Other Does a 5.4 inch iPhone 12 interest you?

[macher]

Currently rocking (or not) a first-generation SE. And I have another one sitting on the shelf in case this one meets destiny. I got it as future-proofing, the very day the first-gen SE was discontinued, during that ugly period only a few years go when it seemed like Apple had made a list of every feature people actually liked in their product and started eliminating them one by one. ("A phone you can actually put into and take out of your pocket and which isn't slipperier to hold than a wet bar of soap? Out it goes! If only there were a way to put a butterfly keyboard and TouchBar on this baby!")

So I'll *look* at a new phone-sized phone, even if it might be at least one actual phone away my current one.

Last week my brother was over and he has an iPhone 11 Pro in a Pitaka case which is VERY minimalistic. Doesn’t offer any drop protection.

I put my iPhone SE 2020 in a Magpul case on top of his 11 Pro in the Pitaka case and they were almost the same size. The 11 Pro was slightly taller not much and the same width.

The 11 Pro in the Pitaka case felt really good in the hand. I was like ‘damn this feels really nice!’ I could pretty much use it one handed with some adjustments.

When I had the 11 Pro for a month I had it in a Magpul case and was very uncomfortable and couldn’t get used to it.

With that being said in mine line of work and my activities I couldn’t use a case like the Pitaka because it offers no drop protection or any other protection.If I could use a case like the Pitaka then I probably could rock the 11 Pro. But I wouldn’t go larger which the 12 Pro is going to be.

 

[eedoxies]

I am interested in the 5.4 inch phone. I upgraded my 6 series when the XR came out and I have never liked the phone, too big for me. Considered the SE2, but decided to wait and compare to 5.4" iPhone 12. Not a heavy user, occasional calls frequent texts and check email when away from home, very occasional web usage. Want to make the right decision so I can keep the phone for as long as possible.

 

[Lefteous]

I think this year Apple actually has the proper answer to three possible smartphone experiences.
The first ... is the one-handed experience
The second ... is the compromise experience that is pocket-friendly, not really one-handed, not really good at typing but not terrible at anything.
The third ... is the two-handed experience for those who have a handbag and someone at your side who has a hand free while you enjoy the large screen.

These are not three different products, this this one device. Just kidding. You have to make a decision.

 

[rowi1de]

Currently have a 6s ... 11 Pro Screen Size is nice, not optimal for 1-Hand usage for me.
5,4" 12 depends on what the downgrades are compared to the 12 Pro.
- No Super Wide Cam = I'm out
- LIDAR / ToF = Depends on what 12 Pro can do with it
- Battery Size could be an interesting point

 

[Banks73]

i have 11 pro and my fingers can't use the small keyboard, I'm ready for the 6.7

 

[tridley68]

Not in the least bit interested being on the 6.7 now there is a phone to look forward to.

 

[macher]

Currently have a 6s ... 11 Pro Screen Size is nice, not optimal for 1-Hand usage for me.
5,4" 12 depends on what the downgrades are compared to the 12 Pro.
- No Super Wide Cam = I'm out
- LIDAR / ToF = Depends on what 12 Pro can do with it
- Battery Size could be an interesting point

Not optimal for 1 hand use. Now that’s a good one.

The SE 2020 is optimal for 1 handed use. The 11 Pro can be used 1 handed but isn’t optimal.

I can easily use my SE 2020 1 handed. A good test believe it or not is when I’m walking then dog at the park, have the leash in one hand and my iPhone in another. I can text or whatever with 1 hand.

With the 11 Pro with walking the dog test I found could use it with one hand but not nearly as optimal. Had to make too many adjustments to use 1 hand vs. And found my self having to stop because when stable I could text better etc.

 

[rui no onna]

We everyone and their mother is saying it’s going to be a 5.4” screen that’s why it’s being called iPhone 12 5.4.

That's why I'm saying the dimensions you posted for the 5.4" iPhone 12 (5.51" x 2.89") is too big unless it has fairly large bezels (~7.5mm).

If you use the 2020 iPhone SE 2nd gen chassis (5.45" x 2.65") and make the display edge to edge with a 5mm bezel, you get a 5.5" diagonal display.

Mind, the diagonal size of the iPhone SE 1st gen's chassis is 5.4".

 

[s2mike]

I’ve owned the following iPhones:

iPhone 3G
iPhone 4
iPhone 5
iPhone 6
iPhone 6S
iPhone 7
iPhone X
iPhone XS
iPhone 11 Pro

That said, the 5.4” iPhone 12 is the *only* phone I’d consider getting. I think the iPhone 5 / original SE is just a tad too small, and the iPhone 8 / new SE is a tad too big. This phone is the perfect size for me.

Literally been waiting YEARS for Apple to make this phone. Can’t wait for launch day...whenever that ends up being.

 

[slimejester]

The 5.8" X/XS had the perfect footprint to screen size for me.
Miffed that they're stepping it up to 6.1"

I would be all in for a 5.8 12 Pro.

