Reuters: Apple considering 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch iPhones, $99 model

[wraggster]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/06/iphone-5-2013-6-13-01.jpg (http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/13/reuters-apple-considering-4-7-inch-and-5-7-inch-iphones/)Apple could be looking to buttress its iPhone (http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/18/apple-iphone-5-review/) range considerably over the next year by adding larger 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch models and a cheaper, $99 handset with a wider range of colors, according to sources from Reuters. The media outlet added that the moves are still under discussion, but represent an attempt to gain back share from arch-competitor Samsung, which has flooded the market with so-called phablets like the Galaxy Note II (http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/08/samsung-galaxy-note-ii-review/) along with a wide range (http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/31/samsung-galaxy-s-4-mini-three-uk-video/) of inexpensive handsets -- neither of which Apple currently makes. That jibes with earlier rumors (http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/18/budget-iphone-polycarbonate-leak/) of a budget, plastic-bodied iPhone, and CEO Tim Cook didn't exactly deny it (http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/28/apple-ceo-tim-cook-interview-at-d11-liveblog/) when asked if the company was interested in large-screen phones. Still, the manufacturing sources said it's unclear whether the company will actually proceed with any of those plans -- meaning the information should be taken with a very large dose of salt.
Update: We reached out to Reuters for a little more clarification on the $99 price for the lower-end device. While they're unsure, they believe that to be a subsidized price.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/13/reuters-apple-considering-4-7-inch-and-5-7-inch-iphones/