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Hate to break the news to some of you but iPhone sales are not exactly struggling with a 3.5" screen. Consumers do have a choice. There are plenty of phones around w/ bigger screens, and they sell well too. Apple has a proven formula going. I don't think it is interested in further complicating iOS app development right so soon after the new iPad. They are going to let devs catch up with the iPad and get started for iOS 6.

Indeed. When Apple released 4S, 4" screens were pretty popular, yet 4S still sold like crazy. So obviously consumers are not demanding a 4" screen from Apple like some of the forum members make out to be. In any case, Apple will put in some cool features to make it an attractive buy over the 4S even if the 4" screen isn't there.
 
This is it. If Apple can't get their heads out of sand then I'm moving on elsewhere.

How long do they think they can milk the same old boring design not to mention the severely lacking tiny screen?

I'm afraid this is why I moved to a Galaxy S2 - bored of looking at the same design and same tiled screens for five years. I thought I'd hate Android but actually I massively prefer it to iOS. It's kind of opened my eyes to how much is lacking on an iPhone which is a shame.

Competition is important and I hope Apple up their game to win me back and stop others also defecting to other phones.
 
I'm afraid this is why I moved to a Galaxy S2 - bored of looking at the same design and same tiled screens for five years. I thought I'd hate Android but actually I massively prefer it to iOS. It's kind of opened my eyes to how much is lacking on an iPhone which is a shame.

Competition is important and I hope Apple up their game to win me back and stop others also defecting to other phones.

Yes, that's you. You recognized you had a choice and moved on. As I said there are plenty of people buying 4"+ screen phones. But the overall iPhone growth trend is still on the upswing, not down. There is no huge demand for a larger screen by the general public or the iPhone 4S would have never sold 4m at launch -- the most of any cell phone ever, and keep breaking sales records today.

Moreover, Apple introducing a bigger phone could alienate current iPhone users who find the size/weight perfect, and, honestly, I think most Android users use Android bc it's not Apple or cost of entry is less. So bottom line Apple net loses market share w/ a bigger phone, not gains.
 
Going up in size just makes no sense whatsoever. Sure, it's going to disappoint those of you out there that are already on the fringe and talking about getting an HTC or Samsung Super Awkward Droid Bionic Pocket Expander.

It's a common thing in consumer goods - for manufacturers to make things bigger and bigger, but what most people on these boards who complain about the 3.5" screen don't understand is that Apple thinks beyond just the iPhone. If the iPhone was their only product, then sure, it would make sense to offer a maxi, original and even a smaller form factor mini iPhone - ala iPod formula of the past.

The thing is, they're not thinking this way, because they have the iPad and Macbook Air and iMac, Mac Mini, and quite possibly Apple Television coming soon.

You have to think BIG and that doesn't mean thinking about making a 4" to 4.5" screened iPhone. Think big as in the entire Apple line and how you really, as Apple, want consumers to cover all the bases, not just settle for a single iPhone (with some awkward size that is too big to fit in pocket or purse) and not quite big enough to function like the iPad.

I said this before and I'll repeat it - given it's already being reported, that Apple is going to push forward with cellular connectivity on the iPhone, iPad (and not just cellular data), Macbook Air/Pro, iMac and quite possibly their new Apple Television.

By doing this, Apple will change how we think about communication. Things like Skype have already given us the ability to do this, but the mass shift will occur when you can pull out your iPhone, iPad, or MBA and have the same ability to simply call or take a call using any one of the devices - seamlessly.

It's easy to see why they have bought into the crowd voice recognition, because they're needing to make speakerphone capabilities better to adapt for use in devices beyond the iPhone. Same with Siri.

I for one would love to be able to, as I'm sitting at my desk in my office take or place a call right from my mba, just as I do using Skype now. Or to then swap the call over to my iPhone as I leave to go to a meeting or onto my (not yet purchased) iPad so I can walk around the office to show off some new products to the person I'm talking to.

Apple is clearly thinking big - but it's just not big as in giant screened iPhone.
 
Yes, that's you. You recognized you had a choice and moved on. As I said there are plenty of people buying 4"+ screen phones. But the overall iPhone growth trend is still on the upswing, not down. There is no huge demand for a larger screen by the general public or the iPhone 4S would have never sold 4m at launch -- the most of any cell phone ever, and keep breaking sales records today.

Moreover, Apple introducing a bigger phone could alienate current iPhone users who find the size/weight perfect, and, honestly, I think most Android users use Android bc it's not Apple or cost of entry is less. So bottom line Apple net loses market share w/ a bigger phone, not gains.

Apple would still sell millions if iphones if it was 4"+. In fact I am sure that the reception would be highly positive. Millions of iphone users wouldn't just suddenly defect to android to find a phone with similar dimensions and with a 3.5" screen.

It has everything to do with brand power, marketing, choice of OS, ecosystem and price. More than it has to do with the 3.5" screen.


Your analysis is totally wrong. The bottom line is NOT that Apple will lose market share. In fact I think they would gain market share from those power users that will defect from android and new users that see this as a new fresh product. But otherwise their share is basically saturated. The bottom line is that a 4"+ screen will cannibalize the ipad sales.
 
Wirelessly posted

Please Apple get rid of the physical home button and increase the screen size. The home button gets dust inside and then stops working, Ditch it please and give us more screen instead! :)
 
I think we won't really know what screen size the next iPhone will use until we find out about what resolutions are supported in iOS 6.0, which is likely to be offered as a beta for developers at WWDC probably in mid-June 2012.

If we see a new resolution--my guess 1280x720 or 1280x768 (which would give more or less Retina Display resolution on a circa 4.25" (diagonal) screen)--then this right there signals a larger screen size for the next iPhone.
 