 

[44267547]

I think this year Apple actually has the proper answer to three possible smartphone experiences.
The first ... is the one-handed experience
The second ... is the compromise experience that is pocket-friendly, not really one-handed, not really good at typing but not terrible at anything.
The third ... is the two-handed experience for those who have a handbag and someone at your side who has a hand free while you enjoy the large screen.

To simplify how you broke this down, I completely agree. You’re right though, you have a smaller phone for ‘one handed’ manipulation, a middle grade phone that’s larger, but yet it’s still practical, then you have thee largest Phone offered for the maximum viewing experience. And that’s a big part of it, because when you buy these phones, it comes down to are you comfortable carrying it/holding it, which in a lot of cases, one size doesn’t fit all. Apple had to realize that for years until they expanded their iPhone line up all the way from the 4 inch iPhone SE to the 6.7 ‘Pro Max’ coming fall 2020. (They’re marketing terminology still suffer, but that’s a for a different thread.)

 

[Lefteous]

I really hope Apple would provide the same battery life over all sizes. I don't want to make a decision based on battery life.
The sad thing is, that it's technically impossible. When you compare stand-by/calls/browsing/videos/gaming battery life, you can extract just one factor where the phone actually differ. This is the screen. To get the same battery life when the screen is off (stand-by/calls), you would have to add the same battery to each device. To get same battery life when the screen is on (browsing/videos/gaming), you need a larger battery depending on the power consumption of the screen. So Apple has to find a compromise here, that also considers thickness to a degree. I think they should install batteries that have the same battery life for browsing/videos/gaming. One could say that Apple currently considers the screen size too much. All in all the batteries are too small for the stand-by/calls scenarios where the A-chips don't help too much.

 

[Wokis]

I would definitely be interested.. The smaller it is the better it fits in my pocket and this factor alone determines how much I like using my phone I've found out.

I think I even wrote here somewhere I'd ditch my 11 Pro next year if they would introduce a smaller one.. However I've changed my mind due to work stepping in and cofinancing my phone so selling it would become a bit of a mess..

What I've realised with the 11 Pro however is that it is juuuust small enough to be tolerable IF I stick to a super thin (not very protective) bumper. The fact that the next pro looks to be XR/11-sized means that model will never fit me and I might never be in the market for a "pro"-model ever again.

 

[subjonas]

Wait - isn’t the SE 2020 4.7? And the 5.4 a 5.4? That’s .7” which is a little more than a 1/2“, right? That may be pretty noticeable on that size phone, but it doesn’t seem like much does it?

But when comparing screens of different aspect ratios, surface area is really the only truly useful measurement to compare.
Does anyone have the rumored length and width of the screen?

5.4” screen size in a phone about the same size as the SE (1st Gen).

If the dummy unit Dan has is accurate, there isn’t that much difference in size of the 5.4” and the new SE. The main difference is the 5.4 being more narrow and mostly screen, which should make it easier to use one-handed.

Yeah, looking at the comparison between SE1, SE2, and dummy 5.4”, I believe the height of the 5.4” was about halfway in between the SE1 and 2, but the width was much closer to the SE2 than the SE1. And I think width is the measurement that more determines whether a phone is easier to use one-handed. Because if it’s too tall you can always do the little shimmy (though not ideal). If it’s too wide, you have to resort to balancing the phone on your fingers instead of your fingers gripping it, which to me makes it not truly a one-handed device.

Not optimal for 1 hand use. Now that’s a good one.

The SE 2020 is optimal for 1 handed use. The 11 Pro can be used 1 handed but isn’t optimal.

I can easily use my SE 2020 1 handed. A good test believe it or not is when I’m walking then dog at the park, have the leash in one hand and my iPhone in another. I can text or whatever with 1 hand.

With the 11 Pro with walking the dog test I found could use it with one hand but not nearly as optimal. Had to make too many adjustments to use 1 hand vs. And found my self having to stop because when stable I could text better etc.

I don’t find the SE 2020 optimal for one-handed use, but maybe our hand sizes are different. Or maybe we have different criteria for true one-handed use. For me the 4” SE was pushing the boundaries of true optimal one-handed use. The original 3.5” iPhone was the truly true one-handed iphone. I mean, I’m pretty sure that’s why they designed the original that size, back when one-handed use was the given priority (why would Apple make it smaller than what they thought was optimal?). And our hands haven’t evolved bigger in 10 years. I think what happened was our desire to consume more content on a bigger screen that’s always with us has caused us to subconsciously widen our definition of “one-handed”.

 

[macher]

I don’t find the SE 2020 optimal for one-handed use, but maybe our hand sizes are different. Or maybe we have different criteria for true one-handed use. For me the 4” SE was pushing the boundaries of true optimal one-handed use. The original 3.5” iPhone was the truly true one-handed iphone. I mean, I’m pretty sure that’s why they designed the original that size, back when one-handed use was the given priority (why would Apple make it smaller than what they thought was optimal?). And our hands haven’t evolved bigger in 10 years. I think what happened was our desire to consume more content on a bigger screen that’s always with us has caused us to subconsciously widen our definition of “one-handed”.

