Rumors Suggest Thinner, Large-Screened iPhone 5 Coming, But Are These New Features Necessary?
Posted by Michael Nace on Wednesday Jul 18, 2012 Under iPhone 5 OpinionAs new in-cell technology rumors spread, suggesting a thinner iPhone 5 with larger screen, one question remains: are the current iPhone screen dimensions a real problem for iPhone users?
Doubtless you’ve noticed that a new crow of in-cell technology rumors have made their way into the rumor mill recently. It isn’t the first time we’ve heard about the in-cell rumors, but with new reports that iPhone 5 production is finally ramping up, the fact that we’re sniffing new in-cell rumors helps to perhaps somewhat crystallize the prospect of that technology actually turning out to be a reality on the new iPhone.
According to CRN:
“According to a report Tuesday from The Wall Street Journal, people familiar with the matter said both Sharp and Japan Display, a joint venture comprised of three Japanese tech companies, already are ramping up production of LCD displays for the new iPhone’s screen. They also said these displays are based on in-cell, a new design process in which the screen’s touch sensors are embedded directly within the LCD, eliminating the need for a separate touch-screen layer.
The result is a much thinner screen and one that boasts higher-quality graphics than non-in-cell displays, the report said.”
Making products thinner is an age-old Apple trick, and something that they always appear to be ready to do, whether it be iPhones or MacBooks. We’ve debated how critical it is to actually make the iPhone 5 any thinner than the current iPhone, and whether or not that kind of feature would greatly enhance the mobile computing experience. But what about the larger screen? How necessary is it for the iPhone 5 to feature a bigger screen than that of every iPhone iteration that has come before it?
Few people seem willing to pose this question, since a larger screen has always been at the heart of iPhone 5 speculation. But in spite of the fact that users and tech media seem to be “calling” for a larger screen for the iPhone 5, there are factors involved that suggest the iPhone 5 could very well sport the exact same screen and perimeter dimensions as the current iPhone. Steve Jobs, after all, famously boasted of the iPhone’s dimensions as truly optimal; he felt as though he had struck a balance between size, functionality, and compactness in the iPhone’s overall size. And for as much as it might seem easy to dismiss Jobs’ love of the current iPhone’s screen dimensions as ego-driven, the iPhone has gone on to be the best-selling single smartphone on the market today — and its size and ergonomics play some role in its success.
It also stands to reason that Jobs stacked the deck of designers at Apple for the iPhone who shared some of his fundamental design beliefs. This isn’t to say that Tim Cook and company are in lock-step with Steve Jobs’ vision of the future for the iPhone and other Apple products — he loved having debate and differing opinions at Cupertino — but to me, it would seem that if Apple chooses to sport a larger display on the iPhone 5, it will be a decision borne less out of a design aesthetic, and more out of a reaction to the iPhone’s current competitors.
And that just doesn’t seem like the Apple we know and love.
The fact is, mobile users adapt very quickly to the size of their devices’ displays. Whether you’re working on an iPhone or Galaxy Note, it doesn’t take that much time or require that much cranial strain to eventually come to navigate a touch screen, regardless of its size. I would even argue that if the iPhone ended up sporting a smaller screen, users would adapt to it in a matter of days.
Thus, I think that the call for a larger-screen iPhone 5 is less about a widespread frustration with the current iPhone’s screen size, and more about people reacting to what they’re seeing with competing devices, vis-a-vis the GS3. It’s a the grass is always greener kind of reaction.
I may be wrong. But if I was wrong, I think that the sales numbers would bear out my flawed thinking: as the screen sizes of competing Android devices grew, there would be a converse drop-off in iPhone 4/4S sales over the past few years if fact the screen size of the current iPhone was a big problem.
The fact is, it’s not a “big problem.” It really isn’t. If you recall the poll that was taken after the announcement of the iPhone 4S last year, it wasn’t the lack of a larger screen that users were most disappointed with; it was the lack of 4G LTE.
At this point, there is much more to point to in the rumor mill to suggest that the iPhone 5 will indeed sport a bigger screen. And maybe that’s something that you’re looking forward to. But you should keep an open mind going into the iPhone 5 announcement, since it is a possibility that the screen might in the end stay the same size, or at the very least, only marginally increase, so as to keep the original design specs of the iPhone intact.
You might want Apple to react to the industry trend of 4-inch-plus smartphone displays. but that doesn’t mean that Apple wants the same thing.
Do you think that the iPhone 5 desperately needs a larger screen? If so, make your case for it here! And be sure to list all of the current and previous iPhones you’ve owned, and explain how you managed to survive all this time with the iPhone’s supposedly inadequate 3.5-inch display dimensions. 
By Michael Nace
Michael Nace is the Publisher of the iPhone 5 News Blog and iPhone 6 News Blog. He has published articles about the iPhone since 2010.
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July 18th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Yes, I want a larger screen to read and browse the web. Not to mention video on that beautiful screen!
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July 18th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
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July 18th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Why follow the trend? Who really cares about a larger, mini tablet type sized screen? Has anyone seen those fools taking the bathroom mirror pics with their ipads??
