Two New iPhones With Screens Larger Than 4.5" and 5" Coming This Year

[tomsamson]

"it appears the iPhone 5s has seen significant demand that analysts had expected to see go to the more inexpensive iPhone 5c"

Shows again how useless most of those "Analysts" are.
As soon as the price was announced for the 5c it was super obvious to me that this would not become a blockbuster by any means at that price.
Before the unveil of the 5C it was rumored that for the first time for iPhones Apple would not just continue selling the previous year's model at slight discount but actually create a specific cheaper version which they would sell for a much lower price.
What then came with the 5C was the previous year's model in a cheaper plastic shell but for what it is outrageously high price.
Just look at it, it costs more than many of the new highend models for this year by the competition.

I'm glad not a huge load of people has gotten fooled into buying that way overpriced older chipset version.


Regarding the larger screen versions coming up: Finally =)
I have smartphones from many companies here (for dev) and while the iPhone is still among my favorites for average intuitive most times daily driver usability, the screen really feels tiny and laughable compared to things like the HTC One.
(Not even to speak of the really giant "Phablet" ones like the Note)

 

[Akuratyde]

I can't even pretend to care. Wake me up when Apple does something interesting instead of just making multiple sizes of every device.

 

[840quadra]

You are going to have to go with the larger size if you want the latest iPhone.

Considering nothing is official yet, I will wait and see.

My hope is they offer a "mini" version like HTC does with the One.

 

[smulji]

If Apple is smart, then an iPhone with a larger screen *is* inevitable. Too many people are looking at Androids in part due to the screen size, and this has been going on for two, close to three years now. They should bring out at least one bigger model to appeal to the people who want more real estate and stop the attrition that's purely for form factor.

Personally, while for one handed use while on transit, etc, I prefer the current iPhone, I could see myself trying one that is a bit bigger purely for the ease of reading, etc. I don't think I'd want the biggest one, though - I like a phone that fits in my pocket!

As for the digs about copying Samsung, eh. Maybe if this happened two years ago.. But the demand for a bigger iPhone is out there, so I view it more as Apple following consumer demand.

"But the demand for a bigger iPhone is out there, so I view it more as Apple following consumer demand."

I agree. It was the same situation with smaller (8") tablets. Consumer demand "forced" their hand with the iPad mini.

 

[v0lume4]

There's just certain rumors that I don't believe, and the multiple-sized iPhones is one of them. It's one that's been lingering around for a while now, but I'll have to wait and see in September I suppose. Why would it be in Apple's interest to have two offerings?

 

[dtuck90]

i really hope that if there are 2 different sizes then the specs are the same. I wouldn't mind a 4.7/4.8" screen but anything bigger I'm not going to want. How am i meant to put it in my pocket?

 

[smulji]

There's just certain rumors that I don't believe, and the multiple-sized iPhones is one of them. It's one that's been lingering around for a while now, but I'll have to wait and see in September I suppose. Why would it be in Apple's interest to have two offerings?

Why would it be in Apple's best interest to have two offerings of the iPad? or MB Air? or rMB Pro? or iMac?

One size does not fit all. In a maturing market, offering choice is inevitable.

 

[thegrants82]

lol @ 5c buhahaha @ Apple for thinking it would be so "amazing", bigger LOL at those who bought it... now give me a 4.7" or bigger iPhone please..

Waiting for those to complain and ask me to make a better product than Apple...

Waiting for those to complain that anything over 4" is too big...

Waiting for those to complain about my post in general...

I think that the only people who thought the 5C wasn't a one year wonder were the people that actually bought one.....

 

[kingtj]

Not a fan of the bigger is better mentality ....

Personally, I've always liked the fact that Apple stuck to their original beliefs that the iPhone shouldn't be really big and wide -- despite the competition going that route.

I guess some of this reflects the younger generation's decreased interest in using a cellphone for actual voice conversations, and instead, considering it a portable computer.

I've seen quite a few raves for the Galaxy Note II and III lately, mostly from the "20 and 30 something" crowd. But every time I look at one of those, I think "That's just too big to carry around constantly as a PHONE!"

At some point, you may as well just carry something like the iPad Mini and use it as your phone, if you're going to always talk via a bluetooth headset anyway!

I do think the iPhone 5c was kind of a dud, though. Everyone I know thinks the original 5 was classier and "more expensive looking" - despite the 5c having identical insides. There was nothing to be gained by going with bright plastic colors. So good riddance to that model.

I'm willing to consider a 4.5" screen on an iPhone vs. the current 4" -- but IMO, that's about as wide as it should ever get.

Wow! Can't wait for a massive screen! The ONE thing I envy of Android. But, dropping the 5c already? Maybe Apple think it was a mistake?

Bring on the bigger iPhones!

 

[nburwell]

If Apple is indeed going the multiple size route, I would hope they would keep the current size of the 5/5s in the loop. I'm probably in the minority that feels the screen size the way it is is fine. If I want something bigger, I reach for my rMini. If Apple decides to ax the current screen size, then I'll probably be rocking my 5s for quite some time.

 

[RadiDoc]

Bigger phone? Yes please! Now I don't need to buy an ipad.

 

[ricktat]

It will be 4 inches or larger and less than 6.

No more speculation needed.

 

[bbplayer5]

TWO new screen sizes? Nah, they won't do that.

Where's my check?

If they use the same resolution they could.

