New iPhone to come in multiple colours and sizes: Report

It's just the start of the year and the
Apple rumour mills are churning pretty
hard. Up until now we've heard that the
company is testing the next iPhone and
even iOS 7 along with plans to acquire
social navigation app Waze that might
give some 'direction' to Apple Maps.
MacRumours now reports that analysts
believe the next iPhone may come in
multiple colours and even different sizes.
The blog mentions Brian White, Topeka
Capital Markets analyst who has issued a
report mentioning that Apple could offer
the device in various colours. Apple has
introduced the 5th generation iPod
devices in a range of new colours and
White is of the notion that this might
spark Apple to follow the trend right up
to the iPad.
Our checks indicate that the next iPhone
will have more choices for customers.
This entails an expansion in both the
colour patterns and screen sizes with the
next iPhone (i.e., likely called the iPhone
5S) that we currently believe will be
launched in May/June with certain supply
production starting in March/April.
Brian further thinks that the company will
bring a new iPhone model with varying
screen sizes that will help the benefit the
company in terms of reach. He specifically
mentions a smaller iPhone version that
could allow Apple to target markets like
China and open up opportunities in India.
And of course, he believes that Apple
could unveil a larger screen size
compared to the recently updated 4-inch
screen on the iPhone 5.
But White isn't the only analyst who
believes so. His report seems to be in
line with Jefferies analyst Peter Misek's
research finding which states that the
next iteration of the iPhone will feature a
new super HD camera/screen, a better
battery and NFC along with an IGZO
screen for Retina+, 128GB storage, and
coming in 6 to 8 colours.
MacRumours pointed out that Misek
mentions many iPhone 6 prototypes doing
the rounds, especially a 4.8-inch screen
model that he finds interesting. According
to him, the device has a Retina+ IGZO
screen, a new A7 quad-core processor
variant, a new design with no home
button and even fully in-built gesture
controls.
Misek even goes on to mention a budget
iPhone offering at a USD200-USD250
price point on an "unsubsidised basis",
but claims that the project has not yet
been given the go-ahead.
But it doesn't end there, Misek's findings
lead him to believe that Apple will be
launching the fifth-generation iPad around
June this year, with an IGZO display to
counter thickness and weight. He also
feels that the iPad mini is reportedly
scheduled for an upgrade around the
same time and may launch in multiple
colours with Retina display.
Analyst reports are based on a limited
number of findings and it's best not to
infer too much. As far as larger screen
sizes go, MacRumours notes that this may
not happen soon considering the
company just increased the size to 4-inch
in its smartphone since its inception. And
when it comes to Misek, he has had a
mixed record in the past. But Apple loves
to surprise us always and if any of this is
true, we'd keep you updated with the
details.