3G iPhone to have smaller screen???

[ncsmith4]

So Ive been reading around the rumor sites that the new 3G iPhone will have a 2.8" screen as opposed to the current 3.5" screen.

Does anyone know any reason why Apple would do this? It seems contrary to the direction that iPhone was taking the industry. Why would Apple want to make videos *smaller*? And the on-screen keyboard *smaller*? And the internet *smaller*?

It seems like a really stupid and lame move to me. Anyone else think so? Or would you be just fine with 2.8?

[sowlerrmgh]

It would be really stupid to do that which is why i doubt it is true

[wolfpackfan]

My preference would be the smaller form factor even at the expense of a smaller screen.

[kdarling]

Common speculation is...

If the 2.8" was not just a typo, then perhaps more than one new model is coming.

For example, a GPS biz model, the current one, and a smaller, simpler one.

I'm thinking typo myself. Many other phones are 2.8, so it would be an easy mistake to make.

[cheekybobcat]

I hope the screen stays the same. The large screen is much of the novelty of the iPhone.

[ncsmith4]

For example, a GPS biz model, the current one, and a smaller, simpler one.

Id like that plan. I'll take the new 3G/GPS one.

[SFC Archer]

I find this rumor highly unlikly!!! Why would Steve/Apple cut there own throats with manufactures creating accessories, docks, cases, radios for his product? All of these companies out there have adopted the iPhone and have major manufacturing investments going...if Apple were to change the physical size, what and how would these companies respond? "Oh, I see apple wants to be loner's and do their own thing...ok, we just won't create anything for the iPhone because he will just change it again and we will loose millions" No, I just don't think it will happen. If Apple was goingt to change the physical aspect of the iPhone then there would be an earlier announcement so that these manufacturers could re-tool and have basic accessories ready for the release of....say Generation 3 iphone.

I just think there are too many hoax's out there right now to set anything in stone until Steve says so. He is probably rolling around the office everyday laughing his ass off at all of these wild speculations, saying to himself "if they only really knew" IMHO...don't believe or trust in anything written in these blogs or predicted by those that are just looking for the lucky guess to be able to say "i told ya so" I guess we can all just keep dreaming and speculating and we won't know what is factual until iDay2!

[newyorksole]

How are people supposed to type on these "smaller" iphones you are talking about? Apple wouldn't make the screen smaller and if they do it won't be significantly smaller.

[Tom B.]

I wouldn't completely discount this rumour yet.

My guess is that this is not the 2nd generation iPhone with 3G, GPS etc, but an iPhone mini/nano. If Apple really want to take a huge chunk of the mobile phone market, a smaller, cheaper, pay-as-you-go iPhone is necessary. I'd buy one.

There's a good article about on iLounge about it: Shrinking iPhone, Shrinking Interface: The Issues (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/backstage/comments/shrinking-iphone-shrinking-interface-the-issues/)

Here is a comparison picture of a current iPhone and a 2.8" screen version:

http://www.ilounge.com/assets/images/backstage_iphone28/1.jpg

_________________

Why would Steve/Apple cut there own throats with manufactures creating accessories, docks, cases, radios for his product? All of these companies out there have adopted the iPhone and have major manufacturing investments going... if Apple were to change the physical size, what and how would these companies respond? "Oh, I see apple wants to be loner's and do their own thing... ok, we just won't create anything for the iPhone because he will just change it again and we will loose millions" No, I just don't think it will happen. If Apple was going to change the physical aspect of the iPhone then there would be an earlier announcement.

Have you heard of the iPod?

[mark34]

Not sure the case mfg's would be very upset. Would still have many to sell for current iPhone owners and then would get replacement sales as those same people buy new versions. Mkt would be pretty saturated without new designs for these people.

[ncsmith4]

I find this rumor highly unlikly!!! Why would Steve/Apple cut there own throats with manufactures creating accessories, docks, cases, radios for his product? All of these companies out there have adopted the iPhone and have major manufacturing investments going...if Apple were to change the physical size, what and how would these companies respond? "Oh, I see apple wants to be loner's and do their own thing...ok, we just won't create anything for the iPhone because he will just change it again and we will loose millions"

Well, they change iPod size and styles almost every year. Laptop sizes change too. The accessory makes have to retool and move on. Im not saying iPhone is gonna get smaller. Im just saying that sizes DO change.

How are people supposed to type on these "smaller" iphones you are talking about? Apple wouldn't make the screen smaller and if they do it won't be significantly smaller.

Thats kinda my point. Id *hate* a smaller keyboard. The one they have now is pretty perfect. I wouldnt want anything smaller...

[SFC Archer]

Not sure the case mfg's would be very upset. Would still have many to sell for current iPhone owners and then would get replacement sales as those same people buy new versions. Mkt would be pretty saturated without new designs for these people.

