The Wall Street Journal‘s Ian Sherr just reported via Twitter that Apple is testing iPhones with larger screens, in some cases much larger – up to 6-inches.
Of course, Apple has likely tested iOS devices with screens ranging from 1- to 100-inches, but that doesn’t mean sizes not on the market now are coming, or will ever come, to market.
https://twitter.com/iansherr/status/375718305144639488
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And it will be called iFace.
How about ‘BIIIG!”
How about iPad mini?
Good! Different strokes for different folks.
Oh yes, this is truly breaking news; I never expected Apple testing anything.
Suggested, tested, evaluated, rejected.
Time to move on, folks, nothing to see here.
Code name: “Happy to see you.”
Don’t tell Anthony W.
Calling BLN where you??? He should be a happy camper. 😄
Are you sure? Unless I’m wrong, seem to recall GM and Laughing Boy 48 extolling the virtues of larger screens., not BLN.
Could be wrong, but I thought BLN was a big-screen advocate, too.
BLN has been rabidly advocating ever-larger screens on the iPhone ever since it came out, it seems to me.
OK, thanks.
Yup. I’d like a larger screen. As do many millions of iPhone owners. Something wrong with that? You do realize that the iPhone 5 is larger than the iPhone 4S don’t you? I wonder why they made it a little larger? Because people wanted it larger that’s why. It’s pretty simple to understand. Not quite certain why there is so much controversy over it? As I have said before, if they had a larger iPhone now it would be the clear winner between it and the iPhone 5/5S size. Apple misjudged the market so they don’t have a larger iPhone. So it’s simply not available. The iPhone 5 will sell very well no doubt. And sales of other large form factor phones have nothing to do with a larger iPhone. They aren’t iPhones. So all those surveys and statistics mean nothing. Absolutely nothing. The larger iPhone will be here next year. I’m sure they will keep the iPhone 5 size for a a while. So all you guys with small hands will still have an option for a while at least. I guess it’s some sort of badge of courage to act like you’re defending Apple regarding a larger iPhone? Kind of silly really.
I’m torn on that. The biggest factor is how it fits in pants pockets without looking dorky and lumpy. You can’t wear cargo pants all the time. And women don’t always carry a purse and pockets on women’s pants are even less roomy than men’s. I’m not big on phone clips. I have one but don’t use it. As my eyes age, yeah a larger screen would be a plus at times. But my critical thing for a mobile phone is discrete portability, and for that anything larger than the current 5, is too big.
You have hit all the major points, but let me add:
Android phones are bigger because they have to be (because android is significantly less energy efficient and requires more processor and much larger battery to even approach iOS’ performance and runtime)
Second the need for the magnified screen (due to aging eyes) is a “tweener
Oops, premature posting…
The need for a magnified screen due to ageing eyes is a “tweener” problem, one you pass the cusp of middle age you have to carry reading glasses all the time even if you have a 5″ phone, and with proper correction (glasses) you can again read the small screen of the iPhone just fine literally erasing any readability advantage the big phones had.
Again, I don’t care why an Android phone is larger. I have no intention of buying one. I still have my 4S. I didn’t want the iPhone 5 because it’s not much of an improvement size wise at least for me. But it looks like I’ll just go ahead and get the 5S. As soon as the larger iPhone comes out I’ll jump on it day one. I think 4.8 inches to 5 inches will be the size of the next iPhone. I have seen that size and held it in my hand,from competitors, and it’s ideal. You’d be surprised how much just a little more screen helps. And no, I don’t want a six or 7 inch iPhone. The larger iPhone is coming and it will be the runaway bestseller immediately. Of that you can be certain. I just wish it was available next week. But I’ll just have to be happy with the 5S which will of course be a remarkable phone. I certainly won’t mind the improved camera, more power and of course that all-important fingerprint sensor. But just like most people, even those who won’t admit it, I’d just like a bigger screen. And it may be here in less than 12 months.
Excellent points and exactly the reason the iPhone 5 is the perfect size for my tastes. I’d prefer going from the 5 to an iPad-Mini, nothing in between. That said, certainly understand different strokes for different folks.
Mac Raven : You can slip a 5 inch phone in most pockets. Let’s face it, you can’t fit the current iPhone 5 in every pocket available. There is no perfect world. And I will not use a phone case that clips on my belt. That is insane. It’s like it’s 1995 all over again when I see those people. Embarrassing. And hopefully they will retain the iPhone 5 size for people like you. But for the majority of consumers, the larger iPhone will be ideal.
“But for the majority of consumers, the larger iPhone will be ideal.”
Leave it up to others to speak for themselves.
They will.
Another trip to the woodshed, perhaps. MDN can be stern, although unpredictably so
Probably bs just to get a story: Apple has already confirmed that they would not make the screen larger and definatly not wider for holding in one hand
Also, for those still wishing, Apple will not make a smaller iPad mini, or a phone with a 4 inch screen….. Wait?!?!?!?
So that will be this year’s attempt to freeze iPhone customers from buying the new model.
BREAKING what? Not “breaking news.” Just ho-hum what’s new news.
Code Name
Banana In Pocket
Why can’t they release an iPhone based on the iPad mini? It would give them a phablet. End of story. It is absolutly possible. Why not?
Because it would make Apple (and their customers) look as stupid as Samsung (and their customers). Every time I see somebody walking around with one of these ‘phablets’, I can’t help but shake my head. It looked dumb when Dell made the Streak, and it looks dumb now.
Sometimes you just have to put your foot down. I wouldn’t mind a *slightly* bigger iPhone, but only modestly so… Like 10%. 6 inches is ridiculous.
Do you honestly think the technical challenge of lining up the hardware and/or software is the problem? Apple is rather deliberate in these matters.
My point is that they can obviously make an iOS device with a screen that size.
The iPhone 5C will allow Apple to expand model sizes without destroying the esthetics of the flagship model, which Apple obviously believes to be the perfect size.
Shame on you Apple hypocrites, now you copy trying to copy Samsung phone size.
Shame on you Apple hypocrites, now you trying to copy Samsung phone size.
Before we go about name-calling, remember that sometimes, just sometimes, these “sources” get it wrong.
It’s called R&D. You think the original iPhone and iPad sizes were the first and only sizes they considered? Of course they have researched all sizes and shapes and modicums in between. I would love to see their labs. Must be something amazing..
Maxi-Pad
I’ll bet if they do release phones of these sizes, they’ll be different via the software. They’ll be optimized for two-handed use. They have to get it perfect the first time to avoid the copycats.
that’s going to be the iWatch
Something will need to happen before a slightly larger screen iPhone and iPad appear. IOS will need to become resolution independent.
Until then, the matrix of IOS screen sizes will be linked to even multiples of existing screen resolutions. Adopting an arbitrary screen resolution would mean that existing apps would no longer fit the screen properly.
Once we hear about a resolution independent IOS version, we can expect screen sizes/resolutions to change by smaller increments than has been the pattern so far.
It would only be a story if a company as large and with as much money as Apple hadn’t been and continued to test other things.
Just add a dam phone to the iPad mini, a Steve Jobs move…
iPhone X sounds like a good name for a bigger screen iPhone