4-inch iPhone 6 to be released next year, report claims

Apple will next release add a third, smaller variant of its iPhone 6 to its product roster, a report has claimed.

PC Pro reports that supply chain sources” have told Taiwanese media that the model is likely to be called the iPhone 6S or 6 Mini, and accompanies rumours that both the iPhone 4S and 5C will be killed off in the latter half of 2015.

Despite an initial surge in interest on release, uptake of the phablet-sized 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus has slowed dramatically, the report claims, and lags behind older models such as the 5S and 5C.

In the UK the 6 is outselling the 6 Plus by a ratio of 4-to-1 and combined sales of the 5S and 5C continue to outdo the 6 and 6 Plus combined. Note, however, that the iPhone 6 remains the single most popular handset.

There’s no doubt that a market remains for single-handed phones. While the iPhone 6’s 4.7-inch screen can be used one-handed by those with larger hands, for many the 5S represents the maximum size suitable for daily use.

Indeed, the late Steve Jobs was of the firm opinion that smartphones should limit their screen size to 3.5-inch, wit the step up to 4-inch screen not being made until the iPhone 5.