Is Apple going big with the iPhone while others go small?

After a photo and more details of the HTC One Mini appeared last night, I posted some thoughts on these new small Androids and speculated that we might be seeing a trend to people using a smaller phone and a compact tablet. A short time later, Reuters posted that cheap iphone 4 cases could be considering 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch displays for the next iPhone.

Before an actual iPhone announcement, there will be a ton of speculation, and it is not unexpected that Apple is looking at all sorts of different sizes and designs. The iPhone 5 has a 4-inch display and I personally find the size nearly perfect for one-handed use while still being large enough for apps to be very usable.

I do like large phones and would probably purchase a larger iPhone, but there is still something to be said for having a device small enough to use with one hand and fit into the pocket of any person. I am not convinced that Apple will jump from 4 inches all the way up to 4.7 or 5.7 inches.

Apple already has a solution for those looking to spend more time browsing the Internet and enjoying video content on a larger display in the iPad Mini. If Apple decides to launch a large display iPhone, I think they need to still offer a 4-inch model.

I personally would like to see improvements in the camera (better low-light performance), longer battery life, NFC, and continued metal construction. Actually, it is tough for me to come up with too many improvements in the iPhone, but I would love to hear what else people think can be done to improve cheap iphone 4s cases smartphone.

Apple is reportedly looking at launching inexpensive iPhone models in various colors to hit emerging markets as well has smartphones with larger screens.According to Reuters, Apple is exploring colors and screen sizes to diversify its iPhone line-up. Analysts note that Apple will pursue a "good/better/best" segmentation for its iPhone lineup.desSDds34

Sound familiar? It should. apple accessories seems to be planning to model its iPhone sales model after what it did with the iPod. Low-end devices like the Shuffle pave the way for a mid-range device such as the nano and ultimately get you to an iPod touch. The iPad with the addition of the mini is getting a similar set-up.

Reuters' report, like previous ones highlighting a cheap iPhone play, note that product plans for Apple may change. For instance, Apple may look at a 4.7-inch screen iPhone and a 5.7-inch screen. Apple may want to take a wait-and-see approach with the large screen sizes. Anecdotally, I've heard at least a dozen people buy the Samsung Galaxy S4 and note that the screen is too big. Samsung's Galaxy Mini may offset those concerns.

What's unclear about Apple's plan is how it will affect profit margins. Cheap and colorful iPhones will inevitably cannibalize sales on the higher-end version. best iphone 4s accessories could make up the difference on volume, but maybe not. Regardless, Apple needs an inexpensive phone to compete in emerging markets like China and India.

At AllThingsD's D11 conference, Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that the iPhone hasn't replicated the iPod market segmentation model "yet."