Apple, please, please make an iPhone 6s with a 4" screen.

[meistervu]

The problem is some people here think on a personal level. I always think on a business level. The fact remains that Apple had become stagnant on their iPhones the last few years. ...

Thinking at a business level, that's what I have been saying all along. If there are millions of people who would love to get a 4" iPhone, wouldn't it make sense for Apple to offer that size as well?

And guess what, listening to "some people here think on a personal level" is very important. Customers are people. Personal level translate to customer level to business level.

 

[tribestros]

I tried out the 6 Plus and its too big. I also held the 6 and its also too big. I love the size of my iPhone 5. Is anyone hoping that the iPhone 5s gets updated to have the 6 internals with the S version. I really hope it does. I really loved that form factor. Its a shame they didn't update the 5S with 6/6+ internals.

I'm the same way. It's not going to happen, though.

 

[epphllps]

If Apple wanted to make a 4" model of the new iPhone then they could have easily done so. They made a business decision to go bigger, yet maintain usability. The 6 is very very usable and is the same size as my 5S was in a lifeproof nuud. That's like saying you can't use a 4" phone in a "tough" case. Yes, there are differences but the point is the same. Apple calculated this usability before choosing not to release a 4" 6 model. We can beg all day, but it won't happen until the current trends reverse back to smaller being more popular. Apple isn't going to lose enough users to warrant bringing back a 4" screen with sales the way they are. MAYBE when the 5S reaches end of life and is no longer sold they would evaluate bringing back a smaller size. Even then, it would most likely be 4.3 vs 4". As always, this is just an opinion.

 

[HenryDJP]

Thinking at a business level, that's what I have been saying all along. If there are millions of people who would love to get a 4" iPhone, wouldn't it make sense for Apple to offer that size as well?

And guess what, listening to "some people here think on a personal level" is very important. Customers are people. Personal level translate to customer level to business level.

You're honestly not getting it. Of course people are going to look at this from a customer standpoint (personal level), that makes sense. I'm saying from a business standpoint it doesn't make sense to produce for the minority. Apple's customers have spoken loudly with iPhone sales slipping due to the Android phones having larger screens and they've also spoken loudly by iPhone sales soaring through the roof after the introduction of the iPhone 6/6 Plus. From a business standpoint it costs a lot more than you may think to produce for the minority, or if anything it will cost more to the consumer.

Think about it, it actually cost more to buy milk that is lactose-free because the milk companies have to go through the trouble to produce milk without it. Salt-free potato chips cost more or the same without salt. Why? Because they are producing it for the minority of consumers. You would think it would be cheaper right? No.
You know why Apple and other companies allow for BTO computers? Because the accessory parts are already available, all they have to do is install them for the customers that want to pay for them. That same idea can't be done for a phone they no longer produce. It requires R&D to produce a special-sized phone for the minority of consumers. If the R&D is going to greatly outweigh the sales then it's a waste. Sure, Apple could easily produce the next generation 4" screen but their customers have already spoken out that they will pay for a larger screen, end of story.

 

[meistervu]

I'm saying from a business standpoint it doesn't make sense to produce for the minority...

Not if the minority is millions. That is the business any company in the world would love to have.

Now, please don't say that you know what the potential marketshare is. I don't think Apple knows, so it safe to say that neither you nor I nor any armchair marketeer on this forum have any idea. Yes, we all can speculate, but that't not the sort of thing thing you want to bet your business on.

Why do you think it took so long for Apple to come out with larger phones? They certainly thought that many people wants smaller sized phones. Some people would say that they were wrong to think so, but that is a very naive way to look at things: right and wrong. There are compromises to virtually every decisions one make, and the compromise you and I make (larger screen, more to carry) may not be what other people want to make.

I don't claim I know the answer, and I certainly can be wrong. But, I am not going to claim that I know the answer. There was a time when I was younger that winning an argument was the goal. That no longer makes sense to me. I just enjoy logical discussions. I actually learn something when someone points out something I don't know. But arguments with opinions that are not backed up is a waste of time I think.

