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

[IsaiahL]

Tbh none of you guys know what Apple has planned and we won't know until Q3 of this year. All we can do is speculate and if it counts for anything, I'm all for Apple having 3 selections of phones. The 4" phone they make could be similar to the 5c cheaper parts to serve as an entry level iPhone for those who don't want the big screen. I think it would be in their best interest to keep more than one option because Android has tons of options why can't Apple do the same?

 

[nilk]

How are you scratching your iPhone 6 so easily? lol.
Why does it crash that often for you? Like is it a certain app? That's not normal behavior and definitely not something you should be experiencing on a device with better specs than your old iPhone (are you running the latest iOS 8.1.2?)
Try the zoom feature and double tap home feature to make one-handed typing and access to apps easier.

The scratching issue is something others have reported. I read these posts, but didn't heed the warning, and didn't use a screen protector, because I've never needed one in the past. I baby my phone, and it spends most of its time flat on its back or in my pocket with nothing else in it. Ended up with scratches in the coating as others have described. It's not the actual glass that scratches, supposedly they used a different coating (anti-smudge?) this time.

Crashing happens randomly when I am doing things like launching an app or bringing up the app switcher. It can be any app (most frustrating when it's the Camera app). I get the Apple logo, like on bootup, but it's not a complete reboot as it comes back quicker. Maybe it is related to the flash issues of the 128GB model, I dunno.

I'm planning to get it replaced because of my misaligned front-facing camera issue (also one that others have reported), so hopefully the problems will go away with my replacement. But I've heard of people having to go through 5 or 6 replacements before getting one that was flawless. I will most likely use a screen protector if I get a replacement.

I've tried getting used to the double tap feature, but I don't find it to be very efficient. I either use my other hand, or shuffle the phone up and down in my hand if I'm using one hand. With either method, it's still no where near as efficient as a smaller iPhone.

 

[nilk]

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

It's is 4.6" not so big of a deferents if any to the iPhone 6 4.7"

I didn't make this clear in my original post, but I don't care about screen size, I care about one-handed usability. Admittedly, I haven't held a Z3 Compact in person, but, for example, I've tried a 1st gen Moto X, which has a 4.7" screen but it's completely usable with one hand in the same way an iPhone 5S is. I've heard the Z3 Compact is similar in that regard.

The problem with the iPhone 6 is the height that the home button requires and to a lesser extent, the bezels on the side. With Android, you can have soft buttons, so the space below the screen can be minimized. I suppose Apple could tweak the 4.7" iPhone to be smaller but still use the same screen size, and that would help, but it's very unlikely we'll see a design change until 2016.

Of course, with all of this I'm talking about my hands specifically. Though I'm 6'3" and have medium sized hands (I play most guitar chords with ease, for example). I can't reach the opposite corner of the iPhone screen with my thumb, at least not without repositioning it in such a way where I can't press the home button without repositioning it again.

I could live with the iPhone 6, especially if I get my other issues resolved, but I'm just nowhere near as satisfied as I have been with past models, and more open to buying a competing product than I've ever been.

 

[940272]

If this is true, have just lost a market. Keep it as an iPhone mini, a budget phone! >:[

 

[nilk]

The size difference between the iPhone 6 and the Sony Xperia Z3 is neither "huge" nor "massive"

If you can be satisfied with the size of one phone... you'll have no problem with the other.

Stop exaggerating

Image

That is actually a big enough difference that I think I could reach the opposite corner with my thumb. On the iPhone 6, I'm about one centimeter away, give or take.

As I said in another post, the 1st Gen Moto X has a 4.7" screen, but is as easy to use one-handed as the iPhone 5S. I can touch all parts of the screen with my thumb with ease. I haven't tried the Z3 Compact, but it sounds like it would be similar.

There is also a matter of grip. With the iPhone 6, I have to have a case, otherwise it slips out of my hand easily because of the materials they used. I have a very thin case, but it still adds to the size. With the 1st Gen Moto X, it has a grippy, curved back, so no case needed (I guess depending on which back you get). Not sure how the Z3 Compact is in this regard, but it's already small enough that, even with a case, I think it would be more usable than an iPhone 6.

