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

[LostSoul80]

People would buy an Apple refrigerator if it ever comes out. Doesn't mean Apple should release one.

Why is that? Who decides what Apple should or shouldn't release?
If Apple Fridges would sell well, it'd be in their interest selling them.

On the bright side, a smart fridge with a new design would totally end in my house.

 

[Stuntman06]

Because those people want a bigger iPhone.

They are just expressing their opinions and trying to nag apple into making the phone they want.

Apparently Apple is listening: https://www.macrumors.com/2013/07/22/apple-testing-screens-for-a-larger-iphone-and-a-13-inch-ipad/

 

[BaldiMac]

Why is that?

Why is what?

Who decides what Apple should or shouldn't release?

Apple.

If Apple Fridges would sell well, it'd be in their interest selling them.

I think you missed the point.

On the bright side, a smart fridge with a new design would totally end in my house.

 

[SR45]

Some have said Apple should make a 4.3 inch screen, which would be perfect, than someone else said they thought a 4.5 inch screen would be perfect, than another 4.7 inch screen, and another said a 5 inch screen, just because Samsung has one.

If apple builds a phone that is 4.3 inches in the same identical form factor, than that would be OK some say including me, but someone else will come along soon after, and complain about that. It will never end. The whining will continue no matter what. Apple has said they wanted a phone to feel comfortable using one hand, and I hope they continue this. Going for different sizes to please fanatics is a non starter for the app developers, and apple will not do this.

If you want a wider phone, bigger phone, no one is stopping you from going else where today. So go, be happy

----------

Apparently Apple is listening: https://www.macrumors.com/2013/07/22/apple-testing-screens-for-a-larger-iphone-and-a-13-inch-ipad/

No they are really not...

"Reports of larger screen sizes for Apple's iPhone model are not new. Multiple reports have already suggested that Apple has been experimenting with screen sizes as large as 5.7" for the iPhone."

Read something like this a few years ago. Apple is always experimenting on different phones. Always. Does not mean they will.

 

[LostSoul80]

Why is what?

It was clearly referred to the final part of the quote, "Doesn't mean Apple should release one".

Apple.

That was a rhetoric question.

I think you missed the point.

Actually, yes. What's the point of your post? What does it add to the discussion?

People would buy an Apple refrigerator if it ever comes out. Doesn't mean Apple should release one.

 

[BaldiMac]

It was clearly referred to the final part of the quote, "Doesn't mean Apple should release one".

Clearly. It's just that the question does not make sense. Unless you think Apple has an obligation to release a fridge.

Actually, yes. What's the point of your post? What does it add to the discussion?

The point was that the fact that some people want a bigger phone does not mean that Apple should release one. There are always trade offs.

 

[ManicMarc]

For those saying they don't want to have to use 2 hands on a bigger screen consider this...on Android they give you the 'back' button on the bottom menu bar, which eliminates the need to reach the top-left corner 'back' button. It was actually easier to use one-handed than my iPhone 5 (my opinion, obviously). That back button on Android is actually very intelligent...it always knew whether I wanted to go just back one screen within an app, or whether I wanted to go to the home screen.

I know that Apple is known as the company with the most human touch, and that's true to an extent, but Google really made some things intuitive with their interface.

Another thing they nailed is the multitasking button. It is rather inelegant and clunky to have to double-tap a physical button to switch apps, then reach the left side of the screen for your most recent app. On Android, two taps of the screen (close together, for a righty) and you're there. Much more "human-centred" than Apple's antiquated approach.

But Android has two back buttons, the one at the bottom which goes back to the previous screen, and the one the in the top left which goes back (or up) in the apps navigational hierarchy.

 

[LostSoul80]

Clearly. It's just that the question does not make sense. Unless you think Apple has an obligation to release a fridge.

