iPhone 6c rumors have long stopped since this summer, but now it seems release date rumors are starting to circulate once more with a new Chinese report.
Earlier this year, the rumored iPhone 6c launch date was said to be in September to supposedly come alongside with the launch of the iPhone 6s. That report failed to materialize though, and then the rumors just stopped altogether.
Now, it seems that as 2016 looms closer and closer, iPhone 6c release date rumors are once again picking up.
According to 9 to 5 Mac, a Chinese report, via G for Games, claimed that the 4-inch entry-level iPhone 6c will be replacing the iPhone 5c. Citing "Foxconn insiders" as well as other unnamed sources, the report added that Apple will make the launch in January and sales will begin February.
While the said iPhone 6c launch date is unusual for the company, the claims can still happen, since it wouldn't be Apple's first to announce a new iPhone in January. That reportedly happened in January 2007 with the first-generation iPhone, which was only released June of that year.
Meanwhile, there is also no discounting the possibility that the iPhone 6c release date could take place next month.
As for the iPhone 6c specs and features, there have been mixed reports.
According to same aforementioned Chinese report, the iPhone 6c will come in a metal body frame as opposed to the iPhone 5c's plastic polycarbonate casing.
Gotta Be Mobile noted that in the past, there have purportedly been "leaked" images of the iPhone 6c's shell to confirm the colors it will come in. However, those images didn't show nor confirm any metal body design. In fact, the images looked as much as the iPhone 5c, albeit small changes, such as the elongated camera LED flash and additional speaker grille holes at the bottom of the handset.
Another rumored iPhone 6c spec is that it will come with a 4-inch display.
Meanwhile, one unsurprising feature that the iPhone 6c is rumored to not have is the 3D Touch support, which Apple will most likely include in its flagship handsets instead. However, the iPhone 6c will reportedly get Touch ID and an NFC chip for Apple Pay support.
Other sketchy reports on the iPhone 6c is a Gorilla Glass screen, and Apple's A8 processor, both found in the iPhone 6.
In the end, it would pay to take a proverbial grain of salt in this instance, especially since no figure of authority has sided with the claims.
But if rumors are true, then it can be no doubt that Apple is prepping the iPhone 6c to replace the iPhone 5s. The 4-inch screen will likely be the new device's main feature, since fans of the brand are more attracted to smaller displays, according to Gotta Be Mobile.
