Just a few months has passed since Apple launched the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, but it seems that fanboys are already excited for the new iDevices this 2015. At the turn of the new year, news on Apple’s iPhone were mainly focused on the shortage of its supply, the debate about which iPhone is better, and the notorious #BendGate. Now, many have their eyes on what the new iPhone may be and many are trying to predict what Apple’s future plans for this smartphone lineup are.

As the days pass by, it can be expected that more leaks and rumors about the new iPhones will surface the Internet. But as of now, what’s got our attention is the report about Apple’s 4-inch iPhone 6s mini.

Just Like Old Times

The trend in smartphones, which is greatly seen in a large selection of Android phones, is having bigger screens. In the past, when we first had smartphones, we had large chunks of electronics (remember those analog phones?) in our hands that at most can make a call and send a text message, or at the very least can just make a call. Then, the phones (remember the Nokia phones?) started getting smaller and thinner even as more features (like creating polyphonic ring tones and playing games) were added. There was even a short period of time when flip phones were a hit. Then, phones started getting bigger again when touchscreen phones took the limelight. Most users wanted to have a bigger real estate on phones for better multimedia consumption and gaming.

Apple started with small-screened smartphones. It’s first-generation iPhone only had a 3.5-inch display. Then, Apple joined the bandwagon of having bigger displays. One of its latest iPhones and its biggest so far, the iPhone 6 Plus, comes with a 5.5-inch display. Some were happy about this while some criticized it as veering away from the appearance and comfortable handling of its predecessors.

Apple iPhone 6s mini rumor (1)

Now, rumor has it that Apple is planning to appease its critics with the alleged 4-inch iPhone 6s mini. According to MacWorld UK, Apple may release this small-screened smartphone this 2015 along with a rebooted iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

Analyst Timothy Arcuri of Cowen and Company said the same thing about an upcoming 4-inch iPhone 6s mini. His predictions may not always be true, but sometimes they are just spot on. According to Arcuri, the alleged iPhone 6s mini will have almost similar specs as the iPhone 5s, but with more low-cost components used. Thus, this seems like iPhone 6s mini is an upgraded iPhone 5c. Furthermore, he said that the alleged smartphone will inherit the curved design of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Another report, this time from MyDrivers that it obtained from Zack Equity Research, mentioned that Apple aims to sell 10 million units of 4-inch iPhone 6s mini in 2015. It also mentioned that Apple feels “forced” to comply to the desires of its customers.

The purported iPhone 6s mini is expected to be priced lower than the two bigger iPhones, which makes it more appealing even to the mid-range market.

Apple Allegedly Working with Samsung for iPhone 6 Processor

Although Apple and Samsung have had a few arguments and court battles in the past, they are said to be working together on an A9 processor that will power the new iPhone 6s devices.

Apple iPhone 6s mini rumor (2)

According to Korea’s ET News, production of the processors have already began in December. With the aid of 14nm FinFET technology, the A9 processor is expected to use 35% less energy and deliver 20% more power. It will also be 15% smaller than usual processors, which suggests having more space for a battery unit and other components.

DSLR-like Quality Images

Reports suggest that the upcoming iPhone will carry a dual-lens camera system that can capture DSLR-like quality images.

Apple iPhone 6s mini rumor (3)

HTC already uses the almost similar technology with its One (M8). This phone has two cameras on the back dubbed as the Ultrapixel camera. It lets in more light that the usual lens to produce an improved image quality. The second sensor allows capture of more details to give the image more depth of field. The two images are seamlessly sewn together to produce a high-quality image. However, it is not clear if Apple will utilize the same technique with its upcoming iPhone 6s variants.

Although there is no smartphone camera has produced images with DSLR quality, the images captures by the iPhone 6 Plus is generally considered as one of the best out there.

Possible Release Date

Some say that the new iPhone 6s devices will be launched this spring, but this seems to be unlikely due to supply chain issues. Apple just caught up with its production of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and production of A9 processors just started this December according to Korea’s ET News. It needs more time than that.

A more likely launch date is September 2015. If we look at Apple’s schedule of past launches, it will suggest the same. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were launched in September 2014 while the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C in September 2013. The iPhone 5 in September 2012 while the iPhone 4S in October 2011, just a month from September.

Via: MacWorld UK