iPhone X Screen size of X vs Plus misleading.

[Mike Boreham]

The headline figure of screen size on the X is 5.8" vs 5.5" on the 7/8+.

However, the width of the X screen is less, so if viewing a film or photo in landscape mode the height of the actual image is less than you would see on the 7/8+

Calculations from the specs show the height of the X screen in landscape mode is 2.43" vs 2.69" for the 7/8+.

This is similar to what happened when widescreen TVs took over from the old 4:3 sets. People thought they were getting a bigger TV because the diagonal measurement was greater, but the size of the actual image on the screen was less, (eg the height of an image of a person). The difference between TVs and phones of course is that the iPhone 7/8+ is already 16:9.

Of course the extra screen height in vertical mode has other benefits, and I am also aware that it is the season where everyone finds reasons why they don't like the new product to justify not getting it!......before they cave in, as no doubt I will at some point!!

 

[Nozuka]

it's mostly a successor of the 4.7'' model.. they'll bring a plus model next year.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

How are they calculating the screen size with the ears?

 

[brgjoe]

Thanks for pointing that out. I was wondering if that was the case. The 4.7" iPhone 6 that I use supposedly had a bigger screen than my old Android did at the time. But basically it was just longer by a little bit than the old Android phone I had.

I like to use landscape mode a lot when texting/posting. The extra screen real estate would be nice. Heck, does the iPhone X even have the ability to go into landscape mode on it's home page, or on Twitter, or on Facebook (my iPhone 6 does not).

So I may just go with the 8 instead of the X. Decisions, decisions...

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Apple specifically writes that the screen size is based on a square without the 'ears', and also write that actual viewing area is slightly smaller.

The iPhone X display has rounded corners that follow a beautiful curved design, and these corners are within a standard rectangle. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 5.85 inches diagonally (actual viewable area is less).

 

[Mike Boreham]

The headline figure of screen size on the X is 5.8" vs 5.5" on the 7/8+.

However, the width of the X screen is less, so if viewing a film or photo in landscape mode the height of the actual image is less than you would see on the 7/8+

Calculations from the specs show the height of the X screen in landscape mode is 2.43" vs 2.69" for the 7/8+.

This is similar to what happened when widescreen TVs took over from the old 4:3 sets. People thought they were getting a bigger TV because the diagonal measurement was greater, but the size of the actual image on the screen was less, (eg the height of an image of a person). The difference between TVs and phones of course is that the iPhone 7/8+ is already 16:9.

Of course the extra screen height in vertical mode has other benefits, and I am also aware that it is the season where everyone finds reasons why they don't like the new product to justify not getting it!......before they cave in, as no doubt I will at some point!!

Repeating the sums for the standard iPhone 7/8 shows that in terms of screen height in landscape mode (eg viewing a photo or movie) the X is closer to the standard than the plus:

iPhone 7/8: 2.30 inches

iPhone X: 2.43 inches

iPhone 7/8 plus: 2.69 inches

 

[cocoua]

iPhone X horizontal has smaller room for Apps, thanks to the unnecesary space for the line indicator (which I'm pretty sure they will quit after people were educated with this behaviour), which is something quite annoying…

full screen games will have it too???

compare it form the APple official video:

 

[Chupa Chupa]

How are they calculating the screen size with the ears?

I don't think the ears are counted. Apple "squares" off the screen when making it's calculation. I kind of wish there was a way to turn off the screen at the ears when viewing photos or video. It's kind of distracting.

 

[the future]

I don't think the ears are counted. Apple "squares" off the screen when making it's calculation. I kind of wish there was a way to turn off the screen at the ears when viewing photos or video. It's kind of distracting.

If you watch a video/photo in its original aspect ratio, the notch will be invisible as <ou will have black bars on the left and right. This is the default behaviour as well. Only if you double tap, the video/photo will go "full screen" including the "ears".

The only open question is what happens with video content with an original aspect ratio wider than the X screen, i.e. cinemascope movies.

 

[madgalaxy]

Instead of 16:9 it is basically 18:9 (2:1) not including the "ears". https://www.sven.de/dpi/

 

[Techman82]

It looks stupid I really can't believe apple looked at this and thought that's alright, lol, don't think there's a way out of it either, 1080 or 720 you get big borders like we're used to and full screen you get the notch, really I wasn't expecting this outcome, people new about the notch but thought it would stop at the notch and make it up on the other side to even it out, got to say it's put me right off along with the price

 

[Chupa Chupa]

If you watch a video/photo in its original aspect ratio, the notch will be invisible as <ou will have black bars on the left and right. This is the default behaviour as well. Only if you double tap, the video/photo will go "full screen" including the "ears".

The only open question is what happens with video content with an original aspect ratio wider than the X screen, i.e. cinemascope movies.

