Are you disappointed that the next iPhone may not be WIDER? (merged)

[blairh]

Yep. It is a partial solution. Another part is pinch or tap to zoom. Another part is landscape mode. Another part is the the accessibility settings.

Point is that there are already multiple ways to address the problem you described without making the screen bigger. Though I don't begrudge you the desire for a larger screen! Personally, I've only had rare problems reading websites on the iPhone. Mostly due to horrible web design.

Those aren't solutions. Pinch to zoom requires time to navigate a page versus being able to simply read all the text comfortably by default. Landscape mode almost always helps but still you need to flip your phone. Accessibilty has nothing to do with rendering text in Safari.

The truth is that a wider phone in portrait would be just as easy to navigate with your thumb. The issues start to arise when your screen is very long, like with these new 4.7" and 4.8" flagship phones. The 4" iPhone screen should not have this issue.

 

[BaldiMac]

Those aren't solutions. Pinch to zoom requires time to navigate a page versus being able to simply read all the text comfortably by default. Landscape mode almost always helps but still you need to flip your phone. Accessibilty has nothing to do with rendering text in Safari.

The fact that they don't work how you want doesn't mean they aren't solutions to the problem.

(And they are actually better solutions that what you suggest. A 4" iPhone screen at the same aspect ratio isn't going to allow you to do what what you want either. The display would only be 14% wider.)

The truth is that a wider phone in portrait would be just as easy to navigate with your thumb. The issues start to arise when your screen is very long, like with these new 4.7" and 4.8" flagship phones. The 4" iPhone screen should not have this issue.

I never said anything about it being harder to navigate with your thumbs. But, obviously, a larger screen is going to be marginally harder to navigate that way. Regardless of the aspect ratio. I don't think it will be a significant issue for most people.

 

[blairh]

The fact that they don't work how you want doesn't mean they aren't solutions to the problem.

(And they are actually better solutions that what you suggest. A 4" iPhone screen at the same aspect ratio isn't going to allow you to do what what you want either. The display would only be 14% wider.)



I never said anything about it being harder to navigate with your thumbs. But, obviously, a larger screen is going to be marginally harder to navigate that way. Regardless of the aspect ratio. I don't think it will be a significant issue for most people.

I'm not trying to argue with you. I'm just stating the facts. Your solutions aren't solutions. I'd like to be able to read text more easily in portrait mode with Safari. That was my original point. Nothing you suggested would change that.

I wasn't responding to anything you said regarding thumb navigation. I was just making a point.

All I'm really getting at is that the 'new' iPhone (if you believe the rumors and pics) isn't going to change much as for the experience with Safari in portrait. We will only see more of the screen vertically, which is an improvement, but not the move forward that I was hoping for. (A better portrait mode reading experience.)

 

[irDigital0l]

I dont want it to be too fat or long so I would like if both sides got increased.

 

[b166er]

I honestly don't think any of the leaks from the past week or so will make it to the finished product. I think most of them are straight up fake. I think the rest are either scrapped ideas or intentional decoys.

If I'm wrong it's all good- I don't mind the current design and as long as they beef up the hardware enough or add a wow factor I will likely upgrade.

 

[Darthdingo]

I had direct experience with this issue last year.

I had the EVO 4G, a nice sized phone, felt great in the hand. Then I bought the EVO 3D, and it was much narrower and taller. And I hated it for that reason alone, the taller but less width, could not adjust to. So after a month I returned it. I found the fatter/wider phone much easier to hold, than the taller.

 

[BaldiMac]

I'm not trying to argue with you.

Argue? I'm just trying to have a discussion.

I'm just stating the facts. Your solutions aren't solutions. I'd like to be able to read text more easily in portrait mode with Safari. That was my original point. Nothing you suggested would change that.

No, you are stating opinions. The things I suggested do make it easier to read text on the iPhone. You'd prefer an additional option. Unfortunately,a 3:2 4" screen wouldn't have much impact, as it would only increase the font size by 14%. All of the solutions that I suggested had a more significant impact.

 

[blairh]

No, you are stating opinions. The things I suggested do make it easier to read text on the iPhone. You'd prefer an additional option. Unfortunately,a 3:2 4" screen wouldn't have much impact, as it would only increase the font size by 14%. All of the solutions that I suggested had a more significant impact.