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July 18th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
iPhone needs a larger screen it is always a hassle to type with such small buttons on a 3.5″ screen specially if you have big hands
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July 18th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
I had to buy glasses two years ago and blame the eye strain on trying to read my iPhone 3G screen. Now, if I put my glasses on to read it the screen looks bigger (and obviously clearer) and therefore I would welcome a bigger screen for the new device.
SJ is gone, there is nothing anyone can do about that and in his absence things will change by natural progression.
Don’t forget that when the next iPhone is released, Apple will still have the IP4, IP4s and possibly IP3Gs? in their portfolio so if anyone wants the smaller size screen they have the choice.
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July 18th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Although a modestly larger screen would be appreciated, it’s not near the top of my wish list. My first iPhone was the 3GS and I decided to upgrade to the 4S when it came out. It’s screen size and it’s processor are both fine with me, as is its depth. If the iPhone gets too thin, it may be awkward to hold. My biggest complaint with the 4S is its battery life. The next iPhone needs better battery life. After that I’d say LTE and NFC are what I’d most like to see.
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July 18th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
I would love to have a bigger screen. Don’t get me wrong, the Retina Display on my iPhone 4 is amazing, but I am ready for a screen a little bit bigger. As for thinnes, I don’t care about that as much. I’d rather have a bigger screen and the same thickness with a bigger battery and 4g LTE chips. As far as NFC, I actually think that NFC is NOT a technology Apple will go with. It’s a technology locked too much into dependency on retailers adapting NFC readers, and Apple loses control. This is where Passbook will take off. It’s a flexible piece of softward, not a static piece of hardward. I frankly would be surprised if Apple locks itself into relying (not necessarily implementing, that’ll likely happen) on NFC.
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July 18th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Last year when I was languishing with my iPhone 3G, all the rumours about the iPhone 5 coming out with the 4″ screen had me pining away for that big screen along with 4G. Alas, neither arrived, but I did get the iPhone 4S in October. Now that I have it, I’m so satisfied with it that I’m no longer concerned about the larger screen nor LTE. My pseudo 4G is super fast, 4.5 Mbps download speeds. And really, how fast does it need to be? I can stream ESPN with a crystal clear picture with no hiccups. I just haven’t seen a need for anything faster. And the longer screen, with the same width? That’s just silly. Unless the screen gets larger in width and height, it has no appeal to me. And what would be the purpose of these unusual screen dimensions? Seems pointless.
Long story short… I’m not excited about the stretched screen and see no benefit to it. LTE would be exciting if I was currently using an iPhone with 3G internet but I’m not. Unlike many others, I’ve never had an issue with battery life either. Love my 4S.
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July 18th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
At what point would it still be the IPhone 5 4″, 4.5″ or become the mini IPad that you could make a call from?
Just a thought…..
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July 18th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
The 4.3″ screen on my HTC is great. It isn’t too big in the pocket and it makes a world of difference whe using navigation, watching movies on an airplane, playing games, and browsing the web. Going back to anything smaller will be really hard.
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July 18th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
@JB
I would be interested in a mini iPad that could make calls as long as it had an earpiece.
Maybe there will be two new phones?
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July 18th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Just because Steve Jobs thought the current size was ideal doesn’t mean that it should remain that way indefinitely. Steve Jobs also never wanted 3rd party Apps in the Apple app store. Eventually he gave in and look where it has taken us. Steve Jobs did a lot of things right but that doesn’t mean his way is the best way for everyone, and certainly not forever. He hated the idea of a smaller ipad…well guess what, that market is booming and it turns out that people want that. So what’s Apple doing? They want a piece of that pie and plan to come out with the mini ipad this year. I’m sick of hearing Steve Jobs said this….Steve Jobs said that… Well Steve Jobs made a lot of changes to products over time. They continued to innovate. How many changes have been made to the ipod? Just because the 4/4S were the current phone that Jobs was satisfied with (and invested tons of time and money into) doesn’t mean that he would have meant it to be that way forever. I guarantee he would be making changes if he were still around.
The size of the 4/4S was a good size at the time that they were released but times have changed. Apple makes incremental changes just as everyone else does. The iphone 4 also came out with 512mb RAM….so does that mean it should never have anything different than that? To try to argue such a thing would be ridiculous. People change, ideas change, needs change. People want (and can handle) phones with bigger screens. Notice that people aren’t saying we want a smaller screen!
Ultimately, Apple is a company that depends on the customers to drive their sales. Maybe some people are sheep and buy into the idea that what Apple does is the best thing and they don’t care about having limited choices. The majority of people seem to want a bigger screen and if Apple can’t provide that (along with other features) then they will continue to see current iphone users jump over to more amazing phones.
