Apple’s 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Set To Feature Higher-End Specs‏

Almost all reports claim Apple will launch two iPhone 6 models in 2014, one 4.7-inch and another 5.5-inch. This wouldn’t be the first time Apple looks to add a second size to the range; the MacBook, iMac, iPad, and iPod lines all offer variable sizes, the iPhone stands alone.

The report also fits with the growing concern from Apple about Samsung and the growth of their two high-end lines, the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note. The 4.7-inch model looks to go after the Galaxy S, HTC One and other flagships, while the 5.5-inch model competes with the Galaxy Note, Xperia Z Ultra and HTC One Max.

The iPhablet

The new report from Apple Insider, citing Cowen & Co. analyst Timothy Arcuri, claims supply chain sources have started preparing different application processors for the 5.5-inch iPhone. Apple will add a larger and more powerful A8 chip to the 5.5-inch iPhone 6, in order to cull buyers into paying more.

The two application processors will be named the A8, but will be separated in their development. Apple might look to simply up the specs on the higher-end A8 chip, offering faster speeds and lowering power usage, to make the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 offer more impressive stats.

Manufacturing will be done partly by Apple’s rival Samsung and partly by TSMC, a Taiwanese semiconductor company. This report does have a bit of conflict, with other reports saying TSMC won the full rights to production, following Apple’s move away from Samsung.

Foxconn will also be involved in the main manufacturing of the iPhone 6, alongside Pegatron, another Chinese manufacturer. Apple will get the sapphire glass for the front of the iPhone 6 in the United States, from local factories in Texas.

Apple is projecting around 80 million sales of the iPhone 6 before the end of 2014. This appears to be for both versions, although the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 might be available later in the year or perhaps at the start of 2015.

[Image via YouTube]