What are you talking about. I clearly stated that I'd like it to be easier to read text on sites where I'm not navigating a series of stories laid out in a desktop like form (like Huff Post's desktop page) but rather something where the stories are displayed and you select said story to read it. (I quoted Gawker mobile site.) Let's break down what you suggested and keep insisting are viable options. (When they aren't.)

1."Yep. It is a partial solution."

This is you referencing your initial suggestion of Reader. I already replied that reader is for articles only (when you've clicked on said article). So, if I wanted to read a specific Gawker story that I already clicked on, then Reader would be just fine, but that's not what I'm alluding to.

2. "Another part is pinch or tap to zoom."

Again, I've already explained how I'm not refering to sites where you are navigating a series of stories on a spreadout webpage. (Huff Post, NY Times, Verge desktop pages.) I'm talking about mobile sites that I frequent daily where pinch to zoom simply does not work. (ESPN, Msnbc, NY Post, Gawker, others.)

3. "Another part is landscape mode."

Yes, that absolutely works. But again I'd rather not be forced to flip the orientation of my phone to read something comfortably.

4. "Another part is the the accessibility settings."

Nope, has nothing to do with rendering text in Safari.

So as you've forced me to clearly explain because you keep insisting something that is false, I am not 'stating an opinion'. Nor am I looking for an 'additional option'. The truth is that there are specific scenarios where browsing sites in Safari in portrait mode does not allow you to increase the size of text without flipping the orientation of the iPhone. This is a fact. Please stop telling me otherwise or stating that I'm wrong in any way.

 

[BaldiMac]

What are you talking about. I clearly stated that I'd like it to be easier to read text on sites where I'm not navigating a series of stories laid out in a desktop like form (like Huff Post's desktop page) but rather something where the stories are displayed and you select said story to read it. (I quoted Gawker mobile site.) Let's break down what you suggested and keep insisting are viable options. (When they aren't.)

1."Yep. It is a partial solution."

This is you referencing your initial suggestion of Reader. I already replied that reader is for articles only (when you've clicked on said article). So, if I wanted to read a specific Gawker story that I already clicked on, then Reader would be just fine, but that's not what I'm alluding to.

2. "Another part is pinch or tap to zoom."

Again, I've already explained how I'm not refering to sites where you are navigating a series of stories on a spreadout webpage. (Huff Post, NY Times, Verge desktop pages.) I'm talking about mobile sites that I frequent daily where pinch to zoom simply does not work. (ESPN, Msnbc, NY Post, Gawker, others.)

3. "Another part is landscape mode."

Yes, that absolutely works. But again I'd rather not be forced to flip the orientation of my phone to read something comfortably.

4. "Another part is the the accessibility settings."

Nope, has nothing to do with rendering text in Safari.

So as you've forced me to clearly explain because you keep insisting something that is false, I am not 'stating an opinion'. Nor am I looking for an 'additional option'. The truth is that there are specific scenarios where browsing sites in Safari in portrait mode does not allow you to increase the size of text without flipping the orientation of the iPhone. This is a fact. Please stop telling me otherwise or stating that I'm wrong in any way.

Wow. That is the first time that you've mentioned "mobile sites that I frequent daily where pinch to zoom simply does not work". Forgive me for not reading your mind. Yes, accessibility features would help with that (Zoom). No, a wider screen, as you suggested, would not help with that.

I was discussing the different options for dealing with the problem of small text on websites. I'm not sure why you can't see beyond one myopic view.

 

[blairh]

Wow. That is the first time that you've mentioned "mobile sites that I frequent daily where pinch to zoom simply does not work". Forgive me for not reading your mind. Yes, accessibility features would help with that (Zoom). No, a wider screen, as you suggested, would not help with that.

I was discussing the different options for dealing with the problem of small text on websites. I'm not sure why you can't see beyond one myopic view.

Actually it isn't the first time I mention it. Zoom in accessibilty features would not help one bit. One, you can't use it with one hand. Second, and more importantly, it doesn't do anything useful. I just tried it. All it does is partially zoom in on the screen. It doesn't help with respect to reading mobile sites in portrait. I'm talking about firing up a mobile site like Gawker's and being able to scan the articles before selecting one. In said scenario Zoom doesn't do me any good.

I'm not sure why you keep insisting that a wider screen would not be beneficial. I know we need to take into account resolution at the same time, but I've used plenty of Android devices that render larger text by default in portrait mode for mobile sites. (Compared to the retina display.)

