Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Unlikely to Release New 4-Inch iPhone This Year, New Low-End Model Expected in 2016
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It's funny how last year I wasn't really too excited about having to go from 4 inches to 4.7 inches.
This year I'm potentially considering the 6s+ depending on how the Watch changes my usage.
This year I'm potentially considering the 6s+ depending on how the Watch changes my usage.
To each his own. I have big hands and the 4.7 inch screen has proven to be the perfect fit for texting and quickly looking up information. I can certainly see the appeal of having a 4 inch model as an additional option, but it wouldn't be for me.
After using a 6+ (and loving it despite the awkward pocketing), my old 3.5" iPhone 4 seems really neat: such a tiny computer in my hand!
I can well understand the desire for a smaller phone. Typing with tiny hands for one thing. (Although, I'm not sure people need to type one-handed that often. They do it, though! I can understand not wanting to give it up, if your hands are really small.)
However, having held the 6 (non-plus), I think it's probably "small enough" for most people. Not that it's equally good for those who want the smallest they can get--it's not, it's a second-best. But good enough (and of course the 4.7" screen has some compensating benefits over the 4").
So I no longer expect much further development of 4" iPhones. They're neat, but that's not enough to be worth a new product.
I do expect 4" to hang around on the low end for cost reasons—for a while. That may include revised models, although I'm doubtful. But I never expect to see a 4" iPhone with the same high-end specs as the 4.7 and 5.5.
I can well understand the desire for a smaller phone. Typing with tiny hands for one thing. (Although, I'm not sure people need to type one-handed that often. They do it, though! I can understand not wanting to give it up, if your hands are really small.)
However, having held the 6 (non-plus), I think it's probably "small enough" for most people. Not that it's equally good for those who want the smallest they can get--it's not, it's a second-best. But good enough (and of course the 4.7" screen has some compensating benefits over the 4").
So I no longer expect much further development of 4" iPhones. They're neat, but that's not enough to be worth a new product.
I do expect 4" to hang around on the low end for cost reasons—for a while. That may include revised models, although I'm doubtful. But I never expect to see a 4" iPhone with the same high-end specs as the 4.7 and 5.5.
It makes sense.
Based on my expectations (and a few reviews), I imagine that having the watch to use for the quick 10 second interactions throughout the day, I'll only be using my phone when I want to legitimately use it while I'm not doing anything else. If this turns out to be true, I feel like it'd finally be justifiable to have a mini-tablet in your pocket, since you don't have to pull it out as much on the go.
My only worry about going to the 6 Plus is that it won't fit in pockets well
I hope they embrace all three sizes with the highest quality materials/features.
I hope
sees that their base and customers actually want three size options, and I hope all three (4'', 4.7'' and 5.5'') are made from the highest quality materials and not a single one of the options bunts on features. (I'm looking at you, iPhone 6 without OIS.)
The iPhone should be a premium device, across all sizes to accommodate everybody.
Short story time about phone size: Personally, I ordered the iPhone 6 Plus before even trying it out in a store. I always wanted a larger screen, so I thought I was making the right choice, but a couple weeks after it arrived at my house last September, I regretted my purchase. The freaking thing was immensely uncomfortable to hold, use, and didn't even fit in my pocket. I couldn't even sit down with it in my pocket. So I went to the Apple Store to try out the iPhone 6, and it was way, way better. I had to sell my 6 Plus and get the 6 for full price, but thankfully I got the majority of my money back. The iPhone 6 is a pretty good size, but certainly not perfect for everyone, not even for me. The top left corner is still too hard to reach with one hand (this can be fixed by actually updating button locations in iOS, c'mon Apple!), the device itself feels a liiiiiitle too high profile in my pocket at times, but these compromises are worth it for a nicer and larger screen.
My perfect phone size would be approximately 4.4'' or 4.5'', but 4.7'' is okay and I can deal with it. Some of my friends have the 6 Plus, and whenever I ask to see it and hold it, I laugh. It's not what a phone should be to me.
I'm with Steve Jobs on this one.
I hope
sees that their base and customers actually want three size options, and I hope all three (4'', 4.7'' and 5.5'') are made from the highest quality materials and not a single one of the options bunts on features. (I'm looking at you, iPhone 6 without OIS.)The iPhone should be a premium device, across all sizes to accommodate everybody.
Short story time about phone size: Personally, I ordered the iPhone 6 Plus before even trying it out in a store. I always wanted a larger screen, so I thought I was making the right choice, but a couple weeks after it arrived at my house last September, I regretted my purchase. The freaking thing was immensely uncomfortable to hold, use, and didn't even fit in my pocket. I couldn't even sit down with it in my pocket. So I went to the Apple Store to try out the iPhone 6, and it was way, way better. I had to sell my 6 Plus and get the 6 for full price, but thankfully I got the majority of my money back. The iPhone 6 is a pretty good size, but certainly not perfect for everyone, not even for me. The top left corner is still too hard to reach with one hand (this can be fixed by actually updating button locations in iOS, c'mon Apple!), the device itself feels a liiiiiitle too high profile in my pocket at times, but these compromises are worth it for a nicer and larger screen.
