Why does everyone keep saying that Apple needs to make a bigger iPhone?

[Hankster]

The tech bloggers, pundits, analysts, and many MR forum posters keep insisting that phablets are all the rage and Apple has missed the boat. We keep hearing that Apple is doomed because everyone has moved to large screens. Well let's see what Google's own data says about the breakdown of Android devices by screen size:

Screen size - market share
--------------------------------
Small (2"-3.5") - 9.5%
Normal (3.5"-4.3") - 79.9%
Large (4.3"-7") - 5.7%
XLarge (greater than 7") - 4.9%

Source: http://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html (as of April 24,2013)

That means that phablets (Samsung GS3, GS4, Note, Note2, LG Optimus Pro, HTC Butterfly, HTC One S, One X, One, Xperia Z, etc) PLUS all the 7" tablets (Galaxy Tab 7, 7 Plus, 7.7, Nexus 7, Archos, Asus, HP, Acer, Sony etc) combined make up just 5.7% of the entire Android installed base. Its probably reasonable to assume that phablets alone constitute somewhere less than 5% of all Android devices. This sure sounds like a niche category to me. As can be seen from Google's data, the vast majority of consumers purchase devices in the (gasp) Normal size.

Some of you like big phablets. That's great, and there are many great devices out there for you. But as a company that releases just one phone, I think its clear why Apple picked a screen size of 4".

Put it this way. When the next iPhone comes out and if it's the same size as the i5, lets see how well it sells. If it sells great then you're right Apple doesn't need to create a larger size phone. But, if it does not sell well and it's clear people want more options then Apple needs to focus on customer needs.

It is very clear that more and more people are looking for a larger screen. There is nothing wrong with giving that option. Palm refused to change with time. RIM refused to change with time. Apple is far from Palm or RIM, but it starts somewhere.

Anyone who thinks Apple "can do no wrong" is simply ignorant. It's a company run by humans. It's not God.

PS: My brother has the BlackBerry Z10 and that phone is the perfect size. It's just slightly larger than the i5. If Apple launched the next iPhone with that same it would sell volumes.

 

[SILen(e]

How is it clear that more and more people want larger screens?

minimo3 just explained that only 6% of the 800 mio Android devices activated to date have screen sizes larger than 4.3" and less than 7".
That's less than 50 million devices.

Please keep in mind that there's absolutely no way to buy an Android phone with high end specs with a small screen.

Just like some people like to say that Apple only get's away with selling a phone with a screen that is in their opinion too small because there's no iPhone with a larger screen - if you want an Android phone that is not low end, you HAVE to buy one with a large screen.

Samsungs Galaxy S 3 Mini is rubbish in comparison to the SGS 3 (just like selling the iPhone 4 as the iPhone 5 Mini) and the SGS 4 Mini will have a larger screen than the iPhone 5 and it's specs again won't be as good as the one of the real thing.

That you can't find a single high end Android device with a smaller screen is not really due to customer demand, you also have to keep in mind that it is more difficult to use more powerful hardware in a smaller case.

By manufacturing huge devices, Android companies, especially Samsung, can use higher clocked SoCs.

Apple and Android manufacturers have different approaches, Apple sees the iPhone as a device that you can use with a single hand, which limits the size.
They then cram all the hardware necessary for the new software stuff they developed into a case that fits in your hand.

With Android manufacturers, they want SoC X and if they can't fit it in 4.8 inches (Why the need to increase the size of the SGS 4's display? HTC managed to find a 4.8" display with the same resolution that Samsung needed 5.0" for) they'll build the device in 5.0 or 5.3" instead.

Imho Samsungs engineers are lousy in comparison to those at Apple or many other Android manufacturers.

But only Samsung is selling a noticable number of Android devices (not because of the quality but because of marketing and ruthlessness), so instead of the higher quality devices made by HTC with (sometimes) smaller screens, people will buy from the "Can't make it in 4.7", so let's increase the size to 4.8" company.

