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Larger iPhone will have 4.94" screen

T

TC03

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 17, 2008
1,272
356
For the screen dimensions, Apple uses 'points' as a point of reference and maps these points on pixels. As a result, elements have a fixed size regardless of the resolution (i.e. an icon an iPad 2 is just a big as on a retina iPad 3).

If we use the 'points' as a frame of reference in stead of actual pixels, there are two different densities (163 PPI and 132 PPI):

iPhone (2G, 3G, 3GS, 4, 4S, 5, 5S)
- Screen width: 1.96" / 320 points
- Density: 320/1.96 = 163 points per inch

iPad Mini
- Screen width: 4.74" / 768 points
- Density: 768/4.74 = 163 points per inch

iPad 1/2/3/4
- Screen width: 5.82" / 768 points
- Density: 768/5.82 = 132 points per inch

To summarize, iOS devices are available with screen sizes that allow for two different physical sizes of elements. My estimate would be that the 132 PPI of the iPad will some day be used for a larger iPhone. Currently, the iPhone 5 has 4" screen with 163 PPI. For a larger phone with 132 PPI, The diagonal then would be:

- Current 16:9 diagonal: 4"
- New 16:9 diagonal: (163/132)*4 = 4.94"

So there you have it, the larger iPhone will be 4.94", thus being 'the inverse' of the iPad mini, which is an iPad with iPhone resolution, while the larger iPhone would be an iPhone with iPad resolution.
 
Last edited:
...so, by your logic, they're not only going to make the next iPhone a full inch wider (making it completely impossible to one hand or fit into most pockets), but are going to make it the outdated 4:3 aspect ratio as well?

Sorry, but not likely.
 
cyks said:
...so, by your logic, they're not only going to make the next iPhone a full inch wider (making it completely impossible to one hand or fit into most pockets), but are going to make it the outdated 4:3 aspect ratio as well?

Sorry, but not likely.
Click to expand...

Agreed. One hand use and comfortably fitting my pockets is much better than the oversized behemoths coming out from competitors.
 
Not going to happen OP. Please stop this.

4.7 or 4.8 Max. Something like below that will still fit in ones pocket easily and can be operated with one hand.
 

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cyks said:
...so, by your logic, they're not only going to make the next iPhone a full inch wider (making it completely impossible to one hand or fit into most pockets), but are going to make it the outdated 4:3 aspect ratio as well?

Sorry, but not likely.
Click to expand...
Absolutely not. I multiplied the ratio of resolutions with 4, which is a 16:9 diagonal measurement. So the calculated value is also a 16:9 diagonal measurement.

Read again and read carefully. Resolutions/'densities' say nothing about the aspect ratio. Think twice please.

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Jimmy James said:
That would be too bad. I'll make sure I get the 5s.
Click to expand...
Well my guess would be that they would keep two sizes around, just as they do for the iPad currently.

I too prefer 4". :)

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slapppy said:
Agreed. One hand use and comfortably fitting my pockets is much better than the oversized behemoths coming out from competitors.
Click to expand...

gCloud said:
agreed don't think they will be going back to 4:3
Click to expand...
Yeah, you two are mistaken too. I never claimed they would change the aspect ratio, I calculated a 16:9 diagonal.
 
Another prediction thread that will be wrong. This is the 8372nd thread about the next sized iphone that was wrong. They are always good for giggles.
 
There will come a time when Apple will look to upgrade the retina display or introduce a new technology when it comes to screens..So we should not take RETINA DISPLAY for granted when it comes to the Iphone 6 (They could introduce something new, especially given the fact that whatever they eventually field will likely not change for a couple of years)..

I find the size of the HTC One (4.7 Inches) to be the upper limit as far as portability and screen experience is concerned...I have always liked the screen size of the GS4 but would never want to use it routinely... A 4 inch screen does look a lot dated, especially for me given that i have probably doubled the time spent on the internet or watching media on my phone compared to a couple of years ago.
 
cyks said:
I did... and the "Last edited by TC03; Today at 09:46 PM." tells me that I likely read it correctly the first time as well and that you later changed it.

Feel free to kill the snarky attitude now.
Click to expand...
No I just added some words too make clear that it's 16:9, I did not change the (extremely simple) calculation.

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chundles said:
cut the ipad retina display to 1136x640.

What size is that?
Click to expand...
4.94".

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vomhorizon said:
There will come a time when Apple will look to upgrade the retina display or introduce a new technology when it comes to screens..So we should not take RETINA DISPLAY for granted when it comes to the Iphone 6 (They could introduce something new, especially given the fact that whatever they eventually field will likely not change for a couple of years)..

I find the size of the HTC One (4.7 Inches) to be the upper limit as far as portability and screen experience is concerned...I have always liked the screen size of the GS4 but would never want to use it routinely... A 4 inch screen does look a lot dated, especially for me given that i have probably doubled the time spent on the internet or watching media on my phone compared to a couple of years ago.
Click to expand...
HTC One does have a lot of bezel though.
 
kingalexthe1st said:
You did a bit of high school maths and figured out Apple's future iPhone strategy? Go home OP, you're drunk.

Alex
Click to expand...
It's the same strategy they applied to the iPad mini, so why not? Makes a lot of sense imo.
 
People with ginormous mobile phones aka with bad & tacky tastes, go away!
 
TC03 said:
If there will be a larger iPhone, I suspect this would be the screen size. ;)
Click to expand...

It seems a big "IF" at this point.

They may eventually release a bigger screened phone and I'm sure some will say "told you so" to us doubters, but if you make a claim every year it will more than likely be right eventually no matter how outlandish.

It's like people have been saying Apple are going to release a cheap iPhone for about 4years, and they've only just came out with the 5c, which is ever so slightly cheaper.

It's the same with a bigger screened iPhone. People have been saying one is on the horizon for years, but so far there hasn't been any solid information to indicate there's anything in the works.
 
matttye said:
It seems a big "IF" at this point.

They may eventually release a bigger screened phone and I'm sure some will say "told you so" to us doubters, but if you make a claim every year it will more than likely be right eventually no matter how outlandish.

It's like people have been saying Apple are going to release a cheap iPhone for about 4years, and they've only just came out with the 5c, which is ever so slightly cheaper.

It's the same with a bigger screened iPhone. People have been saying one is on the horizon for years, but so far there hasn't been any solid information to indicate there's anything in the works.
Click to expand...
I'm not saying it is on the horizon, I don't know. But if it were, these are my thoughts on the screen size.
 
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