Larger-Screen iPhone Rumors Continue with 4.9-Inch iPhone 6, iPhone 5c Successor

[Technarchy]

Based upon leak trends, we should pretty much know close to everything iPhone 6 offers sometime in May or June 2014.

Damn accurate renders of the iPhone 5 sprouted up around that time in 2012. This render dropped nearly 4 months before the iPhone 5 was actually shown

And something even crazier...the first iPhone 5S fingerprint stories started dropping as early as January 2013. 9 freaking months before it was actually released.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/24/iphone-fingerprint-scanner-apple-rumor_n_2529572.html

Moral of the story, lets not be dismissive of these rumors, because they are frighteningly accurate the past couple years.

 

[Max(IT)]

I would prefer:

4" iphone mini
4.7" iphone air
5.5" iphone pro

And please minimize the bezel!

At 5.5" it should be called iPad Micro ....

 

[jav6454]

iPhone (as well as all other smartphones that have come since) was never just a phone. To start, the iPhone was meant to be a wide screen ipod with touch controls, a revolutionary mobile phone and a breakthrough internet communications device. Since then, Apple have added many native features to the iPhone including a navigation app.

If people should not be using iPhones as a navigation device, someone should tell Apple. Apple have spent tens of millions of dollars building their own native maps application.

It was never meant as a replacement for GPS unit. You never saw Apple advertising it as such. They did though demonstrate the ability of it to give you directions and eventually turn-by-turn voice.

Yet like I said, never was the iPhone intended or marketed as "the next thing for replacing standalone GPS units". Bear in mind that if you don't have a data connection, Apple Maps (and anything associated with them) are rendered useless. Where as a standalone GPS unit can still search for gas stations and the likes without data.

 

[Oletros]

It was never meant as a replacement for GPS unit. You never saw Apple advertising it as such. They did though demonstrate the ability of it to give you directions and eventually turn-by-turn voice.

Yet like I said, never was the iPhone intended or marketed as "the next thing for replacing standalone GPS units". Bear in mind that if you don't have a data connection, Apple Maps (and anything associated with them) are rendered useless. Where as a standalone GPS unit can still search for gas stations and the likes without data.

You know that there are applications like Navigon, TomTom, Copilot, etc, don't you?

I don't have any problem with my smartphone used as a GPS unit with its large screen, high volume through the car BT, quality maps and not using any data

 

[jav6454]

You know that there are applications like Navigon, TomTom, Copilot, etc, don't you?

I don't have any problem with my smartphone used as a GPS unit with its large screen, high volume through the car BT, quality maps and not using any data

You do realize not many people buy those right? Most people will just use Apple's Maps and be done with it. Why pay when its given for free?

 

[ejin222]

[/QUOTE]Apple had never chased market share or responded to other market conditions.[/QUOTE]


So what do you call the iPad mini? What do you call all these rumors of larger phone sizes? A plastic iPhone?

Apple under Cook is different from Apple under Jobs.

 

[ColdShadow]

No.... the bigger screen is NOT needed.

if you just use the phone for phone calls and SMS..no not needed.
any other use will require bigger screen unless you want to cripple your eyes (and nerves) staring at tiny screen trying to corrects spelling errors on that tiny on screen keyboard.

 

[GoldenJoe]

People read what they want to read. Who are you and I to judge?

If you don't like the content of an article, why are you reading it? If you don't like the discussions on a thread, why are you posting in it? If you don't like how a forum is being used, why do you keep coming back to it?

If your computer is in fact functioning properly, you have every ability to to skip an article, a thread and even, an entire forum. If you are reading an article or participating in a thread that you find distasteful, its not everyone else's fault.

Very good. Now go back to the first post you replied to, and connect the dots.

 

[Oletros]

You do realize not many people buy those right? Most people will just use Apple's Maps and be done with it. Why pay when its given for free?

And? The fact is that none of the reasons you gave are really important, you have big screens, good audio quality, reliable maps and no data charges

 

[ttexxan]

Man guys get a life. Who really cares if Apple puts out a larger screen or not. My wife works in the industry so knows whats coming. A larger screen is in the works, but there will also be options for current size as well. So there's a choice. Whats the big deal????? Either buy the larger screen or buy the current one. How hard is it?? That allows everyone to be happy. Amazing how many geeks get so worked up over the stupidest things.

