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The case for Apple to maintain a 4 inch iPhone

My first and only iPhone to date was/is the iPhone 5, and to me, it is perfect.
I would really want to keep seeing them come out this size, because anything more I think would be too big for me.
I can do everything with one hand, it's so light I can't even feel it in my pocket.
Maybe the 6 isn't too much of a difference but I don't even like the design, it's too round, which is exactly why I love the 5.
I also really like the back of the 5/5s, I don't know why people are so against there being 2 different tones. And it's what I hate the most about the new ones, the back. Those lines just look terrible to me, it looks cheap or fake.
And since I have never used a cover or anything (because I think it's so beautiful) the back would just keep annoying me.
I still think the 5/5s is the best one yet.
 
oldmacs said:
I'm quite interested if there is anyone else that prefers the 4 inch screen size to larger ones.
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I'm with you, although my concern is less the screen size than the overall dimensions of the phone. I'd be fine with a slightly bigger screen if Apple could shrink the top/bottom bezels (and perhaps use a slightly wider screen format) and the phone didn't get much taller than the 5S. Other vendors are able to fit 4.5/4.7" screens into similar form factors as the 5S. But I don't really want to switch to Android. :confused:

For now, I'll keep the 5S since I feel the 6 is too tall to fit in my pockets comfortably. The only thing I may miss is NFC for Apple Pay, but it remains to be seen if that takes off. In all other respects, I feel the spec improvements of the 6 are insignificant.
 
I'm glad I'm not the only one. I'm quite interested in the percentages of people who would like Apple to continue producing 4 inch premium iPhones.
 
I also love the size of my 5s. After downloading a template of the 6 and printing it out, I just think it's too big. Plus it's going to be heavier! Love the weight of the 5s - easy to forget its in your pocket.
iPhone 4 had a retina display, which was a must upgrade. The 5 had LTE, also a must upgrade. 6 has bigger screen and NFC -- not salivating over this one.
 
The case will be made by sales numbers. If these phones sell better than anything before them, obviously people don't mind having a larger phone enough to not buy them.
 
I definatly would prefer a "4 inch iPhone. I'm not to excited about the design. I really do think the iPhone 5 was perfect design wise. I really liked the slate.

But I could live with the design. I am happy every 2 years to get a new design. Like I think the all glass back of the iPhone 4 was nice. So I see the design change as inevitable.

I really hope apple brings back a 4" flagship. At least as an option. I will be getting the iPhone 6. I have bought the new model since the 3GS but am just bummed about it.
 
Rigby said:
I'm with you, although my concern is less the screen size than the overall dimensions of the phone. I'd be fine with a slightly bigger screen if Apple could shrink the top/bottom bezels (and perhaps use a slightly wider screen format)
Click to expand...

There isn't too much shrinking of the bottom bezel, really, and I am sure the aesthetic choice of symmetry was preferred. Not saying you are wrong, just saying that, unless they can the homes screen button, the bottom bezel is about as small as things can get.
 
The 5c is the perfect size, look and durability.

Really hoping for upgraded internals and no change in form factor.

A 6c in all black would be awesome.
 
4.7 isn't that crazy compared to 4, especially if in the next design they trim the bezels a bit. Its really a major improvement over the 4's real estate while still being very much a phone in your hand. I felt no difference to handling it as I did the iPhone 5 but saw the benefits.

I can see maybe them doing a 4 inch phone to fulfill the "cheap iPhone" rumors. Perhaps they will drop specs a little bit or keep them lower than the regular iPhones and slap a slightly cheaper price tag. Just so people with a little less to spend can still use Apple Pay which I feel is going to become a major revenue source for Apple.
 
I switched

I switched from a 5 to the 6. I have larger than normal hands but I can't use the 6 one handed with a case on it. Currently I have a large case on it (not otter box big, but more than a sleeve) and the phone is unwieldy.

I would prefer the 5 form with NFC for ApplePay.
 
Gregintosh said:
4.7 isn't that crazy compared to 4, especially if in the next design they trim the bezels a bit. Its really a major improvement over the 4's real estate while still being very much a phone in your hand. I felt no difference to handling it as I did the iPhone 5 but saw the benefits.

