Why no stereo speakers for iPhone?

[too many Macs]

it doesn't look elegant to have a smattering of speaker holes on the top and bottom of the front screen.

Neither does having plastic antenna breaks and a protruding camera lens.

 

[b_scott]

Neither does having plastic antenna breaks and a protruding camera lens.

I don't understand why people have an issue with the lens. As a person with a lot of photography equipment as a hobby, I welcome the better lens and realize it needs that space. They could have made the iphone thicker, if you like.

The antenna breaks are needed, and are covered with a case. Which almost everyone uses because iphones are slippery.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

This particular part I disagree with. Aluminum is currently floating around $.90/ pound.

http://www.vincentmetals.com/Daily_Aluminum_Prices.html

That's actually cheaper than high end plastics. Polycarbonates are around $1.60/pound.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycarbonate

There is a big difference in machining and molding prices of course.

I think it's time for apple to up the ante and move to something more exotic like titanium.

On topic, you can definitely hear the stereo separation of an HTC One. It had nice speakers for a phone no doubt. Certainly more enjoyable to watch a quick video in bed or whatever, but not worth cutting any corners anywhere. I'd rather wireless speakers if a compromise has to be made.

----------



Some would say the same for large plots of barren real estate.

HTC One speakers are placed top/bottom. I was mostly referring to speakers left/right. A phone is taller than it is wide (except that new BlackBerry). So yes, the speakers on the HTC One will produce a stereo effect that is more appreciable than if on an iPhone. And my cutting corners counter wasn't against HTC or speakers... it was against a post that said Apple cut corners.

I interned at one of the world's largest machining companies, and I can definitely say metals are more costly to machine. It's also more durable (not scratch/scuff resistance per say) than plastic. And dissipates heat better than plastic. Metal is also more recyclable. Plastics... it varies but I'm going to say overall metal is more recyclable.

Also, I want to say that the speaker holes on the HTC One is well done. So it doesn't look awful. You weren't arguing it was, but responding to someone who did.

 

[Zetaprime]

The purpose of stereo speakers is to provide stereo imaging. About 99% of all boom box speakers or portable bluetooth speakers do not provide stereo imaging even though they have stereo speakers. If you want to experience stereo imaging you need to have speakers spaced in a triangle in relation to your head.

You will only experience true stereo imaging with bookshelf speakers or a home theater system. A small device like an iPhone will never be able to give you stereo imaging EVER. There is no reason to have 2 speakers.

MyNexus 7 tablet has a readily audible stereo effect despite the speakers being only 8" apart.

 

[VasectomyLove]

well, the i6+ i have has the best sounding speaker ever. Didn't know it was not stereo but it's not needed. Apple knows best they engineered the best device bar none.

Probably even better with one speaker considering how good it is already. A waste of battery life if you asked me.

 

[Zetaprime]

well, the i6+ i have has the best sounding speaker ever. Didn't know it was not stereo but it's not needed. Apple knows best they engineered the best device bar none.

Probably even better with one speaker considering how good it is already. A waste of battery life if you asked me.

At least you managed to get your iphone 6 while the rest of us got stuck waiting.

 

[scrtagntman]

well, the i6+ i have has the best sounding speaker ever. Didn't know it was not stereo but it's not needed. Apple knows best they engineered the best device bar none.

Probably even better with one speaker considering how good it is already. A waste of battery life if you asked me.

Reading through your post history, I'm not sure if your really the most diverse person when it comes to phone choices. Can I see your tattoo?

 

[Steve686]

But ringtones and alerts would sound so much better!

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

MyNexus 7 tablet has a readily audible stereo effect despite the speakers being only 8" apart.

That's a tablet. Much more physical area to work with. For a phone, 8" is larger than the entire thing. On tablets, stereo is more appreciable but still is relatively cramped.

 

[Zetaprime]

That's a tablet. Much more physical area to work with. For a phone, 8" is larger than the entire thing. On tablets, stereo is more appreciable but still is relatively cramped.

The iphone 6 plus is not that much smaller than a small tablet like the Nexus 7, so it probably would have benefitted from stereo speakers.