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More than two years since Apple ( AAPL ) shifted its focus to larger-screen iPhones (4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models), 26% of U.S. iPhone owners still use handsets with 4-inch screens, according to a December survey by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. The Chicago-based research firm said 110 million iPhones were in use in the fourth quarter in the U.S., up from 100 million in Q3 and 78 million in the year-earlier period. Of the 110 million iPhones in use last quarter, 74% were iPhone 6 or 6S model handsets, CIRP said. They included 62 million iPhone 6 and 6 Plus units and 19 million iPhone 6S and 6S Plus units. The remainder (29 million) were mostly 4-inch iPhone 5C and 5S models. Apple continues to sell the iPhone 5S, a model that hasn’t changed since its introduction in September 2013. What isn’t known is how many of the current users simply prefer a 4-inch handset over the larger-screen models and how many have just not yet upgraded. Apple is about to find out. Apple is expected to introduce a new 4-inch handset, dubbed the iPhone 5SE, at a product launch event next month. The iPhone 5SE is rumored to include Apple’s latest A9 and M9 processors, an NFC (near field communication) chip for Apple Pay, support for always-on Siri activation, and the iPhone 6’s camera system, 9to5Mac reported . The iPhone 5SE likely will be introduced at a media event on March 15 and be available in retail stores on March 18, 9to5Mac said. Besides the new smartphone, Apple is rumored to be debuting its next-generation iPad Air tablet and new Apple Watch software and wristbands next month. Apple iPhone 7 Not Expected Until The Fall Apple isn’t expected to refresh its flagship smartphone lineup, with the iPhone 7, until this fall. That handset is expected to be thinner because of the removal of the headphone jack and have a larger screen because of the removal of the physical home button. Baird analyst William Power on Tuesday reiterated his outperform rating on Apple stock with a price target of 130, after conducting a survey about iPhone 7 demand. Apple stock rose 2.8% to above 96 on the stock market today , but it’s still down 23% from a seven-month high near 124 touched in November. “Based on our latest online survey, 7% of respondents claim they plan to purchase the iPhone 7, which is actually above the 4% planning to purchase the iPhone 6 in our February 2014 survey,” Power said in a research report. “An additional 14% are maybes, vs. 13% two years ago.” Baird surveyed 1,000 people in a U.S. online poll. “Notably, interest was greatest among recent iPhone purchasers, reflecting the ongoing upgrade opportunity,” Power said. “We view the results as directionally positive, particularly given the recent growth concerns.” About 21% of iPhone 6 and 6S owners plan to purchase an iPhone 7, the survey showed. That compares with 18% of iPhone 5S owners and 10% of iPhone 5 and 5C owners who plan to purchase the iPhone 7, Power said. Investors are concerned about Apple’s growth prospects, especially with iPhone sales poised to fall for the first time on a year-over-year basis this quarter. Also Tuesday, UBS analyst Steven Milunovich maintained his buy rating on Apple stock, with a 12-month price target of 120. And Drexel Hamilton analyst Brian White on Tuesday reiterated his buy rating on Apple stock, with a price target of 200. “With a recent earnings reset, a new iPhone cycle on the horizon with the iPhone 7, the ramp of Apple Watch, the potential for increased levels of cash paid out to shareholders and new geographic opportunities (e.g., India), we believe Apple represents one of the best values in the tech world,” White said in a report. RELATED: Apple iPhone Sales In China Fall Off Cliff In January Morgan Stanley Says Apple Stock Ripe For Picking Apple Poised To Disappoint With March Product-Launch Event . Scalper1 News
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