Well connected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released his latest expectations for Apple’s 2016 iPhone launches, and they includes an A9-powered 4-inch iPhone, as well as an iPhone 7 that will boast 3 GB of RAM.
Kuo says he believes Apple is still working on a new 4-inch iPhone that “resembles an upgraded iPhone 5s.” Kuo says the device will launch in the first half of 2016, and will boast an A9 processor. However, it will not include 3D Touch, so as to differentiate it from the flagship iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus devices.
Kuo:
As there is still demand for a 4-inch iPhone, we believe Apple will upgrade this product line. Because the iPhone 5s is more popular than the iPhone 5c, we think Apple is likely to launch an upgraded iPhone 5s. We predict Apple will mass-produce this new 4-inch iPhone in 1H16 with metal casings. In order to make the current iOS 9 or next-generation iOS 10 run smoothly, Apple may adopt an A9 chip for this new phone.
Kuo believes Apple could ship 20-30 million units of the new handset by the end of 2016.
As for next fall’s “iPhone 7,” Kuo sees the usual fall release, and expects an updated A10 processor for both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch devices. He sees Apple offering different RAM sizes for the two flagship phones, with the 4.7-inch model sporting 2 GB Ram, while the 5.5-inch top of the line device will boast 3 GB of RAM.
In closing, MacRumors notes Kuo expects Foxconn to be the exclusive supplier for the new 4-inch iPhone, and TSMC will be the sole fabricator of both the A9 chip for the new handsets as well as the iPhone 7’s A10 chip.
While Mr. Kuo has a better track record than most industry analysts, the above is still most conjecture and shadows, and as usual, should be taken with a grain of a MSG-free seasoning of your choice.