How does that question not make sense? I asked why a company would avoid selling a product that would sell well.
As I said in a previous post, if Apple Fridges would sell well, Apple would sell them. Apple has zero knowledge about fridges, and there is no reason why Apple would stand out from other well-known competitors in that department, unless they come up with something new.
Remember that Apple produced only computers some 7 years ago, and even if bold, your fridges could be the phones in that time.

Notice how this can apply to any company. In our society, companies exist in order to sell goods and earn money through margins.

But this is really getting off topic, so I'd like you to stop talking about fridges.

The point was that the fact that some people want a bigger phone does not mean that Apple should release one. There are always trade offs.

Right, so Apple didn't release a 4" phone because of the demand of a phone with a bigger screen. They just liked the number 4, used in the naming of previous models.
Apple, as any other company, can live as long as it listens to their potential costumers' demand. Understanding what the demand is, is the key part, and there is potentially a large base willing to upgrade to, say, a 4.5" screen. As I said, bigger screen means more possibilities of interactions with both OS and applications, while potentially providing a better media experience (unless you prefer smaller screens to view videos, play games, etc. In this case, you're deviating from most people's preferences).

As for tradeoffs, care to list them? Again, I think your post doesn't add much, if anything, to the discussion.
Larger screen with a larger body would allow more modules installed, along with a larger battery, for example. I can think about it not fitting in your pocket as well as a smaller device, but .3–.5 inches screen wise won't harm anyone.

 

[rooneyr]

I have the iPhone 5 and I'm starting to feel the need of having a bigger screen too... My phone does everything I need (and more = not complaining) but when I have an S4 next to my iPhone, it feels as if iOS was somehow unnaturally cramped onto a "small" 4" display.

I am also starting to wonder if devices with bigger displays are beginning to look better from a "fashion" point of view. When the first note came out it looked super-weird, but now.. I don't know. Maybe it's just me exaggerating. After all, it's "just" a phone.

 

[BaldiMac]

How does that question not make sense? I asked why a company would avoid selling a product that would sell well.

Except I didn't say a company would avoid selling a product that would sell well. I said the fact that people would buy something doesn't mean that Apple should sell it.

As I said in a previous post, if Apple Fridges would sell well, Apple would sell them. Apple has zero knowledge about fridges, and there is no reason why Apple would stand out from other well-known competitors in that department, unless they come up with something new.
Remember that Apple produced only computers some 7 years ago, and even if bold, your fridges could be the phones in that time.

Notice how this can apply to any company. In our society, companies exist in order to sell goods and earn money through margins.

Seems like you simply didn't understand what I wrote. I never said that they should or shouldn't sell them. And I never said that they would sell well. It wasn't about fridges. You can substitute any product into the analogy.

But this is really getting off topic, so I'd like you to stop talking about fridges.

Only if you can't understand an analogy.

Apple, as any other company, can live as long as it listens to their potential costumers' demand. Understanding what the demand is, is the key part, and there is potentially a large base willing to upgrade to, say, a 4.5" screen.

How many additional customers would Apple gain by releasing a 4.5" phone?

As I said, bigger screen means more possibilities of interactions with both OS and applications, while potentially providing a better media experience (unless you prefer smaller screens to view videos, play games, etc. In this case, you're deviating from most people's preferences).

Yep. There are benefits. But you obviously can understand that at some point the benefits are outweighed by negatives. We aren't going to be walking around with smartphones with 10" rigid glass screens.

As for tradeoffs, care to list them?

Sure...

Size
Weight
Number of pixels to drive
One handed operation
Developer support
Homogeneity of the platform
Engineering focus (if in addition to smaller phone)
Etc.

Personally, I don't care if Apple releases a bigger screen or not. The iPhone 4S meets my needs. The iPhone 5 would as well. If Apple releases a 4.5" phone, it would probably be fine as well, because I trust Apple to address the tradeoffs in a reasonable manner based on their history.

Mostly, I think it's crazy that people are arguing over half an inch.

 

[LostSoul80]

Except I didn't say a company would avoid selling a product that would sell well. I said the fact that people would buy something doesn't mean that Apple should sell it.