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July 18th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
I’m a current owner of a iPhone 3GS (yes I’m due for an update). I desire a slightly larger screen, but not too large. 4″ seems perfect. 4.5″ is pushing it, but anything larger than that is on the verge of unpocketable (is that a word?). Not to say it wouldn’t fit in a pocket, but it wouldn’t be comfortable. 4G feature will be there for sure, but I’m not really that excited because I don’t believe I even have 4G coverage in my area. 3G service has worked fine for me. I’m not downloading huge chunks of data on my phone, so the need is just not there. Sure, I’d welcome a speed increase, but it’s not the feature I’m demanding. NFC is pointless to me unless everywhere I go supports it. CPU power is also a non-issue for me. My 3GS seems to work just fine when playing games, using apps, etc. So really my biggest excitement over the new iPhone is screen size and form factor. Not having a Retina display might have an impact on my opinion. I just couldn’t justify upgrading to the 4 or 4s, but now I’m ready for an upgrade and hopefully the new iPhone will fit the bill perfectly.
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July 18th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
“The size of the 4/4S was a good size at the time that they were released but times have changed. Apple makes incremental changes just as everyone else does. The iphone 4 also came out with 512mb RAM….so does that mean it should never have anything different than that? To try to argue such a thing would be ridiculous.”
I disagree, and I think that comparing screen size to RAM doesn’t work. With RAM, increasing it has been a necessity as programming has become increasingly high-performance. But nothing has changed in the mobile computing experience over the past few years that NECESSITATES the need for a larger screen, other than the fact that some other smartphones are sporting larger screens. Larger is not necessarily better, and in many ways, I think that large-screened smartphones are that way simply to offer a perceived “improvement” over the iPhone. “How can we make out phone seem better?” “How about if we give it a slightly bigger screen?” “Ok.”
I also hear the arguments from the big handed people. With all due respect to those folks, putting a larger touch screen on the iPhone should not be necessitated by the few people out there with Andre The Giant-esque hands.
I guess my point in this article is not to say that I’m against a larger screen on the iPhone 5 per se, but that I question whether this sense that the iPhone is lacking because of its current 3.5-inch screen is really a fair one. I don’t think it is.
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July 18th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
If you surf the web, read articles, or watch any video clips on your phone… would you rather do it on a 3.5″ screen or a 4.5″ screen? Is a 4″ or 4.5″ screen really THAT big? I’m not a huge guy, nor do I have huge hands and I don’t think anywhere in that range would be too much. The galaxy S3 is 4.8 inches and might be just slightly too big for using with one hand but I think most could get used to it. It’s definitely not too big for a pocket…in fact the thinness and weight of it makes it preferable (in my opinion) over the brick shaped iphone.
I agree that a bigger screen isn’t NEEDED…but it would certainly be nice….nicer than a 3.5″ screen. Considering the size of other phones (mostly fliphones) at the time the original iphone came out it would have been crazy to release a 4.5″ phone. That would have seemed enormous! The iphone itself was bigger than most phones at the time. I think all their research would have been based on what was the best for that time of design. Trends change, people change. Apple is innovative and should want to deliver a product that people really want. 3.5 inches isn’t the ideal size for everyone anymore. Android has proved that…The Galaxy Note has proved that (probably as a surprise to all of us).
I think the fact that people are saying they want a bigger screen proves the point of the whole matter. The masses aren’t arguing for the phone to stay the same size, or asking for anything smaller. They want bigger. People are realizing they can handle a little bigger and it would make their smartphone experience much more pleasurable.
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July 18th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
This will come across anti-Apple (just remember that I have an iMac, an iPad, and my wife has an iphone 4), but….
If we lived in an Apple world, with Apple acting as a monopoly, we would only get what Apple wants to give….and it wouldn’t be tailored to the customers’ desires. Thankfully, we have capitalism and the free market allows for competition. Other manufacturers come along and provide a wide variety and allow customers to choose.
If a 3.5 inch screen was the best for everyone, then there would be zero phones sold that have anything different than a 3.5″ screen. Is a 4.8″ screen the best? No…for the same reason. Apple would be smart to continue producing the current size screen on their new phone AND a phone with a larger screen. Provide options for the customers. They would sell more phones that way, they would get more people integrated into the Apple world, and they would increase customer satisfaction. The competition is too fierce for Apple to ignore the desires of their customers (or potential customers) in the long run.
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July 18th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
@MikeD, couldn’t agree more. Some people just like being told what to think and what to do. Just look at this election to see how people are behaving like sheep. Independence and freedom of thought are endangered.
