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[mescalineeyes]

i think they will sell iphone5 in two sizes ..... yup .... current size AND a +4"er

pretty sure the 5th iPhone only comes in one size. 2 colors, though.

 

[Meier]

A lot of girls won't like this.

They like the iPhone because it's small. Going the route of the giganto Android phones is probably not the best thing.

I think 3.7" with the same form factor just edge to edge screen would've been the way to go if they wanted to make it bigger, going all the way up to 4.6" is kinda crazy.

They like the iPhone because it's an iPhone and it's by far the most hip electronics item one could have.

I can't fucking wait for this. Been so jealous of the Galaxy S and those other gorgeous Android phones for years now.

 

[Zeppu]

This picture highlights why a 4.6 iphone will never happen. Android's navigation buttons are located at the bottom of the screen which means the screen can be as large as possible and still be used relatively well with one hand. iOS has the back button at the top Left of the screen. Unless you have elongated thumbs there's no way with a screen that large someone could use it with one hand. Even 4 inches is pushing it.

That is a rather valid point. In fact, on tablets the launcher icon is on the top right corner, and I do tend to find it to be out of the way. However, the notification bar on the GN doesn't feel out of reach at all, and many ICS apps do have the back button at the top right corner and still feels okay to use.

i never used a galaxy nexus, so i can't comment on it. i will say that my current phone leaves the same amount of space between the tip of my middle finger (i'm a smaller dude)

i'm just saying, phones don't need to keep getting bigger. the screens on my OG droid and current iphone 4 are a great size - they enable me to make calls, check a map, shoot text messages and dick around the internet if i need to.

That's fine, people thinking about feeling it uncomfortable in their hands is understandable, but don't worry about not fitting in pockets If anything larger screen size seems to be making phones thinner which will feel more comfortable in your pockets.

 

[Bboy AJ]

pretty sure the 5th iPhone only comes in one size. 2 colors, though.

We get it, dude. There's no need to be so pedantic, over and over again. No one gives a shit other than you.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

A lot of girls won't like this.

They like the iPhone because it's small. Going the route of the giganto Android phones is probably not the best thing.

I think 3.7" with the same form factor just edge to edge screen would've been the way to go if they wanted to make it bigger, going all the way up to 4.6" is kinda crazy.

You should see some of the Korean girls who have Galaxy Notes. Girls like big screens too, it's a lot easier to see the web on a 5.3" screen than on a 3.5" screen.

 

[.GqueB.]

A lot of girls won't like this.

They like the iPhone because it's small. Going the route of the giganto Android phones is probably not the best thing.

I think 3.7" with the same form factor just edge to edge screen would've been the way to go if they wanted to make it bigger, going all the way up to 4.6" is kinda crazy.

They'll learn to like it because its apple. Apple doesn't alter itself to fit you, you alter yourself to fit apple.

 

[mescalineeyes]

We get it, dude. There's no need to be so pedantic, over and over again. No one gives a shit other than you.

At least I am not saying the iPad doesn't have a true Retina screen. Let me have this.

 

[SimleuqiR]

Finally! A 4.6" screen done right!!!

On a serious note, it would probably thinner and have a longer battery life than my Galaxy Tuna.

 

[BrettHD]

My Zune HD is the perfect size of any touch gadget I've ever owned. A similarly sized iPhone nano would be perfect for me. If the new iPhone becomes ungainly I'm not upgrading to it.




I can't possibly imagine what kind of pants you wear which have pockets which can fit an oversized smartphone. I can barely fit my iPhone held in my hand in my pocket without having to fight it in. I put my hand, holding the phone, in my pocket quite uncomfortably. The way you hear some people talk you would think that their pockets are big to fit Fort Knox. When did oversized and ungainly become progress?

Thanks for the proof that you have no arguement.

 

[mescalineeyes]

Finally! A 4.6" screen done right!!!

On a serious note, it would probably thinner and have a longer battery life than my Galaxy Tuna.

Making it thinner would negate all the benefits of the wider enclosure being able to fit a bigger battery.

Compare the Lumia 800 to the Lumia 900. That's exactly what's going to happen here.

 

[Lord Error]

Assuming true (and that's a good assumption, since this has been the rumor for some time), they're going to have a banner year indeed. It's pretty much the singular upgrade people have been waiting for.

I don't think I've ever heard 4.6" being mentioned from any source up until this point. There was some talk about 4" and 3.7" while keeping the same form factor, right before 4S launched.

