why is the iphone screen so small

[vitzr]

i never really noticed this but when i went to look at some new phones yesterday it dawned on em that the iphones screen is tiny compared to most of the competition

Originally 3.5" was a large display.

However, sadly, Apple is behind the times and resistant to change. Even considering the rumor they may increase the size. It will still be on the small size.

Apple claims they innovate but actually they are a conservative company. Since the average high end Android is 4.3" Apple will refuse to use that size since they cannot claim exclusivity. Therefore they will likely cap the size at only 4.0"

 

[rhinosrcool]

It's weird. Just 4 years ago, the idea of a 3.5" screen on a phone was unheard of and revolutionary. Now it's "small". How much real estate does one need on a phone?

4 years ago many tech things were top of the line that today are considered lower tech. If all you use your phone is for calls, you don't even need a smartphone. For those of us that do many things plus calling on our smartphones, many of us would really like a larger screen.

 

[TC25]

However, sadly, Apple is behind the times and resistant to change.

Total crock. Screen size and overall size is a design judgement call and will always be a compromise. It's not a right or wrong decision and to label it as 'behind the times' reveals more about those who believe that than it does Apple.

 

[Stealthipad]

I thought the iP4 screen was normal till I used my SG2. I still love and use my iP4 but the screen looks tiny in comparison.

Hoping the iP5 is at least a little larger.

 

[Lukeyy19]

i never really noticed this but when i went to look at some new phones yesterday it dawned on em that the iphones screen is tiny compared to most of the competition

because it's a mobile phone.

mobile
adjective |ˈmōbəl, -ˌbīl|
1 - able to move or be moved freely or easily

 

[ah123]

Originally 3.5" was a large display.

However, sadly, Apple is behind the times and resistant to change. Even considering the rumor they may increase the size. It will still be on the small size.

Apple claims they innovate but actually they are a conservative company. Since the average high end Android is 4.3" Apple will refuse to use that size since they cannot claim exclusivity. Therefore they will likely cap the size at only 4.0"

What does screen size have to do with innovation? So another company puts out a phone with a bigger screen. Does this make them innovative or do they just have an inferiority complex so must make things bigger to make them 'better'.

IMO, Apple might not have the biggest screen or biggest phone, but what they do put out will generally be much better (from a usability POV) than other devices.

 

[Robby S]

i never really noticed this but when i went to look at some new phones yesterday it dawned on em that the iphones screen is tiny compared to most of the competition

I'd hardly call the iPhone screen "tiny" in comparison. Sure, it's smaller than a lot of the Android phones...visually, what else are those phones going to sell themselves on? iPhone stands out on its own - Android phones have to compete with each other as well as Apple.

While I will agree that there is room for Apple to increase the screen size, what really matters is the pixel density because for any given size, that's what defines how much you can fit on the screen and how detailed it is. To that end, nothing I have seen on any other device has bettered the iPhone in terms of display, and I have never, ever found it "tiny" in real world use.

 

[Tilpots]

Never once even with the 4.5" infuse did I have an issue of it not fitting in my pockets.

You're probably young and wear loose clothes. Ever notice all the middle age guys with all the belt clips? They ain't for the iPhone.

 

[BlindMellon]

Originally 3.5" was a large display.

However, sadly, Apple is behind the times and resistant to change. Even considering the rumor they may increase the size. It will still be on the small size.

Apple claims they innovate but actually they are a conservative company. Since the average high end Android is 4.3" Apple will refuse to use that size since they cannot claim exclusivity. Therefore they will likely cap the size at only 4.0"

Oh, if only they'd go 4"!!

 

[moargolems]

I love the current 3,5" retina display, but wouldn't mind if it was a little bit bigger.

Doesn't really matter, because I'm not upgrading.

 

[rhinosrcool]

because it's a mobile phone.

mobile
adjective |ˈmōbəl, -ˌbīl|
1 - able to move or be moved freely or easily

Say what? Regardless of screen size, all cell phones are mobile phones. If a phone has a 4+ screen, you can't move freely? If you're saying that you can fit only a phone with a 3.5" screen in your pocket, I say hogwash!

 

[Mic-Yo]

Say what? Regardless of screen size, all cell phones are mobile phones. If a phone has a 4+ screen, you can't move freely? If you're saying that you can fit only a phone with a 3.5" screen in your pocket, I say hogwash!

Definitely you are right, but personally , i like the one with a 4+screen, actually 4 screen is ok , i can put it into my handbag. It's convenient for a girl , maybe not same to a male

 

[boss.king]

because it's a mobile phone.

mobile
adjective |ˈmōbəl, -ˌbīl|
1 - able to move or be moved freely or easily

If a device bigger than an iPhone impedes your movement you might need to see a doctor, sounds like there's something seriously wrong.

Btw, a tablet (eg: the iPad) is defined as a mobile computer, so the definition of mobile is pretty loose.

 

[Robby S]

If a device bigger than an iPhone impedes your movement you might need to see a doctor, sounds like there's something seriously wrong.

Haha! A fair comment, but for any number of reasons everybody has their own limit on what marks the boundary from something being easy to carry and use everywhere, to something that is cumbersome.