I see you are repeating yourself, apparently missing what I wrote.
Why are you stating "the fact that people would buy something doesn't mean that Apple should sell it"? Only Apple can say that referring to a 5" phone. In fact, Apple should sell any product it sees as successful on the market. Notice that it is in a company's interest to gain profit through all the best possible ways.

It is obvious that I implied a 4.x" iPhone would sell well, in case you missed it. And that is my opinion on it.

Seems like you simply didn't understand what I wrote. I never said that they should or shouldn't sell them. And I never said that they would sell well. It wasn't about fridges. You can substitute any product into the analogy.

Seems like you didn't get what I wrote. Replace "Apple Fridges" with "4.3 inches iPhone" and you have the same conclusion for both. (Aside from Apple's zero knowledge on Fridges, obviously).
Also, I never quoted you saying anything you have just written, so why are you stating "I never said..."? I think what I wrote is crystal clear, feel free to ask for any clarification if you need.

Only if you can't understand an analogy.

Talking about how a company should sell a potentially successful product is trivial, and is by itself off topic. I guess you can head to a forum with a focus on basic economy concepts, and post there.
I was asking to stop discussing about such an obvious concept. I'll renew it, and will just ignore any further comment on your part.

How many additional customers would Apple gain by releasing a 4.5" phone?

49,321,910 customers. Perhaps 49,321,911, depending on my feelings when at the Apple Store.

Judging by many people's request on it, I'd tend to say there is a potentially large base.

Yep. There are benefits. But you obviously can understand that at some point the benefits are outweighed by negatives. We aren't going to be walking around with smartphones with 10" rigid glass screens.

We are talking about an increase in screen size which at the very maximum could be 1 inch. I have never stated anything about what you just wrote.

Sure...

Size
Weight
Number of pixels to drive
One handed operation
Developer support
Homogeneity of the platform
Engineering focus (if in addition to smaller phone)
Etc.

Size and weight with a maximum 1 inch increase in screen size would be negligible.
The number of pixels does not make sense at all. There are rumors about 4K tablets with a 8 or so inches display. That is not related to screen size.
As for one handed operation, I guess that's a valid point generally speaking, but I don't think it'd be a big deal when passing on a, say, 4.5" phone.
Developer support? Assuming you are referring to fragmentation within applications, you're leaving the user perspective. That is up to Apple to solve, if they opt for a larger screen.
Also, what do you mean by "Homogeneity of the platform" and "Engineering focus"?

This post will probably result difficult to read because of the multiple quotes, sorry for that.

 

[Italianblend]

"Everyone" who says apple needs to make a bigger screen simply want a bigger screen. There's no controversy, there's no conspiracy, and its never a bad thing to tell a company what you want to see next.

 

[eckono]

I don't see what the big deal is about not making a phone with a larger screen. I left the iPhone 5 and went to the GS4, 5 inches is perfect for me but I'd be content with 4.5. There should be 2 options, period. Those who want to stick with the 4 inch and this who want bigger. I don't see what the big deal is. People are so used to Apple telling them what they want and need. If apple comes out with a 4.5 or 5 inch iPhone i'd never buy another android again. I switched because of the screen mainly. The same people saying apple should not release a bigger phone all rushed to get the iPhone 5 when they found out about that 4 inch screen. If apple would have released 2 iphones at launch one with a 5 inch screen and one with a 4 inch screen, Samsung would not have stolen their customers the way they did.

 

[Italianblend]

Right. There is no big deal. People act as if you are somehow wrong if you want a bigger screen. Grow upppppp

 

[jread]

If you have dainty little fingers, the iPhone 5's 4" screen is probably fine. I have big hands/fingers, so it is really cramped for me. I would like a 4.5-5" screen personally, and if I had this I would probably have no need for an iPad (which is probably another reason Apple wants to keep the screen small).

 

[SILen(e]

Engineering focus (if in addition to smaller phone)

That's a very good point.