Good to know. The video I saw extended to the screen on either side of the camera. Very distracting. Wish I remembered what site I saw it on. It's been a blitz consuming all the 1st hand reports these few hours since the event.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Is total screen real estate larger on the X or the Plus?

 

[Mike Boreham]

Is total screen real estate larger on the X or the Plus?

The Plus has very slightly more screen area, about 12.9 vs 12.8 sq ins

 

[spiderpumpkin]

https://developer.apple.com/ios/human-interface-guidelines/overview/iphone-x/

 

[spiderpumpkin]

 

[Hubcapjw]

I really don't have a problem with the notch. Doesn't really bother me. Looks like a great device. I wish pencil worked on it.

 

[UltimateSyn]

The Plus has very slightly more screen area, about 12.9 vs 12.8 sq ins

Damn, this is very saddening. This along with the noticeable drop in width makes it a harder decision than I thought.
Wish they’d announced the X+ yesterday instead of next year!

 

[mikalmmd]

Repeating the sums for the standard iPhone 7/8 shows that in terms of screen height in landscape mode (eg viewing a photo or movie) the X is closer to the standard than the plus:

iPhone 7/8: 2.30 inches

iPhone X: 2.43 inches

iPhone 7/8 plus: 2.69 inches

Caveat Emptor! I was seduced by the screen size of the X being larger than the 7 Plus (but really only the diagonal,) and then was shocked that the page size on my Kindle app was SMALLER on the X than on my old 7 Plus. I've gone BACKWARDS!

 

[DNichter]

Not sure how it's misleading. Screen sizes are as follows... 8 (4.7), 8 Plus (5.5), and X (5.8). This is all accurate.

 

[Makayla]

The common convention is to use the diagonal length (distance) to represent screen size (area) which of course is not accurate to anyone who passed 5 grade math.

But then everyone does it, not just Apple.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Not sure how it's misleading. Screen sizes are as follows... 8 (4.7), 8 Plus (5.5), and X (5.8). This is all accurate.

Yeah, but would we say the same thing if there was a notch (or any shape) right in the middle of the screen?

I think the general point was that it's a bit misleading to tout a measurement that includes usable area that's obscured as well as the frustration with the taller aspect ratio that matches up poorly with frequently viewed content (video).

 

[thesaint024]

The headline figure of screen size on the X is 5.8" vs 5.5" on the 7/8+.

However, the width of the X screen is less, so if viewing a film or photo in landscape mode the height of the actual image is less than you would see on the 7/8+

Calculations from the specs show the height of the X screen in landscape mode is 2.43" vs 2.69" for the 7/8+.

This is similar to what happened when widescreen TVs took over from the old 4:3 sets. People thought they were getting a bigger TV because the diagonal measurement was greater, but the size of the actual image on the screen was less, (eg the height of an image of a person). The difference between TVs and phones of course is that the iPhone 7/8+ is already 16:9.

Of course the extra screen height in vertical mode has other benefits, and I am also aware that it is the season where everyone finds reasons why they don't like the new product to justify not getting it!......before they cave in, as no doubt I will at some point!!

You are correct, it can be "misleading" depending on how you look at it. I don't know if it's bigger or not, I just know it's close to a plus, which is why I am happy with it. If a person is misled from the screen size measurements, they haven't done due diligence in what to expect. They shouldn't be outraged with anyone but themselves for not researching or not understanding geometry. This is the way industries define screen size, they didn't make up a new measuring methodology. But yeah, I hear you, the screen can be smaller and/or view less compared to a plus when watching media. When reading text, it's pretty close and great for most.

 

[joeblow7777]

Not sure how it's misleading. Screen sizes are as follows... 8 (4.7), 8 Plus (5.5), and X (5.8). This is all accurate.

Yeah, but would we say the same thing if there was a notch (or any shape) right in the middle of the screen?

I think the general point was that it's a bit misleading to tout a measurement that includes usable area that's obscured as well as the frustration with the taller aspect ratio that matches up poorly with frequently viewed content (video).

Even ignoring the notch, people feel misled because of the different aspect ratio. Many people incorrectly assume that the X, because of the larger 5.8” measurement, must have the larger display in all dimensions when in fact its width is barely greater than the 4.7” models. In many situations the X displays less content than a Plus model.
This is not a criticism, just a fact that some people are unaware of.

 

[DNichter]

Yeah, but would we say the same thing if there was a notch (or any shape) right in the middle of the screen?

I think the general point was that it's a bit misleading to tout a measurement that includes usable area that's obscured as well as the frustration with the taller aspect ratio that matches up poorly with frequently viewed content (video).

If there was something in the middle of the screen? No, of course not. Good thing there isn't.