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The case for Apple to maintain a 4 inch iPhone
- Thread starter oldmacs
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Every single one is selling like hotcakes? Any sources to back up that claim? Or just guessing again like you did when you said all 5s users will adapt to the 6?
Look at these numbers from developing smart phone markets. Numbers like these are why Apple won't make a 4" iPhone C model. Across the board, more than 80% of prospective buyers want larger than 4" models. The average smartphone sizes in developing regions (where there are TONS of phones to sell) is 4.86 inches.
In conclusion, large screens are a way of the future, and Apple has no business building a 4" for much longer, let alone a 3.5".
Smartphones with screens small enough for completely one-handed use are definitely a dying breed.
We've seen standard screen sizes go from 3.5" (2007) to 4.3" (2011), and finally 4.7"-5.0" (2014). But I think we've reached the limit for what's practical for most consumers. Recent phones like the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, HTC One Mini, and Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini, which range in size from 4.3" to 4.6" may be the smallest we'll see in the future that still have the latest specs.
But I don't think Apple would rule out the idea of having an "iPhone mini" once they discontinue the 5S. But for now, it's perhaps the best option for OP, as it does have TouchID, and pretty decent internal hardware.
Interesting thread. I have the 6, and looked at a co-worker's 4S yesterday, and I couldn't imagine going back to that size. Even the 5/5S, which were fantastic phones, seems too small for me now when I look at them in the Apple Store.
Mobile Trends that Matter Tomorrow
You are correct. The numbers in the above post reflect the tendencies of European users. To sum up, users with phones between 4-4.4 inches were more likely (56%) to move up in size, while 31% in that region plan on staying for the time being. In contrast, 58% of owners of 5+ inch screens said they would stick with their device.
Yeah when I went into the Apple Store to hold both the 6 and 6+, they felt really nice. And compared my 5 with a Tech21 case, it's only a few mm smaller than the 6. So when I finally replace my 5, don't see any issues moving to 4.7". But I'm still hoping that the 5c and 5s still sell well so Apple does make a 4" model next year.
I would certainly argue that at least 40% of the people who plan to use a 4" phone still haven't used a 4+ for very long. SO that 20% number from the data I previously presented indicates as high as 88% of users will be using a larger than 4 inch phone.
The first paragraph states that in emerging markets the smartphone is frequently the user's only internet connectivity. In developed markets I think there are still enough of us who want to use our phone for doing phoney stuff, and use our computers (or tablets) for watching video content and playing games.
The question asked is a weird one, too: 'What size screen do you expect your next smart phone to have?'
I really, really like pears. Unfortunately every pear tree in the world has died due to peartreeblightitus. If someone asked me what fruit I wanted to eat, I'd reply 'a pear'. If someone asked me what fruit I expected to eat next, I'd reply 'something other than a pear'.