How Apple Could Make the Move to 4.7" iPhone Displays

[1Life]

Alternatively you could just open your eyes and look at all the high end phones being sold by the likes of Samsung, Nokia, htc in their millions. 50 million Samsung s3's sold, 40 million s4, that's hardly "supposed"

Just because you personally don't want a smaller phone doesn't invalidate the market for them. Also I'd welcome your explanation for how voice recognition on a phone would help reading web pages on an every shrinking screen

I don't understand why people who themselves don't want a large phone invalidate everyone else's demand for one.

The fact that Samsung and Nokia sold those phones doesn't validate your hypothesis. There are a variety of factors that could contribute to the success of Nokia and Samsung phones and I would postulate price point is the primary factor. I would imagine that is why the iPhone 4 is still such a huge seller for Apple even with its relatively small screen size.

Voice recognition in relation to voice controls (i.e. Siri). If I could initiate actions and obtain information via audio command instead of using a touchscreen screen I think most people would prefer that. That's my opinion.

No, you don't understand. I understand why people would prefer a larger screen to watch videos and web browse. I have no issue with Apple making large phones for people who want them. However, I would like to see if the sales numbers validate this huge demand that certain people claim there is. Marketing "experts" can be wrong and I think they are wrong in this case.

I foresee a future where a combination iWatch and Google Glass device will eliminate smartphones as we know it.

 

[Tumbleweed666]

The fact that Samsung and Nokia sold those phones doesn't validate your hypothesis. There are a variety of factors that could contribute to the success of Nokia and Samsung phones and I would postulate price point is the primary factor.

Price point is one factor, that agrees with the apple analysis. But there are numerous far cheaper androids with smaller screens, the s3 and s4 have outsold many such, including models from the same manufacturers. And on a contract both sammys are similar prices to 4s and 5c, so aside a postulated hatred of ios the main differentiation is the second factor apple referred to, screen size. Which is what apples analysis summarised, and I presume they did some research to discover why people were buying what they did.

It's hardly surprising that there is demand across a range of screen sizes, so to argue that the people who are carrying large phones around do so because they are cheaper than smaller apple screens, when they could get even cheaper phones by buying ones with smaller screens, seems to fly in the face of logic.

 

[terminator-jq]

In my opinion Apple should just move to a 1080p screen. Why:

1. It allows perfect scaling for videos.

2. It gives enough room for Apple to develop bigger screen phones without changing resolution (good news for app developers like me).

3. Most developers make apps for both Android and iOS. Most Modern day Android phones have 1080p screens. If Apple moved to a 1080p display, developers would no longer have to worry about scaling their apps for an iPhone version (again, good news for developers).

So yes...the extra pixels of a 1080p display won't do much good for our eyes. 300 pixels per inch is around enough to be "retina" quality. However, a move to 1080p would greatly help us developers.

 

[Premium1]

In my opinion Apple should just move to a 1080p screen. Why:

1. It allows perfect scaling for videos.

2. It gives enough room for Apple to develop bigger screen phones without changing resolution (good news for app developers like me).

3. Most developers make apps for both Android and iOS. Most Modern day Android phones have 1080p screens. If Apple moved to a 1080p display, developers would no longer have to worry about scaling their apps for an iPhone version (again, good news for developers).

So yes...the extra pixels of a 1080p display won't do much good for our eyes. 300 pixels per inch is around enough to be "retina" quality. However, a move to 1080p would greatly help us developers.

Apple likes being difficult and use non standard resolutions

 

[Renzatic]

Apple likes being difficult and use non standard resolutions

Apple only uses exactly what they need to use to get exactly what they want, regardless of standards. That's always been Apple's biggest strength and weakness. They make some really nice stuff that works spectacularly, but it doesn't play well with others.

See Facetime and Airdrop for a good example of this.

 

[MythicFrost]

In my opinion Apple should just move to a 1080p screen. Why:

1. It allows perfect scaling for videos.

2. It gives enough room for Apple to develop bigger screen phones without changing resolution (good news for app developers like me).

