Would iOS 7+4.7" iPhone bring you back?

[jrswizzle]

If the 4.3" screen turns out to be true, I'm far more curious about how apps will scale to that size. Will it scale perfectly?

And if so, that would mean Apple could've made a larger iPhone anytime they wanted (it's just math, right?).

Anyway, I'm happy to see Apple take these new directions with iOS 7 and the screen (if true). Again, not enough to sway me away from Android, but it's good for them.

4.3" isn't happening - doesn't make sense. Increasing the screen size to 4.3" either makes the iPhone non-retina because they keep the same resolution so as not to screw with devs, or they double the res (so apps easily scale) and the thing has like 500 ppi....which is pointless.

The larger iPhone will be in the neighborhood of 4.7-5" if/when it's released. Double the iPhone's current resolution at 4.7" gives something along the lines of the HTC One's ppi - mid 400s. Much more feasible.

----------

Ah, my number one fan.

Seriously, learn to read -- this is not an insult. I said nothing of whether people prefer smaller screens or not.

"It's a happy medium where they will benefit from the larger screen, but also be able to appease their mythical fears."

Why do you have to imply someone who prefers an iPhone has some "mythical fear" of larger screens?

I read just fine, thanks. It's not about "mythical fears" - there are some who simply prefer the smaller phones - hell some still prefer the 3.5" (God only knows why).

Also, note I'm not against increasing the screen size. I just hope Apple leaves a "flagship" 4" for those who prefer it when they release the larger iPhone.

But I can tell you, there are times after having used my HTC One for an extended period of time, I actually like the feel and size of the iPhone 5.

 

[onthecouchagain]

4.3" isn't happening - doesn't make sense. Increasing the screen size to 4.3" either makes the iPhone non-retina because they keep the same resolution so as not to screw with devs, or they double the res (so apps easily scale) and the thing has like 500 ppi....which is pointless.

The larger iPhone will be in the neighborhood of 4.7-5" if/when it's released. Double the iPhone's current resolution at 4.7" gives something along the lines of the HTC One's ppi - mid 400s. Much more feasible.

This makes more sense to me too. 2014, then, I suppose.

"It's a happy medium where they will benefit from the larger screen, but also be able to appease their mythical fears."

Why do you have to imply someone who prefers an iPhone has some "mythical fear"?

I read just fine, thanks. It's not about "mythical fears" - there are some who simply prefer the smaller phones - hell some still prefer the 3.5" (God only knows why).

Also, note I'm not against increasing the screen size. I just hope Apple leaves a "flagship" 4" for those who prefer it when they release the larger iPhone.

You said this:

"Right - it couldn't POSSIBLY be that anyone actually prefers a smaller screen...."

I asked you to point to where in my post I said it's an impossibility that people prefer smaller screens.

You highlighted this:

"It's a happy medium where they will benefit from the larger screen, but also be able to appease their mythical fears."

How does this say that it's not possible people prefer smaller screens? I'm simply talking about the ridiculously arguments against larger screens like the impossibility of one handed use and/or the impossibility to put larger devices into pockets.

You're just picking a fight that isn't there.

 

[jrswizzle]

This makes more sense to me too. 2014, then, I suppose.




You said this:

"Right - it couldn't POSSIBLY be that anyone actually prefers a smaller screen...."

I asked you to point to where in my post I said it's an impossibility that people prefer smaller screens.

You highlighted this:

"It's a happy medium where they will benefit from the larger screen, but also be able to appease their mythical fears."

How does this say that it's not possible people prefer smaller screens. I'm simply talking about the ridiculously arguments against larger screens like impossibility to use one handed and/or impossibility to put larger devices into pockets.

You're just picking a fight that isn't there.

I was highlighting that an iPhone user's aversion to larger screens isn't necessarily due to some "mythical fear" of them as you stated.

I'm sorry, but if you didn't mean what you said, why say it?

