Apple Acknowledges Consumers Want Larger and Cheaper Phones

[kds1]

Personally I think being able to use the phone with one hand (comfortably) is more important than having a bigger screen. But that's just me....

Agreed. The "I must have a big ass screen on my phone or it's junk" is simplistic, lowest common denominator thinking. No thought about the several different facets that makes the phone a pleasure to use, just blind "It has to be BIGGER!" Android cutting boards remind me of American cars in the 60's and, later, the 70's. HUGE and CRAP.

 

[Revearti]

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. The iPod's run ended because the iPhone (and other smartphones) replaced it. Nothing is going to replace your smartphone any time soon.

Very true. I'm sure Apple is very proud that their product (iPod) was cannibalized by one of their new products (iPhone) versus competition stealing it.

 

[Mockenrue]

Personally I think being able to use the phone with one hand (comfortably) is more important than having a bigger screen. But that's just me....

Go to a store and play with the Moto X. Because of the tiny bottom and side bezels, I can reach the whole 4.7" screen with my thumb while pinky supports the bottom of the phone (which is how I usually hold it). The problem is the touch ID which necessitates a big bottom bezel. I would consider a return to iPhone if they had a form factor like Moto X, but I'm thinking it might be several generations away:

iPhone 6: 4.7" with physical touch ID
iPhone 6s: same form factor - typical for s release
iPhone 7: 4.7"-5" w/"micro bezels" (touch ID built into glass)

2016's big form factor innovation will be super-small mic, front-speaker, and front camera - unless an Android handset does it first...

 

[Rogifan]

This may well be the fatal flaw in Tim Cook as CEO. Maybe he will favorably surprise me in 2014 and finally unleash the new product category pipeline of innovation.

Or maybe he will not.

In either case, we will know soon as 2014 is now 25% over.

Just curious what "innovation" your life is missing right now? I don't need innovation for innovations sake or because some techies are bored. This Tuaw piece sums it up nicely for me:

A spoiled generation of tech observers yearn for Apple innovations on-demand

I find it perplexing that people are so keen on complaining about what Apple (and other companies for that mater) should and shouldn't do that they seemingly ignore the wondrous technological world we currently live in; as if the status-quo is so horrendous that life will come to an end if Apple doesn't cater to the whims of pundits who seem to exist only to be outraged at something or another.

And if we really want to talk about innovation, how about MR be innovative instead of copying pretty much anything they see on 9to5Mac first.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I don't think we should prejudge a bigger iPhone before the product is released. If the ergonomics work I don't care if they increase the screen size.

What I don't want to see happen is the smaller phones getting slower internal components. Those of us who want a more compact device should have access to the latest tech in a big device. Too many other manufacturers dumb down their "mini" version of the flagship device.

I'd bet that if the larger iPhone stays at the same price points as the 5S, it will bury the smaller phone in sales. Even more so if it is the flagship phone as in 5S vs 5C.

 

[kaielement]

I for one hope that if they make a bigger phone they still make a smaller phone with the same hardware like they do with the iPad Air and iPad mini with retina display. I love using the phone with one hand. I can't tell you how many people I meet complain about the bigger phones not being able to use with one hand or that they don't fit in their pockets very well. But on the other hand I do see why people like the bigger screens. The problem here is that you can't please everyone unless they keep it at two different screen sizes with out sacrificing hardware.

 

[bushido]

Personally I think being able to use the phone with one hand (comfortably) is more important than having a bigger screen. But that's just me....

Agreed. The "I must have a big ass screen on my phone or it's junk" is simplistic, lowest common denominator thinking. No thought about the several different facets that makes the phone a pleasure to use, just blind "It has to be BIGGER!" Android cutting boards remind me of American cars in the 60's and, later, the 70's. HUGE and CRAP.

see ... thats exactly why choice are a good thing, i never use my iPhone with one hand anyway. id be getting cramps in my thumb after 10 minutes on iMessage. my "surf" device is an Nexus 4 and id say its 4.7 screensize is almost perfect, fits perfectly in my pants and isnt that much bigger than the iPhone 5 which wastes a lot of space with its damn home button

 

[AppleScruff1]

Cant wait to see the sales pitch for a bigger screen.
"The next big thing". (4.7" and still smaller than the average 5" smartphone)

But 4.7" is a good entry point, IMO. It will be a noticeable increase, but not overly so. I think it is a safe, conservative approach and I personally don't see Apple taking chances on this.

 

[peterdevries]

It's incredible how so many people here think that innovating and releasing products are things that a company can "just do", like flicking on a switch. It is not.

If you do half-hearted product development you get products such as the Galaxy Gear or the Nexus Q. Innovative, but lacking in execution and not answering a specific market need.

In addition no one of the "Apple should innovate more" advocates has been able to come up with a really novel idea what Apple should in fact do.

Edit: what Rogifan said a few posts above. Totally agree with that.

 

[Serelus]

I just don't see what's 'unfortunate' with apple offering a choice in screen size?

Fragmentation.

I agree. There is nothing unfortunate about it. It's good for many people if they offer a different choice in screen size.

Fragmentation.

I get you don't see the problem with larger screens, but as a developer if I develop a game for a larger screen iPhone, with better hardware than the smaller iPhones, you're going to miss out on apps. Welcome to the world of android.

