Supply Chain Sources Claim Rumors of New 4-Inch iPhone Are False

[fallenjt]

If Apple, would just move the Touch ID/home button to the back of the phone, they can make the bezels smaller, that would make the whole phone smaller.

You meant Shorter which doesn't do anything for reachability but for the look only since your reach to each corner of the screen stays the same. Get that fact straight.
Also, Touch ID in the back of the phone is dumb since it only allows only index and maybe middle finger print on one hand. Imagine to unlock the phone when it lays on counter...lol.

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Not updating the 4'' iPhone would be a big mistake in my opinion. While I have and love the iPhone 6+, there are many people (including my wife) who won't go near a phone bigger than 4''. Her 5s is sill great, but she already said that she won't upgrade to anything bigger (and I believe her) - and many other also won't. And why not offer three different sizes ? - app developers already have to support this.

She won't upgrade until her 5S dies and she will not have any choice but goes bigger...

 

[sinsin07]

Children do have phones. There is no reason Apple shouldnt accomodate them. Limiting my 9 year old daughter to Android due to Apples ridicolous sizes is just mean.

Most children have two hands. They adapt better than their parents.

 

[scoobydoo99]

Every time I manage to get a hold of a 5 or 5s all I can think of is "man, i miss this" as I reach to the top left corner with my thumb without breaking my pinky.

I'd totally be in for reverting to a 4"

right on. i have the exact same experience when i hold a 4/4s/5/5s - I'm like "wow - what a nice sized phone!"

can't reach the top row of the 6 while holding with one hand (and i have large hands)

 

[fallenjt]

Children do have phones. There is no reason Apple shouldnt accomodate them. Limiting my 9 year old daughter to Android due to Apples ridicolous sizes is just mean.

9 years-old should be limited to feature phone. BTW, since they cannot use a 4" device with one hand anyway, not even with 3.5" screen, your argument against 4.7" or bigger is invalid.

 

[sinsin07]

Terrible news. The advantages of a larger screen simply do not outweigh the advantages of a mobile device that can be used on the go.

Ridiculous.

 

[fallenjt]

Not sure why anyway would be against a 3-size product line that gives everyone what they want.

Also, in case Apple R&D is watching, I'd prefer the 4 inch phone.

Logistic and profit margin, that's the answer. How will you price the wishing 4" new iPhone this year to fit in the followings:
iPhone 6S+ = $299 subsidized
iPhone 6+ /iPhone 6S = $199 sub
iPhone 6 = $99 sub
iPhone 5S = $0 sub.

 

[sinsin07]

I think it would be a huge mistake to let go of a market that they created and dominated.

Screen sizes could turn out to be cyclical. Back in the 90s everyone wanted smaller and smaller phones.

Made since as those phones just basically made calls, with a few added "features" like a calculator or calendar. No need for large phone.

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right on. i have the exact same experience when i hold a 4/4s/5/5s - I'm like "wow - what a nice sized phone!"

can't reach the top row of the 6 while holding with one hand (and i have large hands)

You might think you have large hands. I have a friend with a 6+. He can reach all areas of the phone with one hand. Those are large hands.

What you have is wishful thinking.

 

[iapplelove]

They got pretty itty-bitty by the end of the 90s. I think Motorola had the StarTac line that got very diminutive.

lol I had a startac. Had a Samsung 8500 too that was popular phone. Back then sprint had all the good phones.

 

[fallenjt]

Disappointing "news". I will never buy anything bigger than 4". The iPhone 5c may be my the last phone I ever buy.

Then you should stock up more 5S/5C because you won't find a 4" device anywhere including android ones one or two years from now.

 

[JosephAW]

Too bad. I am ready to buy a iPhone 4X A9 128GB

 

[sinsin07]

Maybe you are attached to the iOS ecosystem, but many people left iOS for Android in the past for a variety of reasons, one of which was for bigger phones. Similarly, there will be people who leave iOS for smaller phones. I'm not saying there will be a lot (since people who want smaller phones are in the minority), but there will be some.

Personally, I'm always on the fence between iOS and Android when I'm choosing my next phone (I own both iOS and Android devices, so I'm familiar enough with both ecosystems). The iPhone has been rock solid stable and flawless for me for years, and I've grown to love the one-handed usability. My iPhone 6 with iOS 8 takes all of that away. It crashes at least once day, has physical defects (*), has a coating on the screen that scratches easily, is harder to use one-handed. When you are on the fence, a major thing like size could push you in one direction or another.

Hopefully other manufacturers copy what Sony has done with the Z3 Compact, and see more flagship-level small Android phones in 2015.

Doesn't the Z3 Compact have a 4.6 inch screen?
What other manufacturers have a flagship smartphone with a 4 inch screen?

 

[fallenjt]

1080p, you're back!

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Surely in a few years, Touch ID will be embedded within the screen? That would save a lot of space.

People really don't use their brain to think. How the hell the bezels or Touch ID accommodation has anything to do with ability to reach the corners of the screen if the screen remains the same size? You touch the screen to use, not the bezels for god's sake.