I am quite sure that a large percentage of the 6% of Android devices between 4.4 and 6.9" are due to Samsung's dominance on Android and their marketing, people want the GALAXY S, think there only IS the GALAXY S, not because of the size.


@Hankster

Apple IS selling volumes!

 

[hexonxonx]

I know two people that I work with who switched from iPhone to Note 2s because of the larger screen. These are bigger guys with big fingers so there is a need out there.

 

[WilliamG]

The tech bloggers, pundits, analysts, and many MR forum posters keep insisting that phablets are all the rage and Apple has missed the boat. We keep hearing that Apple is doomed because everyone has moved to large screens. Well let's see what Google's own data says about the breakdown of Android devices by screen size:

Screen size - market share
--------------------------------
Small (2"-3.5") - 9.5%
Normal (3.5"-4.3") - 79.9%
Large (4.3"-7") - 5.7%
XLarge (greater than 7") - 4.9%

Source: http://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html (as of April 24,2013)

That means that phablets (Samsung GS3, GS4, Note, Note2, LG Optimus Pro, HTC Butterfly, HTC One S, One X, One, Xperia Z, etc) PLUS all the 7" tablets (Galaxy Tab 7, 7 Plus, 7.7, Nexus 7, Archos, Asus, HP, Acer, Sony etc) combined make up just 5.7% of the entire Android installed base. Its probably reasonable to assume that phablets alone constitute somewhere less than 5% of all Android devices. This sure sounds like a niche category to me. As can be seen from Google's data, the vast majority of consumers purchase devices in the (gasp) Normal size.

Some of you like big phablets. That's great, and there are many great devices out there for you. But as a company that releases just one phone, I think its clear why Apple picked a screen size of 4".

This argument is invalid. What was the screen-size market share last year? Most phones were 3.5"-4.3" in the past, so obviously they'll have more share. But since the advent of larger sizes, I'll bet the market share has dropped.

 

[Prime85]

Why does everyone keep saying that Apple needs to make a bigger iPhone?

This argument is invalid. What was the screen-size market share last year? Most phones were 3.5"-4.3" in the past, so obviously they'll have more share. But since the advent of larger sizes, I'll bet the market share has dropped.

Just because the people who want larger screens are more vocal about it does not mean they are in the majority.

If everyone wanted ridiculously large screens than the iphone wouldnt be the number one selling phone in the US

 

[LouieSamman]

I believe the iPhone could get a little wider with it still feeling comfortable in your hands.

4.3" I think is the size that will just widen the phone. It would help not make the phone look long and the screen will look a tad bigger.

Does anyone agree on this? I think Apple should of went with 4.3"

 

[minimo3]

This argument is invalid. What was the screen-size market share last year? Most phones were 3.5"-4.3" in the past, so obviously they'll have more share. But since the advent of larger sizes, I'll bet the market share has dropped.

I'm glad you asked. So I went to the wayback machine and checked historical data on the Android developer dashboard. It only goes back to May 1, 2012 and on that day the percentage were as follows:
Normal (3.5"-4.3") - 85.6%
Large (4.3"-7") - 2.3%

On Oct 1, 2012, the percentages were:
Normal (3.5"-4.3") - 86.6%
Large (4.3"-7") - 6.1%

So we have somewhat inconclusive results. The percentage of devices with normal screen sizes stayed somewhat constant last year and has dipped this year. Meanwhile, the number of large screen devices grew rapidly last year, but the percentage of large screen devices was higher in Oct 2012 that it is today (6.1% vs 5.7%). I'm not going to pretend to offer an analysis of that, I'll let the data speak for itself.

