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MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,194
30,135



iphone-5-in-hand.jpg
There have been a growing number of reports that Apple is working on a larger form factor iPhone, presumably to better compete with the wide variety of Android devices currently available. Based on those rumors, there have been also been a number of speculative articles on exactly how Apple might adapt iOS to handle the increase in screen size.

The predominant theory suggests that Apple will simply scale up the existing 4-inch iPhone 5 screen to nearly 5 inches. This would result in a display with the same 1136x640 resolution of the iPhone 5 but with a lower pixel density. The pixel density would drop from 326 pixels per inch (ppi) to 264 ppi, which conveniently matches up with the screen density of the full-sized iPad.

While lowering the pixel density of the iPhone has led some to question whether Apple could continue using "Retina" display marketing, it does seem like a reasonable strategy that would allow Apple to increase display size without introducing yet another screen resolution to complicate app developers' work. To date, Apple has been very cautious about introducing new screen resolutions to minimize fragmentation. The other added financial and logistical benefit of using a 264-ppi screen is that Apple can continue to use the same screen production facilities and processes that are currently being used for the full-sized iPad screens.

Another objection centers around the fact that increasing the screen size while maintaining the same resolution does not provide any more viewable area. This is not entirely true, however, as some features such as text with multiple font size options could be used to show more content on the screen at a given time despite the identical resolution.

In order to provide a sense of how a 5-inch iPhone would feel in the hand and to show how the physically larger interface would appear in person, we've commissioned CiccareseDesign to create a papercraft mockup of a device based primarily on the design of the iPhone 5 but with the larger (almost) 5-inch display (PDF 1, PDF 2). We performed a similar exercise for the rumored 7" iPad that did provide a very accurate representation of the screen size of the then-unreleased iPad mini.

Our new mockup can be printed out at 100% scale (example), trimmed, and folded to provide a three-dimensional paper version of the 5-inch iPhone. Readers can then see how a 5-inch iPhone would fit in their hands and get a feel for the size of the icons and other interface elements at the larger size. We've also included a separate printable PDF (100% scale) of screenshots from several different apps at the larger size to help users gauge usability at that size.

In our testing, we felt that the larger iPhone fits surprisingly well in our hands. However, the ability to operate the device with one hand is significantly compromised compared to the iPhone 5. Whereas the iPhone 5 requires very little stretching to reach the opposite top corner of the screen with our thumbs, the 5-inch screen would definitely be a two-handed device for most apps. The included screenshots also show off existing apps that have been automatically scaled up to full size, resulting in tap-targets that are larger than on the iPhone 5. Developers could eventually offer different sizes for interface elements and font-scaling options.

So far, the 5-inch iPhone is believed to be in prototype form, and the latest reports have suggested we are unlikely to see it in 2013.

Article Link: Try the 5-Inch iPhone Experience with this Printable Papercraft Model
 

mouser45

macrumors member
Jan 27, 2013
33
0
At this point, the size is only half the equation. iOS is getting more and more dated by the day.

Without a major iOS overhaul, I don't think they are going to capture any new marketshare.
 

swarmster

macrumors 6502a
Jun 1, 2004
640
113
These instructions are even easier:

1. Take your iPhone 5.
2. Hold it a few inches closer to your face.
3. Boom, bigger screen!

As a bonus, it still fits in your pocket.
 

bushido

Suspended
Mar 26, 2008
8,070
2,755
Germany
At this point, the size is only half the equation. iOS is getting more and more dated by the day.

Without a major iOS overhaul, I don't think they are going to capture any new marketshare.

indeed, i'm already amazed how little iOS takes advantage of the bigger iPhone 5 / iPad screen.

even little thinks like the notification center are a wasted opportunity in itself on the iPad. theres not even weather so its empty and a waste most of the time
 

spyguy10709

macrumors 65816
Apr 5, 2010
1,004
642
One Infinite Loop, Cupertino CA
2/10 don't bother.

The UI isn't redone, it's just made bigger. that's not what Apple needs to do! They need to rework the UI so it works better on the bigger screen instead of just stretching (pinch-to-zooming IRL if you will) the UI elements.

THAT'S what's taking Apple so long. Not the hardware.
 

kaushikkavi

macrumors newbie
Feb 19, 2013
1
0
Nice Concept

It is nice to hear that apple is going to put new iphone 5inch in market

I am very much eager to show first video of that
 

jimbo1mcm

macrumors 68000
Mar 21, 2010
1,922
477
Apple would never just increase the screen size and drop the ppi. Their customers are too smart for that..............or are they?
 

tekno

macrumors 6502a
Oct 15, 2011
842
4
Our new mockup can be printed out at 100% scale (example), trimmed, and folded to provide a three-dimensional paper version of the 5-inch iPhone. Readers can then see how a 5-inch iPhone would fit in their hands and get a feel for the size of the icons and other interface elements at the larger size.

Sad.
 

Darrensk8

macrumors 6502
Apr 22, 2010
355
202
i personally would love a larger phone screen but surely IF apple do indeed go with a lager screen wouldn't they make the case smaller making all these mock ups irrelevant?:confused:
 
S

syd430

Guest
Predicted 2014 ad:

"5 inch iphone, it's just common sense" - Apple
 

gadget123

macrumors 68020
Apr 17, 2011
2,261
293
United Kingdom
It would be a mistake to launch a cheap Iphone and same for one that's too large.

Even Ipad mini should never have been launched in my opinion.

The problem is the people in charge of Apple would rather copy rivals now rather than focus on what makes Apple products good. Apple always had features missing from Samsung phones or smaller screens and it never affected sales before.

There's a recognition now that phones are becoming too big. Sooner or later Samsung will release a flop..I hear the S4 will be about 5" which is strange given most think the current model is too big hence the Mini galaxy model.
 

jgassens

macrumors member
Dec 2, 2009
36
94
I troll people

I want to print that out and stand next to the doors on the El and see how many of these fake iPhones people steal. Maybe put some razor blades in it for added lolz.
 

Premium1

macrumors 65816
Jan 26, 2013
1,391
1,619
hopefully if they do go larger its not just further stretched out like the iphone 5
 
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