Upcoming Fall 2020 5.4-Inch iPhone Will Be Similar in Size to iPhone 8

[hipnetic]

I want a small, easier-to-pocket, one-hand-friendly-usage iPhone. I switched from an iPhone Xs to an iPhone SE because of the one-handed usage. I later tried using my Xs again, and I really love the camera, but again, the phone was too large to use one-handed, and also on the heavy side. Not a huge fan of Face ID, either.

That said, it's been a few years since I last used the iPhone 6s (that I gave to my daughter), and I never bothered upgrading to the 7 or 8, so I think I'd begrudgingly go back to a 6/7/8-sized phone if I could get an almost-small-enough iPhone with a better camera. I'm concerned, though, that if it's an edge-to-edge screen, it's going to be harder to use one-handed than the 6/7/8.

It seems odd to me that they'd make 4 different-sized phones where the difference in sizes from one to the next will be so minimal (e.g., the 8 is only slightly smaller than the X), with all having edge-to-edge displays. If they're going to make an attempt to cater to people wanting a smaller iPhone, go all the way and make it extra-small (SE-sized) but with that edge-to-edge display?

 

[ksec]

But there are no rumours of smaller FaceID, which is the problem with the thesis of 5.4" iPhone 12.

The 6.1" and 6.7" Pro Model are fine. Face ID fit in those size along with *two* side to display information and swipe.

FaceID on 5.4" will require something else. Merging of few components into one new component. But if that was the case I am pretty sure words would be out by now.

 

[alien3dx]

why is it so ****ing hard for apple to make a small phone? guess im still staying on my SE

because the end user will complain.. battery life.

 

[hipnetic]

because the end user will complain.. battery life.

They could make it thicker. Give it a plastic casing (to reduce weight) but make it a little thicker to accommodate a bigger battery. I'd rather have a slightly-thicker iPhone SE-sized device than a larger, but thinner device. YMMV.

 

[alien3dx]

They could make it thicker. Give it a plastic casing (to reduce weight) but make it a little thicker to accommodate a bigger battery. I'd rather have a slightly-thicker iPhone SE-sized device than a larger, but thinner device. YMMV.

I like my old 5s until i mistake upgrade to ios 11 and after that 3 battery change 1 month out of service . 1 day is okay but the most important i prefer front thumb print compare to back android i'm using now.. Annoyance a lot i have small hand.

 

[ignatius345]

I'm a year into owning an iPhone 8 and I still think it feels big. I'm male, six feet tall with hands proportionate to that, and I still find myself awkwardly shifting the phone around to balance it in my hand. And the X-series phones are larger still!

Here's a dead giveaway that these things are a bad ergonomic fit: the "reachability" hack that Apple put in starting with the larger iPhone 6 form factor. If you have to resort to something like that for people to reach the top of the screen, it's a bad fit in the hand.

I can't imagine it would be hard for Apple to engineer a small phone that uses the entire front surface as a bezel-less display area.

 

[macfanboy]

Even then I'm pretty sure it was mainly an excuse to use up left over 5s parts and produce a cheaper iPhone for emerging markets. People want large displays for web surfing, viewing media, gaming, and even productivity.

You know what? I get that. If Apple only sold 1 size, I’d understand that most people want those things you mentioned. However, the rumors point to them making THREE sizes. Why can’t ONE of those sizes satisfy people who want a small phone? Imagine if Apple made clothes and only sold L, XL, and XXL sizes.

 

[B4U]

Guess it is too hard for greedy Apple to understand anything anymore.
What happened to the good old days when they are not so anti-customers?
3D touch, smaller phones, iOS app syncing with Mac, etc.

 

[Bawstun]

JFC. There's going to be like 10 iPhone SKUs in 2020.

Literally signed back in to say this. What a mess. I already have no idea what the latest iPad models are because there’s a new design for basically every inch and a half. Looks like the iPhone is the next one to fragment...

 

[44267547]

I love my iPhone 7 but if I could get the same body size with no bezels I’m in.

