A Comfortable Durable iPhone?

[CrashX]

I'm 6'3 and I don't wear skinny jeans. But I'm clumsy and I drop things.

I was SO psyched about the rumor, which didn't play out, that Apple would be returning to a smaller iPhone.

Whenever I've seen Jony Ives in a videomercial creaming himself over the latest iPhone, he's wearing a t-shirt. But, of course, he's always holding the device in his hands. And I suspect he's rich enough to have a personal assistant walk behind him carrying his phone.

Did I just MISS some advancement in iPhones where a guy like me doesn't need a bulky Defender case to protect his iPhone?

I find my iPhone 4 uncomfortable in my pocket. If I'm going to be seated for any length of time, it comes out of my pocket. It's seriously that uncomfortable.

An autonomous Apple Watch would be AWESOME! But I don't think Apple would even be able to do that, due to battery life.

What I fear is that Apple will continue with its ever more monstrous iPhones, as the Apple Watch would then be much preferable to yanking that thing out of your pocket.

So am I just a lone grumpy whiner?

My 4 has been left-for-dead by the latest iOS, the rumors of a return to a smaller phone have been lost.

I fear I'm just gonna have to revert to a flip phone. Fits comfortably in my pocket, doesn't need protection. I don't care for social media anyway.

So my best guess is I'm gonna give up on the iPhone, get one of those 12" tablets. Which sucks because the Apple Watch might eventually be really awesome. I just seriously can not comfortably carry an iPhone around with me.

So again, did I miss something? Are iPhones more durable now, or are they only thin and beautiful to Jony Ive because he can drop his whenever he likes, knowing the screen will crack, and just get another? I can't afford that.

End rant I guess. Angry Birds was fun, checking email on my iPhone on the go was extremely helpful. It was fun while it lasted?

 

[C DM]

Many cases that don't add that much bulk and still add a decent amount of protection. Perhaps it's mostly down to that which is having an effect on it all.

With a case I didn't find iPhone 4, 5, and now even 6 as something that is uncomfortable or even most of the time noticeable in my pocket (and I'm about 5'9" and mostly wear regular jeans).

 

[CrashX]

Many cases that don't add that much bulk and still add a decent amount of protection. Perhaps it's mostly down to that which is having an effect on it all.

With a case I didn't find iPhone 4, 5, and now even 6 as something that is uncomfortable or even most of the time noticeable in my pocket (and I'm about 5'9" and mostly wear regular jeans).

Well I keep the 4 in a Defender and it's okay when I'm standing - just when I sit down it seems to work itself into "interference".

What case do you use? I think probably the Defender is overkill, plus they apparently "jumped the shark" with their latest cases for the 6's. Pretty terrible reviews on Amazon.

My 4 is so old now I may just get a bumper for it at this point. But I'm obviously in the minority - each new release seems to outsell the last. I thought the 5 was too big, then the 6 just got bigger.

Call me paranoid - but I do think Apple just may continue increasing the size of the phone so as to make their watch almost necessary so as to avoid having to wrangle the iPhone out.

 

[C DM]

Well I keep the 4 in a Defender and it's okay when I'm standing - just when I sit down it seems to work itself into "interference".

What case do you use? I think probably the Defender is overkill, plus they apparently "jumped the shark" with their latest cases for the 6's. Pretty terrible reviews on Amazon.

My 4 is so old now I may just get a bumper for it at this point. But I'm obviously in the minority - each new release seems to outsell the last. I thought the 5 was too big, then the 6 just got bigger.

Call me paranoid - but I do think Apple just may continue increasing the size of the phone so as to make their watch almost necessary so as to avoid having to wrangle the iPhone out.

Often a bumper is enough for me. Otherwise it's a fairly slim generally hard case that covers the sides and the back.

 

[meistervu]

I find the 5 to be more comfortable in my pocket than the 4: it is thinner and lighter. True, it's longer but taking all the dimensions into account, I prefer pocketing the 5.