 

[onthecouchagain]

I was highlighting that an iPhone user's aversion to larger screens isn't necessarily due to some "mythical fear" of them as you stated.

I'm sorry, but if you didn't mean what you said, why say it?

Do you know how things work?

Here:

If people prefer smaller screens and recognize that larger screens doesn't mean that they can't be used one handed or fitted into pockets, then they prefer smaller screens and don't have any mythical fears -- my post, then, obviously doesn't apply to these folks.

If people prefer smaller screens and have the notion that anything larger than what Apple offers can't be used one handed or can't fit into pockets, they have said mythical fears -- and so, my post, then, applies to them.

It's not rocket science, mon ami. Again, a little insecurity there? You keep rising to the defense of those who supposedly don't need it, yet there you go again.

I'll leave it at that. Good luck.

 

[Irishman]

Just iOS7. No.

If iOS7 was easily jailbroken. Maybe.

You do realize that Apple's relationship with the jailbreak community is not as whitehat/blackhat as many make it out to be. Apple's seen the work of jail breakers, and in some cases, gone on to hire them to bring their out of the box thinking into Apple.

 

[jrswizzle]

Do you know how things work?

Here:

If people prefer smaller screens and recognize that larger screens doesn't mean that they can't be used one handed or fitted into pockets, then they prefer smaller screens and don't have any mythical fears -- my post, then, obviously doesn't apply to these folks.

If people prefer smaller screens and have the notion that anything larger than what Apple offers can't be used one handed or can't fit into pockets, they have said mythical fears -- and so, my post, then, applies to them.

It's not rocket science, mon ami. Again, a little insecurity there? You keep rising to the defense of those who supposedly don't need it, yet there you go again.

I'll leave it at that. Good luck.

Alrighty, though perhaps - instead of talking about "Apple devotees" and then stating you weren't speaking about all of them, you could be a little clearer.

You have the tendency of characterizing ALL apple devotees a certain way (usually by generalizations of the idiotic ones) and then stating "Oh you should know what I mean."

 

[Irishman]

I would be tempted but there are a number of things that would keep me from going back. I am not technically gifted and don't root/flash etc but enjoy the customisation on Android. I like different keyboards, different wallpapers on different home screens, the fact that I dont need to have apps that I dont want or use hidden away, widgets, especially my calendar, which has a screen all of its own and updates constantly. My phone is set up the way I enjoy it, in a couple of months I will change it around and make it into a different phone, again, something I enjoy doing.

And as long as that is something that you love doing, no iPhone is going to be a phone of choice for you.

And that's cool.

 

[onthecouchagain]

You do realize that Apple's relationship with the jailbreak community is not as whitehat/blackhat as many make it out to be. Apple's seen the work of jail breakers, and in some cases, gone on to hire them to bring their out of the box thinking into Apple.

All I can say to this is:

Zephyr!!!

 

[Irishman]

Why would I have left? The S4 and LG G Pro are the 1st devices to even make a compelling case, and until Apple gets their chance to release their same period device either 7/29 or 9/6 or somewhere in between anyone that would leave isn't really an Apple loyal customer by definition. If they left for anything, but those 2, again not a loyal Apple customer so pretty wide open term there.

I hope they don't stick with 4 inches, and we know the only winners are the Application writers alone, but it seems by going 16/9 they already made it difficult without needing to since if they hadn't changed shapes, then it seems as long as the ratios held constant, Apple should of been able to change sizes anywhere to infinity without scaling being an issue,but they chose to change dimensions, and then said applications was why not bigger. Something weird I that statement when they did that.

I'm pretty sure I can suss out why Apple did 16:9 on the iPhone, apart from the marketing angle of being able to say that they made their phone screen bigger. When you play an HD video on a 16:9 4" screen, the video completely fills the screen real estate, and appears as large as a 4:3 4.5" phone. Plus, with Apple being all about the ecosystem, Airplaying a 16:9 game/app/movie/tv show to your 55" flat screen which is also 16:9 via ATV, means all the screen gets used there as well. No pillarboxing.

