Apple to Release 4-Inch iPhone in Early 2016 With Colorful Metal Casing?

A new research note from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo corroborates earlier reports that Apple is planning to release a 4-inch iPhone in early 2016.

Kuo believes that the 4-inch iPhone will resemble an upgraded iPhone 5s and feature an A9 chip made by both TSMC and Samsung, 2.5D cover glass, NFC, a metal casing with at least 2 to 3 color options, and the same camera specs as the iPhone 5s.

While new model may not generate huge sales, Apple still has good reasons to launch. These are: (1) still-existing demand for 4-inch smartphones. We estimate 15-17mn 4-inch iPhones will be shipped in 2015. We estimate the new 4-inch model will account for 8-9% of total iPhone shipments in 2016F; (2) expected price of US$400-500, with the aim of penetrating emerging markets and consumers on smaller budgets; and (3) adoption of NFC will support Apple Pay, benefiting the ecosystem.


The new device is expected to see full year shipments of 20 million units with production beginning in the first quarter of 2016. As previously reported, pricing is thought to be set at around $400-$500.

Kuo also noted that the iPhone 6s may not sell as well as the iPhone 6 with a possible 30%-40% decline in quarter over quarter shipments.

Recently slowed iPhone 6s orders validates our prediction six months ago that the model may not outsell iPhone 6, potentially resulting in the supply chain returning to a normal cycle starting 1Q16F, and with shipments declining 30-40% QoQ. While the new 4-inch iPhone may not catalyze shipments, it should still help mitigate slow seasonality for suppliers and a negative impact on share performance. This would also in turn raise investor awareness of the Apple supply chain.

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[via MacRumors]