 

[mpavilion]

I would recommend the 5C, if Apple hadn't intentionally made it a no-go by reducing the storage to 8GB. Maybe the next iteration (if they make one). It's pretty durable, and hides scratches well.

 

[mojolicious]

I was SO psyched about the rumor, which didn't play out, that Apple would be returning to a smaller iPhone.
...

My 4 has been left-for-dead by the latest iOS, the rumors of a return to a smaller phone have been lost.

Have I missed something? I don't think Apple will return to 3.5", but have you concluded that there won't be a new(ish) 4" phone?

There are rumours of a 4" iPhone 6s Mini, although I have my doubts about that one. There are also rumours of what's being called a 4" iPhone 6c. I think this has more mileage in it, although I suspect it's far more likely to be called something like iPhone 5sc, ie a plastic-cased 5s with (hopefully) Apple Pay.

I'm unshakable in my conviction that Apple will introduce a 4" iPhone 7 Mini, but I doubt either you or your iPhone 4 can wait that long.

I would recommend the 5C, if Apple hadn't intentionally made it a no-go by reducing the storage to 8GB. Maybe the next iteration (if they make one). It's pretty durable, and hides scratches well.

Yep, plastic is your friend. If you don't use your iPhone as an MP3 player, and if you don't take three photos of your breakfast every morning, then 8GB is *just* about doable. Alternatively buy a secondhand unlocked 16GB for ~$240, or 32GB for ~$275. Or... wait five months and see what the 5sc brings us (subject to it actually existing, of course!)

 

[soulsyphon]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1861786/

even android phones bend.

 

[Arnezie]

Makes me think of this book

 

[mKTank]

Fairly recently I had the chance to hold a friend's old iPhone 3GS.

Dear God, those phones were so comfortable to hold. Beautiful rounded corners, perfect thickness so it wouldn't slip out of the hands, and running a beautiful OS (pre-7).

I really do miss the magic of the older iPhones. I think that starting with iPhone 4, things just sort of got less convenient and less comfortable.

 

[Retired Cat]

I find that a TPU case makes an iPhone much more durable and comfortable. My iPhone 5 has hard edges and feels slippery without a case. I put an $8 Diztronic TPU case on it, and the combination has been grippy, thin, and comfortable.

 

[Toltepeceno]

So am I just a lone grumpy whiner?

Lone? No, but as for me the 4" phones (which I have now) are just too small for my big fingers so I am glad they are getting away from mini phones. Trying to type or pretty much anything else is an ordeal.

Everyone should get what they like best, but the way the 6 and 6 plus it's pretty obvious which direction apple will go/stay. I don't think phones getting larger is a fad any more than I think tv's getting larger is and yes I see it as similar as people are watching more videos and tv on their phones.

Again, people should use what fits them. If apple no longer makes it then there are other options.

Really to me a flip phone and a small tablet is not a bad idea and maybe one I will consider later on. I don't care about social media either, except to keep track of the kids, and I don't need to do that on my phone. On an ipad mini when near wifi is good enough. Either way I'm sure you will settle into something.


It reminds me of when people were saying apple needed a larger phone and a number of people were saying "This is what apple makes and will never make big phones, don't like it then buy something else". I always thought that was childish and am not saying it to anyone right now, but I wonder how those people feel since the tables have turned. Kharma.

 

[TMacGuy]

I myself can't stand the iPhone defender cases from Otter.

they add way too much bulk.

Im 6foot5. And have no issues with my 6+ in my pocket. My favourite would have been my 4s. My 5s was great also.

At first I was also skeptical of the bigger phones, but honestly you learn to enjoy them. My 6+ in my pocket in the case I have for it is definitely much more comfortable than a 4 in an OtterBox Defender.
I had one on my 4.

On my 6Plus I have the CaseMate NakedTough and love it. I also had the Apple Leather case before that.

The Apple Leather case on the iPhone 5s was my all time favourite. I had the tan colour of it.