You keep insisting (and again, you still won't conceed) that you listed options that would not benefit me and yet you proceed to repeat that you are giving me useful options and that I want more choices. Myopic view? Are you ***** serious? You can't come up with a viable solution (because one does not exist) but you continue on as if you have proposed wonderful solutions when in reality they are anything but that.

This is getting ridiculous. (And in the end doesn't matter because the iPhone screen is most likely not getting wider anytime soon.) I honestly would like for us to drop this. It's a converstation that is going nowhere. Nothing you have proposed would enchance the situation I speak of in portrait mode. To quote you, "The fact that they don't work how you want doesn't mean they aren't solutions to the problem." What a load of BS. Spare me.

 

[TwoBytes]

New iphone screen size width the same - not a big change.

Increasing the length but bit width isn't a drastic change as I would have hoped looking at the current case pic comparisons. It's just 1cm or so taller.

I still find scrolling across and reading such short lines a pain in portrait mode so the length wont make that big a difference.

Anyone feel the same?

 

[wgonzvega]

Increasing the length but bit width isn't a drastic change as I would have hoped looking at the current case pic comparisons. It's just 1cm or so taller.

I still find scrolling across and reading such short lines a pain in portrait mode so the length wont make that big a difference.

Anyone feel the same?

I think that Apple has lost its drive. They are getting beat by other manufacture in terms of innovations. I only hope those rumors are false and the next iphone comes as the greatest device way superior to everything else in the market, like it used to be, and not only a small cosmetic change.

 

[matttye]

I think that Apple has lost its drive. They are getting beat by other manufacture in terms of innovations. I only hope those rumors are false and the next iphone comes as the greatest device way superior to everything else in the market, like it used to be, and not only a small cosmetic change.

Yep - Apple seems to be massively profit orientated. I appreciate that every business will be like that, but Apple are to the extreme.

They haven't changed the size of the iPhone screen since the first one, even though larger screened devices have become increasingly popular over the last few years. I think this is because it keeps production costs down; they can keep the same production lines.

When you look at the Galaxy S3, it's clear that Apple has been left in the dust. They do still have an iron grip on the tablet market though, which I believe is well deserved.

 

[MonkeySee....]

I think that Apple has lost its drive. They are getting beat by other manufacture in terms of innovations. I only hope those rumors are false and the next iphone comes as the greatest device way superior to everything else in the market, like it used to be, and not only a small cosmetic change.

Yep - Apple seems to be massively profit orientated. I appreciate that every business will be like that, but Apple are to the extreme.

They haven't changed the size of the iPhone screen since the first one, even though larger screened devices have become increasingly popular over the last few years. I think this is because it keeps production costs down; they can keep the same production lines.

When you look at the Galaxy S3, it's clear that Apple has been left in the dust. They do still have an iron grip on the tablet market though, which I believe is well deserved.

What are you both talking about. When phones are released on different dates they will always "out do" each other. Its just the way it is.

It should come down to useability which is where, IMO iOS shines.

 

[mrsir2009]

Somehow I can't see these rumors being true...

 

[Sedrick]

Sedrick, what are your thoughts and feelings about the recently leaked photos? If that's the next iPhone, will you be happy with it?

Personally, I'm starting to get the impression that not widening the screen means the text won't be any larger (easier to read) in portrait orientation, and that's my biggest issue with my iPhone. Please don't bring up pinch to zoom because I shouldn't need to do so on sites that aren't especially text heavy.

I mentioned this a while ago, and it seems to be the case: Apple has painted themselves in a corner with this 'retina' claim. They can't go true 4" without loosing retina, so to save face they've come up with this goofy solution.

As some one else mentioned (rather brilliantly), it's like you desperately need more office space and their misguided solution was to make the ceiling higher.

 

[matttye]

What are you both talking about. When phones are released on different dates they will always "out do" each other. Its just the way it is.

It should come down to useability which is where, IMO iOS shines.

iOS is too limited.

Why should I have to delve into the settings menu every time I want to change common options like bluetooth and wifi?

Why should I have to go into the gallery app to send a picture by email rather than compose the email first and attach a picture?

Since Android ICS and WP7 came out, iOS isn't even top in the usability stakes.

 

[andybno1]

there's an option missing "I'm not bothered either way"

 

[npro1464]

Oh this whole thing is so damn silly. As an Android users, for the life of me I can't understand why Apple can't make a 3.5, 4 and 4.5 inch phone at the same time and please everybody. "but bro! Fragmentation!" Get over yourselves! Developers will have to adjust their little games. I'm confident a company like Apple can make it work. This whole longer iPhone thing is ridiculous, and if it goes down like this, I can see a lot of users changing over.

