Apple Will Reportedly Launch Three OLED iPhones in 2020 Including Smaller 5.42-inch Model With Thinner Display

[NPC Compliant]

Goodbye to Apple from me if new iPhones are oled only

And why would that be?

 

[s54]

The iPhone 8 only had a 4.7” screen; those that were complaining about that being too large and refusing to buy it will have less than zero interest in one that’s 5.4”.

What I’ve always said to people who wanted an SE was not enough people want what they want. Most people simply want larger screens—especially those whose primary (or only) computer and/or internet access is a smartphone.

The market has spoken, and Jobs with his “3–1/2” is the perfect screen size” belief has been overruled by customers. It’s not just Apple; try finding a non-phablet Android phone.

If there were sufficient demand, one of the dozens/hundreds of Android manufacturers would be only too happy to fill it. But there’s not. Sucks for people that want that, but it is what it is.

I think you're confusing phone size with screen size.

There's not a single SE user who wouldn't want a bigger screen in an SE-sized phone or close to it. The entire argument by the SE crowd is often misunderstood. They like the SE form factor; not necessarily the screen size. They were willing to sacrifice the screen size in exchange for a perfectly sized phone. But now, with newer tech, manufacturers like Apple should be able to fit a larger screen inside the body of a phone with similar dimensions to the SE. I doubt that any SE owner would mind a size increase consisting of a few millimeters if it meant that the screen was significantly larger.

Also, if Apple releases a new 5.4" phone, they will very likely further shrink the bezels. Even the latest iPhones show a good chunk of bezels that could be eliminated. So this new 5.4" phone could easily fit inside a body that is quite a bit smaller than the iPhone 8, depending on the exact screen dimensions.

If Apple is truly thinking about a 5.4" design, then it goes without saying that they are interested in making smaller phones, since it will be smaller than the X/XS. Again, screen size no longer dictates a much larger phone the way it did in the past when a lot of the space was occupied by Touch ID and large bezels.
[doublepost=1554277489][/doublepost]

OK, I'm obsessed ...

Apologies for the crudity of this CAD, but I took the iPhone 8 and iPhone SE dimensions, then scaled an iPhone X screen proportionally to 5.42" diagonally. Then I added a 4mm bezel and the same size notch as the iPhone X. This CAD is obviously in mm, I'm just labelling the screen sizes in inches because peoples familiarity with those sizes.

I did a little rounding up on the mockup, so please forgive any inconsistencies.

Great job. This is exactly what I'm saying. I think that too many folks in the comments are confusing screen sizes with phone sizes.

If Apple could further downsize the bezels on the X-like design by 2020 (and why wouldn't they?), then we could technically have a 5.4" iPhone that is within a few millimeters in size vs the SE.

 

[PickUrPoison]

I think you're confusing phone size with screen size.

There's not a single SE user who wouldn't want a bigger screen in an SE-sized phone or close to it. The entire argument by the SE crowd is often misunderstood. They like the SE form factor; not necessarily the screen size. They were willing to sacrifice the screen size in exchange for a perfectly sized phone. But now, with newer tech, manufacturers like Apple should be able to fit a larger screen inside the body of a phone with similar dimensions to the SE. I doubt that any SE owner would mind a size increase consisting of a few millimeters if it meant that the screen was significantly larger.

Also, if Apple releases a new 5.4" phone, they will very likely further shrink the bezels. Even the latest iPhones show a good chunk of bezels that could be eliminated. So this new 5.4" phone could easily fit inside a body that is quite a bit smaller than the iPhone 8, depending on the exact screen dimensions.

If Apple is truly thinking about a 5.4" design, then it goes without saying that they are interested in making smaller phones, since it will be smaller than the X/XS. Again, screen size no longer dictates a much larger phone the way it did in the past when a lot of the space was occupied by Touch ID and large bezels.

