There are plenty of cases where it's way more convenient to use a cell phone one handed. Airports are a prime example - luggage is in one hand, phone in the other checking flight information, rental car phone number/location, hotel map, all sorts of stuff. Siri can't find that information for you at all.
That being said, I do think a 4.3-4.5" phone would strike a nice compromise between relatively easy one-handed use and a more usable screen. With apple it's usually "our way or the highway", but unless apple wants a repeat of the 80s and 90s, they'll need to bring out some different form factors to compete.
Would you hate it if Apple released a bigger screen phone than 5?I would hate to have a bigger screen than the 5.
Wider is the way to go, truth to this is found in Reviews regarding the new iPad mini. The iPad mini has been said to have a perfect size screen when viewing content and playing Multitouch games. It has a better screen resolution as compared to it competitor. The iPad 3 and 4 have gorgeous Retina displays. Why not produce iPhone 5S with the same screen dimension as the iPad so we can enjoy our digital media we've purchased from Apple to have that same comfort level we get from the iPad?
The only two questions I have are:
1. am I the only one thinking topicstarter has no clue of what he wants?
2. am I the only one thinking topicstarter doesn't even own an iPhone?
p.s. the OP blew my brain to small pieces
I will preface this by saying that I've owned every iPhone since the 3gs, and currently am a very happy iPhone 5 user.
Apple will release an iphone w/ a screen larger than 4". my guess is that there will eventually be two or more iphone sizes to choose from. Maybe have a 3.7-4" size around, but add a 4.3-4.5" display too. Apple can get away with providing a one-size-fits-all iPhone right now, but with the acceleration and growth of android and their bright super-sized displays, iPhones become a harder sell when most smartphone these days involves lots of web browsing and media consumption - it's just easier and more comfortable on a larger display. The key is that android has made some huge improvements over the last few years, and it's only going to get smoother and more robust. When you add to that the huge cost differential (see: Nexus 4), options and choices in screen sizes and form factors, apple's iPhone will lose some of its luster.
I think the apple brand is beginning to lose a little bit of its cachet - after all - seems like everyone and their mother has an iPhone already. They still have their ecosystem of great apps going for them, but that won't last forever. Apple isn't stupid - there was market pressure for smaller, lighter, and cheaper tablets, hence now we have the iPad mini. If Apple wants to stay competitive with Android down the road, they need to release an iPhone with a larger screen. The question is not if, it's when.
I've never understood the obsession with using a smartphone one handed. Sure there are moments when one of your hands is occupied but even then if you're on the run what besides a quick text or return a phone call will you be doing? Not to mention that SIRI should allow you to use your iPhone one handed to your hearts content. Anything that you would normally do one handed you should easily be able to accomplish using SIRI. If not now then in the future making the one handed use argument irrelevant.
I really like my iPhone 5 but the screen size is awkward and lacking IMO. I also believe that eventually Apple will release a larger screen. Like an earlier poster said I think they will have to to continue competing with Android and even possibly Microsoft in the future.
Apple's next iPhone needs to make my hands larger.
This thread has solved everyones question. Will Apple make a screen larger than 4 inches? Its clear now that the answer is a big NO. Through this thread and many other threads is it easy to see that ~30% want it larger and ~70% like the 4 inch screen or want it smaller. Therefore Apple imo will never (at least not until 80%+ want a bigger screen) increase the screen size as it would benefit the minority. I believe the responses in this thread have shown that at 4 inches Apple is pleasing the majority. If you guys are hoping for them to increase the screen size in two years (I6), don't hold your hopes up. I personally think 4 inches is perfect and is the largest you can go with using it with one thumb.
Interesting.
Where are you getting your % split figures from ?