 

[w00t951]

Since Android ICS and WP7 came out, iOS isn't even top in the usability stakes.

Apparently you own neither a Windows Phone nor an ICS phone. Windows Phone is disgustingly limited. Example: Play Spotify. Respond to text. Spend 20 seconds waiting for Spotify to open. ICS is easier to use than previous versions of Android, but I'm experiencing a lot of problems with my Nexus. Keyboard is not an OS process; lagging and letter dropping is common. All the apps need creepy levels of permission. Random wallpapers will create lag. Web browsing is great until you actually type into a text field.

Point is, the new Android is easier to use - but not easier than iOS. Windows Phone is just annoying to use.

Edit: I own a 4S, Nexus, and owned a Lumia 900 for three weeks.

 

[matttye]

Apparently you own neither a Windows Phone nor an ICS phone. Windows Phone is disgustingly limited. Example: Play Spotify. Respond to text. Spend 20 seconds waiting for Spotify to open. ICS is easier to use than previous versions of Android, but I'm experiencing a lot of problems with my Nexus. Keyboard is not an OS process; lagging and letter dropping is common. All the apps need creepy levels of permission. Random wallpapers will create lag. Web browsing is great until you actually type into a text field.

Point is, the new Android is easier to use - but not easier than iOS. Windows Phone is just annoying to use.

Edit: I own a 4S, Nexus, and owned a Lumia 900 for three weeks.

I admit to not having a windows phone; I was basing what I said on reviews that I've read.

I have however owned Android phones for about three years. ICS is incredibly intuitive. I don't have any lag with mine. I root and underclock the processor and GPU for improved battery life, and still don't experience any lag.

My CPU runs at 1GHz and GPU at 200MHz. No lag for me.

 

[TwoBytes]

back to topic - sentences will still have wrapped the same way due to the same width when reading pages on the net.

Apple should just increase the whole size of the phone rather than stage it with the iPhone 7 / 8 etc so devs can create for the right resolution of the future rather than these 'intermediate' steps apple takes

 

[aztooh]

Apparently you own neither a Windows Phone nor an ICS phone. Windows Phone is disgustingly limited. Example: Play Spotify. Respond to text. Spend 20 seconds waiting for Spotify to open. ICS is easier to use than previous versions of Android, but I'm experiencing a lot of problems with my Nexus. Keyboard is not an OS process; lagging and letter dropping is common. All the apps need creepy levels of permission. Random wallpapers will create lag. Web browsing is great until you actually type into a text field.

Point is, the new Android is easier to use - but not easier than iOS. Windows Phone is just annoying to use.

Edit: I own a 4S, Nexus, and owned a Lumia 900 for three weeks.

Well, considering we don't even know what kind of permissions iOS apps are granted, who cares? You want the app, and trust it, DL it. If it's suspicious, don't DL it.

And to the OP, was it really necessary to create yet another thread on the rumored screen size? C'mon.

 

[Sedrick]

Oh this whole thing is so damn silly. As an Android users, for the life of me I can't understand why Apple can't make a 3.5, 4 and 4.5 inch phone at the same time and please everybody. "but bro! Fragmentation!" Get over yourselves! Developers will have to adjust their little games. I'm confident a company like Apple can make it work. This whole longer iPhone thing is ridiculous, and if it goes down like this, I can see a lot of users changing over.

I'm also disappointed in Apple (assuming this weak update is true). They have the muscle, talent, market share and money to make this next phone blow everyone's expectations out of the water and kill the competition.

Apple could even put out two phones: One 3.5" and one 4.3". Everyone on the planet would get one or the other.

If these rumors are true, however, it will indeed be a sad to see Apple squander the opportunity for such greatness on a cheap, minimal effort update.

 

[matttye]

I'm also disappointed in Apple (assuming this weak update is true). They have the muscle, talent, market share and money to make this next phone blow everyone's expectations out of the water and kill the competition.

Apple could even put out two phones: One 3.5" and one 4.3". Everyone on the planet would get one or the other.

If these rumors are true, however, it will indeed be a sad to see Apple squander the opportunity for such greatness on a cheap, minimal effort update.

Sadly it's not just Apple's hardware choices that suck, it's software too. It'd take more than a 4.3" screen to make me buy one. The fact that you can't install apps from outside the app store (meaning Apple gets full control of what I install on my phone) irks me.