Actually I think you misunderstand why most people like the SE. Smaller for the sake of smaller isn’t what most people want. They want it smaller for a reason: a smaller phone has a smaller screen, which is mostly what affects one handed usability.

Compare the 5S/SE with the 6/7. The fact that the physical size of the 6/7 is 14mm taller and 8mm wider isn’t really the issue; the 6/7 isn’t so large compared to the SE that it will no longer fit in a pants pocket or a woman’s makeup bag (please excuse the generalities). The problem is that the screen is now too large to reach the top for many people—and Apple’s Reachability feature is a pain to use and a kludge at best.

It wouldn’t matter much even if there were absolutely zero bezels on the 6/7; with a 4.7” diagonal screen, many people can’t manage that 4.7” diagonal span with their thumb without changing their grip.

Think of it this way: if the SE, which people find a comfortable size, were shrunk down to zero bezels (but still with a 4” screen), it’s utility wouldn’t increase much. Sure it would be in a smaller package, but it was already physically small enough. You’ve gained very little. It was small before, now it’s a little smaller, but the smaller size doesn’t buy you much. It’s really not any easier to use; it was already easy to use. No Reachability was needed before, and of course not once the body’s even smaller.

Now think if the SE body stayed the same size but the screen gets expanded out to the edges. It’s the same physical size but it now has the same problem as the 6/7: many people can no longer use it one handed—the screen grew but their thumb didn’t. If you have an SE, try to reach the lower left and the upper right of the phone body (not the screen). For many people that’s no longer a one handed phone. The physical size is still an SE, but the screen has grown too big to reach the top without changing the grip or using Reachability. Same problem that makes people not like the 6/7.

Long story longer, it’s really the screen size getting larger that caused people to find the 6/7 too big. Put a larger screen on the SE body and you’ve effectively got the exact same usability problem—it’s now a two-handed phone. A 5.4” screen on an SE body is even more unusable than a 4.7” screen on a 6/7 body.

 

[manu chao]

There's not a single SE user who wouldn't want a bigger screen in an SE-sized phone or close to it. The entire argument by the SE crowd is often misunderstood. They like the SE form factor; not necessarily the screen size. They were willing to sacrifice the screen size in exchange for a perfectly sized phone. But now, with newer tech, manufacturers like Apple should be able to fit a larger screen inside the body of a phone with similar dimensions to the SE. I doubt that any SE owner would mind a size increase consisting of a few millimeters if it meant that the screen was significantly larger.

How wide are the side bezels on the SE and the X? About the same you say? So what new technology could put a wider screen into the SE form factor?
[doublepost=1554282716][/doublepost]

Apple's lack of innovation is what is getting so many people disappointed. The pipeline is so empty Apple is forced to start talking up new products 6 mos to 1 yr before they're available for release. It also has been hyping the least incremental improvement as a huge new advance in technology. Pitiful!

Assuming malicious intent (they pretend that something has leaked to keep people talking) whenever something happens one doesn't like is just the age-old practice of finding somebody to blame, finding a scapegoat. It's just a lazy, cheap way to give one's mind closure.
[doublepost=1554283143][/doublepost]

If the 2019 XR has 4GB RAM & dual-camera lens as rumored, that's the one I'm going for.

And if the 2020 'Xr', ie, the $750 price point iPhone, shrinks to 5.4", how would you feel about that?

Personally, I think Apple should do two things:

1. Drop OLED displays in favor of ProMotion LCD displays
2. Drop stainless steel in favor of aluminum

These will help bring down the prices of premium iPhones without sacrificing quality or user experience

Stainless looks better, at least it keeps looking unscratched far longer. Stainless steel is also much less slippery. If Apple wants to differentiate different iPhone levels, steel might actually be a relatively cheap option in terms of production costs (ie, most of the production cost difference between the Xs and Xr likely comes from the screen and camera and much less from the steel chassis).

 

[iZac]

How wide are the side bezels on the SE and the X? About the same you say? So what new technology could put a wider screen into the SE form factor?

