“Rumors are abundant with new screen sizes with for the iPhone 6,” E. Werner Reschke writes for T-GAAP. “The rumors continue to pour in that Apple will launch the iPhone 6 with a 4.7″ screen and a 5.5″ one. It is that later rumor [with which] I take issue. 5.5″ is really a tweener product. It’s a tablet and a phone, or as people like to call it, a “phablet”. The problem is that it makes a really awful phone. It’s almost like holding your shoe up to your head for talking.”
“Looking back at the first Motorola ‘brick’ phones, we all laugh how large, how heavy and how silly people look with those monsters next to their heads. Do you think Apple wants to go back that direction and have people laughing at their products? No,” Reschke writes. “Moreover, people in the phablet market are looking for two different devices merged into one. That has never been Apple’s way of doing things. Apple will continue to lead the smart phone market as well as the tablet market and let others fumble around and get laughed at when holding a 6″ device next to their head like the old Motorola brick phone.”
“Expect a well designed 4.7″ iPhone 6 to join the current screen size in the iPhone 5s line-up at WWDC or this summer,” Reschke writes. “Anything else would be, un-Apple.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Users in emerging markets like China, Apple’s focus these days, cannot afford a smartphone and a tablet. They buy phablets for that reason. That is why Apple is strongly considering a 5.5-inch iOS device (Apple may not call it an “iPhone”) with traditional cellular voice-calling capability.
As for people looking for different devices merged into one:
Reschke’s prediction has been iCal’ed.
Related article:
Analysts expect Apple to finally offer iPhones with larger screens this year – April 21, 2014
I agree with Reschke this time, MDN. Apple has always made clear choices and won’t sell a tweener product.
Anyone who bets against MDN’s Apple predictions is a masochist.
You are right, Apple doesn’t do bad tradeoffs. But expanding the screen size options does not create a bad product, it creates a product best suited for people who use their pocketable touch screens as pocketable computers first, and as phones a distant second.
Spoken like someone with some intelligence.
Apple will only make a phablet if it is a great product and serves a purpose, not because an emerging market like China can’t afford an iPhone and an iPad.
and I’m not sure a shoe sized phone that doesn’t fit in a purse, pocket or coat will fall under Apple’s guidelines as a great product.
Oh you mean the iPad mini?
I have an iPad mini, I did not want a full sized iPad. I bought the mini to replace my e-ink Kindle. I felt like the Kindle was kind of the perfect size, and the iPad mini gave me a larger range of functionality (O’Rielly’s Safari Books Online for example.)
Using a phone the size of a Samsung Galaxy note 3 is really not that bad to use or to put in a pocket of your clothing. I was almost tempted to go with an Androld Phone with a 5.5 inch display size before I decided that I wanted to stay with iOS and the iPhone 5S. And as Mac Daily News pointed out, people in Asia who use their phone as their one and only computing device really prefer the phones with the larger display.
Apple NEVER wants to deliver a product that is described as “really not that bad to use or to put in a pocket”.
Who WANTS an Apple product to be in the gutter of “Not That BAD”????
The same thing could be said about the current iPhone screen size. “It’s not that bad”.
Remember Apple did go to a larger screen size with the iPhone 5. If customers are still requesting a larger screen, why wouldn’t Apple deliver?
Yes, why didn’t Apple just stick with a 3 1/2 inch screen size? Why did they make a larger phone? They made it because people wanted it that’s why. And people want larger than 4 inches too. Clearly a 5 inch and probably a 5.5 inch phone also is what people want.
Apple went with that 4-inch size because it didn’t take away from the phone’s usability. It still allowed one handed usage. It was a smart move on Apple’s part to add screen real estate without downgrading the user experience.
“people in Asia … really prefer the phones with the larger display.”
Where does this come from? As far as I understand, Samcopy, themselves, sell enormously more small, cheap phones than they do phablets.
We have seen plenty of leaks for the 4.7 phone and none for a supposed 5.5 yet.
I am with Reschke that we will not be seeing s 5.5 2014. The 4.7 is a pretty nice size and a big bump for Apple. If they do release a bigger one, I say early next year, spaced evenly in year to take the air out of all Samsung releases.
Besides, I always have to point out that despite rumours it is never going to be 4.7/5.5 dichotomy as there is no way Apple will cease releasing normal-sized models. Bigger device is going to be an addition for those who want bigger screen at expense of need of second hand to operate devices and lesser mobility in pockets.
What if you just use your earphones with the mic? What if all you do is text, email and Facebook and you rarely even make phone calls? The author’s analysis is premature bordering on infantile. Hell, we have many people around here who want to make calls with their iPad mini.
Maybe this device won’t be an iPhone. Maybe it will be the iPad nano with telephony. But don’t tell me it’s not viable.
