Mockups of a 4.94-Inch 'iPhone Plus' Show Why a Larger iPhone Might Make Sense

[MacRumors]

Amid rumors of a significantly larger "iPhone Math", Instapaper developer Marco Arment has spent time developing some speculation and a few mockups showing how Apple could achieve an iPhone with a nearly 5-inch without disrupting the existing app ecosystem.

The recently rumored, larger-screened "iPhone Math", or more likely "iPhone Plus", is plausible as an additional model (not a replacement) alongside the 4" iPhone. And there's a good chance that it would have a 4.94", 16:9 screen.

The theory is easy to understand: perform John Gruber's Mini-predicting math backwards. The iPad Mini uses iPhone 3GS-density screens at iPad resolution. What if an iPhone Plus used Retina iPad screens with iPhone 5 resolution, keeping the rest of the design sized like an iPhone 5?

In the scenario put forth by Arment, an 1136x640 screen matching the iPhone 5's resolution but blown up to the Retina iPad's 264 pixels-per-inch resolution would measure 4.94 inches diagonally.

Left to right: iPhone 5, Galaxy S III, "iPhone Plus", Galaxy Note II

Arment notes that such an iPhone Plus maintaining the same relative proportions as the iPhone 5 but with the larger screen would measure somewhere between the Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Note II, but that Apple would likely be able to trim down the chin and forehead of the device somewhat to bring the device closer to the Galaxy S III's overall size.

At an iPad-like pixel density of 264 ppi, Apple could have a hard time positioning the iPhone Plus as a Retina device given that a phone is assumed to be held closer to the eye than a tablet, but some consumers may still prefer the option of having a larger screen to offer more flexibility such as being able to zoom out further on text or view small text with the device held further from the eye.

Arment offers several other mockups showing what Apple's iOS device lineup would look like with a larger iPhone in it, as well as how users could take advantage of smaller font sizes on the larger screen to show more text.

Article Link: Mockups of a 4.94-Inch 'iPhone Plus' Show Why a Larger iPhone Might Make Sense

[mcfrazieriv]

Why did anyone actually waste their time in making these composites?

Added:
Originally Posted by burnside: "Why did you waste your time with that comment?"

Because it isn't a waste of time to stop and wonder why people would take time to do what has historically not worked in the past? Apple nearly died when they decided that innovation wasn't as important as providing choice. Remember the early 90's when there were so many Apple models that had only one or two differences and how each of these models clouded/confused the customer?

[ECUpirate44]

4" is here to stay for a while.

[Michael Scrip]

I'll get one

[impulse462]

4.2" seems like the sweet spot to me. Anything above 4.5" is just too large for a phone imo.

[Dr McKay]

Originally Posted by impulse462

4.2" seems like the sweet spot to me. Anything above 4.5" is just too large for a phone imo.

Yes I dont know how I cope walking about with this Plasma TV in my pocket. Look how dinky the iPhone 5 looks next to it.

[burnside]

Originally Posted by Dr McKay

Yes I dont know how I cope walking about with this Plasma TV in my pocket. Look how dinky the iPhone 5 looks next to it.

Image

LMAO. I like the 4" screen, but I would not hesitate to see how a near 5" screen iPhone would be. I've handled the Galaxy Note and thought it was too big, but a Galaxy sized iPhone might be something I can get used to.

[macse30]

Math sucks

[shurcooL]

Originally Posted by burnside

I've handled the Galaxy Note and thought it was too big, but a Galaxy sized iPhone might be something I can get used to.

I've handled a Galaxy Note 2 and I thought it was too small. I ended up buying iPad mini. It's slightly too big, but much better than the way too small iPhone 3GS I had before.

[dreadnort]

Originally Posted by burnside

LMAO. I like the 4" screen, but I would not hesitate to see how a near 5" screen iPhone would be. I've handled the Galaxy Note and thought it was too big, but a Galaxy sized iPhone might be something I can get used to.

This makes no sense

A galaxy note is to big but an iphone the same size as the galaxy would be ok

[Mactendo]

Originally Posted by Dr McKay

Yes I dont know how I cope walking about with this Plasma TV in my pocket. Look how dinky the iPhone 5 looks next to it.

Image

To each his own.

[Trius]

All the people that instantly bash the idea crack me up.. If/When Apple releases a larger iPhone, you'll buy it just like everyone else..

[olegandbuster25]

Originally Posted by Dr McKay

Yes I dont know how I cope walking about with this Plasma TV in my pocket. Look how dinky the iPhone 5 looks next to it.

Image

i dont see anything dinky. for one your image on the iphone is on safari so the lower bar makes the image look smaller as to where on your phone the icons overlap your image. also the huge black buttons underneath the screen have and effect of making your screen look bigger but its not any taller than the iphones, its just really wide... which looks awfully hard to use with one hand...

sticking with the 5

[H2SO4]

Originally Posted by Dr McKay

Yes I dont know how I cope walking about with this Plasma TV in my pocket. Look how dinky the iPhone 5 looks next to it.