Otterbox is overkill, especially with options such as AppleCare+ now. If things were to go bad.

Also worth mentioning is the newer iPhone's are built much better and are a lot stronger than the older models.

I've owned:
iPhone 2G
iPhone 4
iPhone 4S
iPhone 5
iPhone 5s
iPhone 6+.

The only bulky case I adored was my Mophie JuicePack Pro on my 4S. I could keep it going for like a week with that case.

I think you should give the bigger iPhone's a chance. Who knows you might end up enjoying it. Most carriers and Apple themselves have a pretty good return policy, so if you decide its not for you after a week of giving it a chance, you can return to your 4 and come up with a new plan of action.

The 5/5S are DEFINITELY much nicer than the 4/4s bulk. I still use my 4s on a daily basis as an iPod.

Just my two cents

-TMacGuy

 

[PDFierro]

If you think a 3.5" phone is too big, then I don't know what to tell you.

 

[T5BRICK]

I am of the opinion that Apple took way too long to offer a phone with a decent sized screen. I sold my 4s and bought an HTC one in 2012, it was a fantastic phone besides the god-awful camera. The 5s was a nice phone aside from the tiny screen.

I'd check out some slimmer cases. You can get decent protection with a minimal increase in thickness. My wife uses an incipio frequency case on her 5s and I'm using the Apple silicone case on my 6+. Both phones have survived minor drops.

Either way, I hope Apple makes a phone that suits your needs. The 6+ is perfect for mine.

 

[R.Stoychev]

Go for the iphone 6, I'm 6'1 and I have been using iphone since the 4 so IMO the 6 is the perfect size. Because I can use it with one hand without the worry of dropping the phone. I was using samsung galaxy s5 for a couple of months and it was huge especially with a spigen case on . Lovin the the 6 form factor the screen is not too small not to big, great for watching videos, writing e-mails etc.

 

[ucfgrad93]

So am I just a lone grumpy whiner?

Pretty much.

If you want to stay with the iPhone, the 5S is still being sold or the 4.7" iPhone 6. You don't need to get a Defender type case, you just need to learn to be more careful with your phone.

 

[Applejuiced]

Or get one of these

 

[CrashX]

Yeah, I think it's the damn Defender cases that are killing it for me. I've got nothing better to do tomorrow, so I'll run by the local AT&T store and check out the latest batch. But given I've held out this long, I'll probably just hold out for the A9 upgrades in the fall

I myself can't stand the iPhone defender cases from Otter.

they add way too much bulk.

Im 6foot5. And have no issues with my 6+ in my pocket. My favourite would have been my 4s. My 5s was great also.

At first I was also skeptical of the bigger phones, but honestly you learn to enjoy them. My 6+ in my pocket in the case I have for it is definitely much more comfortable than a 4 in an OtterBox Defender.
I had one on my 4.

On my 6Plus I have the CaseMate NakedTough and love it. I also had the Apple Leather case before that.

The Apple Leather case on the iPhone 5s was my all time favourite. I had the tan colour of it.

Otterbox is overkill, especially with options such as AppleCare+ now. If things were to go bad.

Also worth mentioning is the newer iPhone's are built much better and are a lot stronger than the older models.

I've owned:
iPhone 2G
iPhone 4
iPhone 4S
iPhone 5
iPhone 5s
iPhone 6+.

The only bulky case I adored was my Mophie JuicePack Pro on my 4S. I could keep it going for like a week with that case.

I think you should give the bigger iPhone's a chance. Who knows you might end up enjoying it. Most carriers and Apple themselves have a pretty good return policy, so if you decide its not for you after a week of giving it a chance, you can return to your 4 and come up with a new plan of action.

The 5/5S are DEFINITELY much nicer than the 4/4s bulk. I still use my 4s on a daily basis as an iPod.

Just my two cents

-TMacGuy

 

[bigdaddy223]

lifeproof is slim..