 

[jav6454]

And? The fact is that none of the reasons you gave are really important, you have big screens, good audio quality, reliable maps and no data charges

I fail to see how the average Joe will look for a $100 paid app over a free app Apple provides... screw logic there, right?

Tech savy may do it or not.

 

[KohPhiPhi]

...as long as they keep offering a smaller screen too... not ALL of us want the bigger screen.

I agree.

In stead of offering the 5S and the 5C (which is a redundant model), can't they simply offer a 5" and a 4" screen so everybody's happy?

They already offer 2 sizes with the iPad and it works wonders, so why not doing the same with the iPhone?

 

[kobalap]

It was never meant as a replacement for GPS unit. You never saw Apple advertising it as such. They did though demonstrate the ability of it to give you directions and eventually turn-by-turn voice.

Yet like I said, never was the iPhone intended or marketed as "the next thing for replacing standalone GPS units". Bear in mind that if you don't have a data connection, Apple Maps (and anything associated with them) are rendered useless. Where as a standalone GPS unit can still search for gas stations and the likes without data.

Navigation is one of the primary usages of iPhone. Primary. Apple spent millions of dollars to provide a native solution for navigation. And yet for this purpose, the iPhone's screen would be better if it were larger.

If this is not clear to you, you can get more information from Apple's website. See: http://www.apple.com/ios/maps/

 

[gaussianblur]

The problem with 3:2 is you get a very wide display very fast as you up the size, and that will be uncomfortable as hell quick fast if you try to go to a 4.5" display


This is the reason why phones like the GS4 are still pretty usable despite being 5". A 16:9 1080P display gives you a large canvas for displaying content, but are narrow enough in portrait orientation to maintain usability with very small bezels and the front of the device being 90% screen.

All good points, but it should be noted that the GS4 is able to offer 1080 at 5" because it is using screens at 441ppi.

Apple would need to introduce new technology to accommodate such a move. Certainly not out of the range of possibility, particularly given the capex forecast for 2014. But for now, let's assume they stay at 326ppi.

I did think about what 16x9 would mean, and just ended up concluding it looked too tall for my taste... My personal opinion remains that phones of that size are too large for one-handed use. I feel strongly that will remain as a guiding attribute for the iPhone.

Thus my premise for 3:2. Essentially, maintaining current height, and widening by an acceptable amount without having to reach uncomfortably. I view the left/right swipe for back in iOS7 as a key building block for this move. True, it does make the height, less relevant as well, but again, my personal taste is for a phone that is still comfy to put in my pocket.

Just so we have numbers to consider, here are some reference points (screen size only, does not include bevels)

Current iPhone 5/5c/5s:
3.48"x1.96"

GS4 (5" diag, 441ppi):
4.35x2.45

iPhone "6" @ 16:9 326ppi 4.7" screen:
4.12x2.31

iPhone "6" @ 3:2 326ppi 4.2" screen:
3.48x2.33

I arbitrarily chose ~1/3" reach increase to width as still within a comfortable thumb reach.

I submit sticking with 16:9 has merits... I just don't want to add an additional 0.5" in height to my phone to get more screen.

 

[Nabooly]

4.9" screen or larger would be bomb!

 

[gaussianblur]

Man guys get a life. Who really cares if Apple puts out a larger screen or not. My wife works in the industry so knows whats coming. A larger screen is in the works, but there will also be options for current size as well. So there's a choice. Whats the big deal????? Either buy the larger screen or buy the current one. How hard is it?? That allows everyone to be happy. Amazing how many geeks get so worked up over the stupidest things.

Everybody in life has their passions. Some people enjoy discussing technology with like-minded people, while others enjoy being a jackass.

 

[Viking2]

4.5" with a swype style keyboard. Honestly, I like the 4" size quite a bit .. I just want a better keyboard input method.

I miss Swype and I miss S4 screen size and I miss to be able to insert a micro SD card in my Samsung S4 that was replaced by 5 S.

I do not miss Andriod.

 

[Zellio]

Why not both?

Screens can fold now.

Image

Yes please

 

[Max(IT)]

Navigation is one of the primary usages of iPhone. Primary. Apple spent millions of dollars to provide a native solution for navigation. And yet for this purpose, the iPhone's screen would be better if it were larger.