When you look at Samsung, you see the Galaxy S 3 and Galaxy S 3 Mini, the Galaxy S 4 and Galaxy S 4 Mini.

Both Mini-models are actually big, in comparison to the iPhone (S 3 Mini in comparison to the iPhone 4S).
Both are also not even remotely similar on specs to the non-Mini models, with low resolution screens, just a small margin of the performance and both are aimed at the 300-400€ price range, while the original models were sold for 550€ and higher.

There's no way Apple will replace the 4" screen with a rumored 5.7" screen for the original iPhone, so it's more likely that - if that will ever happen - we will see an additional iPhone, an iPhone Maxi if you would like to call it that way.

But what specs will it have in comparison to the regular iPhone?

Will it be better, an iPhone Pro?

Will it have the same performance? What's the benefit of having an iPhone Maxi then? Just the larger screen?

What would its price be?
People think "Bigger = Better = More expensive" - but it's actually the other way round, cramming the same hardware into a smaller case is more expensive, so selling it for less would like very strange, selling it for more would have a much higher margin than the regular iPhone.

Selling it for less would actually be reasonable, because IF it would be an answer to the threat that are bigger Android devices - those who buy Android
are statistically earning less than the average iPhone owner.
If you target Android buyers with a bigger phone, you also need to sell it for a lower price.

Why are you stating "the fact that people would buy something doesn't mean that Apple should sell it"? Only Apple can say that referring to a 5" phone. In fact, Apple should sell any product it sees as successful on the market.


We are talking about an increase in screen size which at the very maximum could be 1 inch. I have never stated anything about what you just wrote.


Also, what do you mean by "Homogeneity of the platform" and "Engineering focus"?

1. No, Apple should NOT sell anything that would sell (well).

The awesome thing about Apple is, that you can point someone to Apple.com and tell him to buy the MacBook Air.

There are four models and they are clearly discernible from screen size and storage capacity.
Two 11" models, one with 128GB SSD, the other one with 256GB SSD and two 13" models, again with the same storage options.

Click on SELECT and you'll find the option to increase the CPU-speed or RAM size, with both options available on ALL of the models - and both upgrades are usually not exactly necessary for an average user.
The 256GB models also have the option to increase the size of the SSD to 512GB, but that too, is something that the average user doesn't need to upgrade.

Four options and a few possible upgrades, that aren't necessary for an average user.

Try the same with Hewlett Packard...

Too bad they stopped selling Netbooks, getting to understand the countless different options available when selecting a Netbook was the best example on how not to do it.

They got Ultrabooks, Chromebooks, WTF is the difference between the ENVY and the Pavilion line (there are Pavilion Chromebooks, but ignoring them, at first i thought Pavilion might be the line of Notebooks sporting AMD CPUs - but i was wrong, there are also ones with Intel CPUs.

Why buy the Essential Home laptop with an Intel processor (the other one with an AMD E1-1500 is not much more than an oversized netbook) and not the HP Pavilion 15z-e000? They cost almost the same, have similar specs but are in completely different categories.




What i tried to show here: Don't sell something just because!

Apple is the one great company with someone who is able to say "No" at the top, that is a very important trait.

Without it, you would be developing the next Microsoft Kin and would make your potential customers scratch their heads in your online store, because they wouldn't have the slightest idea which device to buy.

2. A 5 inch iPhone? Too bad, that won't be released before 2014 and Samsung has never stopped increasing the size of their phones, the Galaxy S 5 will probably have a 5.2 or 5.3" screen.

The iPhone Maxi will look small in comparison and all those bitching about the 4" iPhone screen will bitch about the "small" 5" iPhone screen.

3. Engineering focus is what is described in my answer to BaldiMacs quote.

Well, it's a bit more, its also how to engineer two devices at the same time, will they share components, will one model re-use last year's components from the other model?

Which iPad is the "hero" - the iPad or the iPad Mini? What will happen if more people buy the Mini instead of the regular sized one - will they switch focus?

