Apple May Delay Introduction of 'iPhone 5S' As Screen Size Is Increased To 4.3 Inches
July 17, 2013
Some Apple rumors sound reasonable. However, this isn’t one of them.
Bloomberg is reporting that Apple may have decided to increase the screen size on the “iPhone 5S” from 4 to 4.3 inches. As a result, the handset’s release may be delayed until the end of the year.
The report also notes that the so-called budget iPhone will launch in October, as has long been rumored.
I have no doubt that Apple is working on an iPhone with a 4.3-inch screen. That handset, however, is likely to be the iPhone 6 in 2014.
This rumor doesn’t make a lot of sense.
For one, the report suggests that this was a last minute decision. I can’t imagine that Apple would make any decision that would push the release of its flagship product beyond September or October.
For another, Apple would never release a budget iPhone separately.
Imagine that it is October and the average Joe needs to purchase a new smartphone. The choices are to buy the year-old iPhone 5 or one of the colorful, and less expensive, new iPhone mini units.
Couple this with the AT&T or Verizon Wireless representative stating that Apple has announced no additional handsets, and the choice is simple. The typical user will either purchase the less expensive iPhone, which probably comes with fewer features than the iPhone 5, or move to a competitor such as Samsung to get a “full” smartphone experience.
The only way an iPhone 5S delay works is for Apple to announce both handsets at the same event. Under this scenario, Apple could explain that increasing the screen size of the iPhone 5S will mean a delay of a few weeks. This way, folks would still have a choice between two new iPhones. They can either buy a budget iPhone now, or wait a few weeks and purchase the iPhone 5S.
Like I said, this rumor doesn't make a lot of sense. Regardless, we'll keep you updated.
In the meantime, see: Apple Begins Production Of The 'iPhone 5S' At The End Of July, Verizon May Soon Be Kicking Themselves For Agreeing To Sell The iPhone, and Foxconn Said To Begin Shipping The First Budget iPhone Units To Apple.