Larger iPhone 6, 'iPad Pro' and iWatch Could Tap New Display Sizes in Development

[nagromme]

Me too, one of the biggest reasons I jumped from Android to iOS 18 months ago, I didn't like where the size was heading in the higher end Samsung, etc phones..

Android is not power-efficient, and Android apps you get can devastate battery life in ways that can't happen on iOS.

Solution: bigger battery!

But where to put it?

Solution: bigger screen

That said, a bigger screen is also better in its own right.

And also worse: small is nice in other ways. A personal call to make.

I like the current iPhone size, but if I have a second choice of size I won't complain at all! I'll hold both in my hand and decide. I certainly don't object to the benefits of the current 4" screen--and I do object to the many problems of Android (lack of updates over time, lack of security).

(And a big screen certainly makes good "impulse marketing" at first glance: like setting a TV's color overly garish in a showroom: looks goof on the shelf! And for spec-number fans its a plus even if they may also find it bulky to deal with. So, some segment of people WANT bigger screens. I have no doubt Apple will give it to them.)

Think how the PowerBook, iMac, MacBook Air, iPod and iPad diversified as their sales reached higher volumes: products naturally split into more options over time. I'm sure the iPhone will see the same thing happen.

 

[JaySoul]

Who cares?

Not Apple.

I used 4 different iPhones for 5 years and finally felt the need to switch.

Have fun with that.

Yeah it's really nice, thank you.

 

[gnasher729]

from a developer's perspective...

...yay :/

From a developer's perspective, you need separate designs for small screen vs. big screen (iPhone sized vs. iPad sized) and portrait vs. landscape. The exact number of pixels in each direction shouldn't matter if you know what you are doing.

 

[Menneisyys2]

The 12.9 "iPad Pro" is going to turn out to be a Macbook.

(Feel free to quote this if/when I'm wrong)

It'd be GREAT to have such a thing. And/or a 17...19" 4K full-fledged MBP + tablet combo...

 

[MacFather]

Deleted.

 

[mr.bee]

I hope they stay on the current form factor of the iPhone 5S.

I hate those big Samsung phones. If someone next to you in a meeting checks his Samsung the big screen and bright light annoys the hell out of me.
And they all wear horrible pants to match those ridiculous phones.

the efficiency on these Samsung screens is just so low. There's not 'more' useful information on the screen, and it looks clunky.

 

[saberahul]

It's one of those things I will have to see and hold in person to see if it suits me. The iPhone 5 (IMO) is the perfect size; but then again, I said the same for the iPhone 4.

 

[NutsNGum]

I don't want a size bump; it was already difficult to stomach the transition to 4".

I mean, I don't want to post the 'meanwhile in Africa' response this statement deserves, but I've sort of done it now.

 

[Serban]

i hope for iphone 6C to maintain the 4" display and for the high end to put a 4.5" reducing the top and bottom bezels and a 64mm wide

 

[Z8beema]

There's a lot more to an iPad than portability. Instantly on... touchscreen... battery life... Apple ecosystem.

My iPad only ever sees use in my kitchen or my living room - and is always supported by a stand/cushion/whatever. I'd love a slightly bigger version as i watch a lot of TV/sport/video on mine.

IMO it just seems like a MacBook would better suit your needs

 

[commander.data]

4.7 sounds perfect. just hope you dont have to get the biggest phone for the best performance.

I think what Apple did with the latest iPad Mini vs iPad Air is a good indication of how they could introduce new screen sizes: virtually the same performance with the primary differentiator being screen size. That should keep the different iPhone models viable in consumer's eyes since they would all be "iPhones", just different size, rather than the perception that one is the "cheap iPhone" like the iPhone 5C which would hurt sales of that model.

 

[Z8beema]

a folding 17" ipad would be even more awesome!

#

 

[stevensocal]

Small , Med and Large

It's a tradition and I am sure apple will be smart about it this time. Even though I do get it , that they should of done it a long time ago. But it's never to late .
Instead of the Non successful 5c, apple should of done a 4.0 and 4.7 screen and now at this point , they should keep 4.0 4.7 and 5.5 .. Just like jeans folks, not one size fits all needs... Give 3 sizes for everyones needs. I hope they are doing this cause , Samsung , Htc have both done it and it's the best option for everyone. It has to happen then all the Droid haters can come back to Apple due to the size of the screen and don't forget people... With Next att you can trade in phone after 1 yr and dump your droid and get the new Bigger iPhone.

