NEW YORK: The latest speculation around Apple’s handset plans is for a new handset iPhone 6S to be announced and go on sale alongside the Apple Watch, with a second new design for the back half of the year.
The idea that Apple could release two new iPhone designs next year is a bit bonkers. It’s an interesting idea, and short-term there is a lot of potential in bringing the iPhone 6S alongside the proposed Apple Watch in the first half of 2015, and following up with the iPhone 7 in the traditional late September slot. But it burns through a lot of user goodwill, it smacks of desperation, and with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus still in heavy demand there’s no reason to disrupt that sales process.
Apple is worried that consumers won’t buy the Apple Watch without buying a new phone. Apple’s new phone will be released in September so consumers will wait until September to buy the Apple Watch. So Apple will force the issue with a new phone, and that’s why the supply chain is talking about a new model and a six month cycle.