 

[co.ag.2005]

I find that a TPU case makes an iPhone much more durable and comfortable. My iPhone 5 has hard edges and feels slippery without a case. I put an $8 Diztronic TPU case on it, and the combination has been grippy, thin, and comfortable.

this. I rarely use a case on any of the phones I own, but I always buy a Diztronic case for those times I need one.

 

[TMacGuy]

Yeah, I think it's the damn Defender cases that are killing it for me. I've got nothing better to do tomorrow, so I'll run by the local AT&T store and check out the latest batch. But given I've held out this long, I'll probably just hold out for the A9 upgrades in the fall

Yeah at this point, we're less than 6 months from a new iPhone.

If you've held out this long, might as well wait for next line, if theirs something you don't like about it, price goes down on older models...

Or if you go full blow, you'll have the latest, right around release (Always a good feeling, good for longetivity too).

I live in Canada. So I'm glad I bought my 6+ when I did. Prices went up here due to our falling dollar.

-TM

 

[Luis G.]

A simple wrap around case is usually enough. Don't get caught up in people's "you need a defender style case" to protect your phone.
Also yes phones have gotten more and more delicate over time.
It's part of the sacrifice when you get thinner and lighter phones.

 

[cmichaelb]

I'm 6'3 and I don't wear skinny jeans. But I'm clumsy and I drop things.

I was SO psyched about the rumor, which didn't play out, that Apple would be returning to a smaller iPhone.

Whenever I've seen Jony Ives in a videomercial creaming himself over the latest iPhone, he's wearing a t-shirt. But, of course, he's always holding the device in his hands. And I suspect he's rich enough to have a personal assistant walk behind him carrying his phone.

Did I just MISS some advancement in iPhones where a guy like me doesn't need a bulky Defender case to protect his iPhone?

I find my iPhone 4 uncomfortable in my pocket. If I'm going to be seated for any length of time, it comes out of my pocket. It's seriously that uncomfortable.

An autonomous Apple Watch would be AWESOME! But I don't think Apple would even be able to do that, due to battery life.

What I fear is that Apple will continue with its ever more monstrous iPhones, as the Apple Watch would then be much preferable to yanking that thing out of your pocket.

So am I just a lone grumpy whiner?

My 4 has been left-for-dead by the latest iOS, the rumors of a return to a smaller phone have been lost.

I fear I'm just gonna have to revert to a flip phone. Fits comfortably in my pocket, doesn't need protection. I don't care for social media anyway.

So my best guess is I'm gonna give up on the iPhone, get one of those 12" tablets. Which sucks because the Apple Watch might eventually be really awesome. I just seriously can not comfortably carry an iPhone around with me.

So again, did I miss something? Are iPhones more durable now, or are they only thin and beautiful to Jony Ive because he can drop his whenever he likes, knowing the screen will crack, and just get another? I can't afford that.

End rant I guess. Angry Birds was fun, checking email on my iPhone on the go was extremely helpful. It was fun while it lasted?

Why not wear a holster on belt for the iPhone?

I'm 5'6, don't wear skinny jeans and am a bit stocky. I never found my iPhone 3GS, 4S, 5S, or 6 that uncomfortable when sitting down. Ideal? No. 5S was probably the most comfortable. I always use a case, just not Otterbox thick. Try Magpul- inexpensive and good protection. I've dropped my phones many times and have yet to break one from a drop. The only one I damaged got caught in a recliner mechanism - all of the drops on concrete or asphalt haven't caused any issues.

But, that being said, I do not keep it in my pocket when sitting down most of the time- only because I need to get to it quickly or am listening to music or podcast via the phone.

A flip phone makes no sense. It would be thicker.

 

[xraydoc]

Find yourself a 32GB iPhone 5C. They're very comfortable to hold. I keep my daughter's old 5C as a backup phone in case my 6 bites the dust and I'm unable to get it fixed/replaced right away under AppleCare.