Most of us (including tech bloggers who tend to cluster in the NYC/Silicon Valley regions) tend to draw conclusions based on what we see around us which is why we think "everyone" wants a large screen phone. I travel a bit and spend a lot of time waiting for stuff so I look around at what phones people use. In many of these countries where phone sales are skyrocketing, phone subsidies are low to non existent, so buyers are price sensitive. Based on my observation (non-scientific so ymmv) the general population (not the tech geeks) of India, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam are buying touch screen mid range type phones because they are "cool." These are in the "normal" screen size category and generally run between $150-300. This is where all the growth in handset volumes is currently. Note I left out Hong Kong and Singapore because the more affluent population there tends to gravitate toward the latest/greatest handset.

 

[apollo1444]

Because millions upon millions of people all over the world want one. It does not matter if people should want these. They just do.

I'm sure it's not millions and millions of people

if they want one they can purchase a Samsung phone right? large phones, they already exist.

 

[Zerilos]

The tech bloggers, pundits, analysts, and many MR forum posters keep insisting that phablets are all the rage and Apple has missed the boat. We keep hearing that Apple is doomed because everyone has moved to large screens. Well let's see what Google's own data says about the breakdown of Android devices by screen size:

Screen size - market share
--------------------------------
Small (2"-3.5") - 9.5%
Normal (3.5"-4.3") - 79.9%
Large (4.3"-7") - 5.7%
XLarge (greater than 7") - 4.9%

Source: http://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html (as of April 24,2013)

That means that phablets (Samsung GS3, GS4, Note, Note2, LG Optimus Pro, HTC Butterfly, HTC One S, One X, One, Xperia Z, etc) PLUS all the 7" tablets (Galaxy Tab 7, 7 Plus, 7.7, Nexus 7, Archos, Asus, HP, Acer, Sony etc) combined make up just 5.7% of the entire Android installed base. Its probably reasonable to assume that phablets alone constitute somewhere less than 5% of all Android devices. This sure sounds like a niche category to me. As can be seen from Google's data, the vast majority of consumers purchase devices in the (gasp) Normal size.

Some of you like big phablets. That's great, and there are many great devices out there for you. But as a company that releases just one phone, I think its clear why Apple picked a screen size of 4".

You have to keep in mind that the Android phones that are >4.3” are exclusively higher cost premium devices; while in the Android universe phones that are <4” tend to be the really cheap phone that people buy off contract for $150 or less. The people buying smaller screen Android phones are doing it out of necessity rather than choice (i.e. they cannot afford a Note 2 or S3). There is of course a market for 4” premium devices (obviously considering Apple is still the top seller of premium devices); however a lot of people are very interested in the phablet style devices as well (not me mind you), but worldwide most people cannot even come close to affording them and get smaller smart phones as a result (assuming they can even afford those).

Ultimately my point is that those numbers are not indicative of actual demand for larger screen devices.

 

[Luuthian]

Well then there's no real way to interpret the data accurately. All that can be surmised is "There are a lot more 3.5-4.3" phones out there than anything else". You can't attach anything but conjecture as to why that is a fact. At best you can make some educated guesses.

Obviously there are the standard factors as to why though: Price point, people who haven't upgraded, and a large number of iPhone users. As Zerilos said though, none of those factors show that there is or isn't a demand for larger screens.

My personal belief is the iPhone's screen size isn't hurting its sales. It's the lack of interest. iPhones feel "stale". While a bump to a 4.3 or 4.5" screen might help, it wouldn't be enough. What needs to change is the look of the phone and it's UI. It needs to re-wow people. Screen size isn't something that will factor into that very much at this point. It's all about feeling fresh, and being marketed as such.

 

[TallGuy1970]

Because millions upon millions of people all over the world want one. It does not matter if people should want these. They just do.

Care to cite a source for your information, since the OP has shared actual data, not just opinion based on nothing?!

 

[lordofthereef]

Just because the people who want larger screens are more vocal about it does not mean they are in the majority.

If everyone wanted ridiculously large screens than the iphone wouldnt be the number one selling phone in the US

People fail to point out that screen size isn't the only variable. Maybe screen size matters a lot to me, but the OS, and the integration of that OS with other devices I own matters more?

