Apple is preparing to release a trio of new smartphones later this year: the largest iPhone ever, an upgraded handset the same size as the current iPhone X and a less expensive model with some of the flagship phone’s key features, Bloomberg reports.
Apple is already running production tests with suppliers and is expected to announce the new phones this autumn. People familiar with the matter said the aim is to rekindle sales after the iPhone X did less well than expected.
Bigger iPhone
An iPhone with a bigger screen should appeal to consumers interested in phablets and drive more upgrades from older models. The new device is expected to have a screen close to 6.5 inches, while the body of the phone will be about the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus, as the screen uses the same edge-to-edge design as in the iPhone X.
The big phone is code named D33, a person familiar with its development said, and at least some prototypes include a screen resolution of 1242x2688, the same as the 5.8-inch iPhone X. Apple also plans to use OLED technology, the same, more expensive type of screen as in the regular iPhone X.
Cheaper iPhone
Apple’s decision to also build a cheaper phone is an acknowledgment that the current entry-level 8 models too closely resemble the iPhone 6 introduced back in 2014. With their thick bezels and lack of edge-to-edge screens, they seem dated next to the iPhone X and the latest Samsung devices. The new lower-cost model will feature the same edge-to-edge screen as the iPhone X as well as Face ID instead of a fingerprint sensor, the report said.
To keep costs down, the cheaper phone will use LCD screen technology similar to the type employed in the iPhone 8. It will also have aluminum edges and a glass back like the iPhone 8, not the flashier stainless steel used in the iPhone X.