Now, Apple needs to make all their own iPhone apps 16:9 aware (I'm looking at you, Safari!).

----------

Size and shape of the device are secondary considerations to the actual functioning of the OS. iOS is sub par in usability because Apple intentionally hamstrings it. Even if you want to personalize or customize your phones UI, Apple goes out of its way to stop you. Why do you think people buy all those obnoxious cases for the iPhone? It is the only personalization you are allowed, albeit this is hardware personalization. Point is, if I line up 9 iiphones, all with the same wallpaper, you wouldn't know your phone from the rest.

Until iOS becomes more like OSX, I will never buy another iDevice. I refuse to be held hostage by Big Broth... I mean, Apple.

Until iOS 7 is released, how can any of us complain about how it limits users?

----------

It would be a good step, but I also like the widgets from Android as well.

Have you seen any of the videos of iOS7 from WWDC and subsequent to that?

----------

Here's where I am on iOS vs Android:

Right now, I own an HTC One. I love it. It's beautiful, powerful and works in a way I find really natural. So any new device has to blow me away. New features that are actually useful (Just saying 'new API's' counts for nothing).

Apple has to win me over. Not 'nab some features from other handsets, throw in a gimmick and assume that I'll buy because you're keeping up with Jones'. The smartphone market is competitive now, and if users are to be won, then they need to be offered something truly better. I have seen nothing from iOS7 that I would want on a handset of any size that I can't have on my HTC One.

Ecosystem (Read: Airplay, spent too much money on apps, too lazy to export from iTunes, or trying to defend an irrational argument) counts for nothing with me, Apple have to give me something better if they want my money.

Those ecosystem factors ARE something better, for many users. Just because it doesn't trip your trigger, doesn't mean they count for nothing with millions of phone users.

 

[Irishman]

Nope, until they ease the OS more, not gonna happen.

May be in 2020 once they merge OS X and ios completely and the iPhone is no longer crippled for someone who refuses to use it the apple way.

I would rather buy a wp8.1/9 phone or bb10.1 device than the iPhone running ios 7. Why? Lets compress it all into "still doesn't work well with me".

And that's okay.

----------

iOS is too locked down. I'm not buying a new phone with another locked down OS when the phones with the best specs are the ones that aren't locked down

Can you share some make or break things you can't do with an iPhone that you can other phone OSs?

----------

No.
IOS 7 is still a locked down OS with a lot of features lacking.

Like?

 

[Irishman]

Yeah surely, if they increase the ppi to match HTC One. Otherwise, im quite happy with my ipad.

Also, having an android phone + Apple tablet lets me enjoy the best of both worlds as opposed to being tied to one environment where you will feel bored sooner or later.

Quick question - what is the benefit of the HTC's p p i?

----------

Google Play is a terrific open resource.

Conversely if you value a closed ecosystem that locks you in, then iTunes is for you.

There's no DRM in iTunes. Hasn't been for years. What "locking in" do you imagine is happening in iTunes?

----------

They'd have to open up iOS 7 to get me back. I want to change the default apps, I want to be able to download files from the browser. I want access to the file system so I can drag and drop files around, etc drop songs into the Notifications and Ringtones Folders. And allow it so MP3's can be used as ringtones.

Then the iPhone isn't for you.

----------

The crazy thing is Apple could easily -- easily -- add some of the features we want.

They just choose not to on some unfounded belief that people won't get it. It's a darn shame.

It's all about tradeoffs. There's no free lunch.

----------

Just like iOS 7, this is great for dedicated iPhone users. For the rest of us, if this turns out to be true at all, all we can say is, welcome to the future, Apple.

Um, because a larger phone screen represents the future?!?

Nope.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Um, because a larger phone screen represents the future?!?

Nope.

Have you been living under a rock? Even Apple thinks larger is the future (iPhone 4S to 5, anyone?).

But, I would modify it by saying "choice" is the future. Or at least it should.

