Apple had barely finished announcing the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus last year when rumors about the iPhone 7 started doing the rounds. In the last few months, the rumors have distilled into a clearer picture of what the Cupertino tech giant has planned for its next iPhone.

Reputable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has us all convinced that Apple will unveil two new iPhones, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, in September. The new iPhones are likely to feature 2GB of RAM and 12 MP cameras, among other upgrades, and come in the same 4.7 inch and 5.5 inch screen sizes that have proved so successful for Apple. In the first two quarters of availability, Apple sold more than 135 million new iPhones.

Among the new iPhone rumors were a few that suggested Apple will launch a new 4 inch iPhone 6c, including a rumor that cited a large order for camera sensors Apple placed with Sony Corp. for use in an upcoming 4 inch iPhone.

These rumors were refuted by Kuo, who is adamant that Apple will not release an iPhone 6c this year.  Kuo’s assertion is further backed up by earlier supply chain rumors that claim Apple has not placed any orders for components to be used in a 4 inch iPhone.

4 inch iPhone 7c coming in Q12016

Just because Apple may not release a new 4 inch iPhone this year, doesn’t mean it won’t do so next year. The iPhone maker has always been about ease of use with one hand and may well choose to replace the current 4 inch iPhone 5c (pictured above) with a new model.

A new rumor surfaced earlier this week that Apple plans to launch a 4 inch iPhone 7c in 2016 alongside what everyone now expects to be the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

According to a report from Chinese publication Economic Daily News (via G for Games), Taiwan-based AU Optronics (AUO) has concluded a deal to supply Apple with 4 inch displays for an upcoming iPhone. The company has said it is slated to start shipping the displays in the first quarter of 2016, making a fall release date likely.

Additionally, anonymous sources told G for Games that other suppliers, including display manufacturers from China and South Korea, have been contracted by Apple to supply 4 inch displays.

Image credit: John Karakatsanis, Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0