Let me pitch in since I just drew this

Measuring my SE, the side bezels are ~4.5mm and the iPhone X bezels with their inefficient rounded profile are ~4mm

If the next design of the iPhone goes back to the square profile (like the iPad Pro) we may see them reduce down to 3.5mm, since the square profile is more easily arranged to push components right up to the edge.

Apple doesn't seem to care about consistent proportions anymore, but the iPhone X has a much taller screen than anything with Touch ID, so lets at least use that proportion as a fix.

SO ... If someone were to want an SE 2 with the exact same width as the current SE (that's me), you'd get something like this. I know this isn't going to happen, but that's the Phone I'd want:

Once again, I'm rounding up numbers so please forgive any inaccuracies.

 

[tunastink]

There's not a single SE user who wouldn't want a bigger screen in an SE-sized phone or close to it. The entire argument by the SE crowd is often misunderstood. They like the SE form factor; not necessarily the screen size. They were willing to sacrifice the screen size in exchange for a perfectly sized phone. But now, with newer tech, manufacturers like Apple should be able to fit a larger screen inside the body of a phone with similar dimensions to the SE. I doubt that any SE owner would mind a size increase consisting of a few millimeters if it meant that the screen was significantly larger.

As an SE owner, let me try to clarify my position on phone size. What I'm after is greatest comfort level in using a phone with one hand. That is the true metric, and I'm certainly willing to sacrifice screen size to get that. Once it's comfortable with one-hand operation, then within that I would like the largest screen and best specs I can get. Currently the best way to satisfy that and stay in Apple ecosystem is with the SE and a 4" screen, but I'm not saying that's the ultimate answer and nothing else will do.

The iPhone 6-8 body style adds a lot more bulk around its 4.7" screen, and it's so slippery that you have to further add a case to improve grip and protect it when it is inevitably dropped. Before my iPhone SE, I used a 2013 Moto X which, so far, is the best phone according to the "true metric" that I've ever used, and it actually had a 4.7" screen. The difference is that phone was carefully designed to be ergonomic -- curved back that nestled into the hand; a soft-touch high-friction finish that made it feel like there was no chance of the phone slipping out of my hand; and The Dimple that gave a secure position to hold the phone. The bezels were about as minimal as it could get at the time, so it didn't feel too bulky either. Because of that I could maintain a good grip on the phone while hitting the extreme areas of the screen and not worry about fumbling it.

My Moto X experience tells me it is possible to have a comfortable 4.7" screen, but after the SE style Apple hasn't had a form factor that made anything beyond SE size that felt usable. Dimensions of the phone and the size of the screen are only part of the story.

 

[MX20]

Actually I think you misunderstand why most people like the SE. Smaller for the sake of smaller isn’t what most people want. They want it smaller for a reason: a smaller phone has a smaller screen, which is mostly what affects one handed usability.

Compare the 5S/SE with the 6/7. The fact that the physical size of the 6/7 is 14mm taller and 8mm wider isn’t really the issue; the 6/7 isn’t so large compared to the SE that it will no longer fit in a pants pocket or a woman’s makeup bag (please excuse the generalities). The problem is that the screen is now too large to reach the top for many people—and Apple’s Reachability feature is a pain to use and a kludge at best.

It wouldn’t matter much even if there were absolutely zero bezels on the 6/7; with a 4.7” diagonal screen, many people can’t manage that 4.7” diagonal span with their thumb without changing their grip

Now think if the SE body stayed the same size but the screen gets expanded out to the edges. It’s the same physical size but it now has the same problem as the 6/7: many people can no longer use it one handed—the screen grew but their thumb didn’t. If you have an SE, try to reach the lower left and the upper right of the phone body (not the screen). For many people that’s no longer a one handed phone. The physical size is still an SE, but the screen has grown too big to reach the top without changing the grip or using Reachability. Same problem that makes people not like the 6/7.

