• The iPhone 5C (marketed with a stylized lowercase 'c' as iPhone 5c) is a smartphone designed and marketed by Apple Inc.

The iPhone 5C (marketed with a stylized lowercase 'c' as iPhone 5c) is a smartphone designed and marketed by Apple Inc. (Photo : Facebook)

Apple is reportedly working on a 4-inch new addition to its iPhone lineup. At this point, it is nicknamed by technology enthusiasts and the press as the iPhone 6C. The new iPhone reportedly will be released sometime in the first quarter of 2016.

iPhone 6C, the rumored 4-inch iPhone, is said to have a price tag of approximately $400 to $500 off contract. Further reports claim that this move is intended to replace the rapidly aging earlier iPhone models such as iPhone 5S, MacWorld reported.

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The iPhone 6C will likely not become its official name upon its release. But aside from the 4-inch size, the device is rumored to feature the high-end metal and glass design similar to iPhone 5s, Gottabe Mobile reported.This is contrary to the typical candy coated plastic style features on the handsets belonging to Apple's short-run C series.

Several iPhone 6C analysts said they are expecting the handset to include several existing signature iPhone features like Touch ID and Apple Pay. However, users should not expect the new 3D Touch feature to come with it.

Previous reports had noted that the rumor about the new iPhone started when a well-known Apple analyst named Ming-Chi Kuo said he believes an upgraded, yet downsized iPhone is underway and will be released in 2016.

While there are some who agree that iPhone 6c might arrive in 2016, many disagree that it will happen soon. With Apple's release history, we get the pattern that a launching of an iPhone within the first six months of the year is unusual because of the time of its development cycle.

iPhone 6C, according to analysts, is more likely to be launched in September 2016.