Nearly One-Third of iPhone Users Still Have 4-Inch Screens

[Lynxpoint]

The thing that interests me about the 'abandonment' of the small phone is how it changed my view and usage of IOS devices. Now I might well be a severe outlier with this story, but here is what happened:

1. iPhone 5, 5s come out - I don't want a larger phone as the 4 was already pushing the limit to what I would carry. The 6 series just further cemented this.
2. I wanted to get a GPS watch, and was looking prior to the Apple Watch announcement. I waited until it was announced, but it would not meet my needs and on top of that it required me to carry a larger phone to use it. For a person wanting to carry less, this was a non-starter, so I went with the Garmin Fenix 3 for tracking/training, and if I want music, I still have my old iPod shuffle.
3. As my phone has developed issues, I used it less and less, not that I was a heavy user in the first place, but it has become as much a bother as a benefit. This made me think about my iPad as I am productive on the Mac, but waste time on the iPad. This led me to selling the iPad.

So the end result of not having access to a phone I am happy with, I have found my phone to be a tertiary device, behind the garmin, the iPod, and the Mac. I have more or less left the IOS environment as I found that I just don't need it.

Today, if I were to get a new phone, I would buy it outright, as my wireless bill would go up if I upgraded otherwise. This raises the question of value - given I don't need the phone, and I don't want to carry even the one I have, there is no value in spending over !000 dollars on a new iPhone.

In essence, Apple decided small phones were no longer desired and in doing so took me out of the market. When my aphid dies, I likely won't get a new one. I may however consider i iPod touch, but it is rather limited and thus also not likely.

My desire is for smaller, less intrusive, mobile hardware, and I am now at that point where if it doesn't meet that need, I won't consider it.

Yes, but "Twice the RAM" is actually a problem, because it leads developers to get lazy and stop optimizing their apps for older phones with less memory. The apps still run, thanks to Apple's great design of iOS, but many apps are unnecessarily slow. Exact same functionality works great a few years ago and now is slow... yah, something has changed, and it's not the phone. It's the apps.

I would not give Apple such high marks for IOS. Being a iPhone 4 user, I can say that when I was forced to upgrade to IOS7, the phone slowed down. Same apps, worse performance, only change being the OS.

 

[countryside]

I still own my 5, mainly because I love the screen size. But, I have to admit, the 4.7" screen is amazing.

 

[mbh1976]

I've been holding out for an updated 4-inch from my 5S. Used to buy every new generation of iPhone from 3GS to 5S - bought the 6 and returned it two weeks later - terrible tactility/size in my opinion. Looking forward the whatever the updated 4-inch phone is called in March/April.

 

[TheFluffyDuck]

I dont trust any statistic that says phones older than 4 make up 0.03% of use. I know like ten people who still use 3GS.

 

[Candlelight]

Pulled my iPhone 4 out of the drawer for the first time in ages and forgot how awesome it was. Also forgot how little real estate it has compared to my 6S. The larger phone is too big for me. Yes it's amazingly fast but ultimately I think I'd rather go back to a 4" sized screen, so the 5SE or whatever it is intrigues me.

 

[Caromsoft]

My wife and I are both still on the 5. Our phones still work flawlessly. The only thing that made me consider upgrading was the introduction of ApplePay, so instead of upgrading we both got Apple Watches. Best of both worlds for us.

 

[76ShovelHead]

If Apple introduces another size to their lineup, they should change their nomenclature to represent screen size as opposed to model succession. iPhone 4, iPhone 5, and iPhone 6. The moniker "Six S Plus" is just a mouthful.

 

[Robert.Walter]

If Apple introduces another size to their lineup, they should change their nomenclature to represent screen size as opposed to model succession. iPhone 4, iPhone 5, and iPhone 6. The moniker "Six S Plus" is just a mouthful.

Should have called the plus the "maxi", the smaller one the "mini", and then headed to the bar to celebrate a job well done!

 

[Michael Scrip]

I dont trust any statistic that says phones older than 4 make up 0.03% of use. I know like ten people who still use 3GS.

Think of all the iPhone 3GS ever produced... and then think of all other iPhones since then.

Apple sold the most iPhone 3GS throughout 2009 and 2010. Yearly totals for all iPhones sold in 2009 and 2010 were 20 million and 40 million respectively. And let's not forget that the 3G was also being sold during that time.

But from 2011 until today... Apple has sold 740 million iPhones.

So I'd say 0.03% sounds about right for a 2009-era iPhone 3GS still being used in 2016.

