2013 has arrived, and with it comes a fresh new next-gen iPhone rumor! According to Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White, Apple’s next-gen iPhone is expected to launch in June – and it could come in multiple colors and screen sizes!
BGR reports, quoting White:
“Our checks indicate that the next iPhone will have more choices for customers,” the analyst wrote. “This entails an expansion in both the color patterns and screen sizes with the next iPhone (i.e., likely called the iPhone 5S) that we currently believe will be launched in May/June with certain supply production starting in March/April.”
White believes the next iPhone will be available in five different colors: pink, yellow, blue, white & silver and black & slate. He also believes there will be two different screen sizes available on the device, marking the first time Apple has released one phone with multiple display size options.
“Our checks are also indicating that the next iPhone will offer customers more choice in terms of screen size,” White reported. “Although Apple offers a 4-inch screen on the iPhone 5 and a 3.5-inch screen on the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, the Company has never offered multiple screen sizes for a single model. We believe this is about to change with the next iPhone offering different screen sizes that we believe will allow Apple to better bifurcate the market and expand its reach.”
The report mirrors a similar claim from Jefferies and co. analyst Peter Misek, which made the rounds last month (which we opted not to cover, as it seemed very unlikely). It’s a surprising and unlikely rumor for several reasons, not the least of which is that offering multiple screen sizes in a portable device is unprecedented for Apple, and would cause significant fragmentation issues for developers and consumers alike.
It’s also worth noting that White’s record isn’t exactly spotless – he predicted that Apple would launch a television in 2012, with a screen manufactured by Sharp. That clearly never happened. I’m keeping a skeptical eye raised towards this rumor for now, and would advice that you do the same.
