Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Nearly Complete iPhone 6 Assembled From Parts Compared to iPhone 5s in New Video
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Apple doesn't pride itself on the physical design of it's products, it prides itself on design.
Design isn't how something looks, it's how something works.
The case is thinner than the camera needs to be, Apple has 3 choices here.
1. Make the case thicker than it needs to be.
2. Cripple the camera and make it fit the thin case.
3. Let the case be the correct thickness, and let the camera be as good as it can be.
Now, Apple chose Option 3. Now, if this is the right choice for the consumer is another argument. Sure they could pick option 1, and stick in an extra battery. They could pick option 2, and stick in a crappy camera to have a flush design. But they chose option 3.
Now why would Apple, a design driven company, chose option 3?
Because it results in the best designed product, with no compromise. The case is the size it needs to be, and the camera is the size it needs to be. Thats the design choice they made.
Where the physical design comes in, is how do they make the transition between the two thicknesses? How does the camera meet the case?
Gradually? Again, this compromises the form of the case?
With a silver ring? Matching the Touch ID around the home button, the same material as the case, owning it as a feature, not trying to hide it. Not arbitrarily fudging it, but embracing it.
Thats why the Galaxy phones, with their gradual curves towards the camera look awful. It's bad, compromised design, unthoughtful, almost embaressed and apologetic, unsure of itself. Where as Apple have said, like they did with the iPod Touch, here is the camera, beautifully framed with a silver ring, unalopogetic, honest, true to itself.
Good design is unobtrusive, informs functionality, and long lasting.
Look i like apple as much as the next guy and im not denying you make some good points, but if apple makes the camera stick out it's genius and what samsung does whit it's cameras is disgraceful, it's the same ugly looking thing but you know what, samsung whit all it camera ugliness made something good which is place the camera in the middle top section of the phone so it won't rock when you place it on a table which won't happen whit the iphone 6 cause i have tried it on the ipod and it's annoying as fu*k, and again i love apple but this design is but ugly
Even if its not magnetic, it would allow for better 3rd party lens attachments, as the lip would reduce sliding... And if its made of steel it would allow a magnetic lens to stick onto the iPhone.
I can entirely see your point but I, and many others by the look of these forums feel the correct decision would be to make the iPhone 6 thicker, like the iPhone 5 to accommodate the full depth of the camera and a better battery.
1. Almost universally users want a bigger (hence better) battery in their iPhones.
2. No-one, as far as I'm aware, has ever complained that the iPhone 5 is too thick.
The rounded edges are great and will improve form in the hand. The "thinness" is not necessary and could have been left to allow better battery life - it seems to be a marketing gimmick.
Nothing else in the 6, based on rumours isn't already being done by competitors, a 4.7 Screen is already average at best so Apple want something to talk about and Jony is going to waffle some bollocks about it being "unapologetically thin" when it could have - 1. Had better form with flush camera if it was slightly thicker. 2. Had better function with improved battery life, which is what customers would actually like.
Also I believe the sleep/wake button moved to the side from the top, making it easier to reach due to the size increase.
I am thinking the keynote is going to be about the iPad and iOS now that we know everything about the phone.
Maybe they'll just talk about some special features instead of spending fifteen minutes drooling over the chamfered edges.
Never mind this model will be all about the new antennae design.
Maybe they'll just talk about some special features instead of spending fifteen minutes drooling over the chamfered edges.
Never mind this model will be all about the new antennae design.
Sure. But if they make a 4.7 inch phone that is as thick as the iPhone 5/5S, it will be 27% heavier than the iPhone 5/5S. Nearly one third heavier. Thirty grams. That is when people will start complaining. Including a lot of the people who now still claim that they want a thicker phone with a bigger battery.
When the iPhone 4 was still the "current" phone, nobody complained that the iPhone 4 was too thick. By your logic, we could go back to iPhone 4 thickness to accomodate a bigger battery. I haven't seen anyone yet suggest that Apple should go back to the iPhone 4 thickness to make the iPhone 5 battery life longer.
No, it's the "gimmick" that keeps a phone that already at its current weight feels quite heavy when being carried in my chest pocket from becoming even more heavy.
Once again: If someone asks me if I accept a 20 gram heavier phone to get 20% more battery life, then the answer is a 100% clear NO! and I am actually quite sure that most users would agree after they picki up the iPhone 6 and realize "Hey, that thing became heavy!"
Sure, some people don't agree. If I am planning a trek through the Sahara where I am away from a power source for three days, then I will also not carry my phone in my chest pocket, and I will prefer battery life over weight. But I do carry it in my chest pocket, and I am not the Sahara-trekking adventurous type. So weight is more important than battery life to me.
The protruding camera and antenna bands looks horrible.
The camera is placed so, that when the phone is on desk it will most probably make the phone feel physically unstable (on the table).
Just can't see a reason why they would design the camera for external lenses (if they don't make them themselves) as a lot of people is satisfied with their phones normal quality. But who knows.
So my guesses about the design and its flaws:
Camera:
The camera protrudes because of external cases. If ye get any kind of case with or without lens cover for your phone, you might notice small shadows or drops in quality because of the case (except on Samsung's were the top cover is plastic and protruding already). Apple will sell the phone with a case, that fits the phone the way that the protruding lens doesn't matter, and the phone will still feel fit.