3. Most developers make apps for both Android and iOS. Most Modern day Android phones have 1080p screens. If Apple moved to a 1080p display, developers would no longer have to worry about scaling their apps for an iPhone version (again, good news for developers).

So yes...the extra pixels of a 1080p display won't do much good for our eyes. 300 pixels per inch is around enough to be "retina" quality. However, a move to 1080p would greatly help us developers.

Better they go to 1704x960, that way there's not another resolution developers need to support.

 

[Toltepeceno]

I can only repeat myself: I do not want a larger screen. I do not want a larger phone.
I hope apple also listens to those of us who still use their phones as phones and email devices and not as gaming devices and video players.
If it doesn't fit in a shirt pocket and if I can't operate it with one hand it becomes useless.

The projected 4.7" iphone would be around 2.5" wide, you must wear awfully tiny shirts to be less than 2.5" wide.

 

[Ezhik]

Well at least Apple fans are allowed to like larger screens now. Hopefully it will also have a larger resolution so that there's also an excuse for that too.

 

[ric275]

Ugh, what's the point of making the screen bigger of they're not going to take advantage of it? Please add widgets or something, just get away from this grid of icons system.

 

[7enderbender]

The projected 4.7" iphone would be around 2.5" wide, you must wear awfully tiny shirts to be less than 2.5" wide.

That would still fit. Wonder though how tall it would be. My iPhone 5 just so fits without sticking out.

And again, it's not just that. I just don't want it bigger. Plain and simple. I personally think the 4s had the perfect dimensions for a smart phone with a touch screen. The 5 is already uncomfortable to reach things with one hand in the upper corners of the screen.

----------

You do not want a larger phone, if you say you do not want a larger display it is only because you expect the device to get larger, right?

I expect the device to get larger. That's one negative. But I also really don't want a larger screen. Anything that makes one-handed operation even more challenging is a negative.

I also suspect that battery life could suffer even more, especially given the apparent obsession with making things lighter and thinner - by the way also something that in my book comes down on the negative side. The 5 already feels too light and is not very comfortable to pick up without a case when laying on a flat surface. If the supposedly leaked designs ring true then flatter and more rounded shapes would increase that issue.

It's my understanding that Jobs' philosophy was kind of directed by the Bauhaus idea of form following function. I like that and I'm even willing to put up with some degree of minimalism (e.g. lack of features) in Apple devices and software. But once it reaches a point where sleek design hampers function it becomes a problem. A big, flat, light, thin phone would be just that: pretty but not centered around my personal use.

At that point the new google concept of a modular smart phone looks intriguing (if it comes in small sizes...)

http://www.wired.com/2014/04/google-project-ara/

 

[edgonzalez32]

Why would Apple be making a mistake?
Repeat of the 1990's Apple is why. I (and many others) don't want to see that happen.

All of a sudden they made a mistake because you don't want it?
Me not wanting a phablet has nothing to do with it. I have zero want to buy an MBA but I think they are a brilliant device and deserve to be in the Apple line up. Just one example of many.

I am just stating the phablet like the net book of the past is a jack of all traces and master of none. And Apple does not make products that are (in their eyes) not the best. If Apple does indeed make a phablet, it will be a sad day, as then their idea of what a good product is will be partially flushed down the toilet.

You are confusing my personal opinions with the facts. I did say both in my previous post. But I'm sure with a little reading you could easily separate the two.

Can you show me how a phablet phone has doomed another company? Last I checked, people seem to want phones that size.

 

[Tinmania]

The fact that Samsung and Nokia sold those phones doesn't validate your hypothesis. There are a variety of factors that could contribute to the success of Nokia and Samsung phones and I would postulate price point is the primary factor. I would imagine that is why the iPhone 4 is still such a huge seller for Apple even with its relatively small screen size.

Wow. First, the large-screened Android phones are not inexpensive at all. Indeed they are the same price range as current iPhones.

Second, the iPhone 4 is still selling well because the "finally getting a smartphone" crowd thinks it is costing them a penny. Most have no idea that a.) It is a really old phone and b.) The actual cost--for them--is much higher than a penny.

As the US moves away from the true cost of phones being hidden by subsidies I would postulate that only a fool would pay $450 for an iPhone 4 today. That is how much it costs today, right from Apple, without a carrier subsidy.