Long story longer, it’s really the screen size getting larger that caused people to find the 6/7 too big. Put a larger screen on the SE body and you’ve effectively got the exact same usability problem—it’s now a two-handed phone. A 5.4” screen on an SE body is even more unusable than a 4.7” screen on a 6/7 body.

You can't fit a 5.4" screen on an iPhone SE chassis and most people thumb can easily reach the screen of SE even if the top and bottom bezel become a usable screen.

So it isn't the same problem like the 6/7/8 series of iPhone and please stop with such a nonsense comparison.

 

[borgusio]

to be honest I agree with PickUrPoison: the iPhone 6s is too large for my hand.
Also you can fit a 5.4" screen on a chassis as wide as the SE, if the screen is tall enough (which is the direction apple already started to go to with iPhone X).

So to be honest, I really hope that a smaller iPhone will happen, and indeed I hope that it is less wide than the iPhone 6s.

Full screen and no notch, please.

 

[smulji]

How wide are the side bezels on the SE and the X? About the same you say? So what new technology could put a wider screen into the SE form factor?
[doublepost=1554282716][/doublepost]
Assuming malicious intent (they pretend that something has leaked to keep people talking) whenever something happens one doesn't like is just the age-old practice of finding somebody to blame, finding a scapegoat. It's just a lazy, cheap way to give one's mind closure.
[doublepost=1554283143][/doublepost]
And if the 2020 'Xr', ie, the $750 price point iPhone, shrinks to 5.4", how would you feel about that?

Stainless looks better, at least it keeps looking unscratched far longer. Stainless steel is also much less slippery. If Apple wants to differentiate different iPhone levels, steel might actually be a relatively cheap option in terms of production costs (ie, most of the production cost difference between the Xs and Xr likely comes from the screen and camera and much less from the steel chassis).

"And if the 2020 'Xr', ie, the $750 price point iPhone, shrinks to 5.4", how would you feel about that?"

That would be great but I've learned never to buy the first generation of any new product line, Apple or otherwise.

 

[s54]

Actually I think you misunderstand why most people like the SE. Smaller for the sake of smaller isn’t what most people want. They want it smaller for a reason: a smaller phone has a smaller screen, which is mostly what affects one handed usability.

Nope. That's not it. I am convinced that you don't understand why most people like the SE. You can scroll through thousands of SE crowd posts and you'll realize very quickly that nearly all of them are in it for the form factor - a phone that is easy to hold and operate using one hand.

They don't want the SE because of a small screen. That's a ridiculous statement. In fact, most of them ackwolege that the screen is too small. If Apple were to release an SE-sized phone (SE2) with a bezel-less design and much bigger screen, most SE fans would jump ship without hesitation. Myself included.

Additionally, SE owners find the size ergonomic for several different reasons; not just reachability, which you appear to solely focus on. The size paired with chamfered edges is easy to hold and less slippery than any design thereafter. People also love it because of how inconspicuous of a phone it is when you put it in your pocket. It's tiny compared to even the iPhone 8.

If the SE had a bigger screen, it would still be a hell of a lot easier to use than the iPhone 8 with a smaller screen. If reachability on an SE2 suffered slightly as a result of a bigger screen, most people would be willing to make the small sacrifice. And no, it's not the same as reachability issues on the iPhone 8. Those are much bigger devices, period.

The SE crowd wants a small SE-sized phone. Most couldn't care less about how a bigger screen impacts maneuverability.

 

[PickUrPoison]

<snip>
The SE crowd wants a small SE-sized phone. Most couldn't care less about how a bigger screen impacts maneuverability.

Disagree completely. An SE sized phone with a full screen is a one handed disaster. Unusable. Because the screen is too big.

You said yourself that SE users value one handed operation. If you have an SE try to reach the bottom left and top right without changing your grip. I’ll bet you can’t. Like I said, SE sized with full screen would be unusable one handed.

