Ming-Chi Kuo, a KGI Securities analyst who has an excellent track record predicting Apple"s future products, has released a report detailing various features on the rumoured "budget" iPhone, which is expected to be announced later this year. Kuo said Apple decided the specs of the cheaper iPhone in 2011, and is "unlikely" to change their plans due to the market shift toward larger screens. Apple released the iPhone 5 in 2012, which included a larger 4-inch display, signifying Apple"s willingness to provide for the current market desires.
Kuo revealed his insights to AppleInsider, including his prediction that Apple will include the iPhone 5"s 4-inch display in the cheaper iPhone. The iPhone 5S will retain the same 4-inch screen, but may include a fingerprint reader and NFC. Regarding the material the iPhone is made with, Kuo speculates that Apple will plump for a "super-thin plastic casing mixed with glass fibre" which will be stronger than current plastic casings on phones. Apple"s plastic casing will be custom designed, and will come in at around 0.5mm in thickness; current plastic casings are around 0.7-1mm thick.
The budget iPhone will take after the iPod families insofar as it will come in a broad range of colours. Apple released the iPod Touch in multiple colours last year, which will pave the way for the cheaper iPhone. Apple is also expected to borrow design elements from the iPod ranges, including a flat plastic back. The current iPod Touch is just 6.1mm thick, while the iPhone 5 is 7.6mm. The budget iPhone is expected to sit between the two, due to the thin plastic body.
Source: AppleInsider