 

[MikhailT]

Are most iOS apps now resolution independent such that Apple can now think of introducing 3 different resolutions and 3 different pixel densities between the predicted new iPhones and iPads without existing apps being too small with large black borders or stretched and looking ugly?

don't understand the rationale for having three different resolutions.

It's just going to be two resolutions by the time this hits the market, the current Retina 4" resolution and the upcoming Retina 5-6" resolution for the iPhones. Same for the iPad, the current resolution and the new resolution.

Non-retina and 3.5" resolutions are simply going to be phased out. The apps would still be in the app store but no more updates will be allowed without mandated new resolution support. They've done the same thing in the past.

Not a big deal. If you want to get more paying customers, you have to update your app.

It's going to happen, Apple's not going to stay behind using the same resolution and size forever.

If they were, they wouldn't produce the iPad mini in the first place.

 

[TC03]

Those resolution claims are ridiculous.

 

[cliffster82]

new phones

My vote:

iPhone 5c
iPhone 5s
iPhone 5L
iPhone 5XL

The big boys have touch ID too.

 

[jonnysods]

4.7 perfect!

 

[SirLance99]

Hmmm, I guess I am only one of the few who prefer a smaller device.

Pretty amazing that other people would want different things that you do. Yes, one size does not fit ALL.

 

[AppleInLVX]

All of you "anti larger screen" people need to realise that if you want a battery that actually lasts you more than half a day, something has to give and in this case it's going to be a larger screen to fit a larger battery. My LG G2 is amazing with battery life simply because they could cram a much larger battery in it than the iPhone can. I'm one of the many people eagerly waiting to switch to an iPhone as soon as they release a screen size that isn't designed for small children.

There is, of course, the argument that Apple could simply go a year without making the device thinner and instead use the engineering gains to fit a thicker (gasp!) battery in the thing and keep the same screen size. But that seems unlikely. I like the device size of the 4S, I could live with the device size of the 5, put whatever screen you want within those dimensions. But don't want to lost the portability/pocketability. The Note is laughably huge. It'd be too unruly for me to use as a phone.

 

[SirLance99]

I don't know how few we truly are.

These rumors make me sad. I'm all for Apple releasing a giant screen iPhone to compete in the market that wants that, but I value portability and pocketability in my phone. These rumors keep hinting at two sizes, but even the smaller is still a size bump. Why? If you're going to make a big one to satisfy those guys, why can't you leave the small alone? I don't want a size bump; it was already difficult to stomach the transition to 4".

The Note 3 and other phones of that size are just as pocketable and portable as your iPhone. These larger phones keep selling more and more every year. All those people have figured out how to carry the phone around.

 

[RichardC300]

Hmmm, I guess I am only one of the few who prefer a smaller device.

Yes. You are the only one out of 7 billion people.

 

[Menneisyys2]

IMO it just seems like a MacBook would better suit your needs

Well, I'd too love with a true convertible MBP with a large (17...19) 4K screen and Wacom support.

 

[jm001]

Hmmm, I guess I am only one of the few who prefer a smaller device.

Well at least you're not alone. We are the few and far between crowd and having the phone fit in my side pocket of my pants has been great (even with the Mophie). I say 5" max with 4.7 being comfortable. I've used my friend's GS4 and the 5" screen isn't hard to handle in your hands. It's not as big as one would think. With cargo pants a 5" iPhone 6 would fit, but 5.5 would be getting into giant hand territory.

 

[JGIGS]

Ok so if I want one of the high end models I have to buy a 5.7" phone? And two high end models that are only .5 of an inch difference? This doesn't seem to make much sense.

Too many different screen sizes. I can't see apple having all these different sizes at least I hope not.

Keep it simple one 5" model one 6" model maybe keep a 4" model as well though I think most people once used to a 5" model will prefer at least that size.

Love the size of my 5" Nexus its just right.

 

[tkatz]

Hmmm, I guess I am only one of the few who prefer a smaller device.

I actually preferred the my iPhone 4, size wise, over my iPhone 5.

When I have need for a larger screen, I use my iPad. Apple should just add phone capabilities to the iPads and let those be used by those that want phablets.