If this is not clear to you, you can get more information from Apple's website. See: http://www.apple.com/ios/maps/

While you are DRIVING, it's better to LISTEN TO voice indications, instead of LOOK at the display, 4" , 5" or 77" no matter what ....

People driving with an huge display fixed to the windshield really scares me ...

 

[Zellio]

While you are DRIVING, it's better to LISTEN TO voice indications, instead of LOOK at the display, 4" , 5" or 77" no matter what ....

People driving with an huge display fixed to the windshield really scares me ...

What about a monitor arm attached to the middle or passenger seat? A windshield attachment can easily fall if you hit the brakes fast anyway..

 

[Inconsequential]

No thanks!!

iPhone 5 is perfect.

 

[kobalap]

While you are DRIVING, it's better to LISTEN TO voice indications, instead of LOOK at the display, 4" , 5" or 77" no matter what ....

People driving with an huge display fixed to the windshield really scares me ...

That is a different issue entirely.

Every major car manufacturer offers navigation systems now. If you want to lobby for car manufacturers to do away with anything that takes a driver's eyes off the road, be it navigation systems, HVAC controls, radio controls, etc, be my guest.

 

[donnaw]

Old people are loving the gargantuan Samsung. It allows them to press the humungous buttons easily and it's so big they can't lose it even without their glasses. Sure, they don't use ANY of the features other than making calls and texting, but it's a huge ass phone and they love it.

Well, I'm an 'old person' (62) and I certainly use my phone for more than phone calls and texting. In fact I rarely make calls. And the majority of my friends are the same. And yes, they are mostly 'old people'. Best be careful with stereotypes, you'll find you are wrong much of the time. Remember, it's us 'old people' who actually started the tech you currently use. We wrote the original code, did the original engineering, etc. Punch cards anyone??

As for me, I have a Lumia 920. The 4.5" screen is a sweet spot for me. I can use it pretty much one-handed and I'm a small woman. I'm also a small-purse woman so I don't like the really big phones.

One truth about most old people is that we do appreciate a larger screen because it's easier to see. The current iPhone is unusable for me because the screen is too small. I can easily surf, see and use my mapping app, etc on the 4.5" screen. The 920 is a bit heavy but that's mostly due to the wireless charging (which I really love and will probably be a 'must' for me from now on).

If Apple makes a larger phone I might actually consider one (especially if they include wireless charging, but we've heard no rumors towards that so far).

 

[businezguy]

I think 4.776" is the ideal size. 4.775" would be too small and 4.777" far to big!

Really, I have to disagree, I think there's market for a 4.776 and also a 4.7769. Obviously the latter would be marketed to the phablet folks.

 

[baryon]

Well, I'm an 'old person' (62) and I certainly use my phone for more than phone calls and texting. In fact I rarely make calls. And the majority of my friends are the same. And yes, they are mostly 'old people'. Best be careful with stereotypes, you'll find you are wrong much of the time. Remember, it's us 'old people' who actually started the tech you currently use. We wrote the original code, did the original engineering, etc. Punch cards anyone??

As for me, I have a Lumia 920. The 4.5" screen is a sweet spot for me. I can use it pretty much one-handed and I'm a small woman. I'm also a small-purse woman so I don't like the really big phones.

One truth about most old people is that we do appreciate a larger screen because it's easier to see. The current iPhone is unusable for me because the screen is too small. I can easily surf, see and use my mapping app, etc on the 4.5" screen. The 920 is a bit heavy but that's mostly due to the wireless charging (which I really love and will probably be a 'must' for me from now on).

If Apple makes a larger phone I might actually consider one (especially if they include wireless charging, but we've heard no rumors towards that so far).

Sorry if I sounded offensive, I was just joking! What I was trying to say is that the only real appeal of such a big phone is that text/elements are bigger thus easier to see for those who have bad eyesight, which in itself doesn't really justify all the people saying that Apple need to make a bigger iPhone, I doubt so many people have bad eyesight.

And many people I know who do use the famous giant Samsung phones only use it for this one reason, and they don't even care about its features/design/etc... Which means that the phone will be successful with many people, even though it's not well designed and might not work as smoothly as it could.