Apple is working on a new 4in iPhone because apparently no one has thought of that for some years. It is all rumour and speculation of course and in this case it the source was KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

He claimed that Cupertino tech giant's smaller 4in handset will be based on an upgraded iPhone 5s with a mass produced metal shell.

It will use Apple's latest A9 processor but will not have 3D Touch which apparently will be difficult to use on a smaller machine.

Kuo also reckons that the smaller iPhone will launch in the first half of next year, which would go against Apple's traditional September-only smartphone launch window.

Smaller phones have been around for a while so it is not clear what Apple is playing at. It is unlikely to be much cheaper than the bigger versions of the phone.  Really what it should be doing is coming up with some compelling technology to encourage people to upgrade.  Small or big it is still the same iPhone it was three versions ago and it seems only rivals are experimenting with new ideas. If Apple does not pull its socks up it may even get kicked to death by Microsoft Windows – we are not saying it is likely but it would be very funny..