I can see maybe them doing a 4 inch phone to fulfill the "cheap iPhone" rumors. Perhaps they will drop specs a little bit or keep them lower than the regular iPhones and slap a slightly cheaper price tag. Just so people with a little less to spend can still use Apple Pay which I feel is going to become a major revenue source for Apple.
Click to expand...

If every 5S user went to the 4.7 inch for two days, this thread and all 4" threads would be moot and the discussion ended. I grew into the 4.7" thread in like 6 hours.
 
AustinIllini said:
If every 5S user went to the 4.7 inch for two days, this thread and all 4" threads would be moot and the discussion ended. I grew into the 4.7" thread in like 6 hours.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I think a part of it is the psychological need to not want the bigger size as not to feel like a hypocrite for bashing Android's bigger phones for the last 2-3 years or believing that propaganda all these years and now thinking that 0.7 inches is an insurmountable obstacle at that size (it's not).

The fact is that the 4.7 fits comfortably in the hand, can be used with one hand easily, and provides a good boost in screen real estate so you don't have to scroll as much to see all your content.

Once they cut the bezels on it in the next redesign there will be even less of an excuse to demand a 4" size.

Though like I said, maybe they will do a 4 inch phone next time around just to give people a "low cost" way to get in on an iPhone with some compromises. Like a $399 iPhone versus the $649 for the standard models.
 
AustinIllini said:
If every 5S user went to the 4.7 inch for two days, this thread and all 4" threads would be moot and the discussion ended. I grew into the 4.7" thread in like 6 hours.
Click to expand...


False. I used the 6 for 2 weeks and still strongly prefer the 5s. I can use the 6 one handed but have to engage in some hand acrobatics to do so. The 5s I easily use one handed with no concern whatsoever of dropping.
 
AustinIllini said:
If every 5S user went to the 4.7 inch for two days, this thread and all 4" threads would be moot and the discussion ended. I grew into the 4.7" thread in like 6 hours.
Click to expand...

YndKg.png


Not gonna happen. You know why? Because you assume everyone is like you. Some might defect or warm up to a bigger design, but definitely not "every 5s user"...

phositadc said:
False. I used the 6 for 2 weeks and still strongly prefer the 5s. I can use the 6 one handed but have to engage in some hand acrobatics to do so. The 5s I easily use one handed with no concern whatsoever of dropping.
Click to expand...

Like this ^. I know myself I dislike the bigger screen as well and would rather go with a more compact Android flagship than be forced into a bigger size like the 6.
 
phositadc said:
False. I used the 6 for 2 weeks and still strongly prefer the 5s. I can use the 6 one handed but have to engage in some hand acrobatics to do so. The 5s I easily use one handed with no concern whatsoever of dropping.
Click to expand...


I still contend an overwhelming majority of end users will adapt to the 6.
 
AustinIllini said:
I still contend an overwhelming majority of end users will adapt to the 6.
Click to expand...


I agree, but they will adapt because they are forced to do so. I think a significant number would choose the internals of a 6 in the body of a 5s if given the option. Maybe not a majority, but this forum alone suggests it would be a sizeable percent.
 
Hal~9000 said:
Image



Not gonna happen. You know why? Because you assume everyone is like you. Some might defect or warm up to a bigger design, but definitely not "every 5s user"...
Click to expand...


Yes, I assume all people are like me in that they
1) are human
2) have brains that will tell them they can get used to a larger screen

I'm not 100% sure all users are going to adapt, but I am sure that enough will adapt well enough to eliminate the necessity of a 4 inch screen.
 
AustinIllini said:
Yes, I assume all people are like me in that they
1) are human
2) have brains that will tell them they can get used to a larger screen
Click to expand...

No you assume your preferences are the right ones and that everyone else has the same thing. Not everyone does. It's a common fallacy though and understandable for someone to be so arrogant in their views of others...

AustinIllini said:
I'm not 100% sure all users are going to adapt, but I am sure that enough will adapt well enough to eliminate the necessity of a 4 inch screen.
Click to expand...

