Apple could eschew plastic back for new metal case with 'iPhone 6c,' rumor says
The next iteration of Apple's lower-cost iPhone "C" series might do away with the colorful polycarbonate shell it's currently known for in favor of a more robust metal case similar to the iPhone 6, according to a recent analyst report.
Apple's 4-inch iPhone 5s (left) and iPhone 5c were the last models to sport 4-inch displays.
The so-called "iPhone 6c" would retain the 4-inch display while moving to an "Apple style" metal casing, Jeffries analyst Ange Wu wrote in a note to investors cited by Barron's. Foxconn is unsurprisingly pegged as the rumored device's assembler, but may also snag orders to manufacture the casing itself, the report says.
"Although iPhone6C [sic] is designed as an extended version, it still uses metal casing based on Apple style," Wu claims.
When it was introduced alongside the iPhone 5s, the 5c was marketed as "unapologetically plastic" and its industrial design was generally well-received by industry observers. It has not been updated since its unveiling, save for the addition of an 8-gigabyte model and the discontinuation of 16- and 32-gigabyte versions in 2014.
Apple is widely expected to refresh its lowest-end device this fall, though there is much debate as to what exactly that will entail.
Some believe that Apple will bring Touch ID and Apple Pay to the rest of its lineup, but others argue that they are unlikely to trickle down to the "6c" due primarily to that device's market positioning. Apple watchers are also split on the fate of the 4-inch form factor, with some suggesting that Apple may choose to end production of the smaller screens in order to tighten up the product line and reduce the burden on developers.
Notably, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo --?generally well-connected in Apple's supply chain --?believes that a 5c refresh may in fact wait until 2016. He expects the iPhone 5s to take the 5c's place as Apple's low-end offering until the "iPhone 7" generation.
Apple's 4-inch iPhone 5s (left) and iPhone 5c were the last models to sport 4-inch displays.
The so-called "iPhone 6c" would retain the 4-inch display while moving to an "Apple style" metal casing, Jeffries analyst Ange Wu wrote in a note to investors cited by Barron's. Foxconn is unsurprisingly pegged as the rumored device's assembler, but may also snag orders to manufacture the casing itself, the report says.
"Although iPhone6C [sic] is designed as an extended version, it still uses metal casing based on Apple style," Wu claims.
When it was introduced alongside the iPhone 5s, the 5c was marketed as "unapologetically plastic" and its industrial design was generally well-received by industry observers. It has not been updated since its unveiling, save for the addition of an 8-gigabyte model and the discontinuation of 16- and 32-gigabyte versions in 2014.
Apple is widely expected to refresh its lowest-end device this fall, though there is much debate as to what exactly that will entail.
Some believe that Apple will bring Touch ID and Apple Pay to the rest of its lineup, but others argue that they are unlikely to trickle down to the "6c" due primarily to that device's market positioning. Apple watchers are also split on the fate of the 4-inch form factor, with some suggesting that Apple may choose to end production of the smaller screens in order to tighten up the product line and reduce the burden on developers.
Notably, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo --?generally well-connected in Apple's supply chain --?believes that a 5c refresh may in fact wait until 2016. He expects the iPhone 5s to take the 5c's place as Apple's low-end offering until the "iPhone 7" generation.
Comments
Thats your opinion. An opinion the majority dont agree with.
I'm okay with the new mid-tier phone being metal as long as the screen is 4 inches.
It is not just opinion. Observing at demographics, across world population and their use, you will know. Even most populated places in the world people use phone for talk than come text and photo/video, social media, streaming(long as it does not cost much data), etc. And those people don't care higher end phones. iphone 6C with good voice capability is just fine.
At the same time, they need to refresh the $99 offering. I feel that moving today's iPhone 6 to that spot would be a mistake. They need a 4" device at $99. Right now, its very neat and clean with the iPhone 5s still able to command that spot.
Come this season though, the $99 spot needs a bump just like everything else. Personally, I believe it should be a refreshed 4" device. What this article describes, a brand new metal shell for a 4" iPhone with the internal specs equivalent to an iPhone 6.