My perfect phone size would be approximately 4.4'' or 4.5'', but 4.7'' is okay and I can deal with it. Some of my friends have the 6 Plus, and whenever I ask to see it and hold it, I laugh. It's not what a phone should be to me.
I'm with Steve Jobs on this one.
I always thought that the majority preferred large screens. I was surprised when most of my iPhone friends and family, hated the "giant" 6 and 6 plus. None of them will update past the 5s.
Even though I love the size of the 6, right in the middle, I'm in full support of continuing a 4 inch model. Everyone's preferences are different, and people love choices.
The least they could do is update the 4 inch model every other year.
Even though I love the size of the 6, right in the middle, I'm in full support of continuing a 4 inch model. Everyone's preferences are different, and people love choices.
The least they could do is update the 4 inch model every other year.
How have you adapted to the awkward pocketing issue? I'm considering the Plus next generation, but I do tend to wear slim-fitted pants, so I'm worried about the size in that regard
The 6s will be release alongside the mid tier 6c, which will be the current 6 wrapped in plastic, and the 5s will bring up the rear.
Doesn't take an analyst to figure this out. It's obvious.
Doesn't take an analyst to figure this out. It's obvious.
I returned my 6 after two days. Far too big and uncomfortable to use, especially compared to the beautifully designed 5S. I'm amazed Apple sacrificed usability for this pointlessly giant screen in your pocket
*THIS*
Sold my iPhone 6 after 3 months. Sick of it rolling around in my pocket like a monster and slipping out of my hands. Went back to a 5s. The metal band and size mean I can type one handed while walking and can pocket it in my jeans.
Size isn't everything. Please don't flame on me, but a phone in my eyes should be discrete and portable. Tablets for larger screens is my preference.
Of the people I know who have iPhones, around 25% refuse to upgrade until Apple comes out with another 4" model. Of those people, the majority are womenI'd estimate around 80-90%. Apple should keep the 4" device around for those people who prefer to have a phone that is, you know, "phone sized."
My hope is for something at least as fast as the iPhone 6, with 2GB of RAM. Then my wife can use that for another three years just like her iPhone 5. Apple Pay would be nice but not required. She's more concerned about keeping her software up-to-date in the future than bells and whistles.
My hope is for something at least as fast as the iPhone 6, with 2GB of RAM. Then my wife can use that for another three years just like her iPhone 5. Apple Pay would be nice but not required. She's more concerned about keeping her software up-to-date in the future than bells and whistles.
I returned my 6 after two days. Far too big and uncomfortable to use, especially compared to the beautifully designed 5S. I'm amazed Apple sacrificed usability for this pointlessly giant screen in your pocket
Oh well, I'll hold onto my 5S until their next 4 inch phone.
Which won't happen. You have to move on with the times.
Oh well, won't matter so much when one-handed use is taken care of by the Apple Watch I suppose.
Edit: Actually, unless you're using Siri or Complications the Apple Watch won't really be much use for one handed operation...
Hope this isn't true.
Edit: Actually, unless you're using Siri or Complications the Apple Watch won't really be much use for one handed operation...
Hope this isn't true.
I still think apple will release a 4in model. It'll most likely have lesser specs than the new flagships. Its simple business. Now whether the "iPhone mini" will be announced be this year or next year, idk. With that being said, I don't see how anybody can use a 4in phone now. I've had my 6+ since September and my S6 Edge for a few weeks now. I pulled out the 5S and holy balls does that thing look like a small toy in comparison. Now apple could still improve on the design of the 6/6+ by easing up on the damn bezels. Hope the 7 series gets that treatment.
Noooo! I was hoping for a 6c! It's not that I like the 4-inch screen, I don't. I like the feel and the plastic of the 5c. I know I am the minority but I want my phone to feel durable and feel like I don't have to put it in a case.
/shrugs just have always preferred a "plastic" phone.
/shrugs just have always preferred a "plastic" phone.
The colors quite match the Apple Sport bands, except they do not offer a yellow band. Thank god for that! It would be ugly.
I'll admit, if Apple doesn't release a new 4" phone this year, I'm more likely to buy an Apple watch next spring (or whenever they do the refresh), because I'll still be rocking my 5s and will want something new.
OR, one of the android makers will come out with a great 4" phone, and I'll buy that and an android watch.
It's a risky game, trying to force people into things they don't want.
This would be the logical approach.. I'm ready to replace my current phones with an iPhone 6S and iPhone 6C.. They should both be the size of the current 6 screen.
Here's hoping they continue to make the yellow color for the 6C
i hope
the iphone should be a premium device, across all sizes to accommodate everybody.
This.
Many people managed just fine on phones smaller than the 5S for several years. My hands haven't gotten any bigger.
Sure, the additional screen size provides for benefits - no question there.
But for some people that additional size isn't worth those benefits in terms of other conveniences, like fitting in pockets, purses, etc.
Perhaps the strong 5S sales are a result that a large part of the population prefers the smaller form factor.