Antenna bands:
They might look uglier than they are because of processed video. Everything has more contrast than what human eye normally sees, so it might look just fine in the nature.
But/and probably those antenna bands will be there just because of new and more stable wireless technologies. Faster wifi (wlan ac), faster 4G/LTE (150mbps) (or even maybe dual LTE), NFC and maybe new bluetooth. and even more stable 2G/3G. And faster GPS? Who knows.
The non-sapphire sapphire glass:
Most probably it's not sapphire. But most probably it's made by Corning, as Apple has trusted their glasses since at least iPhone 4. But it's not Gorilla Glass either.
What I think, it's the first phone to use Corning's new "Willow Glass" which was shown the first time in the beginning of 2013. Here's a link for CNET's review.
And don't tell me it doesn't look like the same stuff what Marques Brownlee showed as iPhone 6 screen.
Curved screen and protectors:
Nokia Lumia 920 has almost the same kind of front panel than they show as iPhone 6. No problems with protectors.
Why not so much more juicy battery?
Others make over powerful devices with large batteries. Apple goes the way that will work as fine as the Androids. Remember that this phone will have new chipset, which will most probably use less power itself.
Just guesses though.
But without the protruding camera it would be much nicer (I don't like case on phone). But next tuesday we'll see. Fingers crossed (to not to have protruding camera).
Oh, and one more; the date 9.9.2014:
9+9= 18 or just double 6 = 2-3 new iPhones. (4.7" & iPhone 6C and/or 5.5" model)
2014; 2x4= iOS 8, 01 flipped = OS X = They go through new iOS and Yosemite integrations. Except they would do that on any other year also. But works with the numbers.
Decide to buy it or not to buy when you see it yourself.
I've spoken.
The camera is placed so, that when the phone is on desk it will most probably make the phone feel physically unstable (on the table).
Just can't see a reason why they would design the camera for external lenses (if they don't make them themselves) as a lot of people is satisfied with their phones normal quality. But who knows.
So my guesses about the design and its flaws:
Camera:
The camera protrudes because of external cases. If ye get any kind of case with or without lens cover for your phone, you might notice small shadows or drops in quality because of the case (except on Samsung's were the top cover is plastic and protruding already). Apple will sell the phone with a case, that fits the phone the way that the protruding lens doesn't matter, and the phone will still feel fit.
Antenna bands:
They might look uglier than they are because of processed video. Everything has more contrast than what human eye normally sees, so it might look just fine in the nature.
But/and probably those antenna bands will be there just because of new and more stable wireless technologies. Faster wifi (wlan ac), faster 4G/LTE (150mbps) (or even maybe dual LTE), NFC and maybe new bluetooth. and even more stable 2G/3G. And faster GPS? Who knows.
The non-sapphire sapphire glass:
Most probably it's not sapphire. But most probably it's made by Corning, as Apple has trusted their glasses since at least iPhone 4. But it's not Gorilla Glass either.
What I think, it's the first phone to use Corning's new "Willow Glass" which was shown the first time in the beginning of 2013. Here's a link for CNET's review.
And don't tell me it doesn't look like the same stuff what Marques Brownlee showed as iPhone 6 screen.
Curved screen and protectors:
Nokia Lumia 920 has almost the same kind of front panel than they show as iPhone 6. No problems with protectors.
Why not so much more juicy battery?
Others make over powerful devices with large batteries. Apple goes the way that will work as fine as the Androids. Remember that this phone will have new chipset, which will most probably use less power itself.
Just guesses though.
But without the protruding camera it would be much nicer (I don't like case on phone). But next tuesday we'll see. Fingers crossed (to not to have protruding camera).
Oh, and one more; the date 9.9.2014:
9+9= 18 or just double 6 = 2-3 new iPhones. (4.7" & iPhone 6C and/or 5.5" model)
2014; 2x4= iOS 8, 01 flipped = OS X = They go through new iOS and Yosemite integrations. Except they would do that on any other year also. But works with the numbers.
Decide to buy it or not to buy when you see it yourself.
I've spoken.
I agree with you up to a point. Apple uses Sony cameras in their iPhones but they have dozens of models and sizes to choose from. It's about choosing the right size with the right set of features. It's a guarantee that this camera is an improved version over the 5S because they always improve the camera in some way. Perhaps this time they just couldn't get all the features they wanted in a small enough package so we a get a protruding lens but it's not the end of the world.
What would be the end of the world for Apple iPhone sales would be if Apple told buyers to just go with a real camera for their photos. That is a complete 180 from all of their marketing and commercials and sends a message of weakness to all competition. Apple's iPhone is the king of smartphones and it's primarily because of the photos and video quality and was of use their phone allows users to take. Giving up the "best camera phone" status would be like giving up on iPhone altogether.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
I wasn't saying they should jettison the camera. Instead, I was taking a poke at the decision of "thinner" driving this protrusion decision (plus a poke at how some of the cheerleaders will spin any decision Apple makes).
