iPhone 6 Renderings Show How Apple Could Fill Its Product Gap

Updated on

If not, then these latest renderings of the iPhone 6 just might interest you. Last month MacFan, a Japanese magazine, released a set of schematics which it claimed showed the size and shape of the handset. The design drawings purportedly showed both a 4.7-inch version and a 5.7-inch version. We’ve been hearing rumors that there will be two different versions for some time.

Now Mac Rumors has commissioned artist Ferry Passchier to create some concept handsets based on the allegedly leaked schematics. The concepts were done with the goal of comparing them to the design of the iPhone 5S, iPad Mini and other Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) devices.

The iPhone 6 power button is moved

To start with, Mac Rumors notes a number of differences between the concept from the alleged schematics for the iPhone 6 and the actual iPhone 5S. For example, the power button which is toward the top of the handset is switched from the right side to the left side.

This feature alone seems to call the schematics into question, as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) designs its handsets with the goal of being able to operate them with one hand. Since most people are right-handed, it wouldn’t make much sense to put the power button on the left side of the device because it just seems less convenient, not to mention that this goes against most other handsets, which also have the button on the right side.

Another big difference involved the rear camera for the larger iPhone 6 version. The design drawing suggests that it sticks out a bit from the back casing. This would be consistent with the newest model of the iPod Touch. In addition, the flash for the camera is back to around shape, which is not like that of the iPhone 5S.

How the iPhone 6 concept stacks up to other Apple products

Mac Rumors then lines up the concept created by their artist with devices from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s current product line. Of course the iPhone 5S is the smallest of the devices, at 4 inches. The iPad Mini is the largest one shown, coming in at 7.9 inches in size. The rumored 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch iPhone 6 concepts fall nicely in between.

From the lineup, it makes sense why Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) would want to create both a 4.7-inch model and a 5.7-inch model. Just from a look at how the sizes compare, it seems like a natural progression in sizes—as if Apple is trying to fill a couple of holes in its product lineup.

Even Apple knows a bigger iPhone 6 is necessary

Mac Rumors also points to a slide deck put together by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) last year. The slide deck came from the ongoing patent trial between Apple and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930). The slides indicate that Apple knows customers want what it doesn’t have. Specifically, the company was demonstrating its awareness that growth within the smartphone industry is coming from the low end of the market and also the larger screen end of the market.

Of course whether or not the schematics are real remains to be seen, but the closer we get to the launch, the more accurate supposed leaks about Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) devices seem to get. We’ve also heard that the larger iPhone 6 model won’t be ready to go this year, so the 4.7-inch model might be the only one to debut this year. Most expect apple to unveil the handset in September, although others have suggested that an unveiling as soon as June is possible.

Leave a Comment