That is the trouble with simply comparing the number of larger screened phones to smaller screen phone sales numbers; the comparison assumes that the only selling point is said screen size.

----------

Care to cite a source for your information, since the OP has shared actual data, not just opinion based on nothing?!

The only data out there, really, is that millions and millions of these larger screened phones have been sold. So, the statement isn't an opinion based on absolutely nothing. As I mention above, though, it is hard to take a phone with a large screen and definitively say that all sales went to this phone simply because of screen size.

 

[Tinmania]

The only data out there, really, is that millions and millions of these larger screened phones have been sold. So, the statement isn't an opinion based on absolutely nothing. As I mention above, though, it is hard to take a phone with a large screen and definitively say that all sales went to this phone simply because of screen size.

I already cited 5 million Note 2s being sold in the first 2 months. It would be naive, in that case, to think the primary motivation for buying it was not its large screen. But even if screen-size was the reason for only 50% of the sales.... there is the proof for the assertion that millions of people want large screen phones. Personally, I can't believe anyone would even question that assertion.

If Apple doesn't want to address that, fine. Personally, I think they are only alienating a part of the market--or even current customers. In my case I used an iPhone since the very beginning but, disappointed in the size of the iPhone 5, moved on to something with a larger screen. Plenty of people right here on MR have said the same thing.



Michael

 

[MVRL]

tbh, I am happy with iP5's screen real estate and don't care for a bigger screen.

 

[SILen(e]

@Zerilos

And you can't get a high end Android device with a screen smaller than 4.7".

But there ARE cheap devices with huge screens, many of them made by some cheap chinese brands but also devices like the Galax Mega.

How are their sales?

Or the Dell Streak from 2010, with its 5" display.

You won't find new models of that series from Dell because few people bought one.

Or the Galaxy Note.

If people wanted the biggest phones possible, Samsungs best selling high end model wouldn't be the Galaxy S but the Galaxy Note (which is essentially a bigger Galaxy S).

They could have next years Galaxy S display size now, by buying the Note (2014s Galaxy S will probably have an even larger screen, 5.3" or so).

But they buy the S instead.

@lordofthereef

There are 50 million Android smartphones with a display larger than 4.3 inches - and a billion Android devices and iPhones with a display smaller than 4.3 inches.

 

[rareohs]

My personal belief is the iPhone's screen size isn't hurting its sales. It's the lack of interest. iPhones feel "stale". While a bump to a 4.3 or 4.5" screen might help, it wouldn't be enough. What needs to change is the look of the phone and it's UI. It needs to re-wow people. Screen size isn't something that will factor into that very much at this point. It's all about feeling fresh, and being marketed as such.

While I 100% think the iPhone needs to have a larger screen, yours is a very, very solid comment about the iPhone interface being stale and needing to "re-wow." Couldn't have said it better.

 

[3rd Rock]

Current iphone size is just right for me.. If it were not, I would have migrated over to the larger/wider Android phone some time ago. If Apple decided to go wider, and not keep the same size iphone 5 with it, I would try to look else where or not bother if not. It's not a toy for me, its a tool.

Wondering why don't you wider folks just leave and buy the other wider ones from Samsung instead of complaining so much from here ? Real simple

 

[BaldiMac]

This argument is invalid. What was the screen-size market share last year? Most phones were 3.5"-4.3" in the past, so obviously they'll have more share. But since the advent of larger sizes, I'll bet the market share has dropped.

The vast majority of Android devices were sold since Jan 1, 2012. According to IDC, there were around 815 million Android phones shipped by the end of 2012. 493 million in 2012 alone. Probably another 160+ million in Q1 2013.

So, off the cuff, that's around 70% of Android phones were shipped in the last 15 months.

 

[Blakjack]

It's crazy cause we know for a fact that Apple is going to eventually make a bigger phone. I'm just curious as to what their reasoning will be when they do it.

