Picked up by respected UK tech site T3, is an eye-opening glimpse into Apple’s 2018 iPhone production line and the revelation that Apple may be about to supersize one member of its overhauled iPhone X line-up - at a cost.
With Apple previously thought to be focused on a trio of iPhone X-inspired designs measuring 5-inches (LCD display), 5.8-inches and 6.5-inches (both OLED displays), the new information states Apple is making a 6.1-inch OLED model. With both the 5.8-inch second generation iPhone X and all-new 6.5-inch iPhone X Plus designs locked down, the jump to 6.1-inches would reignite talk Apple has U-turned on its budget iPhone X plans.
Originally expected to be a 6.1-inch LCD iPhone X with a single rear camera to cut costs (plus an entry level, physically unchanged 4-inch iPhone SE update coming in June/July) it was still priced at an eye-watering $799. By contrast, the plans for a 5-inch iPhone X variant pegged the costs for a smaller device at just $550.
Furthermore, if correct, the news will be a blow to fans of smaller iPhones who hoped Apple was finally bringing flagship design back to small form factors (it’ll be iPhone SE gen 2 or bust for you). Of course, an upgrade from LCD to OLED would give a budget 6.1-inch iPhone X even more appeal but, despite its compromises elsewhere, it may also push up that initial $799 asking price even further.
My personal opinion? Apple is making a mistake.
I believe the company would be better served not crowding its line-up with a 6.1-inch model. The small, medium and large approach of 5-inch, 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch iPhone X designs would deliver something for everyone and at all budgets, while a 6.1-inch iPhone X has the potential to cannibalise sales of both the 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch premium models - especially considering the latter two will deliver price cuts of over $200.