4.6, that's a while inch bigger than the screen is now. When I look at how far thumbs would have to travel to reach corner to corner, I just don't see it working for the majority of people, especially with how obsessed Apple are over device usability issues. Also, yet another resolution change?

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Finally! A 4.6" screen done right!!!

Only Apple's 4.6" screen is a true Retina Display, all other 4.6" screens aren't because Apple said so!

 

[WickedCobra03]

I sure hope not, anything over 4" is too big for me.

I feel like that 4inches is pushing the threshold of what I want to hold in my hand up to my head or what I want to put in my pocket. I don't want to look like I am shoving an iPad in my pocket everytime I slip my phone in my pocket.

 

[SimleuqiR]

Making it thinner would negate all the benefits of the wider enclosure being able to fit a bigger battery.

Compare the Lumia 800 to the Lumia 900. That's exactly what's going to happen here.

A bigger capacity battery doesn't always mean a thicker battery, specially with Apple's attention to design. I think Apple can one up Samsung in the "Big ass phone" department. But who knows if they ever actually go in that direction.

 

[subrock]

Anyone paying attention knows that this won't happen

 

[XMonkey]

I feel like that 4inches is pushing the threshold of what I want to hold in my hand up to my head or what I want to put in my pocket. I don't want to look like I am shoving an iPad in my pocket everytime I slip my phone in my pocket.

This is the kind of hyperbole I can't stand. You're acting like 4" is the end of your world, yet when it does come out with a bigger screen you're going to try it in a store and go "hey that isn't bad at all". Don't be so afraid of 0.5".

 

[mescalineeyes]

Anyone paying attention knows that this won't happen

anyone paying attention can back up their claims with actual arguments.

 

[Treefingers]

Not gonna happen.

 

[The Faceless Master]

I dont think you can compare it like that unless they are changing the aspect ratio of the phone.

it will be slightly wider and shorter

4.6" 3:2 vs GN

pretty sure the 5th iPhone only comes in one size. 2 colors, though.

doesn't it come in 3 sizes? 16/32/64?

 

[Zeppu]

Guys! Guys!!

What if Apple introduces iInches. The new phone will be 3.5iIn where 1iIn = 3.33cm. I think that would satisfy everyone since you get to keep the same size phone! Also ppi is obsolete, ppii is where it's all at.

 

[mescalineeyes]

doesn't it come in 3 sizes? 16/32/64?

physical size.

but well played, sir.

Guys! Guys!!

What if Apple introduces iInches. The new phone will be 3.7iIn where 1iIn = 3.1cm. I think that would satisfy everyone since you get to keep the same size phone! Also ppi is obsolete, ppii is where it's all at.

Not before they announce the iAnnoyingForumPosterThatLikesToShitUpLegitimateThreads first. Or apparently they already have. So yeah, maybe iInches are next. I think they're going to call them something else though because 2 "i"s at the beginning of a word look weird to most people.

 

[Synth_floyd]

My friend has a 4.3" htc something or other. It's a nice size. Feels like a Star Trek-style compact computer.

 

[Shorty]

if they somehow managed to make the bezel super thin/almost non-existent and therefore making the phone 99% screen there probably wouldn't be much of an increase in size + it would look absolutely amazing.

that would take a hell of an engineer though.

 

[Carlisle]

Another year, another 4"+ iphone rumor. The size is perfect as it is. My phone isn't a home theater, it needs to fit comfortably in my pocket.

 

[Zeppu]

if they somehow managed to make the bezel super thin/almost non-existent and therefore making the phone 99% screen there probably wouldn't be much of an increase in size + it would look absolutely amazing.

that would take a hell of an engineer though.

From my experience, a bit of bezel on the side still needs to exist, because it's very easy to be touching the side of the screen with the inside/bottom part of your thumb when reaching to the other side of the screen. 3-4mm is enough though. Top/bottom bezel has room to be reduced though, but knowing Apple they want the screen centered both vertically and horizontally so the current size of the bottom bezel with the home button probably won't decrease any time soon. It's also the perfect size for thumbs as is so there's also that.

Not before they announce the iAnnoyingForumPosterThatLikesToShitUpLegitimateThreads first. Or apparently they already have. So yeah, maybe iInches are next. I think they're going to call them something else though because 2 "i"s at the beginning of a word look weird to most people.

iNches? Might be better actually since they could keep PPi in that case

Plus, they'd never sacrifice the retina status

As it's been pointed out already, a larger screen means you could hold it farther away from you and still use it comfortably and so the same argument as with the new iPad would hold. And I agree completely since 250ppi to use a phone more than a few inches from your face (which you shouldn't need to with a larger screen) is enough.