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July 18th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
I actually have to agree wholeheartedly with both Mike D and Michael respectively. I can equally see where both are coming from and both arguments are equally valid. I just think you both are arguing for a different point. I believe Michael is saying that though consumers may be pining for a bigger screen, if Apple were to release the i5 (or whatever it comes to be known) with a 3.5″ screen, would that take away from the overall satisfaction of the phone’s user. Following that same path, would increasing to a larger screen size drastically change the experience for the better? In my opinion, Michael, you’re absolutely right. The screen size is a novelty feature as it does nothing more for the overall experience but give Apple a reason to tout it over other phones it is in competition with; phones who have already taken the larger route. Conversely, I believe Mike D is saying that the experience of the 3.5″ screen is more limited than it could be and that Apple, at least at some point, will have to keep up with the mass’s requests; requests based off competing phones. And using your own point Nace, it is fully ‘the greener grass’ concept. But to Mike D’s point, it’s also that same concept that leads to innovation and creation. We can see the ‘grass’ concept is many different aspects throughout history; in everything from building to painting. Regardless of what anyone wants to say, Humans, by nature, learn through copying and coding. When we see another human doing something that we believe ellicits happiness in them, we want to replicate. So I do believe there is a necessity for a larger screen because overall, people will see other people with larger-screened phones and they will want one too. The obvious answer is ‘well then go get that phone and stop expecting the same from Apple’. The problem is, people want Apple, people like Apple and people respect Apple. And most importantly, people know what Apple can do with a simple idea, whether it be theirs or the idea of another. Apple is a company who became famous by taking ideas that were introduced years before and perfected it or used it as a foundation for a whole new direction. So Apple themselves are very keen on the ‘grass’ theory. They rely on it to perfect their products. The overall take-away I believe is that the people want a larger screen from Apple because they see larger screens on phones they don’t want. It’s not that because the Galaxy III has a 4.8″ screen that the people want an iPhone w/a 4.8″ screen. I think its more that people see where Samsung and other Android devices are going and those who have already bought into the Apple brand know good & well where Apple COULD take things if they wanted. In the end, we’re all just wishing and pissing in the wind. No one knows what Apple will ultimately do. Hell, they may release the 1st gen iphone all over again and come up with an amazing marketing scheme to sell us all on why it’s the most innovative product on the market and we can’t/won’t do anything about it. The fact is, if you like Androids, get an Android. If you like iPhones, go w/an iPhone. It’s that simple. I just think people want an iPhone with the same or better features as competing phones because we’re all creatures of the ‘green grass’ theory. This whole article made me want to smoke pot for some reason. Luckily my dealer’s grass is the greenest!
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July 18th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Screen size needs to change. AND DESIGN. WTF IS JONY IVE DOIN AT APPLE THESE DAYS. Don’t let us down apple.
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July 18th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
4″ to 4.3″ screen maintaining the current aspect ratio, LTE & a new, elegant form factor. Too much to ask? Don’t think so after 2+ years.
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July 18th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
II have hailed long and hard about how necessary I believe it is to have a bigger screen. Not because of current phone market trends, but because at this point it is a realistic possibilty. Believe me when I say I am NOT jealous of the over-grown, chincy-feeling, buggy, rarely updated android devices but my position remains the same; I want (need/yearn/believe it is time for) a larger screen but absolutely not at the expense of the current dimensions. Want to know what I think? 3.7 inch screen on the a thinner chassis keeping the same ergonomics and thus still whooping a$$ in the smart phone market.
#perfectdimensions
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July 18th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Personally, I’d welcome a slightly larger screen (4″ would be plenty) the reason being to have the stuff on screen bigger, simple as that really. The larger “stretched” screen would really offer no benefit as its not screen retail that’s wanted, it’s ui and text size increase.
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July 18th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
I have no interest in a larger screen, but if they put it on the iPhone 5 ill have no choice but to buy it and enjoy it
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July 18th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
Let me add this first because this part is most important.
Steve Jobs HATED the idea of an iPad mini. But does that mean he wouldn’t sell one?
You might think “this couch is ugly as hell, I hate it, but millions will buy it so ill sell it.”
Just because Steve didn’t like it doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have ended up producing it and selling it.
If he knew people would buy it, he’d make a plan on when to come out with it and sell it.
Maybe he wanted the iPad to have a FIRM place in the industry before he introduced an iPad mini.
Maybe he wanted the 1 iPad to be WELL known before he introduced a 2nd one.
Some people’s minds have a hard time choosing between 2 products, and would rather have 1. Im serious too. There are people who would say “Oh my gosh, all of these computers, how do I know which one to pick? Im just not going to pick any of them, this is too complicated.” Im serious. My grandma is one of those people and it pisses me off, but thats just how it is. Maybe Steve wanted to keep it simple for a while and let the iPad make a very firm impact on the industry before introducing the iPad mini, even if he didn’t like it.
Another thing.
There’s a reason Steve Jobs was CEO of Apple. He was the most knowledgable person of how to run the company successfully and turn it into what it is today. Sure others helped, obviously, but without a leader you aren’t going anywhere. Apple’s success is because they were led by Jobs. “What is a sheep without a Shepard?” just as “What is an army without a General?”
The credit to winning a war is “Ive led 50,000 men to 3 victorious battles.” Its always the leader who “won the battle.” Its always the general saying “Ive won 3 wars”, and believe me, Steve Jobs was winning. Anyone who questions Steve Job’s credibility in Apple’s success…. you can guess what I’d say about that. Just think back and remember HOW many people were questioning Apple’s success now that Steve isn’t CEO of Apple. With a new leader you can easily start to lose the fight. Its all about the leader. Tim’s credibility was questioned big time. And Tim’s success is YET to be seen. No one can say Tim made Apple more successful yet. You’d have to see Tim be CEO just as long as Jobs was before you decide who was a better leader. What can Tim do in 30 years that was better than what Jobs did in 30 years? And then on top of that take in the account that Jobs laid down the stepping stones for Tim.
