Tim Cook Asked About Larger iPhone at China Mobile Launch

[Renzatic]

Too many SKU's is bad and entering the phablet market is just stinks of bad business.

Yes, it is. Though I wouldn't call having one extra size of phone and a few extra colors an overwhelming amount of redundant options. Plus I wouldn't consider a 5" phone a phablet.

"Do you want your new iPhone in big or small, sir? And what color would you like? Dark grey, space grey or champagne"?

"OH GOD! TOO MUCH! IT'S TOO MUCH! WHICH DO I DECIDE BETWEEN? SO...MANY...CHOICES! BRAIN! OVERLOADING! CAN'T...TAKE....MUCH..MORE"!

:insert scene from Scanners here:

 

[zipa]

entering the phablet market is just stinks of bad business.

Yes, selling millions and millions of ultra-high end and high priced devices sure is bad for business.

 

[Boomish69]

Finally we get a larger iPhone, 2 years too late! I suppose by the time it comes out it's probably 3 years lol
I think one of the major reasons they lost so much market share so quickly is people asking for a larger iPhone for so long lots have switched to other phones. Tim Cook just doesn't get it..

 

[Tumbleweed666]

Finally we get a larger iPhone, 2 years too late! I suppose by the time it comes out it's probably 3 years lol
I think one of the major reasons they lost so much market share so quickly is people asking for a larger iPhone for so long lots have switched to other phones. Tim Cook just doesn't get it..

It was Steve Jobs who was initially against it, remember his ridiculous rant about a smaller iPad and people sandpapering their fingertips? Cook is just continuing the trend.

I agree it will be three or so years later than it "should" have been but then again its not "too late" read this http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/17/android-gravity-iphone "UK survey of first-, second- and third-time smartphone owners finds that iPhone share grows over time" other research organisations have posted similar findings, eg over time a greater proportion of android owners move or intend to move, to iPhone than vice versa.

 

[the8thark]

Yes, selling millions and millions of ultra-high end and high priced devices sure is bad for business.

Yes, it is. Though I wouldn't call having one extra size of phone and a few extra colors an overwhelming amount of redundant options. Plus I wouldn't consider a 5" phone a phablet.

"Do you want your new iPhone in big or small, sir? And what color would you like? Dark grey, space grey or champagne"?

"OH GOD! TOO MUCH! IT'S TOO MUCH! WHICH DO I DECIDE BETWEEN? SO...MANY...CHOICES! BRAIN! OVERLOADING! CAN'T...TAKE....MUCH..MORE"!

:insert scene from Scanners here:

Apple without Steve Jobs fell into this trap in the 90's. Apple needs to keep it simple as they have done in the 2000's. Apple are not even close to having money problems now, but the cracks in their armour are showing. And they can widen if nothing is done about it.

I would consider a 5" phone a phablet even though some wouldn't.

 

[Renzatic]

Apple without Steve Jobs fell into this trap in the 90's. Apple needs to keep it simple as they have done in the 2000's. Apple are not even close to having money problems now, but the cracks in their armour are showing. And they can widen if nothing is done about it.

Apple in the 90's had an absolute mess of a catalog, comparable to Dell and HP now. You couldn't just go in and pick what you wanted without having to sift through spec sheets to figure out which minor variation of the dozens upon dozens of models of computer would best fit your needs. For someone who didn't know exactly what they were looking for, it'd be a pain.

Now, Apple has a very streamlined selection to choose from that very clearly states exactly what their intended purpose and target market is. You don't have to do an hours worth of research to figure out what you need. You go to the Apple website, look at their selection of two laptop categories, one All-In-One, one desktop workstation, one small form factor PC, a tablet, a smartphone, and two iPods. Everything's very clearly marked, and the only variation you get are a couple of sizes to choose from in each category.

That's a streamlined selection, and the addition of an extra size or two won't make their selection any more overwhelming or confusing than it is now. I'm not bothered by choices, so long as the choices are clearly defined, which they are here.

But if Tim Cook's Apple started releasing Mac Pro z8114, Mac Pro z9845, Mac Pro x5292, Mac Pro Lite 128, and 60 versions of iMacs, 10 versions of the iPhone, and continue selling old models 3 years back alongside the next without any clear indication of which is which...

...then I'd be worried.

I would consider a 5" phone a phablet even though some wouldn't.

Eh, when it comes to 5" phones, it's all about taste. I'd say it's still small enough to be easily pocketable, and isn't so large it requires two hands to use (though I usually use my iPhone two handed for everything except texting). For me, anything above 6" is phablet territory.

 

[slu]

What does my usage have to do with definitions? Oh, are you assuming you know what I'm thinking? That's a good idea.

Nothing, although I will note that you didn't answer the question. And I will also note that your definition of phablet was incorrect.

