Questionable Claims of a 4.6" Screen on Next iPhone, But 4" Screen Still Seems Very Possible

[Mr. Gates]

You must be dreaming. Apple is very uncomfortable when the word 'choice' comes up.

But i agree with you, it'd be quite nice of Apple to offer two sizes. But that would require for Apple to realize that not every consumer wants the same size phone year after year.

However, the current 3.5" size I actually very much like in the iPhone. Even though I don't use one, I think the form factor is one of the best on the market. 3.7" is *my* ideal size. I would consider 4" acceptable if and only if it was edge to edge with a minimal bezel. All the gigantic 4.3+ inch android/windows phones that are being released are a nuisance. The only phone thats really impressed me is the HTC One V, but its not available for T-Mobile so it hasnt phased me much.

Not only are the 4.3+ inch phones big and bulky (and a drag to put inside front jean pockets) but THIS particular image should help understand things;

Image

I currently use a 3.8" HTC Glacier (aka MyTouch 4G) and even at its size I find it somewhat bulky.

I think the *perfect* phone size is (total size, not screen or anything) was the Nokia e71; 114mm x 57mm x 10mm

I've seen that image before and I still say it's a load of crap.

Maybe if we had robotic hands or were incapable of using the rest of our hand to position the phone accordingly so we could use it correctly,,,,MAYBE then....

But

"Oh man if only I could reach the other end of my phone,...what ever will I do ?"

 

[adder7712]

I have a 4.3in Galaxy S II.

Perfect size for me and I believe it's the maximum to ensure practicality. After using my phone, the iPhone feels a tad bit small. Unlike some people, I wear straight cut jeans and it fits perfectly in my pocket if I take the case off. I have to use a very bulky one as I'm quite clumsy.

 

[Rogifan]

I don't think Apple will have a choice but to make a slightly bigger screen. But I can't see them going bigger than 4". I'm curious if iOS 6 will include widgets. I have a weather app that shows the temperature in the upper right hand corner which is really cool. But its the only app I am aware of that is anything like an Android style widget. That was one thing I liked about my Android phone (probably the only thing). Though when I was having battery issues widgets were the first thing AT&T told me to disable.

 

[iMaconApple]

For me I say 4"/4.3" is the pocket friendly.. 4.6"+ That's bit note size not pocket friendly

 

[CmdrLaForge]

I personnally don't want the phone to become bigger. The screen, yes for sure, but not the phone. I carry it always in my pocket and with the current size it is already big. In winter that's no problem as I carry a coat, but in summer with just a t-shirt and shorts ........

Anyways - I just bought the 4S and really love it. Looks fantastic and is fast as hell..... Now if only the stupid telecom would activate my microsim I could actually use it.

 

[bushido]

Wirelessly posted

make it 4 and finally come up eith some widgets, the lockscreen is wasted space and the basic icon view is so 2007

 

[Yumunum]

The iPhone screen is too small for many people. All of Apple's competitors are making big screened phones to cater to the new tastes, and the new importance of smartphones in our society. Smartphones are becoming more and more like normal computers. Screen real-estate is needed for many tasks. I would love a big screen on the next iPhone.

 

[Ayemerica]

I would be fine with 3.5 but would be absolutely thrilled with 4.0.

 

[tbrinkma]

Just a idea... the current iphone glass is just about 4.7in. So why not keep the same phone size and go edge to edge with the screen. Or go very close to the top and bottom edges.

Apple could then at other HUGE phones while the iPhone is a nice size with the largest screen.

Just an idea.

I've got an HTC Thunderbolt through work, and based on using it I can say, categorically, that edge-to-edge touch screens are a bad idea. I can't count the number of times where an app has suddenly become completely non-responsive (to the point where I think it's locked up) only to discover that some small portion of a finger on the hand holing the phone is, ever so slightly, touching the edge or corner of the screen. I've never had that happen with my iPhone, because Apple built enough border into their design.

 

[Stridder44]

I guess I'm the only one who wouldn't mind a larger screen? 4.6" is of course a bit much though. 4" would be perfect, because it would still be bigger but it would still be fairly easy to use a thumb on (see wikus's comment above).

 

[Buildbright]

Four inches or bigger and I will be thrilled.

 

[fertilized-egg]

4" would be perfect, because it would still be bigger but it would still be fairly easy to use a thumb on (see wikus's comment above).

People underestimate how big a 4" iPhone will be. It'll be wider than many of the 4.3" phones because of the aspect ratio. That means it might make things difficult, most notably the back buttons which is located opposite from the right thumb. I still think ~3.7-3.8" is the sweet spot.

 

[iSteve-O]

4.6" bezel-less, edge-to-edge screen would be perfect.

 

[JaySI]

Why are people so obsessed with size? It's a mobile device meant to fit into a pocket with ease!! 3.5 is just fine, 4 maybe, 4.6?!? Are you kidding?!