Oh now you aren't 100% sure even though just a few posts above you were saying "Every 5s user would be fine with the 6 if they tried it for 2-days" eh? :rolleyes:

Well, at least we are starting to make a little progress...
 
Hal~9000 said:
No you assume your preferences are the right ones and that everyone else has the same thing. Not everyone does. It's a common fallacy though and understandable for someone to be so arrogant in their views of others...
Click to expand...

You call me arrogant because you know I am right. We have a model for this. The majority of Android flagships have larger than 4.3" screens and they're selling like hotcakes.

In three years, regardless of how they do it, a giant majority of iPhone users will run on 4.7-5.5 inch screens.

----------
Hal~9000 said:
Oh now you aren't 100% sure even though just a few posts above you were saying "Every 5s user would be fine with the 6 if they tried it for 2-days" eh? :rolleyes:

Well, at least we are starting to make a little progress...
Click to expand...

There won't be a 4 inch iPhone in a few years, just like their won't be a 3.5 inch iPhone for long.

Your lack of foresight is understanding because you're a computer without hands and you died in 2001, HAL ;-)

I did live in your birthplace for a couple of years, though.
 
Perhaps you'll like a Macintosh style of computer with the workings of a MacBook Pro.

Times change and evolve so the smaller screens will IMO be outta here in a few short years.
 
AustinIllini said:
If every 5S user went to the 4.7 inch for two days, this thread and all 4" threads would be moot and the discussion ended. I grew into the 4.7" thread in like 6 hours.
Click to expand...

We shall see. I've had my 6 for a few days and I'm not liking it. But I do have a case on it. Using it right handed I can't reach the top left corner with my thumb. And that is where the back button is in many apps. This is a pain.

If bend gate is thoroughly debunked in a few weeks, I will put it in a slim case and see how it works like that.
 
Wahlstrm said:
The 5c is the perfect size, look and durability.

Really hoping for upgraded internals and no change in form factor.

A 6c in all black would be awesome.
Click to expand...
A 5s dressed up in 5c clothing and sold as the 6c would be nice indeed.

I could never understand why the 5c wasn't/isn't available in black. Perhaps they thought it would damage 5s sales?
 
AustinIllini said:
You call me arrogant because you know I am right.
Click to expand...

F66HcRC.gif


AustinIllini said:
We have a model for this. The majority of Android flagships have larger than 4.3" screens and they're selling like hotcakes.
Click to expand...

Every single one is selling like hotcakes? Any sources to back up that claim? Or just guessing again like you did when you said all 5s users will adapt to the 6? ;)

AustinIllini said:
In three years, regardless of how they do it, a giant majority of iPhone users will run on 4.7-5.5 inch screens.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I can agree with this statement (not that they will be happy about it) :(

AustinIllini said:
There won't be a 4 inch iPhone in a few years, just like their won't be a 3.5 inch iPhone for long.
Click to expand...

Hopefully Apple comes to their senses and understands there should be 3 size options to cover all user preferences since not everyone wants a mini-tablet for a phone.

mojolicious said:
I could never understand why the 5c wasn't/isn't available in black. Perhaps they thought it would damage 5s sales?
Click to expand...

Having only 'colorful' kiddy-like options on the 5c helps to push those trying to upgrade to a professional looking phone (i.e. black) towards the more expensive 5s.

y5GKqwU.gif
 
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AustinIllini said:
You call me arrogant because you know I am right. We have a model for this. The majority of Android flagships have larger than 4.3" screens and they're selling like hotcakes.

In three years, regardless of how they do it, a giant majority of iPhone users will run on 4.7-5.5 inch screens.
Click to expand...


You are probably right. But keep in mind that android phone size is partially dictated by the fact that it won't run well unless it has a strong cpu, which means they need a big battery, and they can't make the phone slim with a big battery without putting it behind a larger screen. The minis of the flagship phones use pretty mediocre parts.

I'd like to see Apple make another flagship level 4 inch phone. But I certainly won't be expecting one next year. But I think Apple could do it. They have the skills to do it in a way the android manufacturers can't while working with the android OS.
 
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