 

[AngryMoth]

I actually am ok with the current size. I would believe 3.7" maybe but no way will they make the jump to 4.6", not without still having a 3.5" option, and that isn't their style. Plus, they'd never sacrifice the retina status

 

[LQX]

Nice, hopefully this means bigger iPad Touch.

 

[Jill Sandwich]

iSee what you did there.

 

[Dre3001]

The Iphone 4s is 4.5 inches in height yet only has a 3.5 inch screen.



If Apple removed the home button and made the screen fill almost all the black bezel then 4.6 inches would not be too bad and would only be slightly bigger than the current Iphone.

 

[Erasus]

Samsung should really get the praise for the screen, when everyone just praises Apple...

 

[mescalineeyes]

if they somehow managed to make the bezel super thin/almost non-existent and therefore making the phone 99% screen there probably wouldn't be much of an increase in size + it would look absolutely amazing.

that would take a hell of an engineer though.

The Iphone 4s is 4.5 inches in height yet only has a 3.5 inch screen.



If Apple removed the home button and made the screen fill almost all the black bezel then 4.6 inches would not be too bad and would only be slightly bigger than the current Iphone.

Oh come on. It's been mentioned multiple times that usability would greatly suffer if that happened.

I wonder if you guys didn't bother to read the thread or if I need to provide further evidence as to why this is a bad idea.

 

[Tobor]

The whole thing sounds like horseshit.

 

[Talon]

The whole thing sounds like horseshit.

Truth.

 

[v1oz]

The iPhone 4 already feels like a brick in your hands compared to older phones.

 

[mescalineeyes]

The whole thing sounds like horseshit.

Truth.

Rather than coming in here with silly 1 liners, you might actually want to elaborate on why you think that is.

I expected better of you, Tobor.

 

[numble]

Rather than coming in here with silly 1 liners, you might actually want to elaborate on why you think that is.

I expected better of you, Tobor.

Reuters track record?
Maeil Business Newspaper's track record?

 

[kehs]

Tobor came around on ipad cameras and notification centers, he'll come around. =D

 

[Talon]

That big of a screen size variation would cause a huge issue with scaling. iPhone devs are ostensibly going to be supporting 960 x 640 and 2560 x 1536. The transition was easier to those two, since it was a double of horizontal and vertical resolution. Where does a 4.6" screen put them? Do they stick with 960 x 640? Do they jump to some arbitrary, higher resolution?

Not to mention the form factor of that device would fundamentally clash with how iOS is meant to be used. A large part of the user experience on iOS involves the top 1/3 of the screen. The tab navigation language is shared in native iOS applications and, I'd venture to say, a majority of iOS apps in use currently. Not to mention that tapping on the top screen to scroll up and such.

Steve Jobs said as much that the company values the ability to use the phone in one hand, and I sincerely doubt they'd make a jump up to a massive 4.6". If they make any sort of jump, it'll be up to 4", sticking to 960 x 640.

Also, Reuters. I'm a journalist, and we mock Reuters, especially after the shameful, shameful pre-Iraq invasion coverage.

 

[zoukka]

I reallyreallyreally hope they stick with a small screen.

And would an OLED screen offer as bright of a screen with current tech?

 

[Tobor]

Rather than coming in here with silly 1 liners, you might actually want to elaborate on why you think that is.I expected better of you, Tobor.

Are you serious?

1. Second quarter launch would mean launching a new iPhone with out a new version of iOS. Unprecedented.
2. 4.6" screen would mean a massive increase in body size in order to accommodate a large enough battery. Unprecedented.
3. This would have to be a second tier of phone, it's just too large to work for everybody. Unprecedented.
4. Resolution issues no matter what they do. This wouldn't be a clean, easy upgrade. Unprecedented.

The whole thing is a clean break from every successful strategy Apple has used to date. If they've managed to avoid all 4 of my points, then it's an amazing engineering and software development feat, even for Apple. It sounds like horsehit.

 

[mescalineeyes]

Are you serious?

1. Second quarter launch would mean launching a new iPhone with out a new version of iOS. Unprecedented.
2. 4.6" screen would mean a massive increase in body size in order to accommodate a large enough battery. Unprecedented.
3. This would have to be a second tier of phone, it's just too large to work for everybody. Unprecedented.
4. Resolution issues no matter what they do. This wouldn't be a clean, easy upgrade. Unprecedented.

