According to a Reuters report, Apple is planning to extend its range of iPhones with new phones with larger screens and a colourful low-cost version. Sources, “including those in the supply chain in Asia”, say that Apple is considering new phones that boast screens of 4.7 and 5.7 inches.
The sources claim that, if Apple goes ahead with the plan, the phones would go on sale next year. It may pay to be at least a little wary of the rumour, not least because the idea of a 5.7-inch iPhone seems really quite ridiculous — iPad Micro, anyone? — but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.
The same sources also suggest that Apple is toying with the idea of a lower-cost phone, and that the company has discussed a $US100 price point. It’s said the cheaper version would come sporting a plastic case, and there would be several different colours. It’s not clear if the price point is off-contract or carrier-subsidised, but the latter would be fairly underwhelming.
Reuters goes on to speculate that Apple will roll out an iPhone 5S later this year — mentioning, bewilderingly, just a fingerprint sensor as a new feature — alongside that $US100 budget model.
There has, of course, been plenty of speculation about a cheaper iPhone, although Tim Cook has flatly denied the idea. That obviously suggests the rumour needs to be taken with a rather large grain or two of salt. But it seems it could at least be an interesting time for the ol’ iPhone with so much speculation flying around. [Reuters]