iPhone 6 to Support 'One-Handed Mode' to Address Usability on Larger Screens

[McCool71]

I hope it's not the Samsung implementation where the entire UI is shrunk down to cover 3/4 screen. Looks silly.

There really isn't any other way to do it if you want it to work absolutely everywhere and with every app keeping all the (touch) functionality within each app.

A one-handed mode that only works with a few select functions such as only offering a different keyboard is largely useless.

 

[koruki]

I hope they keep a 4" iPhone 5S style phone and make it a insane speed demon, better camera and 128GB option.

yes the above is the formula Apple's been using, and its used to make jokes against iPhone buyers but to be honest its still the best phone.

 

[fallenjt]

When I saw this comparison picture, I thought the iPhone 6 would come in 3 sizes. It would be the perfect solution. No one would be whining. I'd take the 4" variant.

Oh, and it's also not just about using with one hand. I also want to put it in and take it out of my side pocket easily.

How's that perfect solution in term of the price? So...4" start at $199 subsidized, 4.7" at $299 and 5.5" at $399? Are you crazy? Those will put the top 5.5" unlocked version above $1000 threshold ($1049 for 64GB version/$1149 for 128GB)...That's unlikely.

 

[McCool71]

How well does it work? Do people use it?
When I see people with 5''+ android phones they mostly use them two-handed, especially when typing.

I use it some times if I for some reason have something in my other hand that I can not put down. I largely avoid it though - because it is so incredibly slow using one finger compared to using two hands when doing things like typing.

Two-handed use has nothing to do with screen size for me - I have always used two hands when doing more than just placing or receiving a call (which of course can be done on any size phone with one hand), even in the 90s many many years before smartphones appeared.

 

[timshundo]

Not all of us have hands the size of a 4 year old. The 4" screen is way too small, and the older 3.5" is way, way too small. I can hardly type on the tiny little thing. I thought 3.5" was fine until I tried a 4.7" HTC One and realized how wrong I was. No way is 5.5" way too big. Too big for some people, sure, but way too big? Not for any average adult.

Insinuating that Apple only has to worry about 4-year-old-sized hands and "average adult" male hands is pure hyperbole. While a 5.5 inch will still probably work for the majority of users, Apple isn't one to look at a minority and say "F them."

 

[NewbieCanada]

Ive always done it "one handed mode", just saying.

Playboy's had this feature since 1953. Apple can't innovate anymore.

 

[Carlanga]

Swype or a Swpye-like keyboard is a great solution for one-handed keyboard typing.

IF you can reach the keys…

 

[kdarling]

Swype or a Swpye-like keyboard is a great solution for one-handed keyboard typing.

I've found the same thing on my company provided Note 3.

--

What's ironic is that early smartphones had long ago solved the screen size problem, by using a cursor pad and dedicated menu, select and back keys, along with a thumb oriented keyboard. You could do everything one-handed, no matter how large (or small!) the display was.

Just not as much fun as dragging your finger all over the screen

.

 

[kaitlynami]

Hmm, this is a possibility I had never thought of before. I didn't realise Android had this option built in already either. I have smaller than average hands, and while I like the idea of more screen space on a 5.5" model I was worried about one handed use like many are. If the keyboard could be moved to a place I could reach across with one hand I'm sold, hands down. I can't say I like the idea of the whole screen shrinking and fitting, honestly I'd rather just use two hands for anything else I needed to reach. It's the texting while I walk through the office holding my cup of tea I'd like one handed use for. All I need is the keyboard, make it happen Apple.

 

[NY Guitarist]

''One-Handed Mode'... Cue the late night talk show jokes!

 

[ska916jedi]

Every large Samsung Android phone of late has had it.

LoL Yup! Who's copying who now? My Note 2 has had that since it's launch.

 

[MikeyMike01]

It's a shame Apple isn't continuing to provide the best screen size on the market, 4".

 

[Interstella5555]

And the last traces of Jobs depart the company... Oh well, it was good while it lasted.

 

[stuffradio]

It's a shame Apple isn't continuing to provide the best screen size on the market, 4".

I thought 3.5" was the best screen size. You guys need to make up your mind!

 

[V.K.]

I've never used it on either my Note 3 or my S5 (apart from having a look at it when I first got the devices) - personally I think it's gimmicky and unnecessary - I can make / take calls one handed and anything else is far easier two handed anyway

I use it some times if I for some reason have something in my other hand that I can not put down. I largely avoid it though - because it is so incredibly slow using one finger compared to using two hands when doing things like typing.