 

[Irishman]

Have you been living under a rock? Even Apple thinks larger is the future (iPhone 4S to 5, anyone?).

But, I would modify it by saying "choice" is the future. Or at least it should.

There's a difference between making one size change in screen size over the history of the iPhone (so far) and thinking that ever-larger phones are the future.

Apple does not think ever-larger phones are the future.

 

[onthecouchagain]

There's a difference between making one size change in screen size over the history of the iPhone (so far) and thinking that ever-larger phones are the future.

Apple does not think ever-larger phones are the future.

Show me where I said "ever-larger" phones are the future.

 

[onthecouchagain]

If this rumor carries any truth...

Imagine the "cheaper" iPhone at 4", the iPhone 5 at 4" (would one or the other be a mid-ranger?), and then the iPhone 5S at 4.3".

Boom. Options. Not many, but options nonetheless.

 

[0dev]

Can't disagree -- I've always said, if the iPhone's screen and most of its specs were released by any other manufacturer, it'd be considered a mid-ranger.

Yet still, this is a good direction for Apple and for iPhone devotees. It's a happy medium where they will benefit from the larger screen, but also be able to appease their mythical fears (like impossibilities of using it one handed or impossibilities of fitting into pockets, etc).

I really hope the rumours of an Apple phablet are true. That'd appease everyone - those who like small screens get the regular iPhone, those who like bigger screens get the phablet.

So you evaluate a phone by screen size only? Fantastic.

While should provide a way to have a sort of repository all apps can access i don't think they should give us a filesystem.

Not screen size only, but it's still very important, yes. When you use a phone the main thing you do is interact with the screen. After you've used a 5 inch screen the iPhone's offering just looks pathetic and just cramped. Not ideal at all on what's meant to be a high end device.

 

[jrswizzle]

Not screen size only, but it's still very important, yes. When you use a phone the main thing you do is interact with the screen. After you've used a 5 inch screen the iPhone's offering just looks pathetic and just cramped. Not ideal at all on what's meant to be a high end device.

I may be in the minority - but I go back and forth. There are times I really do like my HTC One's screen, and its got me on the "get bigger iPhone screens" train.....

BUT

...there are times when I'll move back to my iPhone 5 after using the One and it just "feels" better - something to be said for feel and TRUE one handed operation (something I have a hard time w/ on my One because I hit the edge with my palm all the time....).

I can see the argument for both - and if Apple does roll the route of a 4" cheaper iPhone, 4" regular iPhone and larger (4.7-5" iPhone), I'll likely pick up a larger iPhone and the cheaper version (as my backup).

 

[F123D]

You do realize that Apple's relationship with the jailbreak community is not as whitehat/blackhat as many make it out to be. Apple's seen the work of jail breakers, and in some cases, gone on to hire them to bring their out of the box thinking into Apple.

Implementing a couple jailbreak tweaks here and there each year is not enough.

 

[Sodner]

An iPhone that stupidly large would make me LEAVE.

Not everyone wants a tablet as a phone.

 

[onthecouchagain]

An iPhone that stupidly large would make me LEAVE.

Not everyone wants a tablet as a phone.

: applauds :

Give this guy a medal. Great acting. That was entertaining.



----------

something I have a hard time w/ on my One because I hit the edge with my palm all the time....).

I hope palm recognition is on the priority list for both Google and Apple (<-- should they finally enter the larger iPhone arena).

Palm presses are rare, but they do happen. Yet as annoying as they are, I think the solution shouldn't be to keep the screen small, but to have the technology/software to figure out how to recognize and then not register palm presses. The Apple trackpad on the MacBook does this marvelously, for example.

 

[jrswizzle]

: applauds :

Give this guy a medal. Great acting.

----------




I hope palm recognition is on the priority list for both Google and Apple (<-- should they finally enter the larger iPhone arena).

Palm presses are rare, but they do happen, yet as annoying as they are, the solution isn't to keep the screen small, but to have the technology/software to figure out how to recognize and then not register palm presses. The Apple trackpad on the MacBook does this marvelously, for example.

