New Video Shows Closer Look at Purported 4.7-Inch iPhone 6 Front Panel

[BMox81]

Do people really think a 4" phone is still big?

I see lots of "must be able to use one handed or I don't buy" comments yet I can use my Nexus 5 with one hand in regards to internet/text use perfectly fine and I don't even have large hands.

Never known a phone to cause such uproar about when the rest of the world have been using larger sized phones for 2-3 years now with no problems whatsoever....

 

[UK-MacAddict]

The side bezels look good but the top/bottom ones seem bulky.

One just hopes that the extra bulk is packing some worthwhile tech at least.

The bottom one, fine because it will have Touch ID. But LG have shown that a 5.5" screen doesn't need bulky bezels.

LG G3 and the HTC One M8 look ugly because there is no symmetry to the design. They both have big chins on the handset. In the case of the HTC One the actual usable part of the screen is about 2 inches up from the bottom. Its bad enough they gave it a big chin but then to extend it even more by having onscreen buttons is ridiculous.

Apple is all about design and looks of the product. If they need to shrink a bezel on either side then the same will have to be done on the opposite end. They could shrink the bezel if they made the shape of the home button a rectangle, similar to that found on galaxy phones. Then they could also shrink the top part with the earpiece.

There is nothing more annoying than having an off centre display on a phone.

 

[NewbieCanada]

I've never used my phone with one hand. When I read all these posts about it being a deal breaker it makes me wonder what these people are doing with the other hand while using the phone.

My size concerns are with portability, how well it will fit in pockets, etc. But as long as it doesn't take three hands to operate, I'm good.

 

[Geminist]

Do people really think a 4" phone is still big?

I see lots of "must be able to use one handed or I don't buy" comments yet I can use my Nexus 5 with one hand in regards to internet/text use perfectly fine and I don't even have large hands.

Never known a phone to cause such uproar about when the rest of the world have been using larger sized phones for 2-3 years now with no problems whatsoever....

It will stop when Apple releases a bigger phone. It's the same thing again with the iPad mini

 

[DiscoMcDisco]

"one hand gate" sounds like some kind of masturbation restraint...

I'm afraid i'm in the 'one hand lot'... you know who I see using two hands for everything? Grannies, Hipsters with Phone bigger than their heads, people taking photo's with their iPads and Serious Techies... I'm talking Dark Room Types... (lovely people, by the way).

I don't want to 'have' to use two hands. The important part is 'have'. 5.5" I'll 'have' to. That doesn't feel right, it doesn't even feel like a good usability or experience design choice.

I can't see this actually happening, I think what we'll get is re-branded additional line. the 4S was the perfect one hand size. The 5 just about (though took me a while). I don't need more real estate on my phone.

That said, I understand why some people do really want this. It's fine to want it. The concern is they'll drop the smaller sizes and leave me without a choice...

...which is fine, cos i'll get a cheaper 64GB 5S and upgrade to the 7 where they fix all the problems they introduced with the 6 in two years time.

 

[Azzin]

Ability to hold it in one hand and touch near the top or I'm not buying. I really hope the rumors about the 5.5" having features not in the 4.7 are false. I would never buy the 5.5" due to its size.

If you would never buy the 5.5" due to its size, why do you care what features it has that aren't in the 4.7"?

 

[BrooksA]

Do you just put your old phone in a drawer to rot? I sell my old iPhone every two years to pay for my new one. I usually end up with a slight profit.

Well to my shame I do have a working 3gs in a drawer. I'm interested as to how you make a profit by selling a two year old phone and buying a new one. I'm on a 4s and out of contract, waiting to see iPhone 6 before upgrading. Any advice?

 

[Azzin]

Sounds like this year we will have "one hand gate".
You people are crazy.

Cue the whiners when it is actually released: "It's too big to hold easily"

The rest of MacRumours: "You're holding it wrong!"

[Edit] - Just to add, I do love the run up to an iPhone release, after my holiday, it's my next favourite summer thing!!

 

[zipa]

but if sapphire is not in 4.7" i am angry

Of course IT isn't. It is a silly material for a phone screen, so it won't be on any model.

 

[Mildredop]

Do people really think a 4" phone is still big?

I see lots of "must be able to use one handed or I don't buy" comments yet I can use my Nexus 5 with one hand in regards to internet/text use perfectly fine and I don't even have large hands.

Never known a phone to cause such uproar about when the rest of the world have been using larger sized phones for 2-3 years now with no problems whatsoever....

I have a nexus 5 and I agree, it's easy to use one handed. My partner's iPhone 4S however I find really awkward.

Of course, it probably comes down to what you're used to, but I find always having to reach up to the top left corner on the iPhone in order to go back really annoying. Android phones may be bigger, but it's rare you need to tap on anything in the top half of the screen - the home, menu and back button are all at the bottom.