Your ten friends don't really factor into the insane number of other newer iPhones out in the world today

 

[Amplelink]

Pulled my iPhone 4 out of the drawer for the first time in ages and forgot how awesome it was. Also forgot how little real estate it has compared to my 6S. The larger phone is too big for me. Yes it's amazingly fast but ultimately I think I'd rather go back to a 4" sized screen, so the 5SE or whatever it is intrigues me.

Surely you're in the minority on this though. When I pull out my iPhone 4, I just cannot believe I used to stare at a screen that small and that I had the dexterity to type on it.

 

[adeedew]

Ironically i just went back to my 5s before these rumors on this unfortunate named '5se' came to light. I'm just the person who gets every phone the day they come out since iphone 1 in 2007, every upgrade i had loved more the last...except the iphone 6. Sure it's nicer to have a bigger screen and larger screen real estate, but that's what a computer is for, the ability to do things on 1 hand (what Steve Jobs so proudly advertised, and apple) became a thing of the past with the 6, try to keep up with the phablets of android, leaving anyone who didn't want an obnoxious large phone in the dust. I thought i would get over it, but never did. Found myself yearning for a phone that just fits easily in a shirt pocket, back pocket and most importantly your hand. I drop the 6 constantly. It's about time they make iphone mini or classic or whatever they call it like they do on other product lines with current hardware internals. Can't believe im actually excited about this 5se

 

[ignatius345]

I don't like using a phone where my thumb can't reach the top without weirdly readjusting my grip. I might also just be being stubborn about it, but I am quite accustomed to the size of my 5S and will be quite ready to upgrade if a new phone of the same size comes out.
[doublepost=1454648208][/doublepost]

The difference is under the old contracts you had to pay for a new phone whether you wanted it or not. Now you can save money by not upgrading so lots of people who would have upgraded for $200 have decided they'd rather have the $450 in their pockets.

Exactly! When my phone bill dropped way down at the end of my contract, I saw no compelling reason to replace my 5S for $40/month when it's still working just as it always has. I'm on the latest iOS, running updated apps, and suffering no performance issues.

 

[hiddenmarkov]

Surely you're in the minority on this though. When I pull out my iPhone 4, I just cannot believe I used to stare at a screen that small and that I had the dexterity to type on it.

You'd be surprised. We've had people who use phones as well...phones who ask if they could get flip phones instead of the iphone. Folds to small size and no desire to use the phone as anything else. they get force fed the iphone so we go to round 2...they choose the 5 over 6 options if we can offer that with phones on hand from employee turn ins when leaving the company.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

I bet all those users are like that. Apple is GOING DOWN: Nobody *wants a 4 inch phone. Especially I know for a fact that there are LARGER phones that are going to be cheaper than this. Lets guess the price! $300????????? ****.THAT.****.

Not even my technologically retarded Dad wanted a 4 inch phone when he first saw my 6s.

Well, not that true. Many people are happy with a 4-inch iPhone if they mainly use it for phone calls and messaging, and don't need anything else. In my case, I use it for everything, plus an iPad and hopefully soon an iPad Pro (waiting for the new version...).

Anyway, calling your Dad "Technologically retarded" is mean. You'll really understand it when you have kids and they call you the same or worse. History repeats, just worse each time.

 

[Mr. Donahue]

That is refreshing! A macrumors commenter that doesn't assume his use case is the only one! ;-)

I'm a 4.7" man myself... (Yes, I'm full aware of the fun people will make with this affirmation! I have a dirty mind after all, makes the world so fun!)

I think the plus is too big! And 4.7" is hard to hold in one hand. I can barely fit my fingers around to grip it, its soooo big. But the 4S with the 3.5" screen feels so good in my hand. It slides so easily into my pocket. Sometimes it's not the size of the phone but the motion in the ocean. Wait.. We're still talking about phones right? LoL
[doublepost=1454652008][/doublepost]I don't even want a 4" screen phone. I bet I'm the only person who wants a 3.5" phone.
I like the iPhone 6 round edge because it's great for swiping back but I can't enjoy it because I don't like using my 6 without a case. It's too slippery.
The 4S was the best design and form.
I don't think they'll ever make a phone that looks like again tho.
Maybe I can buy one on the cheap.

 

[maxsix]

Right now, customers that want a 4-inch iPhone have to settle for the over two-year-old iPhone 5s's outdated tech specs, and the smartphone also lacks many new features such as Apple Pay, 3D Touch, and Live Photos.

Proof positive that Apple Pay, 3D Touch, and Live Photos just don't matter to the average buyer. They buy iPhones to be seen with them, it's the influence of Apple’s Hype and brilliant marketing.