 

[NikeSG]

Long time macrumors reader, longer time Apple fan. Just created an account today just so I may have my verbal say:

I want a new 4" iPhone. I have huge hands. I have absolutely no plan or desire to upsize, and I know there is a very healthy sized market segment that agrees with me. I'd be completely appalled if the 4" phone is abandoned. Slick and ultraportable with the perfect weighting throughout the device.

This is not Apple following Apple if this is true. This is Apple chasing Android with total loss of focus.

 

[fallenjt]

I miss mine too. I love the design and everything about the 4.7" iPhone 6.......but I want it with a 4" screen. Small/Medium/Large........this is what Apple needs to do.

No, Apple don't need to do a thing. You need Apple to do which is not reasonable. Tell me how can you price this 4" device to fit in the line up that will not impact the profit margin.

 

[sinsin07]

Long time macrumors reader, longer time Apple fan. Just created an account today just so I may have my verbal say:

I want a new 4" iPhone. I have huge hands. I have absolutely no plan or desire to upsize, and I know there is a very healthy sized market segment that agrees with me. I'd be completely appalled if the 4" phone is abandoned. Slick and ultraportable with the perfect weighting throughout the device.

This is not Apple following Apple if this is true. This is Apple chasing Android with total loss of focus.

This is funny. Because you may not get what you want now Apple is not being Apple.

Way to internalize "your" issue.

 

[fallenjt]

RIP Steve Jobs & One-handed use


Image

New one hand use: Reachability.

 

[jozeppy26]

9 year olds with 700 dollar devices. I want to exclude myself from being a part of this society.

I have a 5 y/o step bro with an iPhone 6. His 2nd one too bc he lost the first one. It's beyond ridiculous. I wasn't allowed to have a phone until high school. bastard parents.

 

[MacBH928]

I seriously doubt Apple will make a smaller size phone. This has been the most successful iphone launch ever, its almost 4 months later and I still can't find a 64GB one from my telephone company.

The consumers voted with their dollars

 

[BornAgainApple]

iPhone 6 display in iPhone 5 dimensions. It can be done. It MUST be done.

 

[sinsin07]

I seriously doubt Apple will make a smaller size phone. This has been the most successful iphone launch ever, its 2 months later and I still can't find a 64GB one from my telephone company.

The consumers voted with their dollars

Correct.

There are still people who want a keyboard. That sad group of people buy Blackberry. You see where that got them.

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New one hand use: Reachability.

The double tap may confuse them.

 

[jozeppy26]

Correct.

There are still people who want a keyboard. That sad group of people buy Blackberry. You see where that got them.

I seriously know someone who still uses a blackberry. It's almost sad now

 

[fallenjt]

I don't understand the hostility toward those who want a more portable phone, or those who want a larger phone.

I understand more people are using their smartphones as their primary computing device, but what's wrong with offering different sizes for those with different needs? Apple already does, so why not keep the existing 4' phone? It's not like it wasn't functional for the millions of people who bought one.

My personal preference is for the 4' phone because my primary need is for a mobile phone that is compact and functions as a phone first.

As far as the argument about Apple not going backwards, offering a newer model in a different size is moving forward. Also I recall Macbook Pro laptops were sold briefly without a backlit keyboard, but it returned very soon because people said they wanted it.

Also 'Camera Roll' went away and returned due to popular demand.

OMG...don't even mention "Camera Roll". It's a software touch which is easy to enable/disable with codes. New 4" iPhone requires new R&D, manufacturing and component supplies. With lower margin (in low tier), why would Apple want to do that? People should start thinking a little bit, not just whining. Besides, there's still a 5S. I know some people still love 4" device, but it does not generate enough profit for Apple to make new 4" iPhone. Move on. It's a business strategy: Kill the low profit devices.

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Correct.

There are still people who want a keyboard. That sad group of people buy Blackberry. You see where that got them.

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The double tap may confuse them.

Learn to adapt.

 

[mazz0]

Ah, but he doesn't say there are no 3.5" parts!

 

[fallenjt]

I think it would be a huge mistake to let go of a market that they created and dominated.

Screen sizes could turn out to be cyclical. Back in the 90s everyone wanted smaller and smaller phones.

Market of 3.5" once dominated too. Where's it now?

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Duh...

Apple will continue to have a 4" iPhone in 2015 and it will be the iPhone 5S.

The question is: Will there be a 4" iPhone in 2016...

My suspicion is that the iPhone 6S will continue with the 4.7" and 5.5" screens with the 4" market being addresses with the 5S.

In 2016, Apple will need to address the 4" (smaller handset) market by creating a new lineup of 4" iPhone 7 devices (iPhone mini?).

Manufacturing for a 4" iPhone won't begin until late 2015 to early 2016. So, yeah... Any rumor of a *new* 4" iPhone being manufactured is going to be false - as far as consumer products are concerned.

Since when Apple design a brand new phone for a lowest tier with lowest margin? Think a little, would'ya?

 

[Ballis]

9 year olds with 700 dollar devices. I want to exclude myself from being a part of this society.

If you feel that way, you dont have to. You are not.

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Most children have two hands. They adapt better than their parents.

They still have small pockets.