Who's going to buy a discontinued model?
Who wil buy all of those cases, docks and radio's that no longer support a discontinued model?
What will these manufactures do with the stock they have that no one would buy?
Why would they bother creating something new for a new phone that wasn't announced wondering if the same thing is going to happen the following year?
Remember Apple has never made cell phones before...they have no presidence in this market to rely on from this company. They can only surmize, as I have that they will treat the iPhone releases along the same lines as the iPods. I'm sorry but IMHO Generation 2 iPhone will not change physically other then maybe color, but not shape or size. Its all a rumor!

[SFC Archer]

Well, they change iPod size and styles almost every year. Laptop sizes change too. The accessory makes have to retool and move on. Im not saying iPhone is gonna get smaller. Im just saying that sizes DO change.

I disagree...the original iPods were still out there when they created a new generation. Then they had 2 generations still going when the shuffle was released. When the new Nano was released there were still original iPods still being produced. Not once did a previous generation just STOP and disappear without older models still being produced. They will not just stop this style of iPhone...they will update and "Maybe" release another size with the upgraded...but they are not going to just change the physical characteristics of the the one and only model.

[Tom B.]

When the new Nano was released there were still original iPods still being produced. Not once did a previous generation just STOP and disappear without older models still being produced.

Sorry, but you are wrong. When the iPod nano was announced, the iPod mini was discontinued instantly. And each time a new nano was announced, the previous versions were also discontinued instantly. The same is true of all of the shuffles, and most other iPods,.

[kdarling]

How are people supposed to type on these "smaller" iphones you are talking about?

I still think it's a typo, but...

Most current WM phones are 2.8" and their iPhone-clone keyboards work just fine.

Remember, that's diagonal size. The width drops from 2" to a little over 1-3/4". Not so much, plus you can always flip and go horizontal.

[SFC Archer]

Sorry, but you are wrong. When the iPod nano was announced, the iPod mini was discontinued instantly. And each time a new nano was announced, the previous versions were also discontinued instantly.

I am truly sorry to disappoint you my friend. Please go to this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod and scroll down to where it discuss's model. It will show you that there are 5 Generations of classic....ALL THE SAME PHYSICAL SIZE...which is what I have been discussing (physical changes as in size)

2 generations of Mini replace by the Nano for two more generations...ALL THE SAME PHYSICAL SIZE. 3rd Generation of Nano was change physically.

The shuffle was the only one that changed physically between generations.

And to further state my case...at NO TIME did they stop ALL models of the iPOD to affect manufacturing of accessories and everything was adaptable in most cases to other generations.

There is ONE model of iPhone and in my opinion they will not change the physical charecteristics of the first generation based on presidence.

[Tom B.]

...there are 5 Generations of classic....ALL THE SAME PHYSICAL SIZE...which is what I have been discussing (physical changes as in size)

Thickness?


2 generations of Mini replace by the Nano for two more generations...ALL THE SAME PHYSICAL SIZE. 3rd Generation of Nano was change physically.


Hard cases had to be changed.

Anyway, I was saying you were wrong to say "Not once did a previous generation just STOP and disappear without older models still being produced." I never said that every iPod is physically very different to the previous one.

[SFC Archer]

Thickness?



Hard cases had to be changed.

Anyway, I was saying you were wrong to say "Not once did a previous generation just STOP and disappear without older models still being produced." I never said that every iPod is physically very different to the previous one.

However, if you remember my first post was to the manufacture of accessories and that those accessories would still carry over to the next generation and work/fit which with that in mind would not affect manufacture concern because the products they had could still be sold.

Look at the timeline below the models. Not once did a change over occur that would just stop and not have another model or generation to cover/produce for. With the iPhone this is not possible and again, I do not in my opinion think steve would do that to manufactures of products for his products. Your right "Hard Cases had to be changed" But while they were changing for one model/generation the others were still there to be manufactured for. When the classic got thicker, there were still the original thinner ones to hold the manufactures to a business standard and profit. With the iPhone this is not possible, they would take an immediate loss on everything in stock with no notice on conversion specs for the new product to begin building a new product to allow for the overlap to cover the loss.

[Michael CM1]

I am truly sorry to disappoint you my friend. Please go to this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod and scroll down to where it discuss's model. It will show you that there are 5 Generations of classic....ALL THE SAME PHYSICAL SIZE...which is what I have been discussing (physical changes as in size)

2 generations of Mini replace by the Nano for two more generations...ALL THE SAME PHYSICAL SIZE. 3rd Generation of Nano was change physically.

The shuffle was the only one that changed physically between generations.

And to further state my case...at NO TIME did they stop ALL models of the iPOD to affect manufacturing of accessories and everything was adaptable in most cases to other generations.