Michael

 

[1Life]

It's hardly surprising that there is demand across a range of screen sizes, so to argue that the people who are carrying large phones around do so because they are cheaper than smaller apple screens, when they could get even cheaper phones by buying ones with smaller screens, seems to fly in the face of logic.

First, I am not surprised at all that there may be preferences for different screen sizes. Secondly, I understand that Samsung uses screen size as one of the ways to differentiate their phones from the iPhone because they know consumers preferred the latter. However, was screen size the primary factor for the consumers' decision to buy Samsung? I don't think so. I think they priced their phones at a point that was very attractive for a certain segment of the market and the larger screen size helped consumers validate that choice because they felt they got something tangible in return for buying a less desired product. The iPhone 5s broke sales records and it was smaller than the Samsung S4 which was released prior to it. The reason is because they are selling to different segments of the market.

My point is users like you who want the larger screens is significant but I don't believe they are as large as the media claims they are. I don't see this clamoring for larger phones from iPhone users in my own experience. If what you believe is true than the sales numbers for the iPhone 6 should be sky high because current users will upgrade and Samsung/Nokia users will defect and switch to the iPhone. However, if price was the primary issue all along then there will be the incremental sales growth that is consistent with past releases.

 

[1Life]

Wow. First, the large-screened Android phones are not inexpensive at all. Indeed they are the same price range as current iPhones.

Second, the iPhone 4 is still selling well because the "finally getting a smartphone" crowd thinks it is costing them a penny. Most have no idea that a.) It is a really old phone and b.) The actual cost--for them--is much higher than a penny.

As the US moves away from the true cost of phones being hidden by subsidies I would postulate that only a fool would pay $450 for an iPhone 4 today. That is how much it costs today, right from Apple, without a carrier subsidy.
Michael

No they are not. The Samsung models that come after an iPhone release is oftentimes $100-$150 cheaper even though it is released later and considered a "newer" version than it's iPhone counterpart. The iPhone 4 sold well because there is a demand for the Apple product and people are willing to buy a previous generation iPhone rather than a newer generation Samsung/Nokia phone that would cost them the same price when subsidized.

 

[Tinmania]

No they are not. The Samsung models that come after an iPhone release is oftentimes $100-$150 cheaper even though it is released later and considered a "newer" version than it's iPhone counterpart.

Utter nonsense.

iPhone 5S, flagship from Apple, 16GB: $649. How much was it last year when released? Yep, same price.

Samsung S5, 16GB: $649.

Samsung S4, 16GB, released over a year ago and well before iPhone 5S): $549 now, $649 at release.


Don't make stuff up and not expect to be called on it.

This "iPhones are more expensive" nonsense is getting to be laughable. People buy cheap Android phones and people buy cheap iPhones. People buy flagship models of both for the same price. Please get that through your head.




Michael

 

[Toltepeceno]

That would still fit. Wonder though how tall it would be. My iPhone 5 just so fits without sticking out.

And again, it's not just that. I just don't want it bigger. Plain and simple. I personally think the 4s had the perfect dimensions for a smart phone with a touch screen. The 5 is already uncomfortable to reach things with one hand in the upper corners of the screen.

I can truly understand different preferences in phone sizes, everyone is different. Some complain that it will no longer fit in pants pockets which is a huge stretch. I hope they make several sizes, I prefer larger and I don't begrudge anyone having the size they like.

 

[Mockenrue]

This "iPhones are more expensive" nonsense is getting to be laughable. People buy cheap Android phones and people buy cheap iPhones. People buy flagship models of both for the same price. Please get that through your head.

Samsung does not equal Android as a whole. The Moto X is $399 or less, and it is not cheap or inferior to the iPhone 5s. Each has pros and cons - it depends on your priorities, but you can get flagship quality Android phones for significantly less without sacrificing quality.

I've owned an iPhone 4. My wife has an iPhone 5s and my daughter has an iPhone 5, so I know these devices very well. I would prefer the Moto X over the 5s even if it were the same price. But I'm not "affiliated" with any brand, so I'll keep my eye on the next iPhone iterations too.

