iPhone 5S Rumors: Smartphone to Lack Retina Display?
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."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"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.