There is ONE model of iPhone and in my opinion they will not change the physical charecteristics of the first generation based on presidence.

If you stopped letting Wikipedia do all your thinking, go back and look at every iPod Classic generation. Every model varied in thickness. Shoot, just go look at the 80GB vs. 160GB model for sale now. Considering most cases are custom fit, this means there are new cases about every year.

Same thing goes with Mini-Nano. The Nano was thinner than the Mini.

As someone who tried to buy a case for my 5G iPod just after it came out, NO THE OLD CASES DIDN'T JUST WORK WITH THE NEWER MODELS. The same will be true with my Incase Slider for iPhone if the 3G model gets thicker or thinner.

[ncsmith4]

Id be willing to bet all my Apple stock that the 3G iPhone will vary in at least 1mm in any of the dimensions, making 1st generation iPhone cases (hard shell ones at least) not fit.

[SFC Archer]

If you stopped letting Wikipedia do all your thinking, go back and look at every iPod Classic generation. Every model varied in thickness. Shoot, just go look at the 80GB vs. 160GB model for sale now. Considering most cases are custom fit, this means there are new cases about every year.

Same thing goes with Mini-Nano. The Nano was thinner than the Mini.

As someone who tried to buy a case for my 5G iPod just after it came out, NO THE OLD CASES DIDN'T JUST WORK WITH THE NEWER MODELS. The same will be true with my Incase Slider for iPhone if the 3G model gets thicker or thinner.

VERY VERY Good! However...While Belkin (for example) was retooling for one replaced generation of iPod....They were still MANUFACTURING for a different model of iPOD...God how can u all be this dense. They were also able to cover down and use the same ACCESSORIES that they made other then cases because they were all interchangeable. THERE IS ONLY ONE IPHONE, nothing interchanges or substitute for those manufactures to cover while they retool. GOD, why do people have to be so stubborn....IMO, the iPHONE will NOT Change in physical shape/size for Generation 2...I dont care what you all think!

[ncsmith4]

They can still create cases for those that still have iPhone v1. But v2 will probably change shape.

Accessories will work because they rely on the dock connector. Unless they also rely on the iPhone "shape." Most manufacturers of iPod accessories (like speakers and whatnot) will accomodate for that by having a little plastic interchangeable thing. Like these (http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_imagead&t=reviews&id=984&img=http://www.pocketnow.com/html/portal/reviews/0000000984/review/Altec%20Lansing%20iMV712%203%20800.jpg). If they dont accommodate for possible future size changes, theyre ASKING for trouble. ALL of the iPods in the past have changed shape. A millimeter here, a millimeter there.

[Tom B.]

VERY VERY Good! However...While Belkin (for example) was retooling for one replaced generation of iPod....They were still MANUFACTURING for a different model of iPOD...God how can u all be this dense. They were also able to cover down and use the same ACCESSORIES that they made other then cases because they were all interchangeable. THERE IS ONLY ONE IPHONE, nothing interchanges or substitute for those manufactures to cover while they retool. GOD, why do people have to be so stubborn....IMO, the iPHONE will NOT Change in physical shape/size for Generation 2...I dont care what you all think!

Yes, yes, yes, we get your point, however, Apple do not owe anything to the accessory manufacturers, Apple can do whatever they want. Yes the accessory companies will be annoyed, but the iPhone is such a lucrative market for them, they will just have to get over it and carry on making new stuff for every new iPhone.

[SFC Archer]

Yes, yes, yes, we get your point, however, Apple do not owe anything to the accessory manufacturers, Apple can do whatever they want. Yes the accessory companies will be annoyed, but the iPhone is such a lucrative market for them, they will just have to get over it and carry on making new stuff for every new iPhone.

Finally...whew....I never said that apple owes anyone anything and I know that they can do anything they want...they do it everyday.

My whole point and it is in every post in this thread is that this is MY OPINION...no fact, nothing in stone, just an opinion using a little bit of common sense and information. If you all want to argue over an opinion then go for it. However, my opinion can neither be right or wrong anymore then the blogs that post a new sized iPhone or one that has this or that...its all conjecture based on hearsay and the same type of opinion based on other opinions.

No ONE and I repeat NO ONE knows anything that is factual about the release of iPhone Generation 2 until the day that Steve or Apple rep says what will be released. We can all sit here day in and day out debating, arguing or just plain making fools of ourselves while steve rolls on the floor laughing at all of the predictions. Only an elite few know when, where, what, why and how this new product will come to be.

So in the meantime, I will continue to state my opinion just as much as others state theirs. I will continue to use MR as my IA sessions and release my pent up waiting agressions on those that which to debate :D

[Sean Dempsey]

There's no chance that a 3.5" iphone won't be available after the next "big update."

The iPhone sales are amazing. No one is not buying it because it's too big. There is no strategic reason to offer only a smaller screen version.

