Analyst says there is still demand for smaller screens

Dec 27, 2014 10:38 GMT  ·  By

Despite caving in and releasing not one, but two bigger iPhones this year, Apple still has a void to fill in some people’s hearts. Not everyone is content with the dimensions of the new iPhones, and it might just prompt the company to take action yet again.

This time around, the Cupertino giant is reportedly putting out a third model, essentially an iPhone 6 that has been on a diet. Next year, when the impending refresh is announced, there will be three screen sizes, ranging from 4 inches to 5.5 inches, according to Cowen and Company analyst Timothy Arcuri.

A rumor at best

In a research note obtained by the media this week, Timothy Arcuri, who works with Cowen and Company, relayed to investors (and anyone else interested in reading his research notes) that it was "possible" for Apple to release three separate models of next year’s iPhone, one of which will maintain the 4-inch form factor of the current iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s. This, in addition to the incremented iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

The reasoning here is that many people still prefer a small display for the convenience associated with a smartphone whose functions can be used with just one hand at all times. At the same time, Apple cannot let the iPhone lineup go stale with two models that have run their course (the aforementioned 5c and 5s models), and therefore needs to give this "iPhone mini" the design of the iPhone 6.

Nomenclature problems

Arcuri says Apple could end up calling the device "iPhone 6s mini," which sounds plausible but at the same time has a mediocre ring to it. In fact, many people consider the “Plus” dubbing of the bigger iPhone 6 somewhat of a bad choice.

The company may be hard pressed to choose a different name for its smaller iDevice, though "mini" indeed sounds the most plausible choice, especially knowing that it already has products named like that (i.e. the Mac mini).

Release date and pricing

Arcuri doesn’t offer his take on when Apple would release its trio of iPhones, nor does he speculate on the pricing scheme, but the latter factor is said to be a very important one in the company’s decision to offer a third screen option.

The costs associated with the smaller device would undoubtedly be far smaller than those associated with the bigger handsets, and therefore customers would be required to pay less to own an Apple smartphone. In all likelihood, Apple could be preparing to offer its first brand new iPhone that sells for just $99 / €99 on contract.

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