iPhone SE (2016) iOS feature phone mockup

[ritze]

I am one of the many that are waiting for the new iPhone SE, but in reality the iPhone SE only represents half of the desire for what I want in a new iPhone. I am over these huge phones that don't fit in your pocket, that cramp your hand, and simply give you too much.

I recently saw that Nokia is re-releasing their vintage phones like the 8110 which runs KaiOS. Most interestingly for me, this OS has recently gained some support from Google and WhatsApp, with promises for software to be released for these feature phones. This got me excited, I think this is the type of phone that I am looking for, however, this operating system and these phones still lacked a lot of polish. But it got me thinking that these feature phones could also be sexy and polished -- like an iPhone.

For myself I want something like an "iOS feature phone", something that has both the functionality of iOS - WhatsApp, Spotify, Google Maps and a bit more but I don't really want it in such a big size. For a while now I have thought it would be amazing if Apple developed their WatchOS further into a "feature phone OS".

Attached I have mocked up something along these lines by taking the Apple Watch and lets say mixing it with a Nokia feature phone. Of course I understand this would not be for all but I believe think it would something that a lot of people would be looking for (particularly myself).

 

[WRXiceman]

I personally think we're way past this type of phone now. Technology has surpassed this, and pretty much every phone now is a pocketable computer.

I understand there's still a tiny market for this sort of thing, but not something I would ever consider again.
It would be like taking multiple steps backwards with no benefits.

 

[akash.nu]

That button concept is gone for a reason. It’s too expensive to manufacture and the usability of the buttons are limited. Full screen is definitely the way to go.

As for a “feature” phone. Your requirements already goes to smartphones when you’re talking about 3rd party apps and developing a new OS doesn’t make sense when the existing OS perfectly does the job.

I think you should consider your focus towards which hardware elements you’d like to remove to make it a more “feature” phone for yourself.

 

[ritze]

I'm not calling for a new OS, I am saying that WatchOS could be expanded for a type of phone like this. This is as the OS has the "quality" of a feature phone but also of iOS. I use the term "feature phone" very lightly, only to draw a distinction from current smartphones that are in the market now.

Fair enough though, I just think this would be the best of both worlds

 

[akash.nu]

I'm not calling for a new OS, I am saying that WatchOS could be expanded for a type of phone like this. This is as the OS has the "quality" of a feature phone but also of iOS. I use the term "feature phone" very lightly, only to draw a distinction from current smartphones that are in the market now.

Fair enough though, I just think this would be the best of both worlds

watchOS is derived from iOS itself and iOS was derived from macOS. There’s probably not gonna be an extension for a new type of phone but to expand on watchOS will mean that Watch will become more capable and probably would be able to cater for the type of needs you’re after. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[ericwn]

So a phone like in the old days plus some interface to use the world’s biggest ad company’s data mining services?

Thanks, I’ll pass.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Time for some people to join us in present day, instead of opining for yesteryear. The SE had its day.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I personally think we're way past this type of phone now. Technology has surpassed this, and pretty much every phone now is a pocketable computer.

I understand there's still a tiny market for this sort of thing, but not something I would ever consider again.
It would be like taking multiple steps backwards with no benefits.

I don’t understand why anyone would want such a phone unless you are a Luddite or maybe you have a smartphone addiction which is interfering with your productivity.

 

[user1234]

I went back to a feature phone for a week while my smartphone was in for repair and it’s painful to enter text on. I liked the smaller size, but it was just to slow to type on. I in fact wrote about my experience on my tech blog. I still keep one around as a backup. Battery life is amazing, but smartphones are here to stay until something new comes around. Feature phones could for sure be improved with better software, but I don’t see the point when there are phones like the iPhone SE (which will hopefully get a successor for those who like it).

The only thing I dislike about smartphones except for the large size is battery life. I want to get back charging on a weekly basis rather than daily.