What good is an SE sized phone that you can hold in your hand, but not operate it one handed? Who just holds their phone? That makes no sense whatsoever. The most important part is being able to operate it while your holding it. Most people can’t do that once the screen diagonal exceeds 3-1/2 to 4 inches

You’ve lost the forest for the trees.

 

[mkoesel]

OK, I'm obsessed...

I love the visual.

As someone pointed out earlier in the thread, the 6.67 and 6.06 screens are close enough in size to those used for today’s iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max (and expected to be used again for the two 2019 OLED iPhones) that it could be a hint that the 2020 phones will retain the same dimensions as today’s XS models, but with smaller bezels.

I don’t know what size the bezels would be if the above turned out to be the case, but a 50% reduction in bezel width seems very believable given that the Huawei Mate 20 Pro has already essentially achieved that. That would make the 5.42” iPhone’s dimensions closer in size to the SE than the 8. It would then be just 5.2mm taller and 3.4mm wider than an SE.

 

[Jamers99]

So how do these sizes compare to current XS and XR?
[doublepost=1554343274][/doublepost]So basically like 3-4% larger than current screens thus forcing everyone to have to buy new cases yet again.

 

[aleni]

According to my very rough calculation, 5.42" OLED-based iPhone would be about 2.4" wide and 5.3" tall. It should be smaller as my calculation is very conservative.

iPhone 8 measures 2.6" wide and 5.5" tall and iPhone SE measures 2.3" wide and 4.9".

So 5.4" iPhone would be a lot closer to SE than 8.

Thanks God for this. I wouldn’t mind a slightly bigger SE. It’s still very much manageable.
[doublepost=1554375379][/doublepost]

Let me pitch in since I just drew this

Measuring my SE, the side bezels are ~4.5mm and the iPhone X bezels with their inefficient rounded profile are ~4mm

If the next design of the iPhone goes back to the square profile (like the iPad Pro) we may see them reduce down to 3.5mm, since the square profile is more easily arranged to push components right up to the edge.

Apple doesn't seem to care about consistent proportions anymore, but the iPhone X has a much taller screen than anything with Touch ID, so lets at least use that proportion as a fix.

SO ... If someone were to want an SE 2 with the exact same width as the current SE (that's me), you'd get something like this. I know this isn't going to happen, but that's the Phone I'd want:

Once again, I'm rounding up numbers so please forgive any inaccuracies.

Bigger screen with a body smaller than the SE. Take my $1k Tim Cook!

 

[apolloa]

I think I underestimated the importance of this story.
We could end up with an XR, replacement for the SE, at 5.42” and then the premium models being the bigger 6” and 6.06 and 6.67”

This could be really interesting, unless they have a new SE and XR and then make the bigger phone the premium all singing all dancing model? It could be very interesting selecting a new iPhone in 2020.
If the do move the XR brand to the smaller model, it needs water rating like the XR, same SOC as the other phones but with less RAM, lower res OLED but same bezel less design with Face ID, and stereo speakers. It could just have the best LTE and ditch 5G?
It also needs the zoomed screen mode too. It would also need the same camera as the current XR as a minimum.

Hmm they could charge from £700 in the UK and I’d consider it, especially if the bigger models were made the premium ones and started from a grand again!

 

[robertosh]

I see the light at the end of the tunnel... that 5.42" would make me replace my 6 for sure. The trend of small phones will come (again!)

 

[iZac]

I just wanted to bump this thread to remind myself and others how far SE owners have come, waiting not so patiently for something to satisfy our stubby digits.

Also why are so many people in this thread suspended?! those naughty lot.

 

[aleni]

I just wanted to bump this thread to remind myself and others how far SE owners have come, waiting not so patiently for something to satisfy our stubby digits.

Also why are so many people in this thread suspended?! those naughty lot.

Rejoice compact phone lovers!

 

[Maschil]

Wish apple would have added the finger print. Would have been a nice addition with covid and all smh beside that and no USB c phones look good. Wondering on battery life though