Wouldn't a 4-inch screen work just fine?

[charliecc]

If the screen size changes but the resolution remains the same, no adjustments are required to any apps, any interface code, nothing, it'll work exactly as it does now without any changes.

Yes, the quality of the image will be slightly degraded, but I doubt it will be discernible.

I think a 4-inch screen would be great, but I do have large hands . As well as the bigger buttons, keyboard etc, you'd get a larger display area for videos as well which would be great IMO.

 

[BergerFan]

Ok, let's assume that the screen resolution(and therefore aspect ratio) stay the same. It'll still mean that the physical screen width would have to be as wide as the entire device currently is. Add the 5mm of bezel either side to that, and you'd have a phone that's as wide an an EVO4g or HD2.
Some would have no issue with that, but I think think that'd be too wide for most.

 

[gloss]

Ok, let's assume that the screen resolution(and therefore aspect ratio) stay the same. It'll still mean that the physical screen width would have to be as wide as the entire device currently is. Add the 5mm of bezel either side to that, and you'd have a phone that's as wide an an EVO4g or HD2.
Some would have no issue with that, but I think think that'd be too wide for most.

EVO 4G has a 4.3 inch screen and is 66mm wide. The iPhone 4 is 58.7mm wide. The iPhone 3GS was 62.1mm wide. I'm betting you could manage a 4-inch screen (not 4.3) on a device as wide as the 3GS.

 

[Sedrick]

Not gonna happen.

A 4-inch screen wouldn't work, because to keep the same aspect ratio, the whole device would have to be a lot wider.
To change the aspect ratio and make it more widescreen in landscape orientation(taller in portrait), would mean all existing apps would look poor, as they would be stretched.

Ok, let's assume that the screen resolution(and therefore aspect ratio) stay the same. It'll still mean that the physical screen width would have to be as wide as the entire device currently is. Add the 5mm of bezel either side to that, and you'd have a phone that's as wide an an EVO4g or HD2.
Some would have no issue with that, but I think think that'd be too wide for most.

The Evo has a 4.3" screen. Why would apple make a case that huge for a 4" screen? I know you have to exaggerate to get your point across, but it's not a valid comparison. As has been stated many times, Apple could probably get 4" into the 3GS outline (remember, they went skinnier with the iPhone 4). I don't see how anyone could complain about that.