 

[MisterK]

Wirelessly posted

It could be interesting if Apple found a way to remove all the bezel around the screen, so all youre left with is a rectangle of image you're holding. They'd have to find a way to put the FaceTime camera and ear speaker behind the screen, but I'll leave that to the tech gods. More screen real estate is fine if we don't end up with something the size of the fugly Galaxy Note. The only way I can see Apple going up to such a large size is if the can find a way to get twice the pixels of the iPhone 4/4s in there.

 

[6ftunder]

what bothers me the most is the amount od people that HATED the whole concept of a 3.5" screen saying it was like walking around with a brick. yet now it's not enough and now the bigger screen size is an argument why a phone with a 4.6" screen would win over iphone in that category. hypocrisy at its finest. i love the 3.5" screen, what would you need a bigger screen for? it's a phone.

 

[celo48]

I want smaller iPhone, not bigger. C'mon! Why do people need a big screen? It is a phone!

 

[Mr. Gates]

what bothers me the most is the amount od people that HATED the whole concept of a 3.5" screen saying it was like walking around with a brick. yet now it's not enough and now the bigger screen size is an argument why a phone with a 4.6" screen would win over iphone in that category. hypocrisy at its finest. i love the 3.5" screen, what would you need a bigger screen for? it's a phone.

I want smaller iPhone, not bigger. C'mon! Why do people need a big screen? It is a phone!

But it's NOT just a phone.

It's like a hundred other things too.

Did someone forget to read the instruction manual ?

You can do more then just make calls.

Ya see....

There's these things called "Apps" and they make it a "computer"  [kuhm-pyoo-ter]

Check it out ! Its a lot of fun ! And you'll be craving a bit more space too

 

[sand_man]

There should be 2 new screen sizes available, iPhone 5 3.7" and an iPhone 5 4.3" for those after a bigger chunk of real estate.

I'm not sure what challengers this would pose to developers.

I don't see Apple risking their one a year iPhone launch on a 4.6" model. They could literally alienate 50% of their user base overnight!!

This is what makes things so tricky for Apple. They not launching 6 or 7 variants of the iPhone every 12 months, they launching 1 with the only difference between models being color and hard drive capacity.

 

[Datalinks]

Just give us 4'' within the same or nearly the same iPhone dimensions. Anything bigger and it becomes impractical to carry around.

 

[celo48]

Seriously, I love my iPhone but why do you need a bigger screen? Just give me a good reason. Yes, it is more than a phone but why is bigger screen better?

Edit: Grammar

 

[thai4life]

Wirelessly posted

a 4.6" iPhone and it's all over for competition!!!!!

 

[bpaluzzi]

We're talking next gen here. If Apple wants to keep up with next gen Andriod phones spec wise, a bump in screen size once every 5 years wouldn't hurt.

Because bigger is automatically better, right?

Apple also said they would never make a tablet. Apple also said they would never make something like a palm pilot. Apple also said they would never go to intel. Apple also said they would never abandon PowerPC.

Noticed a pattern there.

Provide proof or retract. You're missing the Apple-haters talking points, didn't you get the memo? Steve's "nevers" are video ipod, 7" tablet, and reading on a digital device. Weren't you at the meeting?? Jeez!

Wirelessly posted

make it 4 and finally come up eith some widgets, the lockscreen is wasted space and the basic icon view is so 2007

Yawn. Geeks.

All of Apple's competitors are making big screened phones to cater to the new tastes, and the new importance of smartphones in our society.

And all of those phones are getting beat, handily, by an Apple phone that is over two-and-a-half years old. What's your point?

It could be interesting if Apple found a way to remove all the bezel around the screen, so all youre left with is a rectangle of image you're holding.

You do realize you need to HOLD this device, right?

a 4.6" iPhone and it's all over for competition!!!!!

If we're talking hardware sales, there _still_ isn't any competition for the iPhone. Three phones, numbers 1-3 in sales. That's domination.

 

[chatfan]

People who suffer from screen envy should really wonder what they are trying to compensate. I think my iPhone screen is too big and would love a smaller screen. It's a phone, anything bigger could fall out of your pocket when you sit down. One of the reasons why I like the Nokia 6300 form factor the best and yes I have one. But it is missing the apps I need to park my car and check e-mail in a way I can read it

If you want something more workable, iPad3 seems to be really nice? A bigger screen would be ok if you can fold it.

 

[wikus]

But it's NOT just a phone.

It's like a hundred other things too.

Did someone forget to read the instruction manual ?

You can do more then just make calls.

Ya see....

There's these things called "Apps" and they make it a "computer"  [kuhm-pyoo-ter]

Check it out ! Its a lot of fun ! And you'll be craving a bit more space too

You ever given it a bit of thought and realized that.... maybe, just maybe some people don't really use a lot of apps and use smartphones for mainly basic purposes?

Or do you really think every smartphone user should be a power user like yourself?

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And all of those phones are getting beat, handily, by an Apple phone that is over two-and-a-half years old. What's your point?

His point was his opening statement;

The iPhone screen is too small for many people.