“The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is testing various screen sizes, ranging from 4.8 inches to 6 inches, and KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple will increase the iPhone screen size from 4 inches to 4.5 or 5 inches next year,” Dan Farber writes for CNET.
“TrendForce estimated that Samsung sold 71 million smartphones through its distributors in the second quarter of 2013, including 23 million Galaxy S4s with a 5-inch screen,” Farber writes. “Apple sold 31.2 iPhones in the same quarter, including a good portion of the aging iPhone 4 and 4S models with a 3.5-inch screen.”
MacDailyNews Take: Estimates vs. actual sales. How many of those Samsung phones were really “smartphones,” not just glorified feature phones? Likely a healthy portion of them. Yes, Apple should offer a larger screen option for those who want it, but don’t act like supersised screens the only type phone selling because they’re not. 3.5-4-inch iPhones easily outsold the 5-inch Galaxy S4s.
Farber writes, “In an informal survey, CNET asked readers what size screen they would want in an iPhone. Just 21 percent of the respondents were satisfied with the current 4-inch screen, and 60 percent preferred screens larger than 4.7 inches.”
MacDailyNews Take: What is a “CNET reader,” exactly? And, after years of CNET sucking on the MS teat for ad dollars, it’s likely that the average CNET reader is predisposed to be anti-Apple, thereby answering informal surveys with items they know Apple does not/will not offer. Likely many of the CNET Windows sufferers also clamored for SD cards, parallel ports, and other assorted unnecessary anachronisms.
Samsung went big because it was the only point of differentiation they had and because Android’s inefficiencies required a larger battery (they still run out way to soon each day). Those big screens in Samsung phones are actually battery camouflage.
Farber writes, “Apple’s engineers have had enough time to figure out how to eliminate the unwanted trade-offs in having a bigger screen. And, there is plenty of market demand to go bigger in the second half of 2014, when the next round of iPhones is likely to debut.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple tests many things, screen sizes included. All of the sizes the WSJ mentioned this week have already been extensively tested by Apple prior to iPhone’s 2007 unveiling. No other tech company tests and refines products as thoroughly. Apple didn’t suddenly wake up in 2012 and say, “Gee, what about a 5-inch iPhone?” Apple had a 5-inch and every other size iPhone in the lab long ago. iPad came before iPhone. Apple just released iPhone first (very nice training wheels for iPad).
So, long before iPhone was revealed, Apple determined the proper smartphone display size for the majority of users when Apple invented the smartphone with iPhone. That is why iPhones have 3.5 to 4-inch (diagonal) screens today.
Again, if Apple wants to diversify the product line and offer larger screen models for the portion of the market that wants them without sacrificing quality, battery life, fragmentation, etc., then by all means, they should do it. Arguably Apple should already have done so by now, but it’s not as important as Farber and others seem to think.
Make no mistake: Apple’s iPhone 5 easily outshines every other so-called smartphone ever made.
Related articles:
iPhone dominates Android in smartphone loyalty – August 23, 2013
Android usage in the U.S. declines for the first time – August 8, 2013
Yankee Group: iPhone ownership in the U.S. will top Android by 2015 – April 26, 2013
Yankee Group: Apple continues to eat Samsung’s lunch; customer loyalty will drive iPhone ownership past Android’s peak – April 26, 2013
Apple’s iPhone user gains again out-pace Android in the U.S. – April 5, 2013
Why Apple’s new iPhone can’t lose; as with all iPhones, next-gen likely to become best-selling smartphone of all time – April 4, 2013
Apple increases lead over Samsung, gains on Google’s Android in U.S. smartphone market share – April 4, 2013
Analyst: Apple iPhone 5 got over 5X times as many tweets as Samsung’s lackluster Galaxy S4 – March 27, 2013
Yankee Group: Apple to gain additional U.S. smartphone share over Samsung in 2013 – March 20, 2013
With 78% share, Apple’s iOS tightening its grip on the enterprise and taking share from Android – March 8, 2013
Apple rules the skies with 84% in-flight share vs. Android’s 16% – March 7, 2013
Apple iPad continues domination with over 80% usage share in U.S. and Canada – March 7, 2013
comScore: Google’s Android, Samsung continue to lose U.S. share to Apple’s iOS, iPhone – March 6, 2013
World’s best-selling smartphone: Apple iPhone 5; iPhone 4S #2, third place Samsung Galaxy 3 brings up rear – February 20, 2013
Apple iOS dominates mobile video viewing with 60% share vs. Android’s 32% – February 13, 2013
Android’s Web share down 13% since November; Apple’s iOS now over 60% – February 1, 2013
Android’s unit share growth has not hurt Apple’s profit share – February 26, 2013
Apple iOS dominates mobile video viewing with 60% share vs. Android’s 32% – February 13, 2013
Android’s Web share down 13% since November; Apple’s iOS now over 60% – February 1, 2013
IDC: Apple dominates worldwide tablet market with 43.6% unit share – January 31, 2013
The Android engagement paradox – November 26, 2012
People buy more Android phone units and do less with them vs. Apple’s revolutionary iPhone – November 14, 2012
Study: iPhone users vastly outspent Android users on apps, respond much better to ads – August 20, 2012
Perhaps a “leak” designed to suppress iPhone 5S sales a bit? My guess is given a choice, most will buy a near 4 inch displays.
