Apple Inc is preparing to release three new smartphones later this year, including the largest iPhone ever, a device that may have a bigger display than arch-rival Samsung's flagship phone, Bloomberg reported on 26 February, citing people familiar with the products.
The trio also includes an upgraded handset the same size as the current iPhone X and a less expensive model with some of the X's key features. The iPhone maker is already running production tests with suppliers and is expected to announce the new phones this fall.
However, the plans could still change, the report said. In addition to this, Apple looks finally tempted to offer a dual-SIM variant of iPhone, in select markets, which most probably could include India.
Bloomberg reported the largest iPhone could have a screen of close to 6.5-inch,. larger than both the 6.2-inch Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus announced at the MWC 2018 on Monday and the existing Samsung Note 8 (comes with a 6.3-inch screen).
But Bob O'Donnell, head of Technalysis Research, said the reported trio of new iPhones was "a very logical extension of the product line" for Apple: "One bigger, one cheaper, and one upgrade to the existing iPhone X."
With global smartphone sales roughly flat, vendors are focusing on features designed to encourage consumers to ditch their old phones earlier than they would have previously.
Bloomberg said the body of the larger phone will be about the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus, but the screen will be about an inch larger than 8 Plus', thanks to edge-to-edge design. Apple also plans a gold-colored device to help boost sales in Asia, Bloomberg reported.
Apple is also preparing an update to the regular-sized iPhone X, Bloomberg said, adding that the phones are expected to use next-generation A12 processors and will continue to include stainless steel edges and will be Apple's high-end smartphone offerings.
What remains unclear is whether Apple will also cut any current iPhone models from its lineup. The company has kept older models like the iPhone SE – essentially an updated iPhone 5 – on shelves to an unprecedented degree, providing lower-priced offerings for developing markets like India. We’ve already heard reports of Apple likely to come up with an iPhone SE 2 this year, which basically takes the count of iPhone models in 2018 to four.
(Hey there, lady! What makes you laugh? Do you laugh at sexism, patriarchy, and misogyny? Do 'sanskaari' stereotypes crack you up? This Women's Day, join The Quint's Ab Laugh Naari campaign. Pick up that beer, say cheers, and send us photographs or videos of you laughing out loud at buriladki@thequint.com.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)