So how good of a CEO is Tim since he already had the stepping stones put in place by Steve Jobs?!?! Steve laid it all out. What has Tim done? He’s been adding onto what Jobs already laid down. Jobs already planned the iTV, iMini, iPhone, etc. Sure Jobs was against the mini, but maybe thats just because he wanted the iPad to have a few years of firm glory before introducing another one?. Still…. all of these products were planned out and developed by Steve Jobs. Tim has YET to come out with a new product that Steve hasn’t touched.
After all,
When Steve Jobs passed away, he left Apple the plans for the next 3 generations of every single device Apple planned on selling.
The next 3 iPhones
The next 3 iPads
The next 3 iPad minis
The next 3 iTVs
The next 3 MacBook Pros
The next 3 iPods
The next 3 iMacs
The next 3 Mac Pros (the desktop if you didn’t know the name)
The next 3 MacBook Airs
And other products that we don’t even know about. He left the blueprints for 3 years of “future products.”
(Some people argue that it was 4 years of future products, but the article I read said 3 years, so choose 3-4 as you wish)
Trust me, he left products that haven’t been released yet.
This is Steve jobs we’re talking about.
Stop reading for a second… Close your eyes… And think. “STEVE JOBS.”
This guy is a GENIUS for innovative ideas okay. Dont ever underestimate him. Trust me,
He left stepping stones for Tim. Big big stepping stones. He was smart enough to make Apple what it is, and he’s smart enough to make it easy for Tim to continue his work after he’s gone.
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July 18th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Remember that most people who purchase phones have no idea what CPU, GPU, LTE, NFC, aspect ratio, etc. even mean. They just say “ohhhh look, shiny new phone with big pretty screen :drool:”. I’m not saying that the majority of people are idiots, but there are a ton of iPhone users that have no idea what’s inside their phone. They just expect it to work, and Apple does a good job of making it work, quite well I might add. Apple can add all the features and specs they want to the new iPhone, which makes us happy ’cause we understand the technical side of things, but mom, grandma, and uncle Harry don’t understand that stuff. They look for the obvious upgrades like form factor and screen size. They don’t care if the photo of their grand kids downloads 5 seconds slower because they are on 3G instead of LTE. Apple has to realize that a large portion of their customers are these kinds of people, and to keep them, they must offer some wow factor to prevent them drooling over a competitor’s phone. So while we argue over specs, some people are just looking for what looks nice in their hands. This leads me to believe that Apple will increase the screen size to keep up with the competition and to appeal to those users who could care less about what’s under the hood. Apple will keep it within reason though. We are not going to see a huge increase in screen size like 5″, but a size noticeable enough to keep that wow factor. Who knows though, maybe Apple could care less about what the customer wants and just give us what they think we want. I highly doubt they would keep the 3.5 inch screen because that’s what Steve Jobs wanted.
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July 18th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
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July 18th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
i’ll take a better battery and CPU any day over a bigger screen…
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July 18th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Bravo GetSwole that really made me smile. I have GREAT ADMIRATION for the departed Mr. Jobs. That being said; I honestly don’t thnk Apple will change the screen size, and I don’t think they should either. It’s cool that people want bigger screens for games, and for watching movies, and all that. Buy an iPad if that’s the case, or an android.
Part of what makes the iPhone so great IS its size. when talks of edge to edge screen came up; I mean honestly; the bezel on the side of any iPhone is already minimal. At the end of the day, the device is a MOBILE device; women, men, and even some children can easily pocket it. 4″ means an overall increase in size, and I think it would look very UN-Applesque.
There are even commenters that say if the next iPhone doesn’t have a bigger screen; you’re going over to Android.
I ask; why did you buy your current iPhone then? Because of the Apple ecosystem? Integration with cloud? Then I seriously doubt you are going anywhere. If you have an Android device, then more power to you for picking another device. I’ll stick with the iPhone and less problems
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July 18th, 2012 at 9:49 pm
I think the screen size need to increase, but not to 4.8″ or whatever, but it needs to increase. 3.5″ might be optimal up until the i4, honestly, even in the 3GS days, we had phones like Nokia 5800 and Sony Ericsson P1i, smart phones yes, and there were pretty much no apps or whatsoever, iPhone dominated, it wasn’t exactly “the trend” back then, i mean i hesitated for a long time before switching from one of those to the 3GS. What I’m trying to say is, things have changed, applications / functionality have expanded, 3.5″ might be perfect up till the i4, but now a phone is a mini-computer and it deserve to have something a bit larger. I mean really, the current size is great to hold and great to put in pocket etc. but sometimes I just hope it can display more.
I don’t know but increasing to a 4″ might not mean an equal increase of the device size itself, afterall, trimming the edges you gain 0.X” already.
For those who ask why people bought an i4s instead of a GS3? Well i’m sure some would still choose the i4s today but for (most?) others, it was because the GS3 wasn’t out back then, and the GS2 had its flaws? mind you the GS2 sold well “despite” its flaws, why? part of it must be for its bigger screen. Of course there are people who doesn’t mind having a 3.5″, but those who do, will depart, and Apple is left with only those who doesn’t mind to have a 3.5″ device (that costs as much as a 4.8″ device). I’m not saying the bigger the better, but for functionality’s sake, it needs a bit of an increase.
