Why Apple's iPhone 6 Phablet Will be a Special Success: Analyst Predictions and Specs
Apple's iPhone 6 has been making headlines ever since reports claimed that the company plans on releasing a phablet version of the device. According to recent information, Apple plans to offer two screen sizes: 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches. Whereas some think Apple is already late to the party, some analysts also believe Apple's big screen can still be a success. Can Apple really compete in the big screen market?
Chinese smartphones have been performing well in their market. According to a report by Apple Insider, the success of Chinese smartphones is enough to affect sales of tech giants like Samsung and Apple. Nonetheless, the report claims that customers in China are also hoping for a larger iPhone release.
Analyst Brian White of Cantor Fitzgerald shared his thoughts about Apple's possible big screen success in China. According to the analyst, discussing China's mobile market with two telecom carriers in the country offers a good look at Apple's potential. According to his sources, tech manufacturers like Xiaomi, Coolpad, ZTE, Huawei and Lenovo benefitted from selling large screen phones in China. The success of these companies dented sales for Samsung and Apple.
Chinese carriers expressed disappointment over consumer demand for iPhone 5s. Nonetheless, the same target customers said they are waiting for the release of the iPhone 6.
"In our view, the iPhone 6 with a larger screen (e.g., 4.7-inch, 5.5-inch) has the potential to meaningfully accelerate Apple's growth trajectory in China during (the second half of 2014)," White said in his note.
"We have not heard this type of excitement in China around the iPhone in at least two years and thus believe this could be a very special iPhone launch for Apple." He added.
Earlier, Apple paired up with China Mobile to distribute iPhone in the country. China Mobile is considered the largest carrier in the world today. Partnership with Apple supported and improved adoption of the carrier's 4G network. The company refused to provide actual sales figures from Apple.
A report from Seeking Alpha contradicts White's prediction about the Apple iPhone 6 phablet. According to Stone Fox Capital: "In the tech world, it is rare for an established market to be disrupted by a new entrant unless it provides truly disruptive features and the iPhone 6 even with iOS 8 doesn't appear to offer that disruption to even high end consumers."