 

[ivassilis]

Expensive and time consuming research about customers wants.. Or they could just read macrumors now and then!!

 

[visualanté]

iPhone future

In my eyes, these items should be focused on in doing a smartphone innovation and investment:

Battery/Power innovation(a week of full use on a charge)
Screen in daylight(eink but better) current displays suck outside
water proof-no brainer here

size would be not as important if they could master the others (Apple please hire me I will help your product focus)

forget everything else for now and focus on key fundamentals of the product design. If these elements would leap forward, it would surpass any other upgrade option.

 

[brendu]

I don't think we should prejudge a bigger iPhone before the product is released. If the ergonomics work I don't care if they increase the screen size.

What I don't want to see happen is the smaller phones getting slower internal components. Those of us who want a more compact device should have access to the latest tech in a big device. Too many other manufacturers dumb down their "mini" version of the flagship device.

Agreed, although a big part of the reason they "dumb down" the smaller versions is because the hardware in those big android and windows phones is way too power hubgry for a small battery. They have to be that big.

 

[WannaGoMac]

I personally just like using one hand to do everything on my iPhone 5.

I have a measly 4s and don't use it one handed. Why? Cause the damn thing is too expensive and fragile to risk dropping and breaking the screen a third time!

So a 6' screen is fine cause I'm using my iphone 2 handed anyway.

 

[peterdevries]

I get you don't see the problem with larger screens, but as a developer if I develop a game for a larger screen iPhone, with better hardware than the smaller iPhones, you're going to miss out on apps. Welcome to the world of android.

I bet that this is the main reason why we don't have a larger iPhone now. I'm interested to see how Apple will solve this, because I don't see them entering into fragmentation for the long run. It is possible that they will have some kind of transition such as was the case with the 4s and 5 transition. I never see apps that don't work on the 5 screen.

 

[bushido]

i want a waterproof iphone covered in something that allows it to be thrown against a wall without breaking and be taken into the ocean without dying and maybe a battery that lasts more than a day. ANYTHING that makes me go WOAH again besides some internal chip and speed upgrades

 

[devinstan]

Apple makes premium products and that's why I buy apple products. They don't ship junk and I don't want junk. Apple needs to stay premium and let samsung have the crappy phone market. I would not mind paying a 1k for a phone from Apple if they make it worth it. Am I the only one that would pay more for an awesome phone?

 

[penplotter]

The masses want MacDonald's burgers, because they're too impatient to wait for a steak to be grilled, or just because they know no different. Ignorance is a human weakness, we all suffer from it.

 

[Jiraiya]

What I really really want, is freaken phone that gives me a days worth of battery life without the need to carry portable chargers

However I wouldn't mind having a slightly larger iphone <5"

 

[576316]

I'm not sure what I think. I think Apple could really do with making their devices slightly cheaper. Not by introducing cheaper versions - by making the premium, top versions cost less. However, this could eventually affect resell value and Apple's status as a 'premium' vendor.

Lots of people argue that, with Apple products, you're paying for the logo. Maybe making products cheaper, Apple could show they're about premium devices and fair prices - although that sounds a little contradictory.

It's a difficult one and I don't think there's a right answer.

Ps. I would welcome a bigger screen iPhone though, no matter how they decide to price their products.

 

[WannaGoMac]

i want a waterproof iphone covered in something that allows it to be thrown against a wall without breaking and be taken into the ocean without dying and maybe a battery that lasts more than a day. ANYTHING that makes me go WOAH again besides some internal chip and speed upgrades

The waterproof part is easy. Just get a hydrophobic coating applied after market. Several services to,choose from. About $100

 

[AppleScruff1]

I have a measly 4s and don't use it one handed. Why? Cause the damn thing is too expensive and fragile to risk dropping and breaking the screen a third time!

So a 6' screen is fine cause I'm using my iphone 2 handed anyway.

I think you bring up a good point. I find the 5 and 5S to be slippery and easy to slide out of your hand if you're not paying attention. I see a lot of iPhones with broken screens. I think the 5C is more ergonomic and easier to grip. The Moto X is another phone that fits the hand well.

 

[69Mustang]

I used HTC 8X for a year and even 4.3" was painful to use for me, despite the fact that I have large hands. I'm really happy with the size of the display my 5S has really.

Unfortunately it is quite obvious that Apple will take the same route :/

If a 4.3" phone was painful to use, your large hands are not a fact, they are a misperception. Your hands aren't large.

 

[tdale]

If they end up listening to the market, then they'd be facing the "innovators dilemma" which Jobs (I believe highlighted as a favorite book). It's not about giving consumers what they want. Apple will fall behind listening to their customers' needs.

Edit: Apple can't get caught up in current needs. It needs to look to the future.

Really? So a customer wants and needs a function/feature. So Apple decrees not to give that. Ok, got that.

If Customers wanted a bigger or smaller home button, thats one thing, but a choice of screen sizes is a major. For those that say "I dont want a big screen phone" thats irrelevant. I do not want a 13" MBP, so I bought a 15. Simple. I really like Apple, but when I hear the intentional, we wont give customers what they want, I find that bizarre.

 

[RedOrchestra]

With so much spare cash sitting around, can they not afford to make products cheaper? Give something BACK to the customers.

You mean like a redistribution of wealth ... like a socialist thing?