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July 18th, 2012 at 9:59 pm
Just want to add, if there is an iPod and an iPod mini; iPad and iPad mini, why can’t there be iPhone and iPhone mini? would be nice wouldn’t it? a 3.5″ screen (with edges trimmed) becoming the “mini” and a 4″-4.5″ iPhone to be the flagship version. Or how about an iPhone and iPhone Pro?
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July 18th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
HEY EVERYONE! AT&T JUST ANNOUNCED THE SHARED DATA PLANS! TO READ ABOUT IT CLICK HERE! http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304672204577534581414293436.html
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July 18th, 2012 at 11:28 pm
Wow this has generated debate! I’d like a bigger screen, but not at the expense of a bigger phone. Yes a big screen is handy when you are using the phone, but the rest of the time (most of the time!) it is taking up space in your pocket. For those who carry it in a handbag, a bigger screen is unproblematic (until we reach tablet dimensions), however others have to fit it in a pocket, or carry it on their belt.
As time goes on, more and more things we currently do with Safari will be incorporated into specific aps – I can do my banking with plenty of screen space in 3.5″ because it is all contained in a well-designed ap. The big browser screens are mainly cluttered with ads and other junk I don’t want to see.
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July 18th, 2012 at 11:50 pm
@Blvck
Thank you!
and hahaha your last paragraph made me laugh because of how true it is. Lol!
Im with you on every point you made.
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July 18th, 2012 at 11:52 pm
4.15” screen with the same aspect ratio would be perfect, halfway between 4.0” and 4.3”. There’s no need for a thinner iPhone. The perfect combination would be the 4.15” screen, same aspect ratio, thinner display in order to accommodate a larger battery for LTE. Movies or real fast browsing on the web on a 4.15” gorgeous screen would be the best experience. Still hope for a curved case or some new materials (different form factor).
The Galaxy S3 doesn’t have the best screen on the market. HTC One X’s and the iPhone’s are better.
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July 19th, 2012 at 4:20 am
“It’s a the grass is always greener kind of reaction.”
That’s a sweeping generalisation Michael that does you no favours. Not everyone wants a larger screen because it it is simply different to what they already have (as your quoted comment alludes to).
Personally I’ve enjoyed my iPhone iterations up to and including the 4S but contrary to what you have assumed, I was not always really happy with the screen size, since the iP4 I wanted a larger screen, not enough to make me leave the Apple ecosystem but it is a feature I am increasingly finding more important as I use more devices with larger screens on a day to day basis.
To say that because I enjoyed a 3.5 inch screen before makes me a hypocrite for wanting a bigger screen is a little churlish. I enjoyed playing “snake” on my old Nokia a decade ago but that did not stop me wanting them to bring out a much better and graphically enhanced game if the tech became available.
For me, a larger screen is not necessarily a deal-breaker up front, but it would go quite a long way to becoming one now that my expectations have changed as to what I want in a modern smartphone.
To be clear though, I’m not criticising the whole article, it’s a valid debate to question why people might want certain new features, my argument is the way that certain sentences biased the tone of the article against those wanting a larger screen rather than it merely provoking debate.
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July 19th, 2012 at 8:30 am
“my argument is the way that certain sentences biased the tone of the article against those wanting a larger screen rather than it merely provoking debate.”
That’s pretty close to what I was going for, Oscar. The article was meant to challenge those who are clamoring for a larger display for the iPhone 5 to really explain how the iPhone’s current 3.5-inch screen is inadequate. And truth be told, I remain unconvinced that there is really any more reason than the fact that competing devices have larger screens. There are a few people who claim that their hands are so incredibly large that they need a bigger screen to accommodate them. While that may be true for the few, I don’t think it is for the many.
As I said before, users adapt to displays. Take the average mall movie theater, for example: it has 22 screens, and most of them are barely bigger than the big-screen tv in my family room. But you go into the theater, you sit down, you frown at the small screen, and then the lights go down, the movie comes on, and you adjust to the size; you forget that the screen is any bigger or small than any other movie screen you’ve ever sat in front of before.
The same is true with a smartphone: you hold it in front of you and adjust to its dimensions almost instantly. The touch aspect of it can be more of an adjustment, but even that variable is quickly overcome by the user.
Based on this reality, the screen size is not severely lacking in the iPhone, because the user is generally very well-adjusted to it. I would think that Cupertino designers have to wonder if a larger display and dimensions is worth the larger chassis, since one’s pocket is a lot less adjustable than their perception of the display size.
I respect your opinion. But I still think that the larger screen was borne out of a need to be different from the iPhone, not a serious improvement over the mobile computing experience.
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July 19th, 2012 at 9:25 am
Great responses for both sides of the debate. I currently have the 3G and a iPod classic 160GB so i’m used to the small screens and honestly they are not THAT bad, now having said that I would love to have a bigger screen on my next iPhone so that i could enjoy the videos, games, and apps that much more on a GREAT phone. Yesterday we had what i call a mobile phone fair at my job and samsung was the featured brand so i was able to hold, pocket, and use the SG3 as well as the Note. I will say that the SG3′s screen size is not that outrageous and the Note i had to hold with 2 hands to use but i do that naturally with my iphone because that’s how i LIKE to use my device. The note is a nice device but i have come to agree after using one that it wouldnt be ideal for ME to keep that phone in my pocket or in a phone case(i doubt they have a case for that phone lol only joking)for that matter. i’ve become accustomed to IOS and the iPhone so im not switching but i would like a larger display say 4-4.5″ maybe.