 

[kasakka]

It's quite right size actually. If it was larger it would become harder to reach the buttons at the top of the screen when in portrait mode. When holding it with one hand you can reach the top of the display comfortably with your thumb, without reaching or stretching.

 

[boss.king]

Haha! A fair comment, but for any number of reasons everybody has their own limit on what marks the boundary from something being easy to carry and use everywhere, to something that is cumbersome.

Fair enough. I'm all for people being allowed their own preference for size and stuff, but that was just a ridiculous comment, there's no way something the size of a Galaxy S 2 (which is bigger than what people want anyway) that weighs like 140g impedes movement in any noticeable way. It's an even weaker argument than the "it won't fit in my pocket" excuse. If people don't want it because they prefer a smaller phone, they should just say that.

 

[Robby S]

If people don't want it because they prefer a smaller phone, they should just say that.

Wholeheartedly agree

 

[albusseverus]

When the iPhone 4 was about to be released, I measured up my 3 and a 5" 16:9 screen fitted inside its dimensions. How I longed for THAT screen.

The 4 came out, in a narrower package and SJ made jokes about other companies' clunkers.

Looking at iPhone 3 devices on the train the other night, I realised, they look more modern, more Samsung—dare I say it—like, than the narrow iPhone 4.

I can't ever see Apple making a 16:9 iPhone, much as I'd love it, but I could happily fit a larger screen iPhone in my pocket. So much to do on that little thing, these days. It's become my ebook reader of choice, not because it's better than iPad, just because I always have it with me…

Times have changed Apple. Get with it.

 

[BlindMellon]

When the iPhone 4 was about to be released, I measured up my 3 and a 5" 16:9 screen fitted inside its dimensions. How I longed for THAT screen.

The 4 came out, in a narrower package and SJ made jokes about other companies' clunkers.

Looking at iPhone 3 devices on the train the other night, I realised, they look more modern, more Samsung—dare I say it—like, than the narrow iPhone 4.

I can't ever see Apple making a 16:9 iPhone, much as I'd love it, but I could happily fit a larger screen iPhone in my pocket. So much to do on that little thing, these days. It's become my ebook reader of choice, not because it's better than iPad, just because I always have it with me…

Times have changed Apple. Get with it.

When the iPhone 4 came out I was shocked they didn't go 4". I played with the HTC Evo and loved the size. Then I picked up the iPhone 4 and, as you say, it felt too narrow. Didn't feel right in the hand at all. I much prefer the size and feel of the 3GS. Typical that Apple goes the other way from the competition. Look at the microscopic iPod Nano for crying out loud. Who asked for that?

 

[LS417]

You're all fools, feeding the trolls.

What idiot over the age of 10 asks "why is the iphone screen so small"??

c'mon people... if these trolls see threads like this go unanswered, they will be bored and stop, but you guys keep entertaining these retarded questions.

/end rant

 

[rwilliams]

4 years ago many tech things were top of the line that today are considered lower tech. If all you use your phone is for calls, you don't even need a smartphone. For those of us that do many things plus calling on our smartphones, many of us would really like a larger screen.

Oh, I know, my man. It's just fascinating that things are moving so fast that a gorgeous 3.5" screen is now considered to be small.

 

[Savor]

I actually am starting to believe bigger phones is the future but it is a matter of getting used to them. I know there was a time when phones were getting smaller and some people hated it. Now phones are getting bigger and some people hate it. People don't always like change.

With a bigger phone, manufacturers have the ability to put better specs on them and bigger battery compared to trying to cram them in a smaller device. iPhone 5 to me will just have similar specs of the six-month old Samsung Galaxy S II but can run iOS.

Samsung is Apple's biggest threat when it comes to hardware. Try producing the best phone for two platforms (Android and WP7), make their own CPU and GPU, make their own cameras, make their own screens, can make a flexible OLED, and is already going to be in the 5-inch screen club for cell phones with the Galaxy Note. Don't underestimate the brilliance from the Koreans. Apple can go claim foul with a GUI, but Sammy has alot of things going for it other than a 4-year old grid interface look-alike.

iPhone 5 will have a bigger screen, a dual-core A5 chip, 8MP camera with 1080p video, better GPU, etc. All that stuff already seen before with the Galaxy S II.

 

[Luis Ortega]

i never really noticed this but when i went to look at some new phones yesterday it dawned on em that the iphones screen is tiny compared to most of the competition

I noticed the same thing. I was looking at the samsung galaxy s2 on display next to an iphone 4 and the iphone looked very tiny.
I'm waiting until oct 4 to see what apple offers, but if it isn't something much better than the iphone 4, I'm getting the s2.

 

[GameAmour.com]

Looks like Star Trek portable devices will be "outdated" soon...

 

[auxsend]

While the resolution isn't always as good on the bigger screens, I have worked with some droid phones with just 4" screens, and when I pick up my iPhone it feels cramped for a day or two. Makes me reallly want a nice 4" screen on the new iPhone.

So yes, the iPhone screen is small. It's starting to feel a little dated. And it is.