 

[eatrains]

Then you have very small hands. Its easy to grip. Its a nice fit and feel.

Are you serious? Open your eyes. You don't have to go very far to find people complaining that the 6 is slippery, it's harder to hold, it gets dropped more often than previous iPhones.

 

[Zxxv]

Are you serious? Open your eyes. You don't have to go very far to find people complaining that the 6 is slippery, it's harder to hold, it gets dropped more often than previous iPhones.

Yes I'm serious. It's the best feeling iphone. Maybe you didn't play with enough pebbles as a kid.

 

[sonicrobby]

To be honest, the size of the 5 v 6 isn't too different. Thought after wanting bigger phones, and getting my 6+, I wouldn't mind having something smaller again. I find myself still using my iPad instead of my 6+ for everything while at home and work. The only time my phone is really useful is in areas where wifi isn't readily available, and for the camera.

For my lifestyle, my phone seems to be an auxiliary device. I seem to just use it for the camera and having it near my iPad for sms forwarding. For that a 3.5" iPhone would come in real handy. And the reason I don't go for the 4s is because of the inferior camera, and slowness. Though if I find one running iOS 6, I would probably snatch it up in a heartbeat!

 

[HenryDJP]

Not if the minority is millions. That is the business any company in the world would love to have.

Even with my limited knowledge of Apple's financials I can safely say I hardly think it's "millions" that are clamoring for a 4" phone. Nice one, but no. That's not realistic, especially after the huge launch and reception of the latest iPhones.

Why do you think it took so long for Apple to come out with larger phones?

Easy answer. Apple is a very very very arrogant company who tends to sit on the arrogance rather than reality. Many times it's worked for them, sometimes it doesn't. I highly doubt they ignored making a larger screened phone because they felt the public wanted small screens.
Let's not forget the first iPhone was the first Smartphone with a screen as big as it was and it used a virtual keyboard which allowed them to use a larger screen.

 

[einmusiker]

You're in the minority. Just get an iPod mini

 

[nilk]

I'm guessing the 5S will the 4" platform for a while. They might give it a refresh like they did with 5 -> 5C, with battery / radio improvements and maybe some other extras. If they can manage to get an NFC chip into an updated 5S that would be brilliant, especially considering they stand to make more money on the transactions made with those devices, and it's really the main feature that the 5S lacks over the 6/6+.

I've got the 6, and I find it's just a little too big for one-handed use. When I pick up a 5S, it feels so much better, like a true hand-held device.

I never had a problem with the smaller screens (4S was my device before the 6), and I would even spend a lot of time in the web browser on sites without a mobile version. Viewing photos and video are undoubtedly better on the 6, but I tend to take photos / video and then look at them later on my 30" 2560x1600 monitor rather than try to do any editing on the device, even with my 6. And for things like YouTube, I'd rather Chromecast/Airplay them to my plasma TV if they really benefit from a better screen. When I'm on the go, I'd rather have the more portable device.

I'm sticking with the 6, because I don't want to go backwards in hardware, but if they released a new phone that was smaller than the 4.7" 6, and was mostly equivalent hardware other than minor things (e.g. 6+ having OIS that 6 doesn't), then I would opt for the smaller iPhone option. I don't foresee that happening, though.

 

[jca24]

The demand isn't big enough to justify the development of a new 4" sized iPhone. The trend is to larger screens. If you belong to the 4" minority... You'll have to change to other manufacturers with 4" offerings sooner or later then. The 4" iPhone isn't coming back.

Excuse me, I did not know that you shared an office with Mr. Cook. The 4" iPhone isn't coming back because it has not gone away yet, 5s and 5c are still available. My point was they will continue to offer a 4" phone because the demand is there and will continue to be there, though obviously not as big of demand as the new bigger phones. You are right, the "trend" is for big phones now, but I can assure you there are plenty of adults that will still want the smaller form factor phones. Apple will not leave those sales on the table, bank on it.

