big attraction.
The watch, while doing ok, was NOT the next big thing Apple had hoped it would be.
He's not talking about the phone he's talking about showing it off at a March event. I happen to agree. That phone seems like something more suited for a press release.
Don't get me wrong, sometimes the guy fails, last year he said the AppleWatch will be launched by the end of 2015 in titanium and other materials, and he was wrong with that, but usually is right. It was launched in other colors but not materials, so maybe 50/50 on that.
I'm just waiting for my next iPad, I'm worried about the increase in size, because the weight is my biggest reason to upgrade, and the display. I hope they only make it bigger to make room for the resonance chambers for the speakers, as in iPad Pro, and don't add any significant weight to the device.
I want to ask something if any helpful soul can solved me a doubt, the lightning dock for the iPhone is strong enough to put on it an iPad Air 2.
All in all, seems that nobody still remembers how slow was the beginning of the iPod back in 2001, and after several years it was a smash hit. On the other hand, look at my beloved iPad, took the market by storm, surpassing every other product launch from Apple ever, and now seems to go nowhere, I hope they can find a way to revitalized it.
So time will tell, if in two to three generations the device don't go anywhere it will be a failure. But right now is anybody guess.