Hmm for me 3.5 inches is a bit small now but the real question is :

- The iphone is resolutionary as it has a RETINA display... So considering that apple will not change the resolution (unless they increase it by 2 (by 4 if you talk about pixels)) so will a 4'' display still be considered as RETINA ? For me this is the real question, If they can do a 5 '' screen with the same resolution and calling it RETINA so this is possible...

- A bigger screen will not force to have a bigger case... There is plenty of space around home button and at the screen edges... The goal to have bigger screen was also to increase battery size, but don't forget that bigger screen means also bigger power consumption...

Currently I have an Iphone 4 and well also long and nice fingers which have no problem to handle a 4'' device but more would be too much in my mind but we will see :)


And last point if there is only LTE improvement (no new design) ;) how this new iphone will be called ?

The new iphone ? :D
The iphone 4SS ?
The iphone 5/S ?

Well i'm wondering what would be the new product if SJ was still alive... :apple:
 
I see the screen size staying the same... Most android phones are just getting too large to comfortably carry and are just doing it because their battery life is poor so they need more space internally.

The dock connector should go. It is a bit flimsy and fiddly, I'd rather have something a lot easier, smaller and sturdier.
 
3.5 inch is so 2009

Wow. Really Apple? Still sticking with 3.5 inch screen? Oh well this is why i'm getting the Samsung Blaze 4G. It has a 4 inch screen. 3.5 inch screen is too small for a phone. Apple make a upgrade and do a 4 inch screen. How can I contact Ive about this? :D
 
I see the screen size staying the same... Most android phones are just getting too large to comfortably carry
Absolute BS, you obvious have never held any.
A motorola atrix has a 4" screen and is barey any larger (couple of mm's) and weighs even less, same goes for the atrix 2 wich has a 4.3" screen.




and are just doing it because their battery life is poor so they need more space internally.
Sure thats why that same atrix has more battery life and weighs less .
 
Absolute BS, you obvious have never held any.
A motorola atrix has a 4" screen and is barey any larger (couple of mm's)

Because it is barely any larger width-wise. Atrix's 4" screen with qHD resolution and aspect ratio has 1.96" width. iPhone has 1.94" width.

It's pretty frustrating to see diagonal numbers everywhere but without aspect ratio being taken into accout. :(
 
Because it is barely any larger width-wise. Atrix's 4" screen with qHD resolution and aspect ratio has 1.96" width. iPhone has 1.94" width.

It's pretty frustrating to see diagonal numbers everywhere but without aspect ratio being taken into accout. :(

Take then the atrix 2 or plenty of other android/wm phones with 4" screen and barely any larger.

Yes the 4.5 or 5+" phones are quite a bit bigger, but the argument that 3.5" is perfect and everything else is just too big and bulky has been BS from its beginnings.
 
This is it. If Apple can't get their heads out of sand then I'm moving on elsewhere.

How long do they think they can milk the same old boring design not to mention the severely lacking tiny screen?

Competition will leave Apple in the dust soon. Seems that innovation at Apple died the same day Steve did. Shame.

that is the most ridiculous statement I've ever read on MR. congrats. clueless.

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cdmoore74 said:
Does Apple care about what people say and think on these forums? Apple is losing the phone battle and they got lucky that Android tablets are still a mess.

1) if by "losing" you mean the #1, 2 and 3 best selling smartphones then yeah, they're losing all right.

2) no, apple does not care what ultra-geeks on a rumor site thinks. you aren't their target base.

3) iPad, lucky? riiiight.

....do some of you realize how completely out of touch with reality you are?
 
Take then the atrix 2 or plenty of other android/wm phones with 4" screen and barely any larger.

Which is why I think a 3.8" iPhone would be perfect. At 2.11" width, a 3.8" iPhone screen would be exactly as wide as Atrix 2's 4.3" screen and the resolution is still higher than 300DPI, making it a "Retina". With slightly less bezel, this should satisfy almost everyone.

Here's a mock up from another thread by CarlosTheJackl:
form.jpg



But personally, I actually want to see a smaller iPhone. Or more precisely, I want to see an iPod Touch-like form factor. Same display size, much reduced space all the way around. It's probably not really possible due to battery constraint and million other factors but I'd much rather see Apple take this path than going bigger.
 
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Wirelessly posted

3.5" Really? I love the iphone but Galaxy Note screen is awesome is between the ipad and iphone. Apple needs to upgrade the screen to at least 4".
 
I can't help but believe how many people here supporting a 3.5 inch screen are simply not considering the effects of presbyopia (farsightedness) because of age.

When I first got my iPhone 3G the 3.5 inch screen was just fine, but over the last couple years, and I can't believe how quickly my eyes changed, I simply can't focus on anything held closer than 18-24 inches.

With the 3.5 holding it close it's out of focus, holding it at arms length the text is too small. Test driving friend's 4-4.5 inch are still very usable.

Sadly, this is not a unique situation to me, but will happen to virtually everybody as the hit 40-45 years of age. Use your iPhone at a full arms length for a day and get back to me about the 3.5 inch being the perfect size.
 
Let me steal something from Mr. Jobs - 3.5 is DOA!

Of course it will sell, they could release a cow paddy and stamp an Apple logo and people would line up for it.

A lot of demographics like larger screens. Technically affluent young people want bigger screens, older people like bigger screens because they can actually see and read the screen.

It's pretty obvious Apple's framework, development, and more are all built around that 3.5 and each year they prevent it from changing the more it's going to hurt.
 
Apple could add LTE to the current phone, release it as the "iPhone 4G" and everyone in this thread and around the world will line up to buy it.
 
A 4-inch screen is the thing I'm hoping for the most.

LTE I could care less about. I live in rural Canada so likely I wouldn't be able to take advantage of it.

The mini dock connector would mean I'd need to get alot of new accessories which would suck.
 
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