iPhone 5S (iPhone 6) rumors, iPad Mini 2 and a mystery phone February 6, 2013AppleOff

Feb 06, 2013, 9:30 A.M., WEDNESDAY. Article by: Raphael Labuguen – Apple is working on three smartphones according to a rumor last month, but it looks like the Apple rumor mill is mutating into some sort because apart from the larger iPhone, reportedly with more than 4-inch display, Apple is also working on a budget-friendly iPhone and a Retina iPad Mini 2.

If the iPad Mini 2 rumors are accurate, also the larger iPhone 5S or iPhone 6, Apple is on the verge of offering 4 smartphone types with a near-smartphone-like tablet computer.

First, the budget-iPhone, secondly, the older iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S which are still available in the market, and last but not the least — the iPhone 5 with 4-inch display. Again, if accurate, these smartphones will be sold alongside the 4+ inch equipped iPhablet reportedly arriving alongside the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 this year, plus, the “larger” iPad mini with Retina display.

More Reading: iPad Mini 2 Retina rumors arrive alongside release date reports.

It makes sense actually. In fact, Apple is currently being bombarded by new, improved, larger and colorful smartphone rivals with more variants to choose from.

Recently, BlackBerry reveals its all-touch BB Z10 and the upcoming BB Q10 with the same operating system, but with physical QWERTY keyboard. Samsung, Apple’s chips partner and biggest smartphone rival, is set offer its refreshed Galaxy lineup this year, the rumored Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 that will replace the current top-enders, the Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Note 2.

Analysts believe that Apple must release more smartphone variants to secure its growth. It is also obvious that a large chuck of smartphone customers are attracted to larger phones — two words: Galaxy Note.

Larger iPhones and other “weirder” rumors are more convincing now than before after Apple introduced the smaller iPad.

• Apple’s iPad 5 to be lighter than current modelApril 18th, 2013

• iPhone 5S vs Samsung Galaxy S4 – early release date, competition tippedApril 5th, 2013

• Camera Test Videos: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs iPhone 5April 3rd, 2013

• New iOS 6.1.3 Update Seems To Be Draining iPhone 5 Battery Life (And Other Apple Devices)March 30th, 2013

• Apple to launch iPhone5 successor with iOS 7 next quarter?March 27th, 2013