 

[claus1225]

people are actually excited about large screen iphone.

the current iphone isnt even that different from iphone 4s

this was two years late.

 

[bbplayer5]

4.5 - 4.7 is the sweet spot for me. If they pull that off, Ill never need to look at another android phone again.

 

[Bjb568]

I think Apple should release both a polycarb and Al (or whatever higher end casematerial) for 2 or 3 different screen sizes. That way, it gives someone the lower priced model for those on a budget, and a higher end model for those that aren't.

So this is what I would prefer to see them producing by the end of 2014.

Low Cost $0 (2 year contract model)
iPhone 5C 16GB. A6

Middle Cost $100 to $200 (2 year service contract model)

iPhone 5SC 4 inch model, A7
iPhone 6SC 4.8 inch model, A7
iPhone 7SC 5.5 inch model, A7

Flagship $200 to $300 (2 year service contract models)

iPhone 6S 4 inch, A8
iPhone 6 4.8 inch, A8
iPhone 6L 5.5 inch, A8

Or something along these lines. Giving people at least two or three screen size choice, two different case materials, and then a cheaper model for the $0 cost model will STILL give them decent margins and a variety of sizes and case styles to choose from. But they will have to increase their production levels so they don't have a supply problem that plagues them for 3+ months, which typically happens every year.

Do you know how many models stores are carrying?
5S -> 3 colors * 3 storage sizes * (4 carriers + unlocked) -> 45
5C -> 5 colors * 2 storage sizes * (4 carriers + unlocked) -> 50
4S -> 2 colors * (4 carriers + unlocked) -> 10
Total -> 105

And how many models you are proposing?
5C -> 5 colors * 2 storage sizes * (4 carriers + unlocked) -> 50
Mid -> 3 colors * 3 storage sizes * 3 screen sizes * (4 carriers + unlocked) -> 135
Flagship -> 3 colors * 3 storage sizes * 3 screen sizes * (4 carriers + unlocked) -> 135
Total -> 320

 

[coldjeanzzz]

A 4.5" inch screen with small bezels will still fit nicely in the hand

 

[Tumbleweed666]

There's just certain rumors that I don't believe, and the multiple-sized iPhones is one of them. It's one that's been lingering around for a while now, but I'll have to wait and see in September I suppose. Why would it be in Apple's interest to have two offerings?

I don't see why its difficult to understand this, since at the moment they have three different sized phones.

And obviously Apple are currently losing some customers who want a phone larger than the current 5c/5s. They will cater for that segment when they believe its big enough to make a decent profit on it.

 

[ronoman]

if apple does come out with a jumbo iPhone, hopefully there will be a wall mount available.

 

[giggles]

It's a good time to remind people the WSJ correctly predicted the 5C last year in January:

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324391104578230060513922882

Wouldn't be a stretch to guess this kind of hype-generating rumors at the WSJ are planted by Apple itself.

As for the reasoning behind the 2 sizes, the smaller one is meant to be coherent with the "thumb friendly" spirit they insisted on for 7 years, while ALSO giving the option for a bigger size to folks wanting an android-sized iphone. That's how they're gonna sell the whole situation: we're still catering to the thumb friendly folks with the smaller one, nothing is changed (4.5" in 16:9 isn't THAT big), while ALSO giving the option for a bigger model to people wanting that kind of screen real estate.

The launch will be like launching 13"/15" MBP at the same time, or 11"/13" MBA (wedge version). Not unheard of.

 

[sixrom]

How do you define "proper size display"?

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/18680079/

 

[Tumbleweed666]

And how many models you are proposing?
5C -> 5 colors * 2 storage sizes * (4 carriers + unlocked) -> 50
Mid -> 3 colors * 3 storage sizes * 3 screen sizes * (4 carriers + unlocked) -> 135
Flagship -> 3 colors * 3 storage sizes * 3 screen sizes * (4 carriers + unlocked) -> 135
Total -> 320

Good point.
So perhaps, with manufacturing efficiencies, the 5s becomes the new low end (after all its only $100 more than the 5c now) and it is
"small" size (5s) -> 3 colors * 3 storage sizes * 3 screen sizes * (4 carriers + unlocked) -> 135
"large" size (6s) -> 3 colors * 3 storage sizes * 3 screen sizes * (4 carriers + unlocked) -> 135

Total 270

 

[elgrecomac]

WOW! And the Fanbois are eating it up....

So when the iPhone 3 came out I complained about the screen size and got FLAMED repeatedly by the local Fanbois. "Steve said this was the right size, therefore, it is the right size so deal with it' is what I heard. The they got a bit taller, and the Fanbois jumped on the bandwagon because Apple said it was OK.
NOW, it looks like Apple is heading in Samsung's direction, size-wise. I can't wait to see if/when the devices are released how the Apple minions will praise Apple for such an incredible, wonderful, better and better, bigger and bigger, cool, cooler etc. product.
And the same hold true for the ipad size changes...especially the rumored 12 incher.

I wonder if Jobs is rolling in his unmarked grave or laughing in it.

 

[oliversl]

Because 0.5" totally make the difference! *rolling eyes*

 

[4Apples]

New design please!

An iphone with a 4.8" screen sounds perfect for me but I also understand there is a market for bigger. What I do not understand is why would they keep a similar design to that of the iphone 5!? Where is the innovation in design.. if the rumors are to be true. I really hope to see something new!