Rumor Claims Apple is Building a New 4” iPhone 5s with Upgraded Internals

Rumors have been circulating the web for a while now, pointing to Apple’s planned 2016 release of a so called “iPhone 6c,” which is presumed by many to be a smaller, more affordable offering from the company.

However, according to a number of “reliable sources” who spoke directly with the popular Japanese blog Macotokara, that yet-to-be-announced device could actually be a refreshed iPhone 5s featuring some of Apple’s latest and greatest hardware.

To that end, according to a recent, anonymous report out of the far east, Apple is, indeed, working to develop an upgraded, 4-inch iPhone 5s, which will give eager customers — many of who’ve dogged the company for shelving its smaller iPhone in recent years — a more affordable alternative to the latest iPhones that won’t sacrifice on performance or compatibility.

Rumor has it that this impending device will be built according to the specifications of the sixth-generation iPod Touch, boasting an A8 processor, 802.11a/c WiFi, and an improved FaceTime camera featuring a wider, f/2.2 aperture lens. For comparison purposes, the current iPhone 5s features the first-generation 64-bit A7 chip, considerably slower WiFi, and an f/2.4 aperture FaceTime lens.

If true, the rumor asserts that Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 5s refresh will feature some of the same, foundational characteristics of the current 5s — including the device’s smaller screen and solid, aluminum chassis — presumably in an effort to keep costs low, and thus, the market price of the device lower than the company’s other, current offerings.

If Apple decided to build an iPhone 6c, on the other hand, they’d have to essentially develop an all new, plastic shell to accommodate the newer hardware, which seems more unlikely considering how much of an odd ball plastic would be in Apple’s current iDevice line-up — all of which feature solid aluminum, unibody chassis.

As always, we suggest that this latest rumor be taken with a grain of salt. Although a revamped 5s seems like a practical step for the company to take at this point — especially to serve the market of consumers who desire a more budget-friendly offering from the silicon valley tech giant — Apple has clearly shifted its focus to larger devices in recent years, and so we’ll just have to play it by ear and see what Apple has to bring to the table in 2016.

Macotokara added, in conclusion, that the presumed iPhone 5s is currently in production, getting ready to be shipped at any time.

Are you looking forward to Apple’s smaller offering? Let us know in the comments below.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]