 

[MH01]

smartphone also lacks many new features such as Apple Pay, 3D Touch, and Live Photos.

Lol, my bank does not support Apple Pay, and the other two gimmicks I never use on my 6S plus. The biggest issue my 5S has is battery life. The 5SE with updated internals and better battery life would be awesome, if forgo the gimmicks to keep the price down. Heck all I wanted in my 6S plus was 2GB ram.
[doublepost=1454657548][/doublepost]

Not sure what we can read into this. For some people if their phone is good enough they may not see a need to upgrade. I'm highly skeptical 1/3 if the iPhone install base hasn't upgraded because the screen sizes are too big. Some yes. But not 1/3.

Apple price increases in the other. The dollar is strong, and for many going to the latest is 20-30% premium over the last handset they bought. For many it's just not worth it.

After paying 20% more for my 6S plus v 6 plus, in just 12 months, if the 7 goes up in price again, I'll stick to my current phone, it's just not worth upgrading each time, they have become too expansive ourside the US.

 

[nicho]

Proof positive that Apple Pay, 3D Touch, and Live Photos just don't matter to the average buyer. They buy iPhones to be seen with them, it's the influence of Apple’s Hype and brilliant marketing.

Right. Because the article suggests that ⅓ of iPhones bought since the launch of the 6s and 6s plus have been iPhone 5Ss and not that they've had years of the same size phone being offered to build a base...

 

[tech3475]

I wonder how many simply dont want to upgrade or use it as an extra device?

I still have my old iphone4 which i use as an internet /music player.

 

[robertojorge]

Im ready to get a 4" for the same price of the 4.7"
I was about to get a 5S to replace my 4S but waiting to see if the rumors come true

I offered a Iphone 6 to my wife last year and she loves it, but for me just to big so 4" is perfect!!!

I would love to have the same design and internals as the 6/6s just on a 4" that would be a phone to last me a few more years as i don't get every year refreshed model.
Not that could not afford but would be a waste of money on my perspective.

 

[9646829]

If the price to spec ratio is good for the 4" iPhone I will be very tempted to give my 6s+ to my girlfriend and order the 4" iPhone.

 

[allanfries]

Not surprised. Not everyone likes big. I adapted to my new 6s pretty easy. Kinda shocked myself.

 

[AnthonyHarris]

Not everybody needs, or indeed wants a phone as big as the 6s or 6s +. Sure it's popular with many iPhone users that never thought they'd want a larger device, but the main cause of frustration before the jump in sizes was coming from those that needed the extra screen real estate but didn't fancy ditching the Apple ecosystem in favour of Android devices.

Apple delivered for those customers and that's wonderful, but there is still a gap in the market for those of us that don't wish to carry around a phone only marginally smaller than an iPad mini.

*Edit. And yes, there is still the iPhone 5s on sale (which I own) but an upgrade would be nice.

Anecdotal evidence doesn't mean much, but I know several people who still have an iPhone 4/4S or an iPhone 5S/C because the "iPhone 6 is too big." I certainly think there's a market for 4" devices, but Apple knows more than me.

Some people on this forum says that 4" is too big and want a 3.5" phone. I never felt the jump from 4S -> 5 was that massive.

 

[ValO]

I dont trust any statistic that says phones older than 4 make up 0.03% of use. I know like ten people who still use 3GS.

Yes, me neither. But are they still being registerd by the appstore?
Can you get updates and apps?
Do people with a 3gs even bother to start up the appstore?

 

[Googlyhead]

I think the plus is too big! And 4.7" is hard to hold in one hand. I can barely fit my fingers around to grip it, its soooo big. But the 4S with the 3.5" screen feels so good in my hand. It slides so easily into my pocket. Sometimes it's not the size of the phone but the motion in the ocean. Wait.. We're still talking about phones right? LoL
[doublepost=1454652008][/doublepost]I don't even want a 4" screen phone. I bet I'm the only person who wants a 3.5" phone.
I like the iPhone 6 round edge because it's great for swiping back but I can't enjoy it because I don't like using my 6 without a case. It's too slippery.
The 4S was the best design and form.
I don't think they'll ever make a phone that looks like again tho.
Maybe I can buy one on the cheap.

You're not alone; I'd take the 3.5" 'perfect' size screen if they made it and those UI elements that have become so oversized were remedied to return the usable real estate.
The 5(s) may be a great design, but the long screen was always acknowledged to be something of a compromise.
Still; 4" isn't a phablet, so if that's the best offered, I'll get it.