 

[GregAndonian]

(Oletros) How can Apple expand screen size without worsening one handed use?

They can't, simple.

Yes they can. Just give us an extra column of app icons. That's the one thing I don't like about my Note 3.

 

[SirLance99]

Yes they can. Just give us an extra column of app icons. That's the one thing I don't like about my Note 3.

Nova Launcher will save that for you.

 

[the8thark]

But if Tim Cook's Apple started releasing Mac Pro z8114, Mac Pro z9845, Mac Pro x5292, Mac Pro Lite 128, and 60 versions of iMacs, 10 versions of the iPhone, and continue selling old models 3 years back alongside the next without any clear indication of which is which...

...then I'd be worried.

This all has to start somewhere. It won't happen overnight. And they need to realise it long before it gets bad and kill the trend.

Eh, when it comes to 5" phones, it's all about taste. I'd say it's still small enough to be easily pocketable, and isn't so large it requires two hands to use (though I usually use my iPhone two handed for everything except texting). For me, anything above 6" is phablet territory.

The phablet debate can be pretty subjective. Some argue 5 inches is a phablet. Others are like noooo 5 inches is ok. And neither are willing to see the other sides point of view.

 

[jouster]

Isn't it obvious? It's because of the paralax.

Which I don't use. I like static wallpaper, and would prefer to be able to select any part of whatever pic I choose.

 

[639051]

Meh, while I did enjoy using the iPhone 5S I tired very quickly of the number of app crashes and resprings I saw on a daily basis along with the horrible keyboard. I hope for my sake they get 7.1 out and as close to bug free as possible, as I still have my iPad Air. However, they need to focus on the terrible keyboard and get up to speed with 2014, the thumb method is extremely slow and unreliable. Stop tinkering around with the color of the keys and replace that thing!

 

[SactoGuy18]

Here's what I think: the next all-new iPhone--the so-called iPhone 6--may have a screen about the same size as the Motorola Moto X (about 4.7"). This is achieved thanks to a major change in iOS, which allows iOS to display screen elements correctly regardless of screen size. Apple chooses the 4.7" size to create a device that is comfortable to hold in one hand.

Essentially, Apple will offer two models at the end of September 2014: a second-generation iPhone 5C using the internals of the iPhone 5S, and the iPhone 6.

 

[dec.]

Eventually they will make larger phones, no biggie as long as they offer the smaller size too.

 

[Congsterism]

If Apple does make an iPhone with bigger screen, they better retain a 4" version. I like this size, nothing bigger, nothing smaller (I did say this with the 3.5" screen too).
But if there is only the bigger iPhone, I have no choice but to give my money to Apple when my congtract ends in October.

----------

Essentially, Apple will offer two models at the end of September 2014: a second-generation iPhone 5C using the internals of the iPhone 5S, and the iPhone 6.

Can the second-generation iPhone 5C (Hopefully it will be called "6C") carry the design of whatever the 6 will have but keep the 4" screen? I'm more interested in the design, not just a simple plastic wrapped steel chassis.

 

[mirko.meschini]

Here's what I think: the next all-new iPhone--the so-called iPhone 6--may have a screen about the same size as the Motorola Moto X (about 4.7"). This is achieved thanks to a major change in iOS, which allows iOS to display screen elements correctly regardless of screen size. Apple chooses the 4.7" size to create a device that is comfortable to hold in one hand.

Essentially, Apple will offer two models at the end of September 2014: a second-generation iPhone 5C using the internals of the iPhone 5S, and the iPhone 6.

I hope 4.5" that imho is the bigger you can go without losing one-handed usability. With the actual 326ppi (so no change in interface elements size) this screen should be exactly 1280x720. Then a phablet with a over-5" screen that will be another product line.
I think 5c will be the 0$ model, so 5s at 99$ and 6 at 199$. After 2 years and with an older design they should be able to sell the aluminium 5s at 99$, while next year (2015) they will probably sell 5s 6c and 6s. In this scheme there is a "c" model only when an "s" model is out.

 

[Oletros]

Yes they can. Just give us an extra column of app icons. That's the one thing I don't like about my Note 3.

One extra column of icons doesn't address the larger screen size. Well, one extra column of icons has nothing to do with usiong the phone with one hand inside applications

 

[SactoGuy18]

I don't think Apple will continue iPhone 5S sales once the iPhone 6 production starts.

Here's the reason why: the production cost of the iPhone 5S is VERY high on a per-phone basis, and Apple will want Foxconn to use Foxconn's production capability used on the iPhone 5S to produce the iPhone 6.