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July 19th, 2012 at 9:32 am
@ Nace-Although I do agree with your theater analogy, one could easily argue that even if you adjust during the movie, while you’re exiting and overhear everyone’s comments of the movie itself, chances are you’ll also hear the dissatisfaction of the theater’s screen size as well. Something to the tune of ‘yea, the movie was great but I wish the screen was bigger, I was squinting to see all those good details’. So in this example, the movie itself wasn’t the negative experience, it was how the movie was viewed. In this same way, the experience of the user is affected by the medium the experience is had on. In other words, iOS6 will still be amazing whether viewed/experienced on a 3.5″ screen or 4″+. However one cannot simply say its the exact same experience and those who are experiencing it on a larger screen are only having a better experience becuase they’re keeping up w/the jones’. I do believe there is a very legitimate argument for a larger screen. Also, while the audience is adjusting to the theater’s screen size and may forget during the movie about it (they do this to not lose track of whats going on. So its almost a forced reaction), they don’t have to take that screen home and live with it at work, in the car and everywhere else they may take that screen. Using that same example, if every movie theater in the world had a small screen, chances are, eventually the people would demand a larger screen until the theaters were forced to meet the demand of the people lest they want to go out of business due to slumping ticket sales. Sure, maybe the young whipper-snappers with perfect 20/20 eyesight won’t have a problem but the old folks with readers and glaucoma will cry foul. If a theater in Brazil all of a sudden introduced a larger screen and folks up north got wind of how great the experiences of these movie-goers are due to the screen size (and how many tickets are being sold at the box office), they would immediately follow suit and if the northerners’ experiences are better for it, it’s not because they simply want to be like the movie-goers in Brazil; the experience is just ultimately a better one despite where you are, who saw the movie first etc. See where i’m going with this? In this way, it touches @Thirdeye’s point in that a larger screen would benefit the majority and not only the minority because Apple fanboys and tech geeks alike aren’t the only business Apple generates for the iPhone. There are average folks who know nothing about tech jargon that simply hear Apple’s phone is the best. A large chunk of those poeple are folks over 45 who are simply trying to keep up with their kids and the fast-paced world of technology and don’t necessarily plan to become a developer or a tech analyst. It would be foolish to say they want a larger screen or that a larger screen would work better for them simply because they know a competing phone has a larger screen too. Because as I said, just like they don’t know that much about the iPhone and its components, the same can be said about the competing phones. Although I do think the screen size is a novelty feature for the most part, i’d be remissed if I didn’t mention that for many, it is a legitimate feature that greatly or even drastically enhances the user experience and has absolutely no connection to competing phones. And for many, myself included, competing brands aren’t even an afterthought. Bigger isn’t always better and I don’t think anyone is saying that in particular but a slight increase in size I think is both appealing from a sales standpoint and somewhat of a necessity for all those who don’t enjoy squinting at a screen and will later require glasses to send a text (no offense Michael). Lastly, I just wanted to address those who have an issue with the phone’s dimensions changing and no longer ‘fitting in their pocket’. Here’s the thing, smartphones are essentially mini-computers. Either you want a phone that just makes calls or you want a multi-use device that essentially does the same kind of computing as a desktop. It’s not sensible to say ‘I want a computer that fits in my pocket and is large enough to do the same types of tasks that I would do on a laptop/desktop but I also want it to be the perfect size to fit in my hand when i’m making a call. Unfortunately, the closest thing we have to that is the current model (i4/s) but these are the same people clammoring for a completely revamped form factor and larger screen. We can’t always have everything we want because of the limitations of current technology. Its either be happy w/the i4/S and don’t complain you want it to change or expect to not fit that computer perfectly in your pocket and/or on your ear when its time to make calls. You don’t make calls on your desktop do you? Well not with your ear against it. Then don’t expect to write a college paper on your landline housephone either. Can’t have it all, there will be sacrifices (in my Leonidis voice)
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July 19th, 2012 at 10:12 am
@Michael, I do see your point and it is valid for some (maybe most) iPhone fans but will respectfully agree to disagree
Keep up the great articles though, disagreement is what drives people forward, if everyone were the same life would be boring…
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July 19th, 2012 at 10:16 am
Thanks, Oscar.
It just seemed like the right time for all of us to have this discussion, since the long aspect ratio rumor is really getting touted as what the iPhone 5 is going to have, and I’m not at all positive that that will be the case. I don’t know why, but I have this vision of Apple doing lots of impressive stuff with the iPhone 5 but not increasing the screen size and Apple enthusiasts being devastated. Like, seriously devastated.
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July 19th, 2012 at 10:30 am
Apple has over 500,000 Apps in the App Store.
I don’t see developers eager to switching the current aspect ratio on that many applications.
