Apple to Release ‘iPhone 6S’, ‘iPhone 6S Plus’ and ‘iPhone 6C’ this Fall: Digitimes

Digitimes reports Apple will release three new iPhone models in the latter half of 2015, with what’s expected to be called the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus and the iPhone 6C (rumoured to cost $400-500 USD; this sounds too ‘cheap’), which looks to retain its 4-inch screen.

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.

The Asian publication, which has a mixed track record, says all three models will come with Corning Gorilla Glass, while the 6S models will get faster A9 CPUs and the 6C will get the A8.

A separate report by Digitimes says TSMC will manufacture 20nm chips for the 6C and 16nm FinFET chips for the 6S series iPhones. Samsung, which lost out to TSMC for the A8 CPUs found in the current iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, is said to be the other supplier of 6S series chips.

All models will “will come equipped with NFC and fingerprint scanning technologies,” which translates to Apple Pay and Touch ID.

Wistron is cited as producing the 6C, while the 6S models will be manufactured by Foxconn and Pegatron, note sources.

Moving to Apple Watch, Digitimes says yields have been low but are increasing, according to touch panel makers, with expected shipments of the smart watch to reach at least 15 million.

Again, take these reports with a grain of salt. By now, the iPhone upgrade cycle has followed a pattern and it’s inevitable the next “S” upgrade will be coming soon, most likely slated for the fall. The WSJ did report earlier this month next generation iPhones could debut with Force Touch, the new technology found in the new 12-inch MacBook and refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro, plus possibly a pink colour option.

What’s interesting is the iPhone 6C and its retained 4-inch screen, which could prove to be popular, since the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus can be difficult to handle for smaller hands.