iPhone 5S Rumors: Smartphone to Lack Retina Display?

By Vincent Funaro, Christian Post Reporter Friday, March 22, 2013

RBC Capital Markets analyst Amit Daryanani has added to the pile of iPhone 5S rumors, claiming that the device will lack a Retina display.

He believes Apple will launch the iPhone 5S along with another low-cost iPhone sometime in June or July. The low-cost version will be a variant of the 5S which uses cheaper parts in order to cut costs.

"Our supply-chain checks indicate that AAPL is working to launch multiple new phones in June/July time-frame this year," wrote Daryanani. "Specifically, AAPL will launch the iPhone 5S and a more affordable but lower-end iPhone at the same time, in either late CYQ2 or early Q3."

"The low-end iPhone will have the same 4" form factor as the iPhone 5 but will have plastic casing and no retina display," he continued. "With a lower price-point, AAPL will be able to target a growing and important part of the Smartphone market."

This new report conflicts with claims made by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who stated several times that the low-cost iPhone will feature the same 326 pixels per inch Retina display found on the iPhone 5.

Daryanani's claims also seem somewhat inconsistent with Apple's iPhone line-up which is noted for its high quality Retina display, including the iPhone 4 which is now available for free with a 2-year contract in the U.S. Apple also announced yesterday to developers that all apps submitted to the App Store must support Retina resolution and the larger 4-inch screen of the iPhone 5 and fifth-gen iPod Touch as of May 1.

The last iPhone to not feature a Retina display was the iPhone 3GS, which launched in 2009. Apple currently offers its iPad and Mac Book Pro line with Retina displays as well.