FollowIf we are honest Apple has done a consistently great job with its iPhone. Not only has the device been at the forefront of smartphone technology throughout its various versions, but due to Apple’s closed stance it also competes against a sea of devices on its own. The fact that the iPhone is still the number one selling smartphone and by some distance is a testament to its quality and to Apple’s marketing.
However, despite its dominance the iPhone is starting to give ground to other devices. Of course Samsung has encroached on the scene in recent years with its quality Galaxy range, while manufacturers are turning to other form factors to burst the iPhone bubble. Samsung, and now Sony, LG and a host of others are building phablets, large screen smartphones that are much larger than Apple’s device. Also companies are increasingly offering mini versions of their marquee devices, and in fact Apple has done this with the iPad Mini.
This weekend Barclays Capital analysts have said that Apple has given a contract to Chinese manufacturer Pegatron to build a new iPhone Mini. The report also suggests that long time Apple collaborator Foxconn has also been instructed to work on the iPhone 5S. Both of these devices will be released either August or September of this year.
Those who love the aluminum shell that the iPhone is usually found in will be disappointed to learn that the low cost iPhone Mini will be formed in a polycarbonate plastic shell, which is to be expected really. It will have a 4.4-inch screen, and will cost around $330.
iPhone Mini rumours have been around for some time and we think that there is certainly no smoke without fire. It makes sense for Apple to branch into other mobile areas, and we would not be surprised to see the long rumoured phablet iPhone at some point either.