 

[69Mustang]

Once you go above the current iPhone size, you basically have a tablet (that can also make calls), not a phone.

I'm hoping the current large screen fad doesn't drive Apple to abandon 'practical' phone sizes altogether (I think we should be alright for a while). I remember the days when 'small' phones were popular, that might happen again.

Only for those with gorilla-sized hands. Single-handed isn't comfortable or accurate enough even on the iPhone 5.

This guy agrees with you:

 

[x-evil-x]

Looking at these over and over again won't change the fact that the thing is too big no matter what. I just ordered an old Blackberry for my work. I'm sick of Apple mail anyway and with a big clumsy device I'm going back (while their still around at least).

what do you think will happen in 10 years? gotta learn how to adjust to new technology there won't be smaller options in the future. well maybe there might but just gotta be happy with whats coming out and learn to adapt a little.

 

[adamw]

Looks very nice. Hopefully this, and the larger screen model, will help those who have trouble reading text on the current iPhone screens.

 

[Karma*Police]

One handed operation is not just about reaching the sides of the screen with the thumb; it's the ability to touch all four corners of the screen with your thumb AND the home button.

Essentially the 4.7" iPhone is the equivalent of a 5" Android that have on screen navigation like the Nexus 5. Unfortunately, this means only people with unusually large hands will be able to comfortably operate it with one hand; ie, without the need to shift the phone around.

Decreased usability for a slightly larger screen is a trade off. One that a lot of people are clearly willing to make... for now.

 

[scupking]

Good so at least it looks like the top and bottom bezels are much smaller now! About time!

 

[x-evil-x]

Well to my shame I do have a working 3gs in a drawer. I'm interested as to how you make a profit by selling a two year old phone and buying a new one. I'm on a 4s and out of contract, waiting to see iPhone 6 before upgrading. Any advice?

advice would be to not keep phones past two years... Ive upgraded every 2 years. started with a 3g(2nd iPhone) then a 4 and then a 5. I always sold my old phone for the cost to upgrade. Att lets you unlock phones if they are out of contract(after two years) and you can make more money on them. I remember selling my iPhone 4 32 gig for 330$ 2 years after i had it to buy a 32 gig iPhone 5 on launch day. i never saw the s models much of reason to upgrade. Especially after getting a 5.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Cue the whiners when it is actually released: "It's too big to hold easily"

The rest of MacRumours: "You're holding it wrong!"

Actually, here's how it goes:

1. Whining up until launch (but softening whines as rumors pile up suggesting the change is going to happen)
2. Apple rolls out 4.7" and 5.5" (dropping the one-handed use from the marketing spin)
3. "Shut up and take my money" and "best iPhone ever"
4. Since there will likely be a 4.7" and a 5.5", cue 1000 new threads with titles similar to "which one should I buy?" all of which is best answered with "whichever one is best for you" but will instead by filled with answers of which is deemed best by those who post answers (as if what is best for them is absolutely the one best choice for the OP).

These pre-launch gripes of one-handed use and pants pocket concerns will mostly evaporate as soon as Apple rolls it out. The transitions will be quick: "No way I'm buying" to "It's kind of growing on me" to "Wait & see one in person" to "Best iPhone ever" to "How did we ever get by with those puny screens?" and then, about 2 years later, "Apple invented the bigger-screened smart phone". Then someone shows evidence that others were there first, about 10 of "us" call that someone a "troll", more evidence is shown, so "we" try to change the subject to something that is positive and Apple irrefutable like "but which single smart phone model is most profitable?" Same sequence of events over and over.

It reminds me of the wave of griping before the 4" became the new perfect. Post after post in thread after thread about the "abomination" of screens bigger than the perfection of 3.5" and the fragmentation of different screen resolutions, how Apple would never fragment, etc. As the rumors of the 4" piled up, there were Android phone bashes about aspect ratio, how Apple would never change the aspect ratio, etc. Then, as rumors of 4", resolution change and aspect ratio change piled up, all that transitioned toward the hedge of "wait & see", "it's kind of growing on me" before Apple rolled out the 4" and then all that griping evaporated.

Why wasn't the 4" with a different resolution and different aspect ratio an abomination? "stupid"? Etc. Because as soon as Apple endorses the new perfect, it is the new perfect. The old arsenal of arguments against (say the abominations of big screen smart phones) ceases to be used and the new arsenal of marketing spin Apple offers becomes the foundational points of arguments why 4.7" and/or 5.5" is now the perfect sizes of smart phone screens. Some might reference back to their pre-launch positions: "I didn't think I'd like the bigger screens at all but wow, it's so much better…" but most will just ignore their pre-launch stance as if they never said a word against the new perfect.

