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Would you buy a thicker iPhone?

Would you buy a thicker iPhone if it meant a larger battery?

  • Yes, a few mm thicker wouldn't be a problem

    Votes: 117 88.0%

  • No, I like my iPhone to be as thin as possible

    Votes: 16 12.0%
  • Total voters
    133
G

geoff5093

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 16, 2014
2,251
2,564
If it meant having a larger battery, as well as being more durable? Or do you want your phones as thin as possible?

Apple seems to have the mindset that the thinner a device is, the better, and they feel consumers would rather sacrifice longer battery life, having a camera bump, etc. to make it as thin as possible.

For me, I would rather the phone be 1-2mm thicker to get rid of the camera bump, and to allow for a larger battery.
 
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geoff5093 said:
If it meant having a larger battery, as well as being more durable? Or do you want your phones as thin as possible?

Apple seems to have the mindset that the thinner a device is, the better, and they feel consumers would rather sacrifice longer battery life, having a camera bump, etc. to make it as thin as possible.

For me, I would rather the phone be 1-2mm thicker to get rid of the camera bump, and to allow for a larger battery.
Click to expand...
I have spoken with people who study battery tech, as well as with Apple support, and the consensus seems to be that larger battery size does not always equate to longer battery life.

The battery on my iPad Air 2 is larger than the battery on my iPhone 6, and my iPad Air 2 has yet to be able to outlast my iPhone 6 despite performing the same tasks.

I have been averaging 30 hours per charge on my 4s, 5, 5s and 6.
 
geoff5093 said:
If it meant having a larger battery, as well as being more durable? Or do you want your phones as thin as possible?

Apple seems to have the mindset that the thinner a device is, the better, and they feel consumers would rather sacrifice longer battery life, having a camera bump, etc. to make it as thin as possible.

For me, I would rather the phone be 1-2mm thicker to get rid of the camera bump, and to allow for a larger battery.
Click to expand...

Rumor has it that it will be made out of a slightly thicker and stronger aluminum alloy. I am betting the camera still protrudes.

Hope Apple finds that thinner is not always better!
 
Last edited:
ardchoille50 said:
The battery on my iPad Air 2 is larger than the battery on my iPhone 6, and my iPad Air 2 has yet to be able to outlast my iPhone 6 despite performing the same tasks.
Click to expand...

The iPad Air 2 also has a much larger screen to power, a triple core CPU instead of a dual core CPU and more RAM. If the phone was a little thicker that would increase the battery capacity and improve battery life.
 
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I don't think I would buy one but I can defiantly see why people might. back when I had a iPhone 4/5 the thicker phone just felt stronger. With the iPhone 6 it feels like I'm going to break it if I set it down too hard. And the camera can get annoying sticking out of the back like that. But I'm so used to how thin the device is and it feels so good in the hand I just couldnt see myself going back to something thicker.
 
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ardchoille50 said:
I have spoken with people who study battery tech, as well as with Apple support, and the consensus seems to be that larger battery size does not always equate to longer battery life.

The battery on my iPad Air 2 is larger than the battery on my iPhone 6, and my iPad Air 2 has yet to be able to outlast my iPhone 6 despite performing the same tasks.

I have been averaging 30 hours per charge on my 4s, 5, 5s and 6.
Click to expand...
You must have a defective battery if your phone is outlasting the tablet...
 
geoff5093 said:
If it meant having a larger battery, as well as being more durable? Or do you want your phones as thin as possible?

Apple seems to have the mindset that the thinner a device is, the better, and they feel consumers would rather sacrifice longer battery life, having a camera bump, etc. to make it as thin as possible.

For me, I would rather the phone be 1-2mm thicker to get rid of the camera bump, and to allow for a larger battery.
Click to expand...
Not fussed if it's thicker to be honest. It could be a 5.5" retina version of the original and I would still buy it. Lol
 
ardchoille50 said:
I have spoken with people who study battery tech, as well as with Apple support, and the consensus seems to be that larger battery size does not always equate to longer battery life.

The battery on my iPad Air 2 is larger than the battery on my iPhone 6, and my iPad Air 2 has yet to be able to outlast my iPhone 6 despite performing the same tasks.

