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Apple looking at bigger iPhone screens, multiple colours

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apple-logoApple Inc is exploring launching iPhones with bigger screens, as well as cheaper models in a range of colors, over the next year, said four people with knowledge of the matter, as it takes a cue from rival Samsung Electronics.

The moves, which are still under discussion, underscore how the California-based firm that once ruled the smartphone market is increasingly under threat from its aggressive South Korean competitor. Samsung has overtaken Apple in market share through the popularity of its bigger-screen Galaxy "phablets" and by flooding the market with a range of products at different prices.

Apple is looking at introducing at least two bigger iPhones next year - one with a 4.7-inch screen and one with a 5.7-inch screen - said the sources, including those in the supply chain in Asia. They said suppliers have been approached with plans for the larger screens, but noted it is still unclear whether Apple will actually launch its flagship product in the larger sizes.

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"They constantly change product specifications almost to the final moment, so you're not really sure whether this is the final prototype," said one person with direct knowledge of the matter.

Apple declined to comment.

Under pressure

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Apple's possible shift to offer what is often referred to as "phablets" - chunkier smartphones not quite big enough to qualify as tablets - comes as the long-time consumer and investor darling faces pressure to deliver more than one new handset model a year. Critics say its pace of innovation has slowed since the death of legendary co-founder Steve Jobs.

The iPhone 5 launched last September was the first to veer away from the Apple phone's 3.5-inch screen, which Jobs famously deemed "the perfect size for consumers" and had been used in every iPhone since the iconic device was unveiled in 2007.

The current iPhone 5 has one of the smaller screens among the best-selling smartphones in the mobile market, where consumers spend more time browsing the web and streaming content. Samsung's Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 2 have 5-inch and 5.5-inch screens, respectively.

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For this year, Apple is expected to launch two new models, widely referred to as the iPhone 5S, with new fingerprint technology, and a cheaper version in plastic casing, supply chain sources have said. Apple plans to dress up the cheaper phone in a range of 5-6 colors to differentiate it from the more expensive model that has traditionally come only in black and white.

The US firm has discussed a price of $99 for the cheaper phone, the timing of which could slip to next year, one of the people said. It's not yet clear what the final price would be.

Apple - whose revenue growth has decelerated from the heady days of 2010 when it introduced the iPad and when the iPhone was the world's top selling smartphone - has sought ways to re-energize its flagship line.

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Broader products range

Analysts say the company needs a cheaper gadget to push on in growth markets in China and India, and to counter Samsung's edge in having phones priced up and down the spectrum. China, the world's biggest smartphone market, is set to grow 48 per cent this year, outpacing the global increase of 31 per cent, according to industry forecasts.

While Apple only offers a single phone model across all markets, it has successfully marketed the iPod music player and its iPad in different sizes and at varying prices. Asked at last month's AllThingsD industry conference why Apple hasn't launched different sized iPhones, CEO Tim Cook said: "We haven't so far. That doesn't shut off the future."

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He explained that the range of iPods serve different audiences and needs. "On the phone, that's the question. Are we now at a point to serve enough people that we need to do that?"

Cook noted a larger screen comes with trade-offs on features such as battery life, resolution and brightness.

Test production for both the standard and cheaper iPhone models aims to start next month, with mass production ramping up in August to meet a September launch target, two people said.

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"Trial production was originally planned to start in June, but the mixing of colors is taking longer than expected as Apple has very high and idealistic standards," said one source in Asia, adding 20 million plastic iPhones are expected to ship in the October-December quarter.

Japan's Sharp Corp and Japan Display and South Korea's LG Display will supply the panels for the aluminum iPhone 5S and the plastic iPhone, while Hon Hai Precision Industry will assemble the higher-end phone and Pegatron will put together the cheaper model.

Value investor Nygren bullish on Apple, still avoiding Dell

William Nygren, a top manager at Oakmark Funds, said on Wednesday he remains bullish on Apple Inc and Bank of America Corp, but is still avoiding Dell Inc in light of the company's plans to take the computer maker private.

Nygren, a noted value investor who runs the $9.6 billion Oakmark Fund, said at the Morningstar Investment Conference in Chicago that Apple is undervalued while Bank of America has one of the top management teams in the banking industry.

Nygren said that there is "an awful lot that could go wrong at Apple" before it would appear overvalued, and that its high growth rate and recent move to return more cash to shareholders through dividends and buybacks was "comforting."

Apple announced in April its plan to return $100 billion to shareholders by the end of 2015 by increasing its dividend and share buybacks. The technology giant's stock had tumbled more than 45 per cent from September 21 to April 19, falling by roughly $320 per share, but has since risen more than 10 per cent.

Nygren's Oakmark Fund earned a return of 21 per cent last year, besting 97 per cent of peers, according to Lipper. The fund is up 16.7 per cent so far this year, above 86 per cent of peers.

Nygren also said that Bank of America stock is undervalued, and that Chief Executive Brian Moynihan is unfairly blamed for mistakes made by prior management. Moynihan was elected head of the bank in late 2009, following the 2008 financial crisis.

"Most of what has gone wrong at Bank of America was put in place by the prior management, and we think unfairly that Brian Moynihan has been tarred by that brush," Nygren said. Nygren's Oakmark Fund had over 3 per cent of its assets invested in Bank of America at the end of March, according to Lipper.

Nygren, who said in April that he sold his $250 million stake in Dell after private equity firm Blackstone Group LP ended its pursuit of the company, told Reuters that an alternative proposal to founder Michael Dell and private equity firm Silver Lake Partners' $24.4 billion buyout of the company has not lured him back into the stock.

"We're not really current on the situation. We had been intrigued with Blackstone's involvement, and after Blackstone walked away, we decided to do the same thing," Nygren said.

Dell shareholders will vote on July 18 on the $13.65-per-share buyout offer by Michael Dell and Silver Lake.

Competing against that proposal is activist investor Carl Icahn and Southeastern Asset Management, who together own about 13 per cent of Dell stock. They proposed an alternative to the buyout that lets shareholders get $12 of cash for every share they own as well as keep their stock.


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