Just give the iPad mini easy cell phone capabilities and rock on.
^^^This^^^
And then work with the carriers to allow free dynamic activation switching so we can do things like use an iPad during the day as our phone and then switch over to an iPhone as our phone that night).
The carriers would benefit because there’s no actual cost to them to process a dynamic activation, but they could still charge a nominal fee to do a one time registration of a device on an account.
As an Apple customer, I’d really like a bigger iPhone. The iPhone 5 is already too big for comfortable, one-handed use in many instances.
As an Apple investor, I am appalled that after all this time and lost revenue, they have failed to produce a larger iPhone. It makes them look slow and inept. I appreciate their ability to give customers products and features that they DID NOT KNOW they wanted, but that doesn’t mean it makes sense to refuse to give them the things that they KNOW they want.
As an Apple investor, I am appalled that after all this time and lost revenue, they have failed to produce a larger iPhone. It makes them look slow and inept.
No, it makes them look smarter than the idiots who think smartphones should be bigger.
Yeah… screw Asia and their 1 billion cell phone users. If they have such bad taste and cannot see that our opinion is the only one that matters, let Samsung have their money.
Many people can only afford one device or only can use one device say when traveling or when without wifi like I was on my recent vacation. Never did I want a bigger iPhone screen more. My iPhone 4 screen sucked to watch tv shows. Or play games for any period of time. Wife’s iPhone 5 barely better. As an iPhone investor I am also appalled that Apple missed the large screen size market, that they did not realize that customers needs changed and that many customers have a budget for one device. Also this meme that apple tells their customers what they want is foolish. And simply not true. They just build better mousetraps. They missed the market and Samsung reaped the bennies.
Get an iPad with 3G plus WiFi and a free feature phone. That’s a much better option for games and TV viewing.
People who say “just get an ipad mini” miss the point that a mini is BIGGER than most of us “I-want-a-bigger-iphone” people want.
Sure I want a bigger iPhone, my eyes are 50 years old and not as good as they once were. But my phone has to fit into my front pants pocket. A mini wont do that.
This iphone size debate is one of those weird internet things where people have a very hard time looking beyond what THEY want. People who don’t want a larger-screen phone often can’t seem to imagine that anyone who wasn’t an idiot would want a larger screen. It’s the ol’ “If it’s not important to me, it shouldn’t be important to anyone” internet commenter way of being.
Some people can’t imagine ever wanting a larger screen phone. That’s great. But plenty of people do want one, and it would be great to not have to 1) go to android to get it or 2) have a “too-large-to-be-a-phone” ipad mini in your pocket.
FIN
I agree, I love Apple. I have been using their products since the Apple II, but they really miss judged the size issue. I WANT A Bigger phone, not an iPad mini. Stop drinking the kool-aid folks! Mannnn no one loves Apple more then me, but on this forum Apple could do no wrong.
I agree that a bigger screen would be a great option.
I remember people lambasting those that would like a smaller version of the iPad, too. Eventually Apple came out with one, and they are great!
Just because Apple isn’t doing it, doesn’t automatically mean it shouldn’t be done. Imagine running iOS apps on a slightly bigger screen, with all the rest of the Apple hardware awesomeness. It would be so great to have.
It’s not Apple that looks “slow and inept”. 😉
‘but that doesn’t mean it makes sense to refuse to give them the things that they *THINK* they want’
Fixed that for you.
If Apple have done the testing and found that actually the experience is poor, they won’t want to put their name to it. It’s called integrity. They will succeed or fail by what they believe in. That’s valuable, and it’s rare.
@MDN
What is a “glorified feature phone?” I don’t want an Android phone, but if it has a web-browser and third party apps… why play with semantics?
Let’s call iPhone a “super-duper-smart-phone!” Do you want a smartphone or do you want a super-duper-smart-phone? Apple: only we make smartphones “Super-Duper!”
Bonus: Apple could trademark “super-duper” and probably find some toy manufacturer or someone to sue as well!
If 80% of Android phones sell for $100 or less and are used to text and make phone calls, then they are not smartphones, they are feature phones.
It’s not rocket surgery.
