iPhone 6s mini With Four-Inch Screen Rumored To Be Coming In 2H 2015

The Times of India’s Komal Mohan, citing a story in The Electronic Times of Taiwan, says that unnamed upstream supply chain sources report that Apple is gearing up to launch a new 4-inch screen iPhone in the second half of 2015 (presumably in Apple’s customary September iPhone upgrade event), which would flesh out iPhone first-tier models to a three-size lineup. Based on history, the 2015 iPhone upgrade would be a 6s, so speculatively, a new 4-incher might be called an “iPhone 6s mini” or “iPhone 6s Classic.”

Mohan says Apple reportedly wants to offer iPhone users with an option of a smartphone that can be comfortably operated with one hand, and to accommodate users with smaller hands who may find the bigger 4.7 and 5.5-inch display iPhones clumsy.

Appleinsider’s Neil Hughes cites an investor’s note issued by Cowen and Company Analyst Timothy Arcuri this week also reporting that Apple is working on a 4-inch iPhone model for possible 2015 release with an “iPhone 6s mini” joining the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

According to Acuri’s sources, basic specifications for the new 4-inch handset would likely be similar to the iPhone 5s, but in a freshened enclosure design with curved screen edges consistent with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus form factor, and intriguingly may incorporate Qualcomm-sourced “purpose-built low cost components” better price-compete with the Android hordes. If so, that might put the slow-selling iPhone 5c on the bubble.