Two-handed use has nothing to do with screen size for me - I have always used two hands when doing more than just placing or receiving a call (which of course can be done on any size phone with one hand), even in the 90s many many years before smartphones appeared.

Thanks. I kind of suspected as much and I also think that even if Apple does offer some kind of special one handed use mode it will not be widely used either.

 

[tech4all]

Phones can't talk. Did you miss that day in school?

Your comment is worthy of a Captain Picard face palm. Congrats!

(no $h*t phones can't talk )

 

[Iconoclysm]

I would never suggest that features need not be included. To each their own. However - this mode is silly to me. My phone now is 5" and I can use it easily with one hand. 5.5 - maybe... but even so - I find the option not important to me.

I can guarantee you that the way you hold your phone one handed is not a firm grip like can be done with 4" and less....unless you're 6'5".

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Wasn't there a Samsung phone that had a 'one handed mode'? It shrunk the content of the screen a bit down to one corner so it was all within reach of a thumb.

Yes, it was ugly but that was the first I'd seen of this. Since then, I've thought up a few other ways to do it that would look nicer - I'm sure Apple has taken it even further.

 

[iSlave]

First the naked pics icloud leak, now Apple are adding a one handed mode. Coincidence?

 

[Bane-Thunder]

Personally I've always lked large screen phones but just can't stand Android the operating system is terrible.

I had an Xperia Play (great for emulators and roms) and a HTC One

But I kept going back to iPhone cause the Android OS just sucks and its just not as smooth and slick as iOS. So a 5.5 inch iPhone is the perfect fit for me.

All this talk about one handed mode, somethnig I know i won't need cause I noticed I type on my iPhone 5S with two hands as it is and rarely ever use just one hand to type.

Others talk about holding a phone this big to your head, but I always use a headset, I don't even hold my iphone 5S to my head, if I do its for 1 sec i tell someone to hold on as i plug in my headset.

Bigger screen means much better web browsing experience and youtube watching goodness which is what I use my phone for during my trips to and from work. During work I only ever use whatsapp in group convos with friends.

 

[groovyf]

Ever since the mention of these larger iPhones, I've hoped they don't drop the "smaller" sized models.
Totally happy with the 3.5" screen size of the 4S. I'll push to the 4" of a 5S if needed (which I'm thinking the price of which will drop once the 6's are announced).
I understand some people like the larger screen, but then there's a whole hoard who are happy with the current screen size. Here's hoping they can please both crowds.

 

[The Game 161]

As a note 3 user this is not even a feature I use. Well I have big hands anyway but still even the 5’7 inch screen I could use it one handed. I can check out articles, facebook,twitter e.t.c. Even if apple add this feature bet you won’t use it much.

 

[warriorz]

Assuming it's done well, I think it's a great idea.

(And it will surely attract the attention of those who were only ever going to look at the 5S because of size. Making the 4.7" useable one handed will probably mean some of these users will upgrade).

 

[DCIFRTHS]

One of the things I really like about my Note 3 is being able to comfortably type with both hands. It speeds things up tremendously.

I agree with you on this point. I also type with two hands on my 5S as it really speeds up texting.

I don't like large screen phones, for my own personal use, and the 5S currently pushes the limit of size for me now. Size meaning screen size as well as device length and width not the depth (thickness).

Who knows? I may be able to use the 4.7, and I'll give it a shot when it arrives. Even if I can use it, I think it will be too big for me to carry around comfortably.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

Assuming it's done well, I think it's a great idea.

(And it will surely attract the attention of those who were only ever going to look at the 5S because of size. Making the 4.7" useable one handed will probably mean some of these users will upgrade).

A good idea, but still a kludge. I'd rather get the phone that doesn't need the kludge. No sarcasm intended.

I also hate the idea of Apple having to "fix" something that they intentionally "broke" to copy Samsung, LG, HTC etc.

 

[warriorz]

A good idea, but still a kludge. I'd rather get the phone that doesn't need the kludge. No sarcasm intended.

I also hate the idea of Apple having to "fix" something that they intentionally "broke" to copy Samsung, LG, HTC etc.

Well, they were literally forced into it. Can you imagine the tech media and consumer response if they attempted to release another 4" phone. They'd be taken (and laughed) to bits. Funny thing is that this applies to the 4 inch, but the reported 5.5 inch, that I feel was just a choice. I get having to compete with the likes of the Note 4 purely for commercial reasons but that really is the kludge bit, completely unnecessary. Although maybe they'll target it towards designers, artists, and professionals like architects. Screen real estate to display images, create, or use high end software like CAD.