New rumors indicate that Apple is planning on launching a smaller variant of its upcoming flagship smartphone.

According to various sources, the iPhone 7C will serve as the 4-inch variant of the iPhone 7.

The latest leaks regarding the names of the upcoming devices contradict previous rumors about Apple's future devices.

Previously, it was speculated that the Cupertino-based tech giant is gearing up for the launch of the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus in September. But now, sources are suggesting that Apple's upcoming flagship device will be the iPhone 7, Master Herald reported.

In addition, according to The Week, Taiwanese news site Economic Daily News noted that Apple has approached manufacturing company AUO to create 4-inch screens. Based the report, these small screens will be used on a variant for the iPhone 7.

According to Economic Daily News' report, AUO will start manufacturing the small displays sometime during the first quarter of this year. This suggests that Apple might introduce the upcoming handset before this year ends.

As for its design, the news site mentioned that the iPhone 7C will look like the iPhone 5C, which is the smaller version of the iPhone 5. The main difference, however, is that the iPhone 7C will sport a fingerprint scanner.

It is not yet confirmed if the iPhone 7C will also have Force Touch technology, which reportedly will be a key feature in Apple's next flagship device. This tech, which was first featured in the Apple Watch, provides users with a wide range of pressure-based control options.

Aside from the 4-inch variant, it is also rumored that Apple will launch a bigger version of the iPhone 7, which is dubbed as the iPhone 7 Plus.

Like in previous leaks, the new information regarding the iPhone 7C and its flagship counterpart are all based on rumors. Apple has not yet released an official statement as to when its latest smartphones will be launched or what their official names will be.