Anyone else changed their mind on a bigger iPhone?

[TWD98j]

But then they did make the screen bigger, and after a while I thought 'Well ok, they did it the right way', after seeing the ad where they show the guys hand and how his thumb can reach all parts of the screen...

And it is precisely because of this that I am intrigued as to how they will explain/justify a bigger screen. They simply made the screen taller without changing the width for the reason of being able to have one's thumb still be able to reach all parts of the screen. So, if they make it bigger by widening it, how will they explain themselves in terms of practical use this time?

I'm personally under contract with a 5S that I am happy with, so I'll likely be passing on the 6, since I am on the "S" cycle, which I don't mind at all.

 

[I7guy]

What type of suit are you wearing that wouldn't accommodate a 5 inch smartphone? A diving suit perhaps? A bathing suit?

A bigger screen on the iPhone will be a huge relief. The 3.5 inch screen was more than enough when the iPhone first came out, but the way people use smartphones has evolved considerably and now the 4 inch screen is too small for many people. I think a 5 inch iPhone will greatly outsell the 4 inch if both are on the market at the same time.

If you ask a million people you will likely get a million answers.

 

[chaos86]

The 3.5 inch screen was more than enough when the iPhone first came out, but the way people use smartphones has evolved considerably and now the 4 inch screen is too small for many people.

No it hasn't. We still look at our phones from the same distance we used to, and use the same hands to control it. Literally nothing has changed that warrants a larger screen, except the price of the displays coming down. In fact, websites are now more mobile optimize than they were, so readability on smaller screens is actually better than it was, reducing the need for larger screens.

I think a 5 inch iPhone will greatly outsell the 4 inch if both are on the market at the same time.

I think it will too. The market shows that people make that choice. But it's a bad choice, made by people who aren't thinking it through. It's pure wow factor. They buy the biggest brightest rectangle they see in the AT&T store. I can get the EXACT same experience with my iPhone 5, if I just bring it 6" closer to my face, as you do with your phablet at arms length, but I can do so with a coffee in my other hand.

 

[Agent-P]

Nope. I haven't changed my mind. I still want a bigger screened iPhone. Ideally a 4.5" screen in the same size as the current 5/5S.

 

[kaielement]

I always liked the iPhone at 3.5-4" range. If they go any bigger hope it's not more then 4.7". If they do go bigger without a smaller option (and the smaller option I would hope would have top end specs) I would really think about switching full time to my Moto X. I like the handed use and use my phone all the time one handed. And I love being able to put my phone in my pocket. I tried to walk around with a note 3 in my pocket and no thank you to big.

 

[escdrift]

They will justify it with ios7, which added the back gesture swipe so you no longer need to reach the top left corner to go back or forward.

And it is precisely because of this that I am intrigued as to how they will explain/justify a bigger screen. They simply made the screen taller without changing the width for the reason of being able to have one's thumb still be able to reach all parts of the screen. So, if they make it bigger by widening it, how will they explain themselves in terms of practical use this time?

I'm personally under contract with a 5S that I am happy with, so I'll likely be passing on the 6, since I am on the "S" cycle, which I don't mind at all.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

They will justify it with ios7, which added the back gesture swipe so you no longer need to reach the top left corner to go back or forward.

Does this "back gesture swipe" method work consistently? For the most part, I usually can't seem to get it to work. How is the swipe supposed to be done? Is there a "trick" to it?

As far as screen sizes go, I don't like the larger "Samsung" type screens. The phone is too big all around - too big to hold, to store and especially to hold up to my ear while making a phone call

I believe that we should all 'Live and Let Live", so I do hope they make multiple flagship models where the only difference is screen size.

 

[atticus27]

I use a iPhone and nexus 5. I like iOS, but when I got back to it after using the n5 it takes a few days to get used to the tiny screen. Apple needs better size options, if they would have done it with the 5s, then they could have stolen some of samsung's marketshare. I know tons of people who get galaxy s phones, just for the bigger screen.
Samsung is doing what apple should be. Releasing different sized phones and seeing what sticks. I don't think they anticipated the note to take of and become a huge seller. Even the galaxy mega was a nice way for them to test and see if people wanted a tablet sized phone (which most people didn't).

4.7" would be a perfect size for still using it one handed and having more screen real-estate. they should have a 4", 4.7", and 5.5" iPhones 6's too see which models sell better. I'm curious to see the pricing though. If they price 4.7" at a $300 starting point I don't think it'll sell to well (a lot of older people are still getting the 4s, since it's free on a contract upgrade

 

[escdrift]

The trick is to start the swipe from off the touch screen.

Does this "back gesture swipe" method work consistently? For the most part, I usually can't seem to get it to work. How is the swipe supposed to be done? Is there a "trick" to it?

As far as screen sizes go, I don't like the larger "Samsung" type screens. The phone is too big all around - too big to hold, to store and especially to hold up to my ear while making a phone call

I believe that we should all 'Live and Let Live", so I do hope they make multiple flagship models where the only difference is screen size.

 

[scottw324]

I am hoping for about 5" to 5.5" screen. I am heavily debating trying the samsung note 3 (but would probably wait until the next model comes out). I switch back and forth between an iPad rMini and my iPhone 5 a lot due to screen size. I would love to not have to do that as much.

I use my iPhone for more internet and text than I do as a phone so not overly worried about the whole size thing when it comes to phablet size.

 

[SHirsch999]

A larger screen doesn't necessarily mean the phone is going to physically grow in size. You could fit a 4.5" screen in the current dimensions of the iPhone 5/5s. A 4.7" screen can fit into a device only marginally larger.