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I know this is TMI, but watching porn on a 4" screen is not enjoyable. Its actually pretty awesome on the the 6 Plus. I don't know how I survived on the 3.5" iPhone. Goodness.

Meh.. Once you get used to a multi-monitor setup that includes a 30" 2560x1600 display, it's hard to go to anything smaller, especially if it means you can only watch one video at a time. Once I have 4k or 5k displays I'll probably be wondering how I got by with this setup, though.

 

[Rafterman]

If this is true, have just lost a market. Keep it as an iPhone mini, a budget phone! >:[

They tried the "budget" iPhone thing with the 5C. Except that it wasn't much of a budget anything and, by Apple's standards, was a failure.

 

[jozeppy26]

They tried the "budget" iPhone thing with the 5C. Except that it wasn't much of a budget anything and, by Apple's standards, was a failure.

Precisely, people who buy Apple products have the money to afford Apple products and aren't interested in a super cheap device.

 

[Sonic]

i still never got the advantage of 4" vs 3.5" when i went from a 4s to a 5. so i'd actually like the 3.5" to return over the 4". sure i'm in the minority here, but for my needs (gps, music, twitter client and very light browsing), the 3.5" felt just as useful as the 4" and a much less awkward form factor.

 

[buckawheat]

I have a iphone 6 for work and an iphone 5 for personal use - I use both on a daily basis and while the screen is beautiful on the 6, I can't use it one handed easily - I prefer the size of the iphone 5 - it is also a lot more comfortable in the hand, I find with a case or without the iphone 6 is very slippery due to the rounded edges.

I hope they do release an updated 4" iphone in the future.

 

[melendezest]

Personally, I think they should have the 3 sizes, (4" , 4.7" , 5.5" ) something for everybody.

I wish Apple would offer 3 sizes in all their screened devices.

It's annoying they don't, when they surely can.

 

[IsaiahL]

I wish Apple would offer 3 sizes in all their screened devices.



It's annoying they don't, when they surely can.

Well, the iPad Pro is supposedly going into product soon, so that would make 3 iPads, they have several macs to choose from, we currently have 4 iPhone choices to choose from and the iPod is pretty much dead and a pointless device if I might add.

 

[Blue Fox]

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.

I would pay the EXACT SAME price for a 4" iPhone 6 as the 4.7". Price is not the reason I want a smaller phone. A smaller phone is the reason why I want a smaller phone, but I don't want to go back to an iPhone 5S, so a 6S in a 4" size? Yes, please. Just because it's a smaller screen doesn't mean that it has to be the entry level.

I have several friends who will not upgrade to iPhone 6 because it's larger and they don't like it, they like the smaller 4" screen. I upgraded because I needed the better camera, which I love, but just wish the damn screen was 4".

 

[jhtrico1850]

I would pay the EXACT SAME price for a 4" iPhone 6 as the 4.7". Price is not the reason I want a smaller phone. A smaller phone is the reason why I want a smaller phone, but I don't want to go back to an iPhone 5S, so a 6S in a 4" size? Yes, please. Just because it's a smaller screen doesn't mean that it has to be the entry level.

I have several friends who will not upgrade to iPhone 6 because it's larger and they don't like it, they like the smaller 4" screen. I upgraded because I needed the better camera, which I love, but just wish the damn screen was 4".

Same here. I can probably handle 4.3 inches, but the 4.7 is too big for me (accounting for Apple's bigger bezels).

 

[oldmacs]

When my 5 dies, i'll get a 5S... then who knows. I hate phones I can not use one handed and the iPhone 6 is one of those.

Bring back the 4 inch form factor and you'd please me and many others. No reason not to cater for all the sizes!

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I would pay the EXACT SAME price for a 4" iPhone 6 as the 4.7". Price is not the reason I want a smaller phone. A smaller phone is the reason why I want a smaller phone, but I don't want to go back to an iPhone 5S, so a 6S in a 4" size? Yes, please. Just because it's a smaller screen doesn't mean that it has to be the entry level.

I have several friends who will not upgrade to iPhone 6 because it's larger and they don't like it, they like the smaller 4" screen. I upgraded because I needed the better camera, which I love, but just wish the damn screen was 4".