 

[LostSoul80]

1. No, Apple should NOT sell anything that would sell (well).

...
[snip]
...

What i tried to show here: Don't sell something just because!

Apple is the one great company with someone who is able to say "No" at the top, that is a very important trait.

Without it, you would be developing the next Microsoft Kin and would make your potential customers scratch their heads in your online store, because they wouldn't have the slightest idea which device to buy.

I have never said Apple should sell anything that would sell well. I was explicitly referring to a phone with a screen larger than 4".

We are not talking about creating an innovative boomerang with wifi and NFC, so you can pay from your table at any place. We are talking about adapting a phone to a certain demand of users, which is extremely reasonable. Successful companies keep innovating their products, and adapt them to their potential user base's demands. These demands can change over time. This can apply to any company in every field.

2. A 5 inch iPhone? Too bad, that won't be released before 2014 and Samsung has never stopped increasing the size of their phones, the Galaxy S 5 will probably have a 5.2 or 5.3" screen.

The iPhone Maxi will look small in comparison and all those bitching about the 4" iPhone screen will bitch about the "small" 5" iPhone screen.

That seems obvious from all analysts reports and rumors we have. I agree.

3. Engineering focus is what is described in my answer to BaldiMacs quote.

Well, it's a bit more, its also how to engineer two devices at the same time, will they share components, will one model re-use last year's components from the other model?

Which iPad is the "hero" - the iPad or the iPad Mini? What will happen if more people buy the Mini instead of the regular sized one - will they switch focus?

That is just a wrong point of view.
You are not head to the technical department at Apple. You are an end user, who should care about the potential phone features he would like to have.

Arguing about possible technical solutions here is of no interest whatsoever. You do not know the ideas, patents, people behind Apple's technical departments, and you have no idea what is possible to them and what is not.
Leave that to Apple, we should discuss about what do we want.

 

[Italianblend]

What exactly are we debating here?

Are some of you saying that people should not want a bigger screen? -who are you to tell me what I should want?

Now, there might be plenty of reasons that apple decides not to do it. And that is fine. But I think those of you who think nobody should want a bigger screen is just either trolling for responses, which is fine on a forum, or completely ignoring the wants of others knowing that people who don't want a larger iPhone are "correct."

 

[bmac4]

Yep. There are benefits. But you obviously can understand that at some point the benefits are outweighed by negatives. We aren't going to be walking around with smartphones with 10" rigid glass screens.



Sure...

Size
Weight
Number of pixels to drive
One handed operation
Developer support
Homogeneity of the platform
Engineering focus (if in addition to smaller phone)
Etc.

These negatives don't really hold water when you are talking about a 4.5 - 5 phone.

Size- that is all based on preference. You may not like it, but millions of other people will. I am not a big fan of the 4inch screen on my 5, but does that make it a negative for Apple? No I still bought the phone I just don't love the screen size.

Weight- really do you think an 1/2 to an inch would add that much weight? That may be your worst argument. Again this has a lot to do with preference. I want a heavier phone, but you may not. We both buy iPhones, so it looks like we would still buy a heavier one.

Number of Pixels to drive- have you heard of something called the S4 and HTC One? They both have a bigger screen and higher pixel density than the iPhone. What about the ipad 4? Yea I am pretty sure this would be a none issue for Apple.

One hand operation- I have the nexus 4 and it is 4.7 I believe, and I have no issue at all with one handed use. Again we are talking about 1/2 an inch. I am pretty sure unless you have tiny hands you should be fine. This is Apples big selling point with the iPhone. I don't think they would mess with that, and none of the sizes we are talking about would mess with that.

Developer support- ?. How would this effect developers? From every rumor I have heard they would do the same thing that they did with the ipad mini, and developers change nothing.

Homogeneity in the platform- what do you mean? There are 2 sizes of almost every line Apple has. Why can't the iPhone be the same. I am not sure what you are trying to say here.

Engineering focus- again what about the ipad mini. Does not seem to hurt the iPad. Why would it be any different for the iPhone?