So if my Grandmother only uses her iPhone to text and make calls… is it a feature phone too?
Touché.
No, it’s still a very smart phone that is underutilized.
Nice response. Yes, your fictitious grandmother’s iPhone would effectively be utilized as a feature phone. But I submit that this circumstance is vastly more common with Android phones than it is with iPhones. That is why iOS devices dominate web traffic statistics, especially when considering activated units. Even iPhone 3GS handsets are till being actively used for a range of Internet activities.
Many Android handsets are merely filling the feature phone space formerly occupied by Nokia Symbian, etc. This is not a surprise to anyone with observational and analytic skills. But you can continue to play devil’s advocate (intentionally or unwittingly), if it humors you.
The features have to be easy to use and “just work” in the first place to be utilized.
Of what utility is an android device?
People buy a phone just because it has a nifty way to unlock the screen or it’s got a different way for input on the keyboard? Oh look, you unlocked your phone, what are you got to do with it now? 😛
What’s “rocket surgery?”
It is a combination of “rocket science” and “brain surgery.” Very dangerous I hear…
What is rocket surgery?
Are you an Android apologist? The only thing you can do is get rid of viruses, and text Eddy Mae about the buck you shot while out in the Ozarks! Yee-Haw!
Go Arky, Go!
What can you say?
The guy loves his sister. 🙂
Hey!! Wait a minute!! I am a CNET reader and I aman Apple fan since the Apple 2. But I was part of that 21 percent that said the 4 inch is good enough.
Try to convince your girlfriend of that, Larry 😉
That’s not what I heard her say. 😛
I would love something a bit smaller than the iPad mini with the iPhone screen ratio. Something a bit more compact but not tiny like the iPhone.
This is what I heard from Bloomberg which said in Asia people like big screen smartphones. Perhaps, Apple targets Asian market for big screen smartphones.
I take it you’re from Asia? 😎
I would actually like a smaller phone from Apple. MUCH smaller. Let’s see how small it can go. Maybe like the current iPod nano, but a bit longer. It doesn’t need to run iOS or third-party apps. It just needs to have a set of excellent built-in apps for things most people do with a mobile phone, optimized for a smaller screen and low-power design. And price it for under $200 retail with no contract. Carriers can also subsidize it as a “free” phone with low-cost (under $30 per month) plans.
THAT would have much higher potential for Apple than some huge iPhone.
I think you might be on to something there. Maybe 3 inches and tiny bezel. iPhone nano. So crazy it might just work
For such an iPhone nano you would find me lining up in front of an Apple store. For the first time in my life. For my 132 apps I use an iPad.
Who cares if there are leaks about the size. It’s all about the final product (aka the implementation). The secret is in the sauce, not that there are a gazillion slightly larger meat patties on order.
One has to accept that despite offering wide range of screen isles Samsung ‘sells’ to thirds as many 5 inch phones as Apple sells 3.5 to 4 inch. If Apple added 2 more screen Sizes I suspect that gap would be smaller, perhaps even gone. One just has to be careful making too many conclusions when comparing pears to apples.
I really don’t understand why everyone would think that Apple couldn’t build an iPhone with a larger display if it wanted to. I’m certain Apple is privy to the same components as any other smartphone vendor. I thought some companies set up product road maps and they followed them. Apple is always being second-guessed by idiots who think they can run Apple better than the people who actually work there.
Yeah it is pretty funny. Like everyone at Apple are bumbling fools, aimlessly shuffling around in circles, occasionally checking the online blogs and polls for guidance on what next to do. As if they base their roadmap on web polls and analyst wishes and demands. There are probably few people in this world that feel more self-importance than blogging tech analysts..
I’ll bet that when Apple finally does offer a larger screen smartphone, it really will be different. As in mot for one-handed use.
MDN : The iPhone 5 sells well because it’s an iPhone. Not because it’s a 4 inch cell phone. A 4.8 inch to 5 inch iPhone will sell to even more people. People buy an iPhone because they want an iPhone. And they don’t want a Microsoft or Android phone. There is no larger iPhone so they are limited to the iPhone 5, 4S and 4. People can’t buy what isn’t available MDN. If the larger iPhone were available today alongside the iPhone 5 you know that the larger iPhone would outsell the iPhone 5 easily. And the proof of that will come next year. Yes, the iPhone 5 S will sell like hotcakes. But a larger 5S would sell to even more people MDN. And not just in Asia either. There’s really no need to defend Apple. They just misjudged the market.
A few years ago, Detroit was making larger cars and the Japanese realized that smaller was better. They cleaned Detroit’s clock and left them stunned and following the crowd. Apple should not follow the crowd but continue to innovate and create great products.
