Apple can do just fine without those customers.

“Each new generation iPhone sold approximately equal to all previous generations combined.” — Schiller’s quote during the Samsung trial.

Sounds like they going in the right direction to me.

However, it also highlights why the market needs some direction right now. The author cites bigger screens as a feature that differentiates other smartphones from the iPhone. While that may be true, it is not true that this makes them better. Not everyone wants a 5″ screen because it interferes with portability. 4G LTE is obviously better for data, but with previous chipsets being power hogs and with 4G networks still just rolling out, Apple made a decent argument to wait on 4G LTE.

In both examples, these are not innovations, they are features that Apple could easily have incorporated. Instead of just ramping up a spec, Apple actually considers the benefit to consumers and effect on usability.

The last thing also differentiates Apple, but the end to end user experience is never considered by tech analysts. If it is, they use the term “walled garden” as a negative.

Until someone completely revamps the form factor that Apple created for smartphones (virtual keyboard?!?! that isn’t going to work!!!!), there are just going to be improvements. Instead of mindless spec sheet races, Apple will likely again focus on certain areas they believe consumers will like most.

One such area is photography. Samsung and Nokia will make this a MP race, but that is nearly at the useful limit, except for marketing and spec sheet aficionados. Better sensors, better lenses (this is limited by the form factor, I know), and better software are all where it is at. The 4S may not win a MP comparison, but the photos are better than most other smartphones under similar conditions.

My 21 y.o. daughter and Lord knows how many more of her friends are waiting to see the iPhone 5 and if it does not dazzle then they are moving over to the Nokia 920 when released.

Needs some glitz, need colours, and need a gorgeous intuitive OS and Windows 8 appears to have all these bases covered.

Just Saying!

It may be that the iPhone 5 will look the same as the 4 and 4S because the outside bands serve as the antennae system. If this is the best antennae system that Apple can design then it would be counterproductive for them to change it for the small population who buy their phones because of the way they look.

As for the size debate, Apple/Jobs can go the Leica philosophy that a classic design is never completely out of fashion. However, Leica is niche and a good number of consumers tend to prefer bigger (reasonably) screens at first blush when pitted with side by side comparisons.

Obviously, it’s Apple’s call and I think they can afford to stretch the new iPhone to a larger size while offering an updated iPhone 4S for those who prefer the new classic model. I don’t think this will cause too much fragmentation. It might even afford Apple the opportunity to offer two iPhone refresh/upgrade cycles a year. No more two quarter long bottleneck/anticipations.

All they need to do is make it BIGGER than anyone else's – silly Apple, trying to make it better.

Could this be any more facile if he tried?

The bigger screens on the Roids was to cover the massive battery they needed to run the phone a measly 3 hours. The handful of users I see with the Roids always have them plugged in at work. Why? Did you not just charge them overnight at home?

As to the 4G network, just like the 3G rollout. First chips are power hogs and how about that 4G coverage. Good luck finding it other than small areas of big citys.

I just want a bullet proof phone that fits in my pocket and runs iOS all day long. The rest is noise.

The only thing Apple needs to do is keep improving it in the areas “they” see they need to fix or adjust.

Just because you or some analyst says a bigger screen or a new redesign is needed does not make it so.

Are you working as a industrial designer at a high end company?
Do you have on your resume 3 past designs that hit it out of the park?

Then shut up.

New apple buyers will not be able understand but just fall into the glamour of “larger screen or faster processor ” ….

Apple creates a seamless and enjoyable ecosystem ..

That said expect loads of hate mail about what the iPhone does not have !

Because, you know, they all look the same anyway.