Here we go again- same scenario with some differing gripes. If people actually feel this way, they should feel the same AFTER Apple rolls out these bigger phones. There should be dozens of bashing threads putting down Apple's iPhone 6, the massive problems of not having new pants with sufficiently-sized pockets and on and on. But it won't happen. If there was a flip flopper button here, it would be hilarious to be able to easily match post-launch gushing praise with pre-launch bashes by many of these same people.

 

[Trapezoid]

Actually, here's how it goes:

1. Whining up until launch (but softening whines as rumors pile up suggesting the change is going to happen)
2. Apple rolls out 4.7" and 5.5" (dropping the one-handed use from the marketing spin)
3. "Shut up and take my money" and "best iPhone ever"
4. Since there will likely be a 4.7" and a 5.5", cue 1000 new threads with titles similar to "which one should I buy?" all of which is best answered with "whichever one is best for you" but will instead by filled with answers of which is deemed best by those who post answers (as if what is best for them is absolutely the one best choice for the OP).

These pre-launch gripes of one-handed use and pants pocket concerns will mostly evaporate as soon as Apple rolls it out. The transitions will be quick: "No way I'm buying" to "It's kind of growing on me" to "Wait & see one in person" to "Best iPhone ever" to "How did we ever get by with those puny screens?" and then, about 2 years later, "Apple invented the bigger-screened smart phone". Then someone shows evidence that others were there first, about 10 of "us" call that someone a "troll", more evidence is shown, so "we" try to change the subject to something that is positive and Apple irrefutable like "but which single smart phone model is most profitable?" Same sequence of events over and over.

It reminds me of the wave of griping before the 4" became the new perfect. Post after post in thread after thread about the "abomination" of screens bigger than the perfection of 3.5" and the fragmentation of different screen resolutions, how Apple would never fragment, etc. As the rumors of the 4" piled up, there were Android phone bashes about aspect ratio, how Apple would never change the aspect ratio, etc. Then, as rumors of 4", resolution change and aspect ratio change piled up, all that transitioned toward the hedge of "wait & see", "it's kind of growing on me" before Apple rolled out the 4" and then all that griping evaporated.

Why wasn't the 4" with a different resolution and different aspect ratio an abomination? "stupid"? Etc. Because as soon as Apple endorses the new perfect, it is the new perfect. The old arsenal of arguments against (say the abominations of big screen smart phones) ceases to be used and the new arsenal of marketing spin Apple offers becomes the foundational points of arguments why 4.7" and/or 5.5" is now the perfect sizes of smart phone screens. Some might reference back to their pre-launch positions: "I didn't think I'd like the bigger screens at all but wow, it's so much better…" but most will just ignore their pre-launch stance as if they never said a word against the new perfect.

Here we go again- same scenario with some differing gripes. If people actually feel this way, they should feel the same AFTER Apple rolls out these bigger phones. There should be dozens of bashing threads putting down Apple's iPhone 6, the massive problems of not having new pants with sufficiently-sized pockets and on and on. But it won't happen. If there was a flip flopper button here, it would be hilarious to be able to easily match post-launch gushing praise with pre-launch bashes by many of these same people.

I dont need to see "many", can you show me one person who flip flopped? they seem to be readily available for you to point out, so I can wait.

 

[phpmaven]

Do people really think a 4" phone is still big?

I see lots of "must be able to use one handed or I don't buy" comments yet I can use my Nexus 5 with one hand in regards to internet/text use perfectly fine and I don't even have large hands.

Never known a phone to cause such uproar about when the rest of the world have been using larger sized phones for 2-3 years now with no problems whatsoever....

I would hardly characterize a few people bellyaching on a forum as an "uproar". The 4" form factor is doomed, period. Those who want that size phone will have to hold on to their old iPhones as long as they can. I used to be one of those who complained that the large screen phones were redonculously big, but as I've seen more and more of my friends go Android and get these phones with big bright beautiful screens, and how much they loved them, I have changed my mind. If I didn't dislike Android so much, I would have jumped ship by now. The 4" inch screen is just plain tiny and I will be thrilled to finally get an iPhone with a decent sized screen. I think it's pretty clear that the vast majority of the general public wants larger screens. Apple can only ignore that for so long.

 

[doomfront]

I'm all for a larger phone, will probably get the 4.7" since I have a Note 2 right now and the size isn't the best when going on runs or working out.

With that said, will the new phone be wider as well? It's pretty hard to tell from the pictures. But that's why I passed on the 5 and 5s, hate how it felt when I held it. Seemed like a TV remote instead of a phone

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I dont need to see "many", can you show me one person who flip flopped? they seem to be readily available for you to point out, so I can wait.

