Apple Said to Drop iPhone Branding for 5.6-Inch Model [Rumour]

Rumour has it that Apple is working to release two new handsets — one with a 4.7-inch and the other with a 5.6-inch screen — with the launch planned for July this year. The former will be the lower-end model with the traditional Gorilla Glass display, but the latter will allegedly sport sapphire glass — courtesy of GT-Advanced. The bad news is, due to the experimental nature of the latter model, Apple could drop the iPhone branding according to Taiwan’s Economic Daily News (via MacOtakara).

Teh Japanese blog joins the line of rumours claiming Apple could release two new iPhone models with bigger displays, but the drop of the iPhone branding comes out of the blue. While the possibility of two iPhones is high, what MacOtakara’s sources claim seems unlikely. Just consider that the iPhone — the iconic product — accounts for 54% of Apple’s revenue.

The sources specify that the next-generation iPhone will be assembled by Foxconn, aided by other supply chain participants such as Cheng Uei Precision Industry and Simplo Technology.

The rumour mill has been busy lately spilling information about the next-generation iPhone models. Although display sizes vary, they are between the 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch range.

But if Apple drops the iPhone branding for the “high-end” 5.6-inch device, does this mean there will be only one iPhone this year. Who knows?