 

[meistervu]

Excuse me, I did not know that you shared an office with Mr. Cook. The 4" iPhone isn't coming back because it has not gone away yet, 5s and 5c are still available. My point was they will continue to offer a 4" phone because the demand is there and will continue to be there, though obviously not as big of demand as the new bigger phones. You are right, the "trend" is for big phones now, but I can assure you there are plenty of adults that will still want the smaller form factor phones. Apple will not leave those sales on the table, bank on it.

I agree. Yes, that is my speculation to. But even if I am quite convinced that is the case, I would not state my opinion as if they are facts without backing them up with solid researches as some people here who thinks there is no market for the 4".

 

[magicMac]

the 4.7" screen has "grown" on me.

I have short thumbs and would also like to see the iPhone 6s come in 3 sizes - 4",4.7" and 5.5". Having said that the minor nuisance of having to use two hands to use the iPhone 6 properly outweighs some of the advantages, the 4" iPhone's look tiny in comparison now!

 

[meistervu]

Even with my limited knowledge of Apple's financials I can safely say I hardly think it's "millions" that are clamoring for a 4" phone. Nice one, but no. That's not realistic, especially after the huge launch and reception of the latest iPhones.


Easy answer. Apple is a very very very arrogant company who tends to sit on the arrogance rather than reality. Many times it's worked for them, sometimes it doesn't. I highly doubt they ignored making a larger screened phone because they felt the public wanted small screens.
Let's not forget the first iPhone was the first Smartphone with a screen as big as it was and it used a virtual keyboard which allowed them to use a larger screen.

>"I can safely say I hardly think..."
Based on what? Gut feeling?

>"Apple is a very very very arrogant company..."
I think statements that humanize a company are ridiculous. How can a company be arrogant? It's controlled by a board of directors, not a dictator. Have you any idea how a company like Apple make its decisions? It's not like a one person business.

 

[eatrains]

Yes I'm serious. It's the best feeling iphone. Maybe you didn't play with enough pebbles as a kid.

Maybe you don't use your phone as a mobile device. Maybe you just use it while sitting in a chair or something.

 

[HenryDJP]

>"I can safely say I hardly think..."
Based on what? Gut feeling?

>"Apple is a very very very arrogant company..."
I think statements that humanize a company are ridiculous. How can a company be arrogant? It's controlled by a board of directors, not a dictator. Have you any idea how a company like Apple make its decisions? It's not like a one person business.

OMG, you weren't serious with this post I hope. Where do I begin? Let's see, I'm trying to "Humanize" a company huh? Well it's ran by HUMANS right?

Gut feeling? Uh no. How many iPhones do you honestly think are being sold? I mean you said MILLIONS of people want an iPhone in 4". Well Apple is only selling millions of phones. They haven't reached the billion level in recent overall sales yet so if there were millions that wanted a 4" iPhone then why did the sales become so stagnant and then all of sudden go straight sky high when they made 4.7" and 5.5" iPhones? Answer that question, because you're trying very hard to ignore reality while creating your own reality distortion field.

I just love how you're getting so worked up and emotional over the fact that Apple is moving on and you may not get what you want.

 

[Frost7]

That's also why Apple still sells the iPod Nano and Shuffle. If you're trying to use your phone for EVERYTHING that's on you.

That's the most ridiculous argument I've ever heard. The entire POINT of the iPhone from its inception was to be everything in one device.

So if I want to maintain easy one-handed use while working out, I should downsize to 16GB from 64GB and have to constantly shuffle all my music, and start using two devices instead of one. Because... why? Some goof at Apple decided Samsung was the future with sizes ranging from Slightly-Too-Big to Humongous?

 

[koulmj]

Well you're in the minority and you'll have to get over it. Apple is not going backwards.

----------
I respectfully disagree. Smaller is not backwards, smaller is more portabld and convient. Look at the 12.1 in powerbook(old example) And the ipad mini. I for one, would buy a 4incher again.

