Why did Apple choose a tall screen instead of remaining with same proportions?

[thermal]

Based on consistent rumors, it seems 95% sure the next iPhone will have a 4" 16:9 screen.

Why is Apple choosing to go with a 'tall' screen instead of having a 4 inch (or larger) screen with the same proportions as the iPhone 4?

 

[lazard]

because no one uses 4:3 aspect ratio anymore

 

[profets]

I would think (or hope) that they base it mainly on ergonomics and a phone that fits well and is useable with one hand. 4" 16:9 android phones feel comfortable that way to me, though 4.3" and up seem difficult to use one handed (in my experience anyway).

My guess is that, along with the screen resolution only changing in one direction making most UI/apps easier to adapt and change.

 

[sakau2007]

because no one uses 4:3 aspect ratio anymore

...and 1164x640 or whatever is a widely used standard, right?

 

[GimmeSlack12]

because no one uses 4:3 aspect ratio anymore

No one being who?

I've also been wondering about this aspect ratio. Not a huge concern of mine but still makes me wonder.

Though I'm ready for LTE, NFC and maybe yet another camera upgrade on the new iPhone. Not really sure what other hardware features it could incorporate.

 

[BaldiMac]

...and 1164x640 or whatever is a widely used standard, right?

Why does that matter? The aspect ratio is a widely used standard.

 

[applesith]

Wait until 9/12 and all will be revealed. NO ONE ELSE KNOWS!

 

[lazard]

...and 1164x640 or whatever is a widely used standard, right?

nope, which is why I wanted Apple to make a 4.3-4.5" screen and get to 720p.

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Why does that matter? The aspect ratio is a widely used standard.

640p is not a widely used standard.

 

[BaldiMac]

Lots of possible reasons to go with the taller screen in no particular order.

- maintain ergonomics
- ease developer transition
- simplest change to home screen layout
- maintains current pixel density
- same screen means more economy of scale
- minimize difference in total size of the phone
- match aspect ratio for HD video

 

[Fernandez21]

It's because what makes those larger android pones uncomfortable to use is the width. So to get a larger screen on the iPhone without making it wider, the only way to is to make the screen taller.

 

[mattopotamus]

nope, which is why I wanted Apple to make a 4.3-4.5" screen and get to 720p.

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640p is not a widely used standard.

he said the aspect ratio....meaning 16:9

not the resolution

 

[BaldiMac]

640p is not a widely used standard.

I understand that. I asked why that matters.

 

[lazard]

I understand that. I asked why that matters.

I have no problem with the 16:9 aspect ratio. I actually prefer it over the 4:3.

 

[mattopotamus]

I have no problem with the 16:9 aspect ratio. I actually prefer it over the 4:3.

that is what he was saying and calling it standard haha.

 

[sakau2007]

Why does that matter? The aspect ratio is a widely used standard.

Really? 1920x1080 and 1280x720 are exactly 16:9
Apple is rumored to be going with 1136x640, which is not.

 

[lazard]

that is what he was saying and calling it standard haha.

16:9 is standard, however, 1164x640 is not.

 

[mattopotamus]

16:9 is standard, however, 1164x640 is not.

grr i know, and that is what he said in his original post that you quoted. I think you thought he meant 1164 x 640 was standard, but he really meant 16:9 is standard...grrr :/

the same mistake sakau2007 made

 

[House Crasher]

I am sincerely hoping the proposed iPhone 5 looks nothing like the size of whats floating around out there, that long stretched out design looks so bad. My biggest gripe is screen size on the 4S, and the successor not only needs to be taller but wider as well...

 

[Cougarcat]

Really? 1920x1080 and 1280x720 are exactly 16:9
Apple is rumored to be going with 1136x640, which is not.

It's practically 16:9, it's just one pixel away. There is no way to get exactly 16:9 while maintaining the 640 width.

 

[BaldiMac]

Really? 1920x1080 and 1280x720 are exactly 16:9
Apple is rumored to be going with 1136x640, which is not.

Again, why does this matter?

 

[sakau2007]

Again, why does this matter?

well, it doesn't really matter... but let it be known that Apple won't be able to do true 16:9 with a width of 640 pixels.

...but it is kinda sad that the iPhone screen looks like it may have a lower resolution than that of the Galaxy S3 (and other phones) which will be several months old when the new iPhone is released.

And if people don't think it matters, then why did people act like it mattered when they unveiled their revolutionary retina display (and then comically made up the rules as they went along on what "retina" meant)

 

[BuckeyeMac]

Screw these made up retina specs....give me the best screen/reso that will beat all of the screens out now

 

[needsmoar]

because they didn't want to get sued by Samsung

 

[jabingla2810]

Ergonomics.

Current apps will work without being stretched with black bars on the sides.

Widescreen good for video.

 

[BaldiMac]

well, it doesn't really matter... but let it be known that Apple won't be able to do true 16:9 with a width of 640 pixels.

Let it be known... that it doesn't really matter.

...but it is kinda sad that the iPhone screen looks like it may have a lower resolution than that of the Galaxy S3 (and other phones) which will be several months old when the new iPhone is released.

The Galaxy S3 has a lower pixel density than the iPhone 4S (and presumably the new iPhone).

And if people don't think it matters, then why did people act like it mattered when they unveiled their revolutionary retina display

Because it was a huge jump in pixel density.

(and then comically made up the rules as they went along on what "retina" meant)

Comically?