Maybe the iphone nano would work. But still, there's no chance they're shrinking the main phones screen.

[Tom B.]

This is interesting:

Remember last year, when a little-known company named Uniea announced new iPod nano cases—with correct physical dimensions—before the new iPod nano was ever shown? As we mentioned shortly afterwards, readers were quick to slam Uniea and its mock-ups, but the cases proved perfect fits when the new nano was released. Now, there are all sorts of friend-of-a-friend stories swirling around about the second-generation iPhone, and perhaps not surprisingly, they contradict one another. Yesterday, a Taiwanese newspaper claimed Hon Hai/Foxconn was making an iPhone with a 2.8” screen, which would present certain major interface challenges given the way the current iPhone works, and might well be a “mini” iPhone rather than a full sequel to the current model. Additionally, like you, we’ve heard about another model that is supposedly coming soon, and sounds more like a true next-generation iPhone. Companies overseas have already started working on products for this one, which is basically the same size as the current iPhone, but has slightly different curves, coloration, and materials. Specs for either or both of these models could be nothing more than disinformation put out to burn developers, but they could also be correct. In any case, here are the details they’re working from:
http://www.ilounge.com/images/uploads/iphone2.jpg
Developers believe that the “glossy black plastic iPhone” details that have been circulating are partially accurate. When you first hear the word “plastic,” you tend to think “cheap,” but the premise here appears to be to approximate the look of metal through automobile-style gloss, while eliminating the presence of matte plastics and metal found in the original iPhone. The rear shell becomes larger, with the hard aluminum casing disappearing entirely, but a silver metallic bezel remains on the front—just much thinner than before. Once flat on both the back and front, the enclosure now is tapered like a MacBook Air, thicker at the center than at the sides. From the side, top, or bottom, the curves and proportions look more Blackberry than iPhone, but from the front, the new model looks basically unchanged from its predecessor. Perforated bottom speaker and microphone grilles have been transformed into larger shapes alongside the Dock Connector, as well.

While the screen size stays the same in this model—3.5” diagonal, with 3” height and 2” width, some currently unexplained changes are made around the ear speaker. On iPhone, a proximity sensor and ambient light sensor sat above this speaker; the new version has what appear to be three separate sensors, or two sensors and a tiny second camera—the original camera stays where it was. Though it would be great to picture this new dot as a video iChat-ready camera location, it’s entirely possible that this is nothing more than a rearrangement of the proximity sensor array. And colors? Glossy black or white backs are apparently locks, with a red version possible, too. Each would have the same silver bezel on front, and substantially black material surrounding the screen.

Of course, only Apple and its key partners know if any of this is correct, but some companies are assuming that it is. It’ll be interesting to see whether they’re right, and new cases begin to appear immediately after iPhone’s launch, or whether a multi-month delay is in store.
Link (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/backstage/comments/the-other-new-iphone/).

Also, this too:

Apple's plans iPhone diversity for June
Apple’s iPhone plans continue to leak, or so it seems as the pre-June rumour mill continues to drive through the gears - now a new report claims we’re going to see not one, not two but three different models of the device.
These reports confirm our earlier “Apple plots iPhone diversity roadmap” story, which claimed Apple plans to diversify its iPhone product range in order to widen its reach in the mobile phone market.
The latest leak comes from the Taiwan Economic News, which claims three models of the iPhone may appear. The first will be a smaller, lighter handset with a plastic rather than aluminium magnesium case.
This device will weigh just 110-120g, less than the 135g weight of the current model. It will also offer a 2.8-inch screen, rather than the 3.5-inch screen currently offered on the iPhone.
The smaller model won’t offer 3G support. Instead, Apple intends selling a higher-specified iPhone equipped with such support. This handset will also offer GPS and will have a larger case, presumably more or less the same dimensions as the existing handset.
Finally, Apple plans to maintain its current generation iPhone as a third middle option.
“Components suppliers in Asia pointed out that Apple has asked them to ready materials for the new phones by the end of next month. They are asked to deliver components enough for 300,000 phones in the initial stage and components enough for three million phones in June,” reports the Taiwan Economic News.
Multiple rumours meanwhile suggest Apple will also mark June’s introduction of the new generation iPhones - and the next version of the software that runs all iPhones - with a widespread launch of the device to multiple companies, perhaps on a carrier-agnostic sales model.
Australia, South America, Canada, India, Russia, many European states, Korea and more all seem set to see the product launch, perhaps as part of an overweaning push to help Apple secure the level of sales it requires in order to meet its ten million sales target by the end of the financial year.
Link (http://www.9to5mac.com/apple_plans_three_iphone_models). 9to5Mac have got a lot right in the past, so I wonder how reliable this is? I certainly hope it is true.