 

[lordofthereef]

I already cited 5 million Note 2s being sold in the first 2 months. It would be naive, in that case, to think the primary motivation for buying it was not its large screen. But even if screen-size was the reason for only 50% of the sales.... there is the proof for the assertion that millions of people want large screen phones. Personally, I can't believe anyone would even question that assertion.

If Apple doesn't want to address that, fine. Personally, I think they are only alienating a part of the market--or even current customers. In my case I used an iPhone since the very beginning but, disappointed in the size of the iPhone 5, moved on to something with a larger screen. Plenty of people right here on MR have said the same thing.



Michael

Why on earth would it be naive? I am on your side here, by the way, in that I would like a bigger screen too, but I don't think it's naive to say that there very well could be other reasons people are buying these devices. One reason might be battery life. AFAIK Note 2 is at the top of the list in terms of battery life. That seems to be a huge thing on other people's minds. The note also has a stylus, which is also something people are talking about.

My entire point was there are many variables, not just screen size, tha come into play with these devices. I don't doubt many are choosing it for the size of the screen, but saying that people are only choosing the note 2 by merit of screen size alone is not looking at the entire picture.

 

[Hankster]

@Hankster

Apple IS selling volumes!

http://www.businessinsider.com/jefferies-iphone-5-sales-are-decelerating-faster-than-expected-2013-2

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323809304578428631511414580.html

http://investorplace.com/2013/04/wednesday-apple-rumors-weak-iphone-5-sales-dent-foxconn/

You were saying? Everyone who wants an iPhone already has one. Frankly, a few small hardware upgrades will not be a strong enough reason for the masses to upgrade to the i5S.

But, since you are so certain of Apple's future...just wait and see. When/If Apple launches the same size phone this fall lets see how well it sells.

It's crazy cause we know for a fact that Apple is going to eventually make a bigger phone. I'm just curious as to what their reasoning will be when they do it.

Exactly. When the iPhone came out they advertised how it was the "perfect screen size". But, now that they made it taller they change their stance on the "perfect screen size". They did the exact same thing with the iPad...and now we have the iPad Mini.

 

[Tinmania]

Why on earth would it be naive? I am on your side here, by the way, in that I would like a bigger screen too, but I don't think it's naive to say that there very well could be other reasons people are buying these devices. One reason might be battery life. AFAIK Note 2 is at the top of the list in terms of battery life. That seems to be a huge thing on other people's minds. The note also has a stylus, which is also something people are talking about.

My entire point was there are many variables, not just screen size, tha come into play with these devices. I don't doubt many are choosing it for the size of the screen, but saying that people are only choosing the note 2 by merit of screen size alone is not looking at the entire picture.

I wasn't saying you were naive. I was saying arguing with the assertion that "millions of people want larger screens" (larger than the iPhone) is. There have been at least 50 million large-screen Android devices sold. All it takes for "millions" is 2 million. I stand by my assertion that it is naive to think less than 2 million people in the world want larger screens.

By the way, wanting a larger screen and wanting other features are not mutually-exclusive. I wanted the battery life of my Note 2 but that doesn't mean I didn't also want a larger screen. I still count in that (at the very least) 2 million.




Michael

 

[BaldiMac]

http://www.businessinsider.com/jefferies-iphone-5-sales-are-decelerating-faster-than-expected-2013-2

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323809304578428631511414580.html

http://investorplace.com/2013/04/wednesday-apple-rumors-weak-iphone-5-sales-dent-foxconn/

You were saying?

I suppose the fact that those articles were contradicted by Apple's actual sales numbers wouldn't affect your point.

Everyone who wants an iPhone already has one.

And yet sales continue to increase year over year. Strange.

Frankly, a few small hardware upgrades will not be a strong enough reason for the masses to upgrade to the i5S.

Simply coming off their 2 year contracts will be a strong enough reason for the masses to upgrade to the next iPhone.

 

[Zerilos]

@Zerilos

And you can't get a high end Android device with a screen smaller than 4.7".