Good point, well made. I’m waiting on the new iPhone to upgrade from my iP5, but I’ll wait to see what happens size-wise before jumping in this time. I love my iP4, and 5, but there are often occasions when I could really use a bigger screen, particularly when using the device for navigation, either using street-level satnav like CoPilot, or more detailed contour maps like the UK’s Ordnance Survey 1:50/25k maps; a larger, 5.5″ screen would be ideal. I rarely make phone calls, and receive even fewer, text, email and social media are my usual communication media, so I would abandon my idea of getting an iPad Mini for daily carry.
I can, however, understand why those who use their phone a great deal would prefer the smaller screen size.
It’s nice to have a choice.
“Users in emerging markets like China, Apple’s focus these days, cannot afford a smartphone and a tablet”
This argument may work only if Apple has plan to release “inexpensive” big iPhone. But I suppose that bigger iPhone 6 (“iPhone MAXI” or however it will be called) will be not cheaper than normal-sized iPhone 6.
I use my iPhone 99% as a teeny tiny tablet computer and 1% as a phone. I’d buy a 5.5″ iPhone in a second.
I must admit that I too rarely use my iPhone 4S as a phone. I’d never consider Android, but I could use more space for my fat thumbs.
I know someone who uses his iPad mini as a phone just by running Skype on it. He connects via free WiFi hotspots whenever he needs to connect to the Internet. A cellular iPad mini would even relieve him of this burden, while giving him calling access, but he doesn’t even want to incur that $15/month charge.
So, a gigantic Apple phone option already exists for those who wish to pursue it. They just have to use a third party Internet calling service, so I just don’t understand why Apple needs to move into the phablet arena.
There are people like me who could make use of a slightly larger screen just because age is catching us with us, but a new mid-size phone/tablet device is of no interest to me.
I do believe there will be a 5.5″ something but agree it may not be an iPhone. It could be the new iPod touch which makes sense. Personally, I think the iPod touch is too small today which is why I got my son an iPad for gaming and watching netflix. But, occasionally I wish he had something smaller so he can use it more discreetly.
I’d go with the: it’s a bigger iPod, too.
Tell your son that if he can’t use his iPad more discreetly, you will block the incoming porn.
I told my son he would go blind if he didn’t stop. He said he would keep doing it until he needed glasses.
While I’m interested in a slightly larger screen because of my failing vision, it must still fit easily into my normal jeans. The suggested 4.7″ screen may fill that desire nicely for me.
The suggested 5.5″ model raises some interesting issues, not least of which is maintaining Apple’s quality. Samsung, and others, can crank out huge phones in plastic enclosures and still break even. But, how much case quality is Apple willing to forego to make the larger device affordable for people who, notably, can’t afford Apple’s products already? It seems very un-Apple for them to make a larger device that isn’t priced to maintain its quality and margins. That means a larger device will be more expensive. While the larger design would still be less expensive than an iPhone + iPad, it certainly wouldn’t be less expensive than a 5.5″ phone in a cheap plastic case running a free open source OS.
The actual cost of materials between an iPhone and iPad mini is almost identical.
I take issue with the author’s framing of the argument that “has never been Apple’s way of doing things” for make “two different devices merged into one”.
What is an iPhone anyway? Isn’t it an iPod, a cell phone, and a whole lot more merged into one?
For that reason alone, I dismiss this author’s entire argument.
Why not just add phone software to the iPad mini, for those who use it as their only device, and let the carriers sell them?
You can do this today using Skype on a mini.
I also think there will be a 5.5 inch product with optional full cellular capabilities, just not an iPhone. It will either be an iPad nano or an iPod XL. It will launch with the updated iPads/iPods after the iPhone launch, which is why we are hearing about staggered launch times for the 4.7 and 5.5 inch products.
For marketing purposes, it might be wise for Apple to come out with an iPad nano with cellular services. It wouldn’t be an iPhone, so it wouldn’t violate Jobs’ one hand rule, plus it would encroach on the phablet arena from the top side, and take away the iPad mini + Skype option, which people use today when one consolidated device is their preference. It remains to be seen, however, whether a carrier supported iPad nano cellular device would be more affordable than an iPod/iPad + Skype option.
Most important for apple is to have a full lineup. Apple is competeing against so many manufacturers single handed,y !
One should look at this from ios and android perspective.
Android is available through numerous manufacturers in almost any size and configuration To suit anyones taste or need.
Apple on the other hant is the only ios manufacturer And has to offer a full lineup to compete with whats available to the consumer on the android side!
If one likes ios and a phablet.. Why should that not be available?
I would have personally love to have a full size ipad that has cellphone function.. Not to put the thing against my ear.. But to be able to receive and make calls through speaker while im working on my iPad!
“has to offer a full lineup to compete with whats available to the consumer on the android side!”
Another “Apple has to”.
Please don’t forget, Apple makes massively more profit that ALL OTHER MOBILE COMPANIES combined.
I am still going for the iPhone 6 as 4.7″ and a 5.5″ as an iPad