iPhone rumors are often pretty crazy – and the latest report from China Times might me one of the craziest iPhone rumors yet! According to the report, which cites sources in Apple’s supply chain, Apple is preparing to launch a massive 4.8-inch iPhone phablet called the ‘iPhone Math’ this June – in addition to the ‘iPhone 5S’, and a third iPhone model later in the year with a 12-megapixel camera.
From China Times (translated by Brightwire, via MacRumors):
- Apple will announce three new iPhone models in 2013, and two of them, the 4-inch iPhone 5S and 4.8-inch iPhone Math (both featuring 8-mega-pixel cameras), will hit markets before the end of June, China Times reported citing Taiwan-based Commercial Times.
- Citing Apple’s suppliers, the report added that the third model, which has not been exposed, will be launched before Christmas. The model will feature a 12-mega-pixel camera.
- The shipments for components, including touchscreens and cameras, will start rising significantly in March, and iPhone manufacturers will begin production in late April. Hence, Apple’s suppliers will see major growth in 2Q 2013.
It’s unclear exactly where the ‘iPhone Math’ name came from – it could be an error in translation, or it could be a code name of some sort – but what’s clear is it’s very unusual in comparison to Apple’s usual naming scheme. The device will reportedly be built by Foxconn, Apple’s long-time iOS device manufacturing partner.
The report is unlikely for a variety of reasons. First, it wouldn’t make a great deal of sense for Apple to release two smartphones in different sizes at the same time. It makes even less sense for them to release a third iPhone just a few months later. Not only would such a move annoy consumers – it would also significantly fragment Apple’s iPhone line. The 4.8-inch model in particular would either have exclude a Retina display, or require developers to optimize their apps for the new size yet again – something which, once more, seems very unlikely for Apple.
There are too many unlikely details in the report for us to stake anything on its reliability. A 4.8-inch iPhone will probably not happen any time soon – or perhaps ever. Apple has been adamant from day one that the iPhone should be easy to use one-handed, by stretching the thumb across the screen. The iPhone 5’s 4-inch screen stretches the outer bound of that concept.
In short, this report seems crazy even for an Apple rumor – which are often quite bizarre by nature – and speels out far too many unlikely scenarios and moves which are against Apple’s design and naming philosophy to be worth filing anywhere but the “not gonna happen” bin, which is round, and looks suspiciously like a garbage can…
Maybe they actually meant ‘iPhone Meth’, referring to the drugs they were enjoying when conjuring up this rumor…