But there ARE cheap devices with huge screens, many of them made by some cheap chinese brands but also devices like the Galax Mega.

How are their sales?

Or the Dell Streak from 2010, with its 5" display.

You won't find new models of that series from Dell because few people bought one.

Or the Galaxy Note.

If people wanted the biggest phones possible, Samsungs best selling high end model wouldn't be the Galaxy S but the Galaxy Note (which is essentially a bigger Galaxy S).

They could have next years Galaxy S display size now, by buying the Note (2014s Galaxy S will probably have an even larger screen, 5.3" or so).

But they buy the S instead.
.

Nobody said this was about "buying the biggest phone possible". I’d agree that when it comes to screen size there is a point of diminishing returns; even fans of large phones will agree that there is such a thing as too large (e.g. there will never be a market for a 20” smartphone even though it’s technically possible). So just because 4.8” phones sell better than 5.5” phones doesn’t prove than people don’t want phones larger than 4.3” (the definition of larger phone that the OP introduced). Also a large screen still has to be a functional device if people are going to want to buy it. You can have a 5” screen, but if it has 2 hours battery life and constantly reboots, people aren’t going to purchase it over a $100 3.5” screen that’s reliable and has decent battery life. Obviously, even for people wanting a larger screen, there are other factors to be considered and screen size alone is not sufficient; however all other things being equal I’m absolutely convinced that large screen phones have a sizable market. Also, I clearly pointed out that not everyone wants a larger screen, but rather my point was that the fact that most Android phones are smaller screens is not an indication that most people don’t want larger screens. It’s just a fact that large screen phones sell for more than smaller phones. I would suggest you try something: go to a Cricket dealer or Virgin Mobile and look to see if they are selling any Android phones with 4.3+” screens for less than $150; without a contract and using a SoC that’s better than 1Ghz/dual core and .5gigs RAM. You won’t find any. I can’t vouch for the Chinese market, but I’m going to guess it’s the same thing.

 

[freediverdude]

I'm glad you asked. So I went to the wayback machine and checked historical data on the Android developer dashboard. It only goes back to May 1, 2012 and on that day the percentage were as follows:
Normal (3.5"-4.3") - 85.6%
Large (4.3"-7") - 2.3%

On Oct 1, 2012, the percentages were:
Normal (3.5"-4.3") - 86.6%
Large (4.3"-7") - 6.1%

So we have somewhat inconclusive results. The percentage of devices with normal screen sizes stayed somewhat constant last year and has dipped this year. Meanwhile, the number of large screen devices grew rapidly last year, but the percentage of large screen devices was higher in Oct 2012 that it is today (6.1% vs 5.7%). I'm not going to pretend to offer an analysis of that, I'll let the data speak for itself.

Most of us (including tech bloggers who tend to cluster in the NYC/Silicon Valley regions) tend to draw conclusions based on what we see around us which is why we think "everyone" wants a large screen phone. I travel a bit and spend a lot of time waiting for stuff so I look around at what phones people use. In many of these countries where phone sales are skyrocketing, phone subsidies are low to non existent, so buyers are price sensitive. Based on my observation (non-scientific so ymmv) the general population (not the tech geeks) of India, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam are buying touch screen mid range type phones because they are "cool." These are in the "normal" screen size category and generally run between $150-300. This is where all the growth in handset volumes is currently. Note I left out Hong Kong and Singapore because the more affluent population there tends to gravitate toward the latest/greatest handset.

That's very interesting. I did not know what the cell phone market was like in Asia. Apple (and the android manufacturers too) probably do have to think in terms of worldwide, and not just what the tech bloggers and relatively wealthy people in certain areas want. Hence why certain brands that we think of as second-tier android devices that are offered for free in the US on contract or relatively low cost unsubsidized, probably do very well worldwide. I myself was tempted to buy one of those less-than-$200 handsets from places like DealExtreme just to see how good/usable they are.