Apple to launch 4-inch iPhone 6c this year, report claims

Last year’s iPhone 5c may not have been the major success many expected it to be, but Apple isn’t giving up on colorful plastic iPhones just yet. A new report claims a new, 4-inch iPhone 6c will launch alongside the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus this fall.

“All of the handsets will come equipped with LTPS panels and supply for the iPhone 6S Plus and iPhone 6C will come from Japan Display, Sharp and LG Display while that for the iPhone 6S will come from Japan Display and LG,” DigiTimes reports.

The report adds that all of the new iPhones will feature Gorilla Glass — as expected — and will be powered by Apple’s new A9 processor. They are also expected to feature NFC, just like the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, but it’s unclear if that will be used for anything more than Apple Pay.

While DigiTimes has a spotty track record when it comes to Apple speculation, an iPhone 6c makes a lot of sense.

It’s unlikely Apple will want to offer the iPhone 5c or the iPhone 5s for another year, so it may need a new 4-inch handset to cater to those who find the 4.7- and 5.5-inch iPhone 6s lineup too big.

And if it gives the iPhone 6c almost the same internals, buyers won’t feel like they’re getting old specifications when they buy the smaller model — like potential iPhone 5c shoppers did last year when it launched without Touch ID and Apple’s older processor and camera.

Having said that, it’s still probably best to take this with a pinch of salt for now.