I see, when it becomes too expensive to operate those larger phones, Apple will be vindicated.
That’s a terrible use of an analogy. If Detroit would have made reliable small and large cars, like everyone does now, they would have not been blind-sided by a change in customer tastes.
See, that argument actually works better as a case FOR a larger iPhone.
Yeah. Just like we needed bigger boom boxes in the 1980’s rather than Walkmans. If you can’t make it better, make it bigger.
Having had iPhones 3/4/5, I’d be perfectly happy if the iP6 had a bigger screen, around 4.5-4.75″, and if it comes next year, I’ll be an especially happy bunny, because that’s when my next upgrade comes around…
What’s really funny is that all these knee-jerk, Big-phones-are-dumb types will instantly fall in love with the bigger iPhone when it enevitably arrives. They’ll say they never knew a big phone could be so nice and that nobody had done it right before Apple made one. It’s pathetic. I remember when MDN was full of people saying tablets smaller than the ipad were useless and Apple would never make one. Once the iPad mini was released, I never here any complaints about this issue. Apple used to be a brand that embraced independent thinking and creativity. You never know ot from reading the hateful, narrow-minded ravings of the manority of immature sycophants that frequent and produce this website. Hate on the idea of a large iPhone while you can guys, becuase you’ll be raving about your soon enough
I used to get a lot of flak because I said the iPad Mini was coming. Haven’t heard from any of those people since the iPad Mini was introduced. One in particular. The same will hold true when the iPhone 6 comes out as a larger form factor iPhone. None of these people will step up to the plate and say they were wrong.
I think the comments made by MDN are dead on. So far Apple has been able to decide what to do, without the design ideas of the moron press. The press wants to stir up press. Apple wants to change the world. I’m going with Apple.
For me, I am happy with the current iPhone size. I like that it fits in your shirt pocket easily. I don’t want a brick-sized monolith to carry around.
I’m sure, however, many iPhone users would love a bigger screen. Not for me.
Obviously Apple smartly knows a larger iPhone becomes a new category. And how many times do you fragment the line to appease the whims of people. Arguably, none. Apple leads their customers, not the other way around, to a an improved lifestyle. Apple’s vision has proven itself. And no it’s not perfect.
An iPad mini small enough for the front pocket, that can take calls, and not require an iPad data plan (or a larger iPhone, approx same difference) would be the ultimate FaceTime / call machine and a great ultra portable reader. And with an iWatch, an ultra convenient phone call receiver combination for the more business oriented person. My guess.
Without an iWatch, this larger iPhone category product wouldn’t be as flexible. Kind of clunky for Apple.
Why on earth anyone would want a giant phone I don’t know. I prefer to use one hand to hold a phone. If I need to use a bigger screen ill use a tablet
Phablets are too small. That’s why I have an iPad. If my phone was my only device I’d want it bigger but fortunately I’m not stuck having to compromise.
The comments here are unreal. So what if Apple does make a larger iPhone? It would still have the same amount of craftsmanship the previous iPhones have had. But the moment someone makes a hint of Apple even hinting at making a large iPhone, you all yell “Apple’s turning into ShameScam”, “Fire Tim Cook”, and other assorted BS. Once this iPhone is released, you will all change face and say it is the greatest thing since TV, and you know it’s true.
I don’t think everyone is saying that. There is definitely an argument for a larger iPhone and it would probably be a successful product. Like I said in my previous post, I like the current size best as it works for me. That doesn’t mean a larger phone won’t be great.
I’m all for Apple bringing out new products and a larger iPhone might fill a niche. Not for me though, sorry…
My phone contract ended this month. If Apple doesn’t launch a bigger iPhone next week, I’ll switch to a 5-6 inch android phone till Apple makes one. I am 50 yrs old and a bigger screen is definitely helpful on the eyes.
CNET certainly have their finger on the tech pulse and we know how reliable their surveys are.
“Apple could be in trouble without a Netbook, because the PC market is growing increasingly price-sensitive as the recession takes hold.”
Tom Crazit, CNET Feb 4 2009
My take is that phablets are the new netbooks and it’s trend that will soon diminish. They’re the ghetto blasters of the phone market.
If Apple doesn’t announce a bigger phone next Tuesday, I am going to buy a 5-6 inch android phone and return when there’s a bigger iPhone. I talk with my money.
My phone contract ends this month, if Apple doesn’t announce a bigger phone on 10 Sep, I am getting a 5-6 inch sized android phone and will return to Apple once the bigger phone comes out. I am 50 yrs old, a bigger phone is so much easier on the eyes.
I’m happy that the iPhone 5s will come in a more normal size. I don’t really like the bigger phones (5 inch is enough :p)
Larger phones are appealing to many for whom the phone will be the only computing device they will ever own