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

[EugW]

Granted most have willingly moved to larger phones, I think there are some people who only passively moved to larger phones because small phones simply don’t exist anymore. Out of sight, out of mind— their thoughts are on other things. Just my theory.
In exactly what ways is iOS 13 designed for bigger phones? Bigger phones can fit more into the screen of course, but that’s just simple logic, it doesn’t mean the software isn’t designed for it. Apple still sells the 4” iPod touch and there are no signs or rumors that it will be discontinued in the foreseeable future. I don’t see Apple continuing to sell a product they don’t plan on continuing optimizing software for.

The UI is sometimes awkward on 4” phones in some instances due to the default font sizes etc. One example of this is Apple Music. It’s not built to be used on screens of that size although it is possible to do so.

This is ironic given that Apple still sells the iPod touch, although I suspect it will be discontinued in the 4” size in a couple of years as it’s Apple’s last 4” and 2 GB iDevice.

Note that this is Apple’s own app. The situation is sometimes even worse with some third party apps.

Think of it like the transition from 800x600 to 1024x768 to larger computer screens. 800x600 is ancient history now, and 1024x768 is becoming very restrictive. Nobody buys 1024x768 computer screens anymore so some web developers now assume bigger screens, even though UI experts often still recommend designing for the 1024x768 minimum size.

 

[subjonas]

The UI is sometimes awkward on 4” phones in some instances due to the default font sizes etc. One example of this is Apple Music. It’s not built to be used on screens of that size although it is possible to do so.

This is ironic given that Apple still sells the iPod touch, although I suspect it will be discontinued in the 4” size in a couple of years as it’s Apple’s last 4” and 2 GB iDevice.

Note that this is Apple’s own app. The situation is sometimes even worse with some third party apps.

Think of it like the transition from 800x600 to 1024x768 to larger computer screens. 800x600 is ancient history now, and 1024x768 is becoming very restrictive. Nobody buys 1024x768 computer screens anymore so some web developers now assume bigger screens, even though UI experts often still recommend designing for the 1024x768 minimum size.

In regard to UI or font sizes, I haven’t noticed any awkwardness in using my original SE on iOS 13, nor really any difference from any earlier iOSes. But I also don’t use my phone for a ton of different content consumption—for that I prefer to be home on my iPad. I have my go-to apps that I use on my phone and they all work very well for me, including Apple Music. It may just be that people who use bigger phones think of small screens as awkward because they can‘t see as much as they’re used to. For people who love the portability of small phones, it’s not even a trade off.

The iPod touch serves a unique and important role in Apple’s product line. We’ll see if you’re right, but my guess is they’ll just update it after awhile. I think they would increase the size before they’d get rid of it.

It makes sense to drop support for things that don’t exist anymore, but as long as they do exist to a certain degree, developers have to continue accounting for that lowest common denominator. It’s just the way it is.

 

[EugW]

In regard to UI or font sizes, I haven’t noticed any awkwardness in using my original SE on iOS 13, nor really any difference from any earlier iOSes. But I also don’t use my phone for a ton of different content consumption—for that I prefer to be home on my iPad. I have my go-to apps that I use on my phone and they all work very well for me, including Apple Music. It may just be that people who use bigger phones think of small screens as awkward because they can‘t see as much as they’re used to. For people who love the portability of small phones, it’s not even a trade off.

The iPod touch serves a unique and important role in Apple’s product line. We’ll see if you’re right, but my guess is they’ll just update it after awhile. I think they would increase the size before they’d get rid of it.

It makes sense to drop support for things that don’t exist anymore, but as long as they do exist to a certain degree, developers have to continue accounting for that lowest common denominator. It’s just the way it is.

Yes, my belief is they will update the iPod touch, but it will have a 4.7” screen and 3 GB RAM. Not for a while though.

 

[IndyRobb]

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.

Um, that's why we have iPads. If you have an active lifestyle, you want a small phone.

 

[EugW]

Um, that's why we have iPads. If you have an active lifestyle, you want a small phone.

Nope

 

[IndyRobb]

Yes, my belief is they will update the iPod touch, but it will have a 4.7” screen and 3 GB RAM. Not for a while though.

I'm one of those still hanging onto our SEs because we *like* the small size of the phone. But that doesn't mean there isn't space on an SE sized phone for a *somewhat* bigger screen. Just like Apple did on the newer iPhones, you eliminate the huge bezels on the SE. (And btw, what the heck were they thinking with the new SE that has all that wasted bezel space?? Seems they took the most dated & un-useful part of the SE design and removed what was good about it!)

And by the way, i'm not looking for cheap. I want as much of the good stuff as possible, but i want it in a size that I can operate one-handed, and that won't flop around when i'm running and being active.

Don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean i don't like big screens. But big screens are why we have iPads.

 

[joeblow7777]

Um, that's why we have iPads. If you have an active lifestyle, you want a small phone.

An iPad probably doesn’t fit in your pocket or purse. Even the largest phones are still pretty easy for most people to carry one them at all times.

 

[seadragon]

Looks like the anti small phone naysayers here were wrong. What say you now that Apple is making a small phone again? Typical naysayer until Apple does it. Same with mouse support for iOS.

Nice to see the size choices available now.

 

[lkalliance]

Looks like the anti small phone naysayers here were wrong. What say you now that Apple is making a small phone again? Typical naysayer until Apple does it. Same with mouse support for iOS.

Nice to see the size choices available now.

I don’t think this addresses the things that a smaller phone does. For one, it’s slightly bigger than the current SE...even further away from the original SE size. And then the screen is even bigger, even harder to operate one-handed.

It looks like an awesome phone, and it’s definitely at a size where I’d be more comfortable...but this is not what small phone fans are talking about.

 

[seadragon]

I don’t think this addresses the things that a smaller phone does. For one, it’s slightly bigger than the current SE...even further away from the original SE size. And then the screen is even bigger, even harder to operate one-handed.

It looks like an awesome phone, and it’s definitely at a size where I’d be more comfortable...but this is not what small phone fans are talking about.

Looks pretty close to me...

 

[lkalliance]

Looks pretty close to me...

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Oops, you’re right, I had it switched with the SE 2 in my head. So I think it’s really three general buckets of people in terms of reasons they wanted a small phone:

—Those that wanted something smaller in the pocket or hand: you’re right, this will probably do it.
—Those that miss one-handed use: this probably won’t do it. No chins, much larger screen, if the SE 2 is too big this probably will be too. I’d want to interact with one to evaluate that.
—Those that want Touch ID: that train has left the station, unless future phones have the power button reader like the new iPads. Regardless, this particular model doesn’t have it.

So a mixed bag, but you’re right some people will be satisfied.