My criteria for 1 hand use is to be able to use my iPhone 1 handed without having to adjust, move iPhone around etc.

I can grip my SE 2020 in 1 hand and use my thumb to do whatever task without any hitches. Don’t have to adjust my hands or iPhone to use with 1 hand. I definitely can’t do that with the 11 Pro. When I had the 11 Pro I mostly used it with 2 hands because I always to to make too much adjustments to use 1 hand and still not optimal but doable.

It’s what’s optimal vs doable. Optimal 1 hand use to me means using with 1 hand as if it was ‘part of my hand’. As easily as picking up a pen and writing or something like that or just getting in my car turn the key and go without any adjustments or thinking if that makes sense.

That’s my criteria. If you have a similar criteria then I have bigger hands and fingers.

I defiantly have average size hands and like I said the 11 Pro could work for me in a very minimalistic case like the Pitaka. Problem is my lifestyle and line of work I need a more protective case like the Magpul Field. The SE 2020 in a Magpul case = the same size as the 11 Pro in a Pitaka case. The 11 Pro in a Magpul case isn’t close to being optimal for 1 hand use.

 

[Spudlicious]

The debate about screen sizes reminds me of when the 5.3" screen Samsung Galaxy Note was launched back in 2011. For context, that same year and around the same time Apple announced the 3.5" iPhone 4S, the last phone of the Steve Jobs era. That original Note's screen was described as colossal, huge, or gargantuan, and reviewers claiming it was a cross between a phone and a tablet coined the term 'Phablet.' Some reviewers loved it, some loathed it, a lot of them could see no future for such big phone screens because they needed two hands and "looked ridiculous" when held to the ear. Well, it sold by the million because enough of Joe Public liked big screens, and it set a trend continuing to this day. It's still true that big screens require two hands, one to hold and one to poke, but I don't think anyone's bothered about holding a paperback-sized phone to their head, and who can seriously expect a mass move move back to smaller screens? Looking through this most interesting thread I can only see subjonas arguing for 3.5", but Apple insisted for years that was the ideal size based on average hand dimensions. There must surely be a limit to how big phone screens get, even if they fold or roll up like ancient manuscripts so can get them in our pockets. Mustn't there?

 

[nottorp]

I've given up for myself and got an iphone X, mainly because my eyes aren't so good any more.

However, both my wife and daughter are holding on for dear life to their original SEs (which are self disassembling by now). A small iphone 12 (hopefully with small bezels too) might convince them to upgrade.

And to be honest, if Apple keeps having a small current phone in their lineup when the X dies, I'll probably get the smallest as well. I have the space to carry around a larger phone (as opposed to the ladies). Doesn't mean I *want* to.

 

[ssledoux]

Well, because I use a Loopy case, I am having zero issues using the SE2 one-handed. I could likely use the 11 pro one-handed as well. The 11 was a real stretch. I COULD reach into that upper left corner, but I couldn’t really tap anything.

The Loopy case doesn’t add too much overall bulk, and it makes it so easy to use a phone with one hand.

 

[macher]

Well, because I use a Loopy case, I am having zero issues using the SE2 one-handed. I could likely use the 11 pro one-handed as well. The 11 was a real stretch. I COULD reach into that upper left corner, but I couldn’t really tap anything.

The Loopy case doesn’t add too much overall bulk, and it makes it so easy to use a phone with one hand.

What kind of case do you use? I find that I could use the 11 Pro only if it’s a very very minimalistic case

 

[hgontijo]

I'd definitely get a smaller phone. I currently own an iPhone X which I like in terms of features but I do miss having a smaller phone.

 

[ssledoux]

What kind of case do you use? I find that I could use the 11 Pro only if it’s a very very minimalistic case

It’s called a Loopy. It’s not for everyone I’m sure. The soft loop on the back would likely keep it from sliding into pockets and stuff, but it is an awesome case for me, and I have gotten so many people I know using these things. Check them out at loopycases.com.

 

[macher]

It’s called a Loopy. It’s not for everyone I’m sure. The soft loop on the back would likely keep it from sliding into pockets and stuff, but it is an awesome case for me, and I have gotten so many people I know using these things. Check them out at loopycases.com.

Thanks just checked them out. I don’t think for me but an interesting case. I’ve always used a Magpul Field case.

 

[monroerr]

I will take any phone that brings back touch ID. Until then I am not purchasing a new iPhone.

 

[Jimmy James]

Absolutely. I’ve been dreading the thought of going bigger than my 6s. If anything, I want a smaller phone in my pocket. Now, my eyesight is getting worse in the reading range. Solves both problems. My only concern is an led screen.

 

[MrKennedy]

What I've realised with the 11 Pro however is that it is juuuust small enough to be tolerable IF I stick to a super thin (not very protective) bumper. The fact that the next pro looks to be XR/11-sized means that model will never fit me and I might never be in the market for a "pro"-model ever again.

Just because the rumored Pro might bigger this year doesn't mean that smaller sizes won't come in the future

The size of these phones can't increase forever!