I'm in the same situation, and I too know people who won't upgrade because they hate larger screens. I know people who use the iPhone because it was a reasonable size.

 

[B4U]

A 4 inch phone is not coming out. Big screen forms are now the new norm. Get over it.

Yes, dictator...

 

[marty1980]

test

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?

"lowest tier with lowest margin?"

The lowest tier is the free-with-contract phone; currently that's the iPhone 5C. Next year, the 5S. In 2016, iPhone 6... which will be an interesting year if the iPhone 7 does come in a 4" model since there won't be a small iPhone option outside of the top tier (as outlined by my prediction).

Apple has lots of options for how they put together 4" versions of future iPhones. It likely wouldn't be a new design. It would be a smaller version of the same design used for the larger iPhones. Maybe they use colorful backs to differentiate, but the majority of the design will be the same.

The 4" and smaller phone market may be shrinking, but there is demand. The question is how best to address it. I may be wrong with my prediction, but I am confident that I am close to what the reality will be.

We'll start to see the puzzle fit together later this year when Apple announces the 2015 iPhone lineup.

 

[jiituu]

I will not upgrade until i get a 4" size in 6s.. I wud rather switch to others manufacturers, giving this size options... Hate phanlets:-(

 

[01silver4]

I will not upgrade until i get a 4" size in 6s.. I wud rather switch to others manufacturers, giving this size options... Hate phanlets:-(

Well it seems like apple won't be going back to the 4" not with the 6/6+ being the best selling iPhone ever. So maybe the 5 will be apples 4" for awhile at least, but we don't know how long that's going to be for. Also I dont know of any other manufacturers having 4" smart phones at least anything worth having, So good luck with that. The majority have spoken with there dollars that they want bigger screens. And the way business are conducted they are going to focus on the product that brings in the most profit.

 

[nviz22]

Personally, I hope a 4" isn't a flagship product. I would dislike too many wasted resources on flagships. I mean what's next? A Sony Xperia line of various sizes, functions, etc? The old guard left, now people need to keep it that way.

 

[tongxinshe]

From both standpoints as a customer and an investor, I hope Apple won’t make this BIG mistake! My 5s still holds well for this year, but by the time 6s comes out, I would be in big dilemma if there is not an 4” option.
1. Holding a 2-year old technology isn’t so great. Then, how about after another year and another year? Man!
2. Switching to an Android means a learn curve, and buying / downloading the apps again. Man, that’s painful, too.
3. Buying a 4.7” new iPhone is to reduce my pleasure of using the beloved gadget, and that is to happen every day in a long long time to come. Man, I am really scared to imagine that torture!

 

[eduschean]

Could they have an optional special order 4" 6s? Or would that not be worth having from a profit perspective?

 

[johnnyturbouk]

well, maybe 3 sizes could be an option
4", 5", 6"

 

[IsaiahL]

well, maybe 3 sizes could be an option

4", 5", 6"

6" is far to big for the average consumer hence all the complaints about the Nexus 6. Plus the iPhone 6+ is already big enough with that 5'5" display adding an extra 5" would just make things worse.
3 sizes is good

4 , 4'7 , 5'5 a little bit of something for everyone just like now.

 

[johnnyturbouk]

6" is far to big for the average consumer hence all the complaints about the Nexus 6. Plus the iPhone 6+ is already big enough with that 5'5" display adding an extra 5" would just make things worse.
3 sizes is good

4 , 4'7 , 5'5 a little bit of something for everyone just like now.

I think your right, but i have the 6plus, and do not feel it is too big, yes it required an initial period of adjustment; tbh, it has been one of the best phone upgrades i have made, ever since getting the original iphone back in '07

 

[viorelgn]

I absolutely think this should be in their product lineup. Not everyone wants a 6+ or even a 6. I do love my 6+ but fully admit that I need to compromise usability from time-to-time versus my old 5S. That said, Reachability is itself a compromise. If Ive really wants to focus on user experience he'll re-tool the OS to allow us to place icons anywhere we want. I'd pin my most-used icons at the bottom of the screen and gain back easily 75% of one-handed usability.