And I'll agree that they choose the camera specs to meet their goals for that part of the iPhone. However, I would assume a good approach to designing the whole case is to verify that the various component parts to go inside it can fit. In other words, I don't envision them choosing a case thickness before choosing the camera part thickness. Instead, I suspect they saw an opportunity for "thinner" in spite of the fact that it would require a protruding camera solution and chose "thinner" anyway.
Meanwhile, it's hard to find one person griping about the onerous thickness of the 5s case, so Apple appears to be addressing a problem that no one has and creating a gripe point as a result. Personally, I'd rather they kept the 5s case "thinness" and filled the surplus space within the 6 with more battery. But more battery would have a hard unit cost of a nickel or three while "thinner" costs nothing (or near nothing) per unit sold.
And I'll agree that they choose the camera specs to meet their goals for that part of the iPhone. However, I would assume a good approach to designing the whole case is to verify that the various component parts to go inside it can fit. In other words, I don't envision them choosing a case thickness before choosing the camera part thickness. Instead, I suspect they saw an opportunity for "thinner" in spite of the fact that it would require a protruding camera solution and chose "thinner" anyway.
Meanwhile, it's hard to find one person griping about the onerous thickness of the 5s case, so Apple appears to be addressing a problem that no one has and creating a gripe point as a result. Personally, I'd rather they kept the 5s case "thinness" and filled the surplus space within the 6 with more battery. But more battery would have a hard unit cost of a nickel or three while "thinner" costs nothing (or near nothing) per unit sold.
I've just watched the 1st video here on this thread and to be fair the lens does not protrude as much as I thought. I'm happy with the way it looks 
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1769808/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1769808/
The camera sticking out makes a difference. I have a Note 3 as well as an iPhone, and the default "back" cover on the Note 3 makes the phone super thin, but laying it on a table on its back makes the part by the camera stick up - i.e., not laying completely flat on the phone's back because of the camera sticking out.
But if you add the wireless charging back cover, which is about a mm and a half thicker, then the camera becomes flush with the new back of the phone and the phone now lies completely flat and doesn't wobble along its long axis like the phone does with its "thin" cover. It just looks and feels much better with that extra 1.5mm. And you hardly notice the extra tiny bit of thickness.
But if you add the wireless charging back cover, which is about a mm and a half thicker, then the camera becomes flush with the new back of the phone and the phone now lies completely flat and doesn't wobble along its long axis like the phone does with its "thin" cover. It just looks and feels much better with that extra 1.5mm. And you hardly notice the extra tiny bit of thickness.
I'm sure making the case thinner costs more than putting a bigger battery.
They shrink the phone because they want 6 model to be thinner than 5, as iphone 5 was thinner than iPhone 4 and so on.
Thinner means lighter, so is "better".
Apple is satisfied with current battery life, I expect some improvement due to less power consumption on the A8 and on the display, but as long as a charge lasts until bedtime they're fine with that.
The key word in my post was not "premium", it was "premium flagship". Is the current 5c a premium smartphone? definately yes. Is it the current flagship iPhone model? No, it's not, the 5s is.
As soon as the iPhone 6 hits the market, which one will be the flagship iPhone model? Most likely not a "small screen" one. If you want a small screen model it will still be available. Of course it will not be the latest and greatest, but if you use the most advanced features only sparingly you most likely don't need the flagship model in the first place.
Other customers do.
And this is why we're getting iphones that are so damn thin that they bend under the slightest force. I'm very concerned about how GD thin the 4.7" iphone looks. God, don't dare sit down with it in your pocket.
Hey, you're right, haters are gonna hate. I wish I had thought of that. What is a hater?
An excellent response to the other excellent post supporting the design approach by apple.
I really liked the pro apple design theory, but I have to agree that a flushed phone and better battery life are more important. Apple may not want to admit it, but there are a lot of people with iPhones, iPods that are constantly looking for outlets and their battery chargers in an attempt to make it through the day. I have four iPhones and one iPod in my family, and everyone always leaves the house with chargers in hand.
What you define as option 3 shouldn't be an option in the first place. It either you make a phone shell 0.1 mm thicker ant put that camera in or just use whatever camera can sit flush in a 0.1 mm thinner shell. It's not going to be groundbreaking anyway since it's phone camera.
not inline w/ their design philosophy? oh, you mean like how they built exactly this on the ipod touch? sounds inline to me.
----------
nope. #3 is certainly an option. to ignore it is to wear blinders. no designer wants to wear blinders, everything must be evaluated.
i want the best case *and* the best camera, so #3 sounds like the right answer.
and of course the camera in a phone isnt the same as a camera in a DSLR -- but its certainly as good as a point and shoot, which is why i no longer own any point and shoots, and why that sector has started petering out.
----------
ah yes -- because until now, nobody has ever found a reason to gripe about anything related to an apple product. no siree, no gripes on a daily basis about every single thing theyve done over the past 10 years....
----------
which is what? to perform parlor tricks for your kids? cuz nobody is going to be making furniture or setting anything important with an artificial iphone bevel.
you also cant sit it sideways on edge now due to the rounded sides. big deal...complaining about that too? nope.