 

[joeblow7777]

The market has changed. Now even the 4.7" iPhone 6 is considered small for a premium smartphone, as most are at least 5.0"

My iP6 felt big to me for all of 3 days or so. Now it just seems normal

 

[HenryDJP]

Well you're in the minority and you'll have to get over it. Apple is not going backwards.

----------
I respectfully disagree. Smaller is not backwards, smaller is more portabld and convient. Look at the 12.1 in powerbook(old example) And the ipad mini. I for one, would buy a 4incher again.

And I respectfully disagree.

 

[mtneer]

If there is sufficient demand in the market for a smaller phone, I could see Apple putting out a '6c' or whatever with a smaller screen. The question is whether or not there's sufficient demand, and I doubt there is.

I've learned to never say never when it comes to Apple. People thought they'd never do an iPad mini, never do an iPhone 'phablet', etc. - yet, there they are. Apple may have a 'roadmap', but they also pay attention to where the money is (and they'd be fools not to).

Part of the cachet and mystique that Apple has within the technology industry is that they do NOT do what you are prescribing. Apple never buckled to the various gurus and released a Netbook even when others were making "money" with them. If Apple were to become another focus group dependent corporation, they may as well change their name to "Samsung-lite".

 

[HenryDJP]

That's the most ridiculous argument I've ever heard. The entire POINT of the iPhone from its inception was to be everything in one device.

And it still is. It's just you that's complaining that you can't do everything due to the size of the screen so that's your problem, not everyone else's.

 

[meistervu]

OMG, you weren't serious with this post I hope. Where do I begin? Let's see, I'm trying to "Humanize" a company huh? Well it's ran by HUMANS right?

Gut feeling? Uh no. How many iPhones do you honestly think are being sold? I mean you said MILLIONS of people want an iPhone in 4". Well Apple is only selling millions of phones. They haven't reached the billion level in recent overall sales yet so if there were millions that wanted a 4" iPhone then why did the sales become so stagnant and then all of sudden go straight sky high when they made 4.7" and 5.5" iPhones? Answer that question, because you're trying very hard to ignore reality while creating your own reality distortion field.

I just love how you're getting so worked up and emotional over the fact that Apple is moving on and you may not get what you want.

Uh, you may want to reread the posts. At no point in my posts did I say I wanted a 4" iPhone. I love my 4.7" iP6! I really want to have a good discussion but after reading your responses that are so off the mark I start wondering if it is possible. Do you actually read the posts and understand them before you respond?

Here are some numbers. Yes, actual numbers for a change.

http://www.statista.com/statistics/263401/global-apple-iphone-sales-since-3rd-quarter-2007/

So for the last few years, Apple sells more than 120 millions iPhone a year. If 5% of those buyers want a 4" iPhone, that would translate into 6 millions sales.

Would it be reasonable to think that 5 out of 100 people want a 4" iPhone? I think so. But then again, that is just my opinion and I represent it as such.

 

[HenryDJP]

Uh, you may want to reread the posts. At no point in my posts did I say I wanted a 4" iPhone. I love my 4.7" iP6! I really want to have a good discussion but after reading your response I start wondering if you have any idea that you have the reading comprehension to have a rational discussion.

Here are some numbers:

http://www.statista.com/statistics/263401/global-apple-iphone-sales-since-3rd-quarter-2007/

So for the last few years, Apple sells more than 120 millions iPhone a year. If 5% of those buyers want a 4" iPhone, that would translate into 6 millions sales.

Would it be reasonable to think that 5 out of 100 people want a 4" iPhone? I think so. But then again, that is just my opinion and I represent it as such.

No problem. I made a small error in regards to who I replied to. But I didn't go down far like you did in terms of insulting by questioning my Reading comprehension. Typical. When people don't have an argument to stand by they result to insults. 120 million against 6 million. LOL. I'm sorry but Apple may not waste their time producing a 4" screen iPhone for only 6 million people. They may rehash one of their old phones for price sake but I highly doubt it's going to have any of the updated specs of their latest phones. Business 101 is your friend.