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

[WordMasterRice]

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



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



Because it was a huge jump in pixel density.



Comically?

If matters in video because you would have to up or downscale to get anything to play properly, which means worse battery life when playing media. It also means poorer quality. As far as the OS in general it doesn't mean anything other than images would have to be rechopped from where they are on other devices.

 

[SR45]

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...

Wait no longer. Not going to happen. Move along. Android phones waiting for you.

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

Agree. Get a kick out of all those that start a thread with a question that no one here can answer. Only Apple can and they never talk until announcement day. It will never end

 

[BaldiMac]

If matters in video because you would have to up or downscale to get anything to play properly, which means worse battery life when playing media. It also means poorer quality. As far as the OS in general it doesn't mean anything other than images would have to be rechopped from where they are on other devices.

I think those concerns are more theoretical than practical. Battery life from downscaling would be more than offset by the fewer pixels to power.

 

[DutchAmerican]

What you mean with tall bothers me..
I always hoped the iPhone would have a wider screen (+bigger).
And ofcourse I do understand the reason for 4'', I am a marketing specialist so I know why, but now the phone gets taller and I still don't know if I like it..

 

[Technarchy]

In case anyone is curious, 1136x640 at 4" = 326 PPI, which is still among the highest in the business.

And these were made by member chleuasme.

 

[golf1410]

One hand operation still pretty much possible across horizontal screen.

 

[snow blind]

In case anyone is curious, 1136x640 at 4" = 326 PPI, which is still among the highest in the business.


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And these were made by member chleuasme.

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The 3:2 mock-up looks sooooo much better!

 

[Dmunjal]

The 3:2 mock-up looks sooooo much better!

I prefer the new design even if PPI suffers.

Like watching TV, would you rather watch on a 55" 720p or a 42" 1080p? I prefer the 55" 720p every time.

 

[dejo]

because no one uses 4:3 aspect ratio anymore

Tell that to all those iPad users.

Also, the iPhone was never 4:3 ratio. It was always 3:2.

 

[M33-1]

because no one uses 4:3 aspect ratio anymore

Can't remember the last time I saw a PDF file in 16:9 format? I don't think the new phone is going to look anything like the fake planted version going around. I think after several spoiled phone launches Apple has finally caught on.

Just my opinion.

 

[lordofthereef]

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

Sorry, I am just trying to clarify. Are you speaking for yourself or the rest of the world here?

 

[Ay_Zimmy]

Apple, Think Different ..why on earth would the iPhone have the same type of screens as all the other phones? That's just silly, this is the iPhone.. The display will look lovely.

 

[lordofthereef]

Apple, Think Different ..why on earth would the iPhone have the same type of screens as all the other phones? That's just silly, this is the iPhone.. The display will look lovely.

Yes, standards are silly. Let's do away with them. That's a good idea. Except that this basically goes completely against the entire point of having standards to begin with.

 

[chleuasme]

And these were made by member chleuasme

and just in case it's necessary to precise
it was to show that a 3:2 4" screen stands the comparison with a 16:9 4" screen in these use cases.


original thread with comments here: https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=15410765#post15410765

 

[House Crasher]

In case anyone is curious, 1136x640 at 4" = 326 PPI, which is still among the highest in the business.


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And these were made by member chleuasme.

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3:2 has my vote ALL day long. Far more pleasing and usable space.

 

[cambookpro]

Can't remember the last time I saw a PDF file in 16:9 format? I don't think the new phone is going to look anything like the fake planted version going around. I think after several spoiled phone launches Apple has finally caught on.

Just my opinion.

Sorry to say but I doubt Apple would go to all that trouble. It just costs too much and, in the end, it's not just about the products, but the $$$ too. Plus there have been too many consistent leaks.

I'll happily eat my words if it is a leak, but I'm 99.999% sure it's the real deal.

 

[TruckdriverSean]

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

This pretty much sums up my thoughts as well.

While I want more screen, the idea of making a two-handed phone out of the iPhone just doesn't sit well with me. Plus the growing the size would either mean loosing pixel density (not good) or having pre-iPhone 6 apps displayed in some funky way (worse).

Adding screen height seems like a good solution to the problem, but I want to see it in real life before I'll commit to saying this is "it".

 

[SplitIt!]

The majority of apps that I use are primarily based off of a UITableViewController in portrait mode.

For the non-developer types, that means these tables have an arbitrary number of rows. A longer phone simply allows more rows to be visible to the user.

Maintaining the same width, allows all those apps to just work out-of-box with the new length dimension.

Games and/or apps that are heavily used in landscape mode will certainly need to be updated.

 

[chleuasme]

The majority of apps that I use are primarily based off of a UITableViewController in portrait mode.

For the non-developer types, that means these tables have an arbitrary number of rows. A longer phone simply allows more rows to be visible to the user.

Maintaining the same width, allows all those apps to just work out-of-box with the new length dimension.

Couldn't they simply adapt to the new width, too?
longer lines is harder than more lines?

 

[smotheredhope]

A: because they are stoopid.

 

[Ay_Zimmy]

Yes, standards are silly. Let's do away with them. That's a good idea. Except that this basically goes completely against the entire point of having standards to begin with.

They set the standards. The 16:9 display could show advantages that apple specifically has.

 

[ixodes]

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?

I find your question very appropriate.

Of even greater curiosity is to ponder "What was Apple thinking" was it the result of a night of drinking ?

Was it out of sheer boredom?

Or perhaps a distinct lack of ideas?

Were they under some self inflicted pressure?

Who knows...

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Tell that to all those iPad users.

Also, the iPhone was never 4:3 ratio. It was always 3:2.

Suddenly 3:2 is looking better than ever.

 

[skidbubble]

The reason being, if you listen to people on this forum, is because if they had made the phone physically larger in all directions "it wouldn't be able to fit in their pocket". If it is just taller only, it will fit but just stick out a little bit.

 

[iEnvy]

We have to remember Apple is one of the few companies to push products in a different direction, most recently with the MBPR. This also includes the original iPhone and how it pushed all smartphones in its direction. You never know, this tall design could be useful

 

[BaldiMac]

Sorry, I am just trying to clarify. Are you speaking for yourself or the rest of the world here?

No, I am restating the response that I received to my question. Do you have a point?