I just see none of these things as negatives, and I think you are pulling at straws for these in the first place. We are talking most likely not even an inch.

 

[g35]

I just see none of these things as negatives, and I think you are pulling at straws for these in the first place. We are talking most likely not even an inch.

I never get the thing about developer support. Developers will bend over backwards to program for iOS, as they have for the past 5 years. They aren't going to abandon the platform because you increased their work by 2%. And any app worth its salt should have been coded in a way that allows for easy extensibility to various screen sizes. If you decided to write it with absolute positioning for every element in 2008, made everything 2x in 2010, then maybe it's time to do it the right way.

 

[DiCaprioAngel]

The reason why I didn't go for the Samsung galaxy phones is because they're too big for my liking. That's why I went with the iPhone 5 - perfect width size for me. I don't need a phone any wider than this. I don't know why everyone's crazy for a bigger iPhone, but to each their own.

 

[bmac4]

The reason why I didn't go for the Samsung galaxy phones is because they're too big for my liking. That's why I went with the iPhone 5 - perfect width size for me. I don't need a phone any wider than this. I don't know why everyone's crazy for a bigger iPhone, but to each their own.

Those are your needs not everyone's needs. We all need other different things. We are not asking Apple to abandon the 4 inch just offer different bigger sizes.

 

[DiCaprioAngel]

Those are your needs not everyone's needs. We all need other different things. We are not asking Apple to abandon the 4 inch just offer different bigger sizes.

I believe eventually they will make bigger sizes I just don't think they should go as big as a galaxy note because that phone is ridiculously big.

 

[bmac4]

I believe eventually they will make bigger sizes I just don't think they should go as big as a galaxy note because that phone is ridiculously big.

Oh no, and I don't think they will. Me and a lot of other people just want a little wider phone. Nothing to big.

 

[BaldiMac]

These negatives don't really hold water when you are talking about a 4.5 - 5 phone.

Size- that is all based on preference. You may not like it, but millions of other people will. I am not a big fan of the 4inch screen on my 5, but does that make it a negative for Apple? No I still bought the phone I just don't love the screen size.

Weight- really do you think an 1/2 to an inch would add that much weight? That may be your worst argument. Again this has a lot to do with preference. I want a heavier phone, but you may not. We both buy iPhones, so it looks like we would still buy a heavier one.

Number of Pixels to drive- have you heard of something called the S4 and HTC One? They both have a bigger screen and higher pixel density than the iPhone. What about the ipad 4? Yea I am pretty sure this would be a none issue for Apple.

One hand operation- I have the nexus 4 and it is 4.7 I believe, and I have no issue at all with one handed use. Again we are talking about 1/2 an inch. I am pretty sure unless you have tiny hands you should be fine. This is Apples big selling point with the iPhone. I don't think they would mess with that, and none of the sizes we are talking about would mess with that.

Developer support- ?. How would this effect developers? From every rumor I have heard they would do the same thing that they did with the ipad mini, and developers change nothing.

Homogeneity in the platform- what do you mean? There are 2 sizes of almost every line Apple has. Why can't the iPhone be the same. I am not sure what you are trying to say here.

Engineering focus- again what about the ipad mini. Does not seem to hurt the iPad. Why would it be any different for the iPhone?

I just see none of these things as negatives, and I think you are pulling at straws for these in the first place.

You are taking my post out of context. I was simply listing the tradeoffs of a bigger screens. I was not trying to create reasons why the iPhone shouldn't have a bigger screen. Because I don't care if the screen size changes or stays the same.

We are talking most likely not even an inch.

Exactly! Half an inch even! Which is why all these arguments that Apple needs to increase screen size or else are so ridiculous to me.

Developer support- ?. How would this effect developers? From every rumor I have heard they would do the same thing that they did with the ipad mini, and developers change nothing.

Do you really think that they would reduce the pixel density of a new, bigger iPhone? That seems unreasonable to me.