Bezels are a non-issue. It’s the size that matters, Apple can have the largest bezels over any smart phone on the market, but if the size isn’t comfortable to hold/carry in the pocket without the bulk that these larger smart phones have today, I’m all in.

 

[Vanilla35]

My gf has a 5S and a 6S. Guess which one she uses all the time? Yup 5S because of the smallest form factor.

All the girls I know prefer the plus size devices.

 

[I7guy]

Literally signed back in to say this. What a mess. I already have no idea what the latest iPad models are because there’s a new design for basically every inch and a half. Looks like the iPhone is the next one to fragment...

This isn’t the same market as years ago. Choice rules to the consumer, imo.

 

[EugW]

You say, "nobody wants them", when you are talking to people who want them. You know that's demonstrably false, right?

I support the folks who want an SE-sized phone, I really do (I have relatives who really want such a thing), but if Apple does a phone the size of the iPhone 8 but with (nearly) edge-to-edge screen and all the latest goodies, I think I know what my next phone will be.

You can’t really be this literal, can you? My point is that the number of people who want this type of phone is quite small. It is not 0%, but the number is small enough to be pretty much irrelevant to Apple’s business model in 2020.

BTW, I have an SE as a backup iPhone and quite frankly I find it irritating to use. It’s not just the physical size of the phone. More importantly it’s clear that Apple has nearly abandoned this form factor as a target for iOS. Even some native software elements are just too cramped on the SE in iOS 13, and it will only get worse as time goes on.

 

[iJustines]

the overall physical size of 5.4” is slightly smaller than an iPhone 8 and wouldn't be bad if it can shrink the width even more.

 

[WannaGoMac]

Not surprised max going to 6.7” as the current 11 Max isn’t much bigger than the 11 so they’re losing higher end sales I bet

 

[JPack]

Math already told us the 5.4" iPhone would be 96% the size of an iPhone 8. But this is a good confirmation nonetheless.

 

[EugW]

Math already told us the 5.4" iPhone would be 96% the size of an iPhone 8. But this is a good confirmation nonetheless.

Based on math I had predicted Apple would release a 5.5” iPhone XR-lite in 2019, that was basically the same size as the iPhone 8.

I was wrong, but maybe I wasn’t that far off. It sounds like that 5.4” iPhone in 2020 fits precisely that role.

 

[GoodWheaties]

because the end user will complain.. battery life.

Yet the SE had battery life comparable to Plus phones when it came out.

 

[alien3dx]

Yet the SE had battery life comparable to Plus phones when it came out.

wow .. it is.. if yes i want to change back from samsung a20 to se next month

 

[AdamNC]

If people are arguing about something that’s 1/2 an inch taller and 1/4 inch wider the the SE all I can say is wow. Really? You want better performance and battery life but expect it to be as small as the SE? Not possible. I tried the SE, it was too small. Felt like a toy. Or a teenagers first phone. Just my opinion.

 

[neoelectronaut]

****ing ********. Oh well, what choice do I have? My iPhone SE is slowly going belly-up so I guess it’s finally time to get forced into a larger phone.

 

[Jury]

Tim Cook doesn't know what's consider innovation and it's screwing up the great feature of the product.

 

[tesseracts]

(missed a previous comment that answered my question)

 

[PostApple2016BrainWash]

The 5.4” iPhone 12 needs to be more compact and thinner than the iPhone 8 so Apple can lower the cost for its device as well.

 

[scoobydoo99]

Even then I'm pretty sure it was mainly an excuse to use up left over 5s parts and produce a cheaper iPhone for emerging markets. People want large displays for web surfing, viewing media, gaming, and even productivity.

Yes, people who can't afford multiple high-end devices want big phones because they use it for EVERYTHING. Those who can afford a phone, a desktop, a laptop and a tablet would prefer that the phone be a PHONE, compact & portable (like the SE). So, the ultimate luxury is a 4" iPhone. That should be the $1200 flagship.