Don’t Expect an iPhone 6 In Place of the iPhone 5S

The iPhone 6 is more popular in the minds of consumers than the iPhone 5S, creating a whirlwind of reports about how Apple could jump straight to an iPhone 6, leaving the iPhone 5S name to collect dust like the iPhone HD and other rumored iPhone models.

While there was some expectation of the iPhone 5 in 2011 when Apple announced the iPhone 4S, it was not as great as we are seeing this year, as many publications claim Apple could deliver the iPhone 6 in 2013. We’ve even seen the rumored budget iPhone pegged with the iPhone 6 name and talk of the iPhone 6 arriving in place of the iPhone 5S.

Yes, we’ve called for Apple to jump straight to the iPhone 6 release, but that’s a call for features and form, not just for a iPhone 5 shell that sits in a window labeled iPhone 6.

Don’t expect an iPhone 6 with a larger screen, like the current android competition, and a new design in 2013. And definitely don’t expect a cheap iPhone with the iPhone 6 name.

The iPhone 6, a completely new look for the iPhone that is tied into the features and future of Apple shown in iOS 7 is not something we will see in 2013. Leaks, analysts and logic all point to an iPhone 5S this year and a new iPhone 6 in 2014,

Here are the reasons iPhone shoppers should keep their expectations in check and look for an iPhone 5S this year rather than an iPhone 6, no matter how many news stories claim Apple is planning to push the iPhone 5S aside.

Leaks, Leaks and More Leaks

There are already a large number of iPhone 5S leaks that show an iPhone with a nearly identical design to the iPhone 5. In June we saw leaks of an iPhone that is possibly an iPhone 5S with a complete back, logic board and battery. While this device looks like the iPhone 5, it is clearly not the same iPhone that i son store shelves right now.

The various leaked iPhone parts highlight a similar design to the iPhone 5, a case maker iPhone 5S blueprint shows an iPhone that looks like the current model, but with a new dual LED flash.

In short, all the substantial and credible leaks point to an iPhone 5S with a similar design to the iPhone 5 coming late this year.

The iPhone 5S Problem is Great

The iPhone 5S isn’t a problem for Apple. By offering a minor release every two years, consumers get more enjoyment from their purchases, even if it is partly psychological.

There is a lot of talk about how releasing a big iPhone update on a single number and a small one on an “S” release is a problem for Apple, but it’s actually a great problem. While many consumers are left wishing they had a new Android phone months after buying the latest and greatest, Apple’s limited choice and limited release cycle helps keep customers happier longer.

This year is a great example, and Apple is already putting the marketing machine into gear. Apple counts on amazing software to fill the gap created by a new design, and at WWDC 2013 Apple called iOS 7, “The biggest change to iOS since the iPhone.” and Craig Federighi, Apple SVP of Software engineering describes the experience of upgrading to iOS 7 by saying it is, “Like getting a new phone.”

iPhone 6 is New, Not Incremental

This goes hand-in-hand with the last reason, but it’s worth calling out. The prime iPhone releases, those with just a digit, usher in a new experience and design. We’ve seen Apple deliver a higher resolution display that arguably kicked off the race for a high pixel count on mobile displays, increase screen size, add LTE and change designs on the major iPhone releases.

We expect Apple will announce an iPhone 6 with a completely new look and new features that are still making their way into other devices. In addition to a new design we could see a larger higher-resolution display, VoLTE technology that delivers better sounding calls and should let Verizon users talk and surf the web at the same time. If there is no fingerprint reader in the iPhone 5S, we could see it arrive on the iPhone 6.

Could Apple release the iPhone 6 in 2013? Of course, but if Apple does skip the iPhone 5S, don’t expect the iPhone 6 name to grace a cheap iPhone or an iPhone that looks just like the iPhone 5.

According to reports an iPhone 6 prototype includes a larger higher-resolution display and no home button, which is the source of inspiration behind many iPhone 6 concepts. Couple this with multiple analyst reports of an iPhone 6 in 2014 and the likelihood of an iPhone 6 release in 2013 is almost non-existent.