iPhone 6C Release Date and Rumors: New Budget iPhone Model With 1,715mAh Battery & Samsung's FinFET Chip To Arrive Next Year

Aug 05, 2015 06:07 AM EDT

A new report quoting supply chain sources claims that Apple will not launch a successor to its affordable iPhone 5C this year, believed to be called the iPhone 6C. Instead, this next-generation budget smartphone will reportedly be unveiled during the second quarter of 2016.

iPhone 6C release date

Earlier rumors suggested that the tech giant scrapped plans for releasing an iPhone 5C successor. However, according to a new report by Taiwan-based publication DigiTimes, that is not the case.

Citing insider sources from the semiconductor industry, the report indicates that the next-gen iPhone 6C model is planned to be released at an event during next year's second quarter.

Apple-focused site Cult of Mac noted that while there's no apparent reason for delaying this model until 2016, it may be a strategy for Apple to replenish the demand for iPhones during the summer months. That's especially true to emerging smartphone markets like India and China, where this unannounced low-cost iPhone 6c will most likely be a hit.

iPhone 6C specs: May come with chips made by Samsung

The iPhone 6C was previously speculated to sport a smaller 4-inch display. On the inside, this DigiTimes report suggests that the device will be fitted with a FinFET chipset. The tiny processor will use either a 14nm or 16nm technology manufactured by Samsung and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). If proven to be accurate, this will be in line with reports that Apple's new A9 chip will be produced by both TSMC & Samsung utilizing the same technology.

The new chipsets are said to deliver more efficient performance and lower power consumption. Speaking of power, the iPhone 6C is said to be furnished with a 1,715mAh battery-according to a recent leak posted by French site NoWhereElse.fr. An alleged photo of the said battery was shared by the serial leakster in this post.

It may sound weird that Apple will release a new handset at the second quarter of 2016 given that the company had previously launched models during autumn. However, it is not completely unheard of; the first iPhone, the iPhone 3GS, and the iPhone 4 were all released in June.

Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that DigiTimes has a somewhat spotty record when it comes to reporting unannounced devices. Having said that, as much as we want to hear about the iPhone 6C being released next year, it pays to take this report with a huge grain of salt.