If Apple wants to avoid the iPhone lineup and skus getting muddied, they need to completely discontinue the 6 and 6 Plus upon the release of the 6s and 6s Plus (or whatever they call them).
At the same time, they need to refresh the $99 offering. I feel that moving today's iPhone 6 to that spot would be a mistake. They need a 4" device at $99. Right now, its very neat and clean with the iPhone 5s still able to command that spot.
Come this season though, the $99 spot needs a bump just like everything else. Personally, I believe it should be a refreshed 4" device. What this article describes, a brand new metal shell for a 4" iPhone with the internal specs equivalent to an iPhone 6.
You spoke the words of many. Apple needs to release such device in 2015 and not 2016 and at lower price point. I would say take iphone 6 internals and put in 4" screen casings and you got refreshed lower end iphone and let iphone 6S/Plus have extra goodies like force touch, A9 processor, 2GB RAM etc.
Agree with most of your points. For sure the 6/6+ is gone.
6S+ - $750
6S - $650
6C - basically a smaller version of the 6. Metal, 4 inch screen, A8. - $550
5S - $450
Only thing I'm not sure if they can fit all the internals of the 6 in a skinny frame 4 inch phone.
Let go 5S from the list. It's time to say goodbuy to iphone 5/5S because doesn't have VOLTE, VO-WiFi and Apple Pay.
I'll be curious to see what Apple does this fall. If they keep the 6 and 6 Plus but drop the price $100 and then add 6S and 6S Plus, plus a new low end model that will be a messy lineup IMO. I would argue get rid of the 6 Plus and 5S and just drop the 6 into the $99 tier and then create something new at the $0 tier that replaces the 5C.
My pet theory is that they designed the 4" 6 at the same time they designed the rest, prototyped and tested it when they were deciding what direction to go. Now that the 5S is freeing up a metal case plant, they can simply feed in the new design parameters and crank out the new phone. And the factory manufacturing and assembling the 5S can simply switch to the 4" 6. The problem comes when the 4" 6 moves down to the free phone, in order to fill mid-tier metal offering Apple will need another metal plant. However if this has been the plan since they introduced the 5c they've had a good long while to capitalize a new plant to fill that hole. When you consider Apple just added a 5th metal MacBook to their product line rather than replacing one of the others, they may well be in the position now to do this economically.
Based on 4" 6 sales, Apple can forecast how many of the 4" 7 to build or even if it's worth building. Then Apple introduces three sizes of the 7, drops the 6s down to the mid-tier and the 4" 6 down to the free phone. Then Apple has a 4" to travel down to the free phone every upgrade cycle, giving it a two year refresh, when three sizes of the 8 are introduced.
apple always has 3 tiers of iPhones.
what would be the bottom tier if not 5S?
Right 3-tiers. iphone 6S/Plus, 6/Plus, 6C. Let Apple industrial/marketing team genius figure out pricing.
Where are you getting 3 tiers? Apple has 4 now.
Not 3, 4. And if they keep the 6 and 6 Plus around now we get 5. That's why I say keep it at 4 and have the mid tier phone only be the 4.7" model.
I'm going based on price. There are 4 different price points right now. I don't think Apple should deviate from that. And having last years 6 Plus at the same price points as this years 6S would be confusing. So only keep one model at the mid tier and one at the low end.
Yep, I use my iPhone just like everyone else.....But.....My pockets must be smaller and my hands of poor grip, because I find larger phones poor in usability and more likely to be dropped (esp. the iPhone 6 models). Yes big screens are great, but not for carrying. I don't need a ghetto blaster of a phone, just a practical one
Not going to happen. Apple has already showed its hand with the 5S rollout.
No way on earth will they sell the 6 for $99. That will do massive canibalization of the 6S.
Top end - 6S/Plus
Mid - 6C - 4 inch metal phone, 4 inch screen
Bottom - 5S
end of story.
If you think Apple will do something different you have not been paying attention the last 3 years
How about on 2 year equivalent contract ...
6S/6s Plus - $199-$299
6/6 Plus - $149-199
6C - $49-$99
5S - $0 or let go
I'm not entirely sure how they will handle the subsidized $99 price point, as I see Apple using screen size as a price differentiator, but otherwise you are spot on.