If Motorola can make a device with a 4.7" screen that can be used one handed, then Apple should be able to do just fine. To me, it seems like the current iPhone design has a lot of wasted space above and below the screen..

Just what I was going to say. I don't care how large the actual screen gets as long as the physical body of the phone doesn't get much bigger. That's more important to me than screen size. I have a feeling the next phone will be almost bezel-less so as to maximize screen size while minimizing the physical increase in phone size.

 

[charlesdayton]

I disliked the 3.5" one but just because of the aspect ratio. The 4" one is great. If they go 4.5-4.8" that would be ideal. I find 5"+ phablets are way uncomfortable for everyday use. My phone spends most of the time in a pocket, I want it to be small.

 

[erratikmind]

Having had the original iPhone for some 5 years, I like the size of my current iPhone 5, which I upgraded to back in 9.21.12.

I am actually looking forward to the potential larger iPhone offerings down the road.

 

[PNutts]

I am actually looking forward to the potential larger iPhone offerings down the road.

I'm good with both the original screen and the current one, but since I've never used a larger screen I'd be interested to see what one looks like. Having another row of icons didn't really buy me anything so I don't think more will, either.

 

[jeffe]

I had a conversation with an android user the other day that included him saying "why don't you just hold it with one hand and control it with the other?"

With the exception of those with poor eyesight, why would anyone give up one handed control just to make the screen a little bigger?

Nexus 5 and s4 can both be used one handed. Bigger screen size doesn't mean you need to give up one handed control.

 

[Eckscaliber]

Within the past month I have found the need and desire for a larger screen. I'm sick of looking at this tiny slim screen. I'm on my 4th iPhone model, and it's definitely time for a 5" screen.

 

[R3VOx]

I want a bigger iPhone more than anything. Wish they would have made it bigger for the 5!!

 

[DCIFRTHS]

The trick is to start the swipe from off the touch screen.

Thanks for the tip!

It's probably user error (mine) but I have tried swiping from off screen. Does it work to go back on all screens? In all apps?

 

[Sir Ruben]

Bit bigger would suit me fine, say 4.7 to 4.9 but absolutely no more. In fact, only 4.9 if it has almost no bezel. I think the Galaxy S4 did a good job of maximising the screen size without increasing the size of the device.

I dont know if its me (or iOS7) but Ive been finding texting on my iPhone 5S very frustrating recently. Lots of mis-types. Maybe Im getting old lol.

 

[tigertazz]

Thanks for the tip!

It's probably user error (mine) but I have tried swiping from off screen. Does it work to go back on all screens? In all apps?

I think it only works on Apple native apps (except photos) though facebook implemented a much worse version of it.

 

[Deguello]

No it hasn't. We still look at our phones from the same distance we used to, and use the same hands to control it. Literally nothing has changed that warrants a larger screen, except the price of the displays coming down. In fact, websites are now more mobile optimize than they were, so readability on smaller screens is actually better than it was, reducing the need for larger screens.

Yes, it has. People are now browsing the web and using email even more and this can be much more tiring on a smaller screen. People are using Word and Pages and actual mobile productivity apps that they weren't using on smaller screens because the apps largely weren't even available when the screens were small and these apps would be much more usable on a larger screen.

The existence of mobile websites is a huge argument in favor of larger screens, not against them. Dumbed down, harder to navigate, often un-resizable websites are a concession to the lack of usability of real site on small screens. They are an admission that the normal sites can't be used feasibly on smaller screens.

 

[I7guy]

First, it doesn't look better, it's just easier to see detail. Again, not a big deal for me as I have good eyesight, and failing that, I move the phone 6" closer to my face, making it fill the same amount of my field of view as a phablet would at arms length. In actual screen quality (color, black darkness, etc) Apple is among the best.

One handed use is important to some. "It's like that concept doesn't even exist to you?"

I use my phone one handed while driving (not fast, just in traffic or whatever), while cooking, while working out, while working (a power tool in one hand, phone for reference in the other), while my wife is lying on my other arm, and in dozens of other situations. I don't understand why anyone would give that up.

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Absurd? Why a person would buy a less usable device is absurd. And yes, requiring two hands does make it less usable, since that adds to the number of situations in which you can't use it.

Thank you, a rational post. One handed operation is a very much nice to have in a lot of situations.

 

[psac]

I like the current size as well, supplemented by my iPad mini as a separate device. If I didn't have the mini, I'd still be calling for the bigger screen. Now I'll be hesitant to get the 6 if it's much bigger than the 5/5S.

 

[cynics]

I still feel the iPhone can get a bigger screen and still be used with one hand. However I also feel iOS would have to address this. When I was using Android I never had a problem on a 4.3" screen. Then I switched to an iPhone and found although it has a smaller screen it wasn't as easy to use one handed.

I then realized Android kept the majority of functions low on the screen. While iOS does not. Actually MOST of my apps put the back and cancel button at the upper left hand side of the screen whereas the built in back button on Android keeps it low and left. With a case on its quite the stretch for me to use an iPhone 5+ one handed and requires me at the very least adjusting my hand. Even the apps have to per Apples design start at the upper left and work there way down.

Point is, the screen could be 6" big if the majority of your task can be operated from the lower 3" of the screen.

 

[Technarchy]

With the exception of those with poor eyesight, why would anyone give up one handed control just to make the screen a little bigger?

This is really getting to be a pathetic excuse when you consider something like the Moto-x which is quite compact, easy to use with one hand and features a nice 4.7" screen.

In 2010, phones were quite thick with large bezels so your device was huge to get a bigger screen. Not really the case anymore.

You can pack a lot of screen into a smallish phone these days.