We’ve heard it before and now we’re hearing it again. According to Reuters this morning, Apple is considering launching iPhones with 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch displays, as well as cheaper models in different color options. In the history of the iPhone, Apple has only had two screen sizes for the iPhone — 3.5-inches and 4-inches — but now Apple is reportedly “considering” expanding this change up. Note the “considering.”
During his appearance at D11 this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted that Apple is open to the idea. He said a larger screen “comes with a lot of trade-offs,” but that “doesn’t shut off the future.”
Now, it looks like Apple might be coming around to that idea again as the company looks to compete with Samsung in a new arena: the “phablet” sphere. Apple is reportedly looking at launching two bigger iPhones next year: a 4.7-inch device and a 5.7-inch device, and the company has apparently already approached suppliers about their plans. It’s still unclear, however, if Apple will actually launch larger-screened iPhones.
Apple’s larger 4-inch iPhone 5 is the company’s first step towards a larger iPhone, but it’s still one of the smaller screens out in the market, especially compared to Samsung’s Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 2, with 5-inch and 5.5-inch screens, respectively.
Perhaps more likely, at this point, is a cheaper iPhone model for those who are a bit more money-conscious, which is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 5S with its new fingerprint technology. The cheaper model is expected to be made of plastic, much like the iPhone 3G and 3GS. Apple plans, apparently, to dress it in different colors and it would host older internals to keep costs low. Reuters says the device could sell for $99. The iPhone 5S and cheaper iPhone model are expected to launch this fall.
Problem is, on contract, Apple already offers phones for free. No one ever seems to mention that in these damn “cheaper” iPhone articles.
Image Credit: CuttingLet