This is why Apple rolled out the iPhone 5C: the production cost--because the case is mostly high-impact plastic--is quite low by Apple standards. As such, Apple could move (slightly modified, of course) the iPhone 5S internals to the iPhone 5C case--including the Touch ID fingerprint sensor!--and produce a second-generation iPhone 5C which will be available circa September 2014.

 

[Gudi]

Let's hope Apple continues to offer the flagship iPhone in both 4" and 5" to satisfy more people.

Less people! Lose your focus, waste your capacities, making more instead of better products and thus satisfy less people. I've said it before and I will say it again: Should Apple ever decide to increase the width of the iPhone screen, the new size will become the only size within one year.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Less people! Lose your focus, waste your capacities, making more instead of better products and thus satisfy less people. I've said it before and I will say it again: Should Apple ever decide to increase the width of the iPhone screen, the new size will become the only size within one year.

And yet... Apple makes their other products in multiple sizes. There's something for everyone.

What if Apple's laptops only came in the 11" size? That would be terrible.

Luckily you can get an Apple laptop in 3 sizes or an all-in-one desktop in 2 sizes. Even the iPad comes in 2 sizes. That's not a loss of focus or a waste of capacity. It's smart.

So I don't understand why Apple's phones should be one size.

 

[lobeyonekenobi]

Please explain to me why a larger phone is such an affront to your sensibilities? I don't think anyone is saying get rid of the 4" iPhone. What people are asking for is another option; the larger iPhone. A 5" phone is not a mini tablet. I'm sorry, it's just not. Once you get into the Note sized phones maybe you're more right than wrong.

If Apple decided to drop the 4" handset altogether then by all means let the pitchforks come out. Giving their customers more choice is a win/win for Apple and the customers.

I just don't understand all the premature hand wringing. What's really tiresome is having no size option with a product you consider great... but would be even greater with a bit more real estate.

Agree with this 100%, choice is always a good thing, don't know how it can be bad, imagine having only a choice of one beer or one chocolate bar or anything else for that matter

 

[Gudi]

And yet... Apple makes their other products in multiple sizes. So I don't understand why Apple's phones should be one size.

Because phone apps are not windowed, they are fullscreen all the time and thus fixed to one screen resolution. Without a good reason, Apple will not make an iPhone that diverts a single pixel from 1136×640. Because that would mean a lot of unnecessary work for thousands of app developers.

Than again, Apple still has the possibility of offering two screen sizes by simply changing the pixel density, like it is done with iPads. They had the chance of doing it with the iPhone 5c and decided to not do it. The 5c offers more choice in colors and materials, not screen sizes. And that's fine.

Phones are meant to be small. They shall be holdable and pocketable, nothing more.

 

[Gudi]

Agree with this 100%, choice is always a good thing, don't know how it can be bad, imagine having only a choice of one beer or one chocolate bar or anything else for that matter.

Beer isn't hardware. And frankly there isn't much choice of beer outside of Germany. Somehow people survive without a local brewery. You can agree with it as much as you want, more often than not choice is a very bad destructive thing. Choice is what makes PCs such huge, ugly, loud, unimaginative, low-quality, cheap pieces of crap. That's all thanks to choice. Without choice, everything in the only one product your company ever makes needs to be fit to the task. Nothing can fall behind, because there is no other choice. Make it once, and make it right.

 

[Oletros]

Beer isn't hardware. And frankly there isn't much choice of beer outside of Germany.

What?

 

[Michael Scrip]

Because phone apps are not windowed, they are fullscreen all the time and thus fixed to one screen resolution. Without a good reason, Apple will not make an iPhone that diverts a single pixel from 1136×640. Because that would mean a lot of unnecessary work for thousands of app developers.

So because of developers... the iPhone can never change. That's crazy.

Than again, Apple still has the possibility of offering two screen sizes by simply changing the pixel density, like it is done with iPads.

This is more likely... same resolution on a larger screen.

But even if Apple decides to introduce another resolution for the next iPhone... it will be WELL supported by the iOS SDK. Let's face it... iOS is still the most desirable platform for developers. They will do whatever they have to do in order to build apps for the iPhone.

Don't forget... the iPhone has already had 2 major changes since its inception. And developers complied.

- Developers had to create new high-resolution graphics for the Retina screen on the iPhone 4

- Developers had to rebuild their apps to fit the new 16:9 screen on the iPhone 5

In both cases... developers had to do a lot of work to make their apps work on the latest iPhone. But they did it. That's what they get paid for, right? Developers did not abandon the iPhone because Apple changed the hardware. Apple tells developers what to do... not the other way around.

If Apple changes anything else in the future... developers will follow right along. It's their job.

Phones are meant to be small. They shall be holdable and pocketable, nothing more.

I might agree with you if ZERO phones larger than 4" have ever been purchased. But that's clearly not the case.

Some people like larger phones for various reasons.