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July 19th, 2012 at 11:18 am
@Core2, perhaps not but then how many of those apps would actually need upgrading?
I’m thinking of the vast amount of “fart apps” that came out years ago and other such novelty apps that the developers would consider disposable and not bother updating, not to mention that if Apple implemented a way of adding black bars around the “old” apps automatically then the rush to upgrade them wouldn’t be so desperate.
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July 19th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
@Core2 i’ve never really considered the number of apps available on the store in relation having to adjust the apps to a screen size. i’m sure they will complain about it but wouldnt that be extra revenue for the developers to have two or more of the same apps out there for the different screen sizes. it may turn out to be a plus for them.
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July 19th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
No extra revenue. Developers would be expected to update their apps to fit the new phone.
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July 19th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
If you give a girl a drink and tell her there’s alcohol in it, a lot of girls will start to act tipsy….even though its all in their head.
Likewise, if you tell someone it’s hard to type on the iPhone with big hands, they’ll all of a sudden think they have big hands….even though their hands are normal size in every other situation in life.
If the doctor tells you you’re very sick and are going to die in 2 days, you’ll all of a sudden feel very sick. “IT’S ALL IN YOUR MIND”
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July 19th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
I have used the Iphone since it first came out. My husband and most of my family now use it as well. I love the ease of use of it and the apps, etc. I especially enjoy the face time features for visiting with my family. While I may not fully understand, nor do I care to understand, the actual workings of the device I appreciate the results.
I have researched other larger phones and from what I have seen do not like their systems for ease of use. I do believe that I would enjoy a larger screen for both vision and ease of typing for texting, etc. I do not have large hands but do have issues with where my fingers land, a letter off more often than I like. I also hate pulling out the glasses just to quickly read a text, etc. I already have it set on the large font. Anyway, I do agree that sometimes people just want something new. I think tho that there are valid reasons for the desire and popularity of a larger screen. Thanks for giving me a chance to actually think this through!
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July 19th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@GetSwole, in my case, it’s in my hands. You can tell by the posts I put on here with my iPhone.
@All, as to the issue with screen size, I think there are two ways (and I’ll bring Steve Jobs in here in a minute…) to look at it:
1. 3.7″ is the bestest screen size for a phone ever for a given population’s hand size, and no amount of having an iPad for a phone is going to change it. Sorry, Andre, that’s the fact, Jack. (or Andre) So, Apple shouldn’t change the screen size.
2. In 2007, that was the best cost/income ration for a phone, and it worked, so Steve (among the things a leader must do is rally the troops… see Patton) Jobs said, “this is the best screen, and that’s all there is to it.” I’d like to see the studies on this, because if that’s the case, then we’re done developing screens on phones, and eventually, they’ll all return to this size, and the larger/smaller ones will be niche products.
or…
Steve was saying what was best for the time (2007), and a 4.3″ screen would become profitable (why have a screen that costs $100 or a $300 device, when your margins are 42%? That only leaves $60 for the rest of the parts plus the design costs…
Since Tim has closed the lid on all of the secrets coming out of Cupertino, the only way we’ll know the answer to these questions is to wait until October, which the first is only 74 days away!
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July 19th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
ok, ration=ratio… that proves my point to GetSwole!
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July 19th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
As a long time user of an iPhone 3GS, I noticed that the screen size is fairly ideal for games, but it was horrible for me as a web browser and an email device. I noticed that the primary times that I used my iPhone as a browser or an email device, was when I was on the road and away from a computer, so browsing and emailing became tedious and a lesson in frustration. I started pining for a larger screen iPhone. After the disappointment in the iPhone 4S instead of a 5, I started scouring the blogs and rumor sites for any news on the iPhone 5. I finally gave up and bought a Galaxy Note. I LOVE the screen, and I’m glad that there are alternatives to ios in order to make sure all ecosystems are pushing the limits, but I do sometimes find myself wishing I had bought an iPhone Note at times.
Browsing the internet, e-books, and email are now a pleasure on the Note, but I do miss some of the features and simplicity of my 3GS, I guess you can’t have it all.
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July 19th, 2012 at 5:57 pm
My iPad and iPhone autocorrect ratio to ration….. Is that your case @Jeff in Everett
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July 19th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
@Cristian, no. It was when I meant to hit the space bar and got the n by accident.
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July 19th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
Oh…. ok!
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July 21st, 2012 at 3:15 am
I use my phone a fair bit for gps based apps (boat and car navigation) so would prefer a slightly larger screen to make the maps easier to see. I don’t want a massively larger phone, it must still be pocket sized. As I’ve discussed before, if the new iPhone had an edge-to-edge 4″ screen with the same aspect ratio, it would not add any width to the phones overall size. Tone fair, I could live with the current screen size if it held up better against the sun, ie less glare, maybe even a matt screen?
I’d also like to reaffirm my point that I think the stretched larger screen would be pointless. All it would add is an extra row of icons on the home screen, which I can definitely live without. Give me a phone that looks better proportioned than an extra row of items any day. Also, the argument that the 16:9 ratio is better for movies doesn’t stand as most movies aren’t filmed in 16:9, only tv is. What are your views on that Michael?
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