The whole thing is a clean break from every successful strategy Apple has used to date. If they've managed to avoid all 4 of my points, then it's an amazing engineering and software development feat, even for Apple. It sounds like horsehit.

oh, we are way past the article.
the article is indeed horseshit on all accounts.

no iPhone has ever launched in the 2nd quarter. Child, please.

 

[kehs]

Are you serious?

1. Second quarter launch would mean launching a new iPhone with out a new version of iOS. Unprecedented.
2. 4.6" screen would mean a massive increase in body size in order to accommodate a large enough battery. Unprecedented.
3. This would have to be a second tier of phone, it's just too large to work for everybody. Unprecedented.
4. Resolution issues no matter what they do. This wouldn't be a clean, easy upgrade. Unprecedented.

The whole thing is a clean break from every successful strategy Apple has used to date. If they've managed to avoid all 4 of my points, then it's an amazing engineering and software development feat, even for Apple. It sounds like horsehit.

Introducing unprecented ideas sounds like an iPhone unveil to me. What other way to Cook Apple if not by reinventing the reinvention of the phone?

 

[HamPster PamPster]

If true, I hope this means a bigger iPod touch is coming also

 

[Zeppu]

Are you serious?

1. Second quarter launch would mean launching a new iPhone with out a new version of iOS. Unprecedented.
2. 4.6" screen would mean a massive increase in body size in order to accommodate a large enough battery. Unprecedented.
3. This would have to be a second tier of phone, it's just too large to work for everybody. Unprecedented.
4. Resolution issues no matter what they do. This wouldn't be a clean, easy upgrade. Unprecedented.

The whole thing is a clean break from every successful strategy Apple has used to date. If they've managed to avoid all 4 of my points, then it's an amazing engineering and software development feat, even for Apple. It sounds like horsehit.

I won't disagree with points 1 and 2, but like they've released different sized iPods I can totally see two sizes of iPhones, especially since 'small' screen is what competitors are poking fun at with the iPhone. As for 4, I still think that any increase in resolution would be three times the original iPhone res, as Faceless Master has pointed out. It would be a smooth transition and provide enough pixel density.

What I'd like to point out as well is that the increase in power required by a larger screen is smaller then increase of size in the battery required to power it. The Nexus has a smaller battery than my previous Hero with 1.4 extra inches and the battery lasts much longer than it did with the Hero. Then again that was several OS iterations ago.

 

[Tobor]

I won't disagree with points 1 and 2, but like they've released different sized iPods I can totally see two sizes of iPhones, especially since 'small' screen is what competitors are poking fun at with the iPhone. As for 4, I still think that any increase in resolution would be three times the original iPhone res, as Faceless Master has pointed out. It would be a smooth transition and provide enough pixel density.

That would not be a smooth transition. It would be bilinear filtering hell. No thank you.

 

[PSGames]

Are you serious?

1. Second quarter launch would mean launching a new iPhone with out a new version of iOS. Unprecedented.
2. 4.6" screen would mean a massive increase in body size in order to accommodate a large enough battery. Unprecedented.
3. This would have to be a second tier of phone, it's just too large to work for everybody. Unprecedented.
4. Resolution issues no matter what they do. This wouldn't be a clean, easy upgrade. Unprecedented.

The whole thing is a clean break from every successful strategy Apple has used to date. If they've managed to avoid all 4 of my points, then it's an amazing engineering and software development feat, even for Apple. It sounds like horsehit.

Number 3 is the only way this happens. Remember they already have multiple variations of the iPod and currently have 3 versions of the iPhone on the market (3GS, 4, 4S). If they do release a larger screened iPhone the other models won't disappear.

 

[bionic77]

I don't really want a phone substantially bigger than the current iPhone. If they can cram a bigger screen into a similar sized phone without it raping battery life I am fine with it.

If I want a giant ass phone Android has a lot of great options.

If they go the giant route I hope they keep the current size as well.

 

[sikkinixx]

So... how are they going to change the resolution? Double it AGAIN to make it Retina2X or something? Then devs will have to support 3 different resolutions?

 

[LuchaShaq]

Sold my 4s for two reasons.

Screen size was too small to watch netflix in bed/on the treadmill compared to my old evo 4g.

I hate IOS/itunes

 

[Zeppu]

That would not be a smooth transition. It would be bilinear filtering hell. No thank you.

Well devs still have to update their apps every time Apple decides to change resolution, no? What's one more time? Also, I think with the high DPI (assuming a 4.6" screen at 1440*960 would give us 376 DPI(!!!)) the bilinear filtering would hardly be noticeable. Or you could run two RD display apps side by side in landscape mode