I have been averaging 30 hours per charge on my 4s, 5, 5s and 6.
Click to expand...
That's not a fair comparison, especially because of the screen size difference. All else being equal, a larger battery means longer usage between charges.
 
Only if it was to allow for a larger battery.

Currently battery life isn't so short as to be a deal breaker, but it would certainly be nice to have longer life.
 
I know a lot of people went with the 6+ because it had a much larger battery. I bet if the 6 didn't have a significantly smaller batter than the 6+, a lot of people would have gone for that instead.
 
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I voted yes, because it really wouldn't be a problem for me, though I also like my iPhone to be as thin as possible (I mean, to a certain extent- everyone has a "limit"). So, would I buy a thicker iPhone that inherently then has a bigger/longer lasting battery- yes. However- if it were "optional" - if there were an iPhone 6S and an iPhone 6SXL (let's call it for the heck of it, and ignore the would-be iPhone 6S+ and 6S+XL), where the former is thinner/same battery as current 6 model and the latter were a few mm thicker with the battery life of the current 6+ in the size of the 6/6S, I may still opt for the thinner iPhone. Battery life just is not much of a concern for me is the point of this all in the end. ;):rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
It wouldn't bother me if the iPhone was thicker as I'd still buy it. I don't think too hard about the thickness when I am buying a phone. The surface size has more of an impact which is why I wouldn't buy a 5"+ device.
 
Zaft said:
You must have a defective battery if your phone is outlasting the tablet...
Click to expand...
That's what I thought too, but speaking to more than one Apple support rep yielded the information that "larger battery size does not equate to longer battery life". There are many other factors and size is lower on that list of factors than most people realize.. or care to admit.
 
silverblack said:
No. I'd use a battery pack if I have to.
Click to expand...
I'm sure you mean an additional accessory to carry with you when your battery dies, rather than a bulky battery case right? That makes so much more sense.

I could care less about adding battery life, I try to stay prepared. I simply want a flush camera again. Yep. I'm worried about the aesthetic. And these damned antenna breaks. Gag. From time to time, I go without a case. For about 20 mins, and then I can't take it anymore.
 
ardchoille50 said:
That's what I thought too, but speaking to more than one Apple support rep yielded the information that "larger battery size does not equate to longer battery life". There are many other factors and size is lower on that list of factors than most people realize.. or care to admit.
Click to expand...
But that's comparing apples to oranges. If you stick a larger battery in the same device, you'll get longer battery life. End of.

Of course, how long the battery lasts depends on the things it has to power, but if you don't change anything else, then a larger battery will give you longer battery life.

For what it's worth, I'm perfectly happy with the battery life on the iPhone 6 Plus and wouldn't really want to see it get any heavier for the sake of a tiny bit more battery life (don't really mind thicker, but you can't really have one without the other).
 
I think the latest iphone is already fine. Although, the battery life depends on how you use your iphone. If you know how to use your iphone well, you're battery will just be all fine. Regardless of having an epic battery life or not, taking extra care of the iphone makes a difference.

So, same thickness, or change of style, I think it is all just fine :)
 
Thicker and more durable material I want to see from Apple. What do design awards matter when it results in products that are impractical for the job at hand, or that require cases and covers to overcome damage or handling difficulties? It reminds me of those designer chairs that look cool but deliver a back ache to the user.
 
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I would love it if they went back to the thickness of the 4/4S and put a better battery in. The newer iPhones aren't bad, and the newer hardware makes it worth it, but from a thickness perspective the 4 and 4S were about right.
 
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Yes, I would. Once I put a case on my iPhone 6 (6.9mm), it increases to roughly 7.2mm or so. As long as it stays under 9mm, I'm fine. Apple would never do that, though.
 
CYKBC said:
No. Keep it as thin or thinner and lighter and stronger.
Click to expand...

If Apple could they would as they love thin but I suggest that the occasional bending has made them change. I think it is for the good. I do not care about the antenna lines as my Sedio Surface case covers them nor the protrucpding camera. My battery is fine and I have never bent my phone. I will take a little thicker just to make it more structurally sound.
 
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