Image

Are the aspect ratios the same? If not you're comparing Apples with bananas.

[Jaro65]

Originally Posted by Dr McKay

Yes I dont know how I cope walking about with this Plasma TV in my pocket. Look how dinky the iPhone 5 looks next to it.

Image

I wish the phone on the left was made by Apple. I would buy it. It is sad how Samsung can offer such a diverse set of products, while Apple cannot offer even a relatively basic product differentiation (and no, having a 3.5" and 4" screens doesn't count).

----------

Originally Posted by Sy7ygy

A phone is supposed to be a ultra-portable, pocket sized device, not a tablet which TBH I concede 5" as.

A phone is supposed to be what a customer wants it to be. If there are enough customers, a manufacturer should cater to their needs. Samsung does that; Apple does not. Samsung's gain is Apple's loss.

[mabhatter]

Originally Posted by impulse462

4.2" seems like the sweet spot to me. Anything above 4.5" is just too large for a phone imo.

Just add a phone speaker and mic to the iPad mini and call it good. Then Apple will have an iPhone BIGGER than the Galaxy Note!!!! And they won't even need a new product.

I'm holding out for the iCarly-style pearpad .. The one that has a 24" screen!!!

[adder7712]

Originally Posted by impulse462

4.2" seems like the sweet spot to me. Anything above 4.5" is just too large for a phone imo.

A Galaxy S III can comfortably sit in my jeans pocket.

Oh, I'm not wearing skinny jeans so it would fit.

[iGrip]

Originally Posted by impulse462

4.2" seems like the sweet spot to me. Anything above 4.5" is just too large for a phone imo.

Anything bigger than 3.5 inches is WAY too big to fit into a pocket, unless you are one of those Android freaks who have clown pants and a man purse.

[Xiroteus]

Originally Posted by iGrip

Anything bigger than 3.5 inches is WAY too big to fit into a pocket, unless you are one of those Android freaks who have clown pants and a man purse.

Cargo pants! The mans or woman's answer to a purse.

[cwwilson]

Originally Posted by iGrip

Anything bigger than 3.5 inches is WAY too big to fit into a pocket, unless you are one of those Android freaks who have clown pants and a man purse.

My phone is 4.8" and it fits fine in every day jeans. What you said is highly ignorant and may god help your poor soul.

[k995]

Originally Posted by iGrip

Anything bigger than 3.5 inches is WAY too big to fit into a pocket, unless you are one of those Android freaks who have clown pants and a man purse.

You mean : " unless you wear sissy skinny jeans any smartphone from 3.5 to 5" will fit a jeans pocket"

[mikeorchard]

Originally Posted by jvmxtra

Just look at they number for Sammy. S3 and note 2

Yes there are lot of lost opportunity by not offering multiple sizes
Look at the stock. End of discussion

That argument is invalid though, because Samsung don't offer a device with the same specifications as the S3 and Note 2 in a smaller size. You have no reference point to compare the sales figures. People buying the S3 and other large Android cannot be construed to mean that there is demand for large phones, because smaller iPhones are still selling by the millions too. It simply means that well specced Android phones are selling well, it just so happens that the best specced Android phones all have large screens. If Samsung made a 4" phone with the specs of the S3, I'm guessing it would sell equally as well.

Originally Posted by k995

You mean : " unless you wear sissy skinny jeans any smartphone from 3.5 to 5" will fit a jeans pocket"

I wear regular jeans and sitting down the HTC One X in my pocket wasn't as comfortable and I was always aware of it's presence. With the iPhone 5, I can't tell it's there unless it vibrates or rings.

[nburwell]

Originally Posted by impulse462

4.2" seems like the sweet spot to me. Anything above 4.5" is just too large for a phone imo.

Agreed. I mean we are talking about a PHONE here. I really hate that Android phones are starting to look like tablets. 4" is a good enough screen size for the iPhone. I don't play any games, so I guess if I did, I wouldn't be so opposed to having a bigger screen.

[Xiroteus]

Originally Posted by nburwell

Agreed. I mean we are talking about a PHONE here. I really hate that Android phones are starting to look like tablets. 4" is a good enough screen size for the iPhone. I don't play any games, so I guess if I did, I wouldn't be so opposed to having a bigger screen.

It is also for watching hours and hours of movies! (sarcastic)

I will use my iphone for some you tube, that is a few minutes here or there, the only real time I would use it for a movie is if the power is out and I want something to do.

[nburwell]

Originally Posted by Xiroteus

It is also for watching hours and hours of movies! (sarcastic)

I will use my iphone for some you tube, that is a few minutes here or there, the only real time I would use it for a movie is if the power is out and I want something to do.

I do watch an ocassional YouTube video on my phone. But in no way does my iPhone hinder me from watching it. I don't think I could watch a movie on my phone. My eyes are bad enough as it is.