I can't believe you would be trying to imply it doesn't happen, but see post #19 referenced in post #23 in the other thread https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1750799/ from today vs post #22 at https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=17804986#post17804986 I'll just assume you are new here. Else, I find it hard to believe that anyone could be around here for a while and not notice the flip flopping opinions the just follow whatever Apple rolls out. But there's your one example. If you need more search back for 4" rumors pre-launch to see so many posting exactly what I referenced and then all that negative evaporating as soon as Apple rolled out the 4"…

…or search back for endless justifications of the lack of a front-facing camera in iPad 1 ("stupid", "why would I want to video chat on an iPad", "stability", etc) flipping to the gushing "must have" love for FaceTime on iPad 2…

…or search back for endless posts about "720p is good enough" when Apple clung to that max in TV 1 & 2 but then that whole argument evaporated when TV 3 rolled out, never to be seen again…

…and so on.

This particular topic is going to be an ultimate example because there are years of posts attacking the "abominations" of screens larger than 3.5" and then 4". "Stupid", "I'd never buy a phablet", "if I wanted a tablet, I'd buy an iPad" and on and on has been slung in countless threads for several years that the other guys have sold phones with screens > 4". Apple is about to roll out iPhones with screens bigger than 4". Conceptually, the entire group who has found such fault with screen sizes >4" should not buy. But let's see what happens. And then let's see what they are saying about those "abomination" screen sizes after "shut up and take my money".

If iPhone 6 will be 4.7" and 5.5", I can easily envision the new abominations will be >5.5" and < 4.7". 4" and smaller will start getting called puny and similar. >5.5" will be far too big and unmanageable, "I really will need new pants pockets", "stupid", etc. Other phones with screens between 4.7" and 5.5" will also be entirely WRONG as either too small or too large dependent on the iPhone size the poster chose to buy.

 

[Rogifan]

LG G3 and the HTC One M8 look ugly because there is no symmetry to the design. They both have big chins on the handset. In the case of the HTC One the actual usable part of the screen is about 2 inches up from the bottom. Its bad enough they gave it a big chin but then to extend it even more by having onscreen buttons is ridiculous.

Apple is all about design and looks of the product. If they need to shrink a bezel on either side then the same will have to be done on the opposite end. They could shrink the bezel if they made the shape of the home button a rectangle, similar to that found on galaxy phones. Then they could also shrink the top part with the earpiece.

There is nothing more annoying than having an off centre display on a phone.

Except the physical button on the Galaxy phone is fugly IMO. It looks too cramped like they made the bezel just wide enough to fit a home button that shouldn't be there. I see Apple getting rid of the home button all together before they would change its shape/size.

 

[Trapezoid]

I can't believe you would be trying to imply it doesn't happen, but see post #23 in the other thread from today vs post #22 at https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1750799/ I'll just assume you are new here. Else, I find it hard to believe that anyone could be around here for a while and not notice the flip flopping opinions the just follow whatever Apple rolls out. But there's your one example. If you need more search back for 4" rumors pre-launch to see so many posting exactly what I referenced and then all that negative evaporating as soon as Apple rolled out the 4"…

…or search back for endless justifications of the lack of a front-facing camera in iPad 1 ("stupid", "why would I want to video chat on an iPad", "stability", etc) flipping to the gushing "must have" love for FaceTime on iPad 2…

…or search back for endless posts about "720p is good enough" when Apple clung to that max in TV 1 & 2 but then that whole argument evaporated when TV 3 rolled out, never to be seen again…

…and so on.

This particular topic is going to be an ultimate example because there are years of posts attacking the "abominations" of screens larger than 3.5" and then 4". "Stupid", "I'd never buy a phablet", "if I wanted a tablet, I'd buy an iPad" and on and on has been slung in countless threads for several years that the other guys have sold phones with screens > 4". Apple is about to roll out iPhones with screens bigger than 4". Conceptually, the entire group who has found such fault with screen sizes >4" should not buy. But let's see what happens. And then let's see what they are saying about those "abomination" screen sizes after "shut up and take my money".

If iPhone 6 will be 4.7" and 5.5", I can easily envision the new abominations will be >5.5" and < 4.7". 4" and smaller will start getting called puny and similar. >5.5" will be far too big and unmanageable, "I really will need new pants pockets", "stupid", etc.

I'm sorry can you tell me which thread "the other thread from today " is? I'm genuinely curious to see the flip flop...a link to the other thread please.

 

[xgman]

Once you go above the current iPhone size, you basically have a tablet (that can also make calls), not a phone.

.

Well analysts predict the biggest sales ever for this launch so whatever you call it, there is plenty of demand.

 

[SmalTek]

So if this is the final panel, is it sapphire?

I think it's sapphire. This panel is larger, but thinner. A larger panel is more fragile, so how come Apple made it thinner? A new material, most likely the rumored sapphire.