I agree - the palm hits aren't the reason I sometimes prefer my 5....but in each device's current state, they add a level of frustration with the larger device the smaller doesn't have.

Again - the solution here is an iPhone LINE. 3 iPhones: "Cheap" "Regular" "Large". Screen sizes of 4" and 4.7-5" across those three. That's where they should be (and I think are) headed - it'll just take time to smoothly transition the line and manufacturing there. They ease in the cheaper iPhone this year, discontinuing both the 4 and 4S (now everything is 4" and on the lightning connector).

Then in 2014, say bye-bye to the 5 and the larger iPhone enters the picture. 2015 is where the real fun beings because that's the year they start annual updates on all three at the same event each year. My guess is the "cheap" iPhone sees the same internals as each year's iPod touch (roughly the same) and the regular and larger iPhones are differentiated by display size and storage but with essentially the same internals.

*crosses fingers*

I really just want to see how Android's marketshare holds with actual competition in the low-end (technically mid-range) and "larger" smartphone markets.

 

[Irishman]

Show me where I said "ever-larger" phones are the future.

I'm not accusing you of that. I'm clarifying my earlier statement about the difference between one screen size change and a pattern of changes.

----------

Implementing a couple jailbreak tweaks here and there each year is not enough.

For you.

----------

I really hope the rumours of an Apple phablet are true. That'd appease everyone - those who like small screens get the regular iPhone, those who like bigger screens get the phablet.

What rumors of an Apple phablet?? Where did you read these? What site?

 

[onthecouchagain]

I'm not accusing you of that. I'm clarifying my earlier statement about the difference between one screen size change and a pattern of changes.

Then why are you quoting me to explain to me this "difference" as if it's utterly important to my post or what I said. Don't beat around the bush. You quoted me to argue something I never said. Thanks for your "clarification."

Larger is the future. And Apple already thinks so too.

 

[jrswizzle]

Then why are you quoting me to explain to me this utterly important "difference?" Thanks, I guess.

Larger is the future. And Apple already thinks so too.

Just pointing out - unless you are talking specifically about Apple....

Since the future is sometime after now, and there are currently displays in flagship smartphones at around 5", your sentence would seem to suggest that larger phones than this are the future - while also implying that in the past, the larger phones we have now were the future, thereby stating (however indirectly) that the recurrence of display changes is the future (phones getting larger and larger).

Couch, I really think you just try to eff with people here.....you make those "general" statements knowing full well how they can and will be taken and then say "Oh you should obviously have taken it this way" as if the reader is an idiot for not immediately deriving your meaning from a relatively general and combatively written statement.

It's also easy (and reasonable) to assume that by stating "Larger phones are the future" you are also saying the bigger the phone, the more advanced (since generally things developed in the future are more advanced than things developed now) - thereby equating screen size with technological superiority, which is not necessarily the case.

Note: I'm not disagreeing with the assertion that Apple feels they need to build iPhones with larger displays. I am, however, hesitant to state that it is because they want to join "the future". More simply, I believe Android handset makers "stumbled" upon this desire for a larger screen (because they were initially making larger devices to hold larger batteries) and in doing so inadvertently facilitated a boom in consumer desire that Apple now feels it needs to match - at least somewhat. Popularity doesn't = advancement.

 

[Irishman]

Then why are you quoting me to explain to me this "difference" as if it's utterly important to my post or what I said. Don't beat around the bush. You quoted me to argue something I never said. Thanks for your "clarification."

Larger is the future. And Apple already thinks so too.

There you go again with blanket assertions like "larger is the future". As some of the newest Android phones are "minis", I could just as rightly say "smaller is the future", but I don't, because a blanket assertion like that is invariably going to be wrong.

You have expressed your preference for larger screens on phones ad nauseum for as long as the trend of larger phones has been around. We get it. You like big phones and you cannot lie!