 

[Shlooky]

i think for me a 4.7 inch iPhone will still be small. Hopefully a 5.7 inch screen option will be available this year.

 

[1Life]

Utter nonsense.

iPhone 5S, flagship from Apple, 16GB: $649. How much was it last year when released? Yep, same price.

Samsung S5, 16GB: $649.

Samsung S4, 16GB, released over a year ago and well before iPhone 5S): $549 now, $649 at release.


Don't make stuff up and not expect to be called on it.

This "iPhones are more expensive" nonsense is getting to be laughable. People buy cheap Android phones and people buy cheap iPhones. People buy flagship models of both for the same price. Please get that through your head.




Michael

I'm not making stuff up...where are you getting those prices from?

Samsung S4 16GB unlocked
- ($449) - bhphotovideo online
- ($442.90) - newegg online

iPhone 5 16GB unlocked
- ($550) - best buy
- ($560-$580) - amazon

iPhone 5s 16gb unlocked
- ($649) - apple

Samsung S5 16g unlocked
- ??? - can't find

Also, when new Samsung phones are released for subsidized users on a cell phone plan they offer specials like the current one:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/device/smartphone/samsung-galaxy-s5?&&&zipRdr=y&zipRdr=y

($600 - Samsung S5 16gb - no contract on Verizon. That is less than the current price of the 5s)

I'm dealing in facts buddy.

 

[MacNut]

Apple would have to redesign the interface to work with a bigger screen. Android seems to be designed to handle the extra room. I would hope Apple would do something better than just add another row of icons.

 

[patent10021]

Just because you don't think you need a depressible button doesn't mean you can get rid of it. You still need something there that is that size because you have to fit a finger on it.

no you don't.

 

[Tinmania]

I'm not making stuff up...where are you getting those prices from?

Samsung S4 16GB unlocked
- ($449) - bhphotovideo online
- ($442.90) - newegg online

iPhone 5 16GB unlocked
- ($550) - best buy
- ($560-$580) - amazon

iPhone 5s 16gb unlocked
- ($649) - apple

Samsung S5 16g unlocked
- ??? - can't find

Also, when new Samsung phones are released for subsidized users on a cell phone plan they offer specials like the current one:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/device/smartphone/samsung-galaxy-s5?&&&zipRdr=y&zipRdr=y

($600 - Samsung S5 16gb - no contract on Verizon. That is less than the current price of the 5s)

I'm dealing in facts buddy.

You are dealing in apples to oranges and misrepresentation. And I'm not your buddy.

For starters, out of the 4 largest US carriers you selectively picked Verizon that just so happens to have the GS5 for $600. Let's look at the other 3:
AT&T: $650
Sprint: $650
T-Mobile: $660

But feel free to still believe the nonsense that "Samsung models that come after an iPhone release is oftentimes $100-$150 cheaper." Meanwhile the two flagship Samsung phones released after the iPhone 5S are the same price, or more (in the case of the Note 3). If it makes you feel better just ignore those facts...



Michael

 

[Traverse]

Dear sanity! Do not let Apple choose the odd-ball resolution of 1334x750. It's not proper 16:9, because 9 doesn't divide evenly into 750. It's unnecessary too because there's a standard resolution just 30 pixels away. I hope that Apple have seen sense and taken a slight hike in pixel density to give us a 720p screen instead. Maybe they could use 1080p on the 5.5'' one.

Yes! You are right. AT LEAST 720p. I see 1600 by 900 as plausible.

 

[johnnyturbouk]

I love how some people think that as soon as Apple release a larger screen phone millions of people who went to Android will come flooding back.

Sure, some may come back, just they same way as some may go from Apple to Android.

I really do not think there will be a mass exodus of apple users migrating to android if the next iphone will have a larger screen, as the sole reason for moving!

 

[Tinmania]

I really do not think there will be a mass exodus of apple users migrating to android if the next iphone will have a larger screen, as the sole reason for moving!

I moved to Android primarily for the larger screen. There is a very good chance I will return if there is a larger screen. That is why I am still using my Note 2 and didn't move to something new this year.



Michael