Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iPhone 6 could come in three versions instead of just one. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Cupertino-based tech giant is testing larger displays for the future iPhones and iPads. There are also plenty of reports that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will soon release a smaller version of the iPhone for more budget conscience consumers. The company’s major competitors, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) and HTC Corp (TPE:2498), have both larger and smaller phones.
It’s also important to point out that Apple routinely tests out different designs for their products. Last year, the company gave the iPhone and iPod Touch larger screens. They also gave the iPad a smaller screen. Representatives for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) declined to make a statement.
Apple exploring broader ways to capture customer needs
The Wall Street Journal added, “The tests with suppliers seem to suggest that Apple is exploring ways to capture broader customer needs when many mobile-device makers offer smartphones and tablets in various sizes. Its biggest rival in the tablet and smartphone markets, South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. has an “all things to all people” strategy, covering many different product sizes to capture as many customers as possible. The move has allowed Samsung to leapfrog Apple in the smartphone market even though Apple still leads in tablets.”
Apple and Samsung smartphone market shares
During the first quarter, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) led the smartphone market with 33.1% and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) followed in second place at 17.9%. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) still leads in the tablet computer market though market shares fell from last year’s 58.1% to 39.6% in the first quarter. Thanks to Android, Samsung is growing substantially. Their numbers rose from last year’s 11.3% to 17.9%.
The real problem behind it all is that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) really can’t make the iPhone 6 much bigger. Quartz explained, “But here’s the thing: Apple can’t just make the iPhone bigger. What Apple needs is two devices, with one at the current display size and one closer to “phablet” territory, with a five-inch screen. Because while there’s certainly a market for bigger screens, now that people do everything from writing emails to watching Netflix on their smartphones, there’s also a market for small ones, for users who care more about hand-feel and usability. For confirmation, just check out the reviews of the HTC One Mini: What everyone’s excited about is that, at 4.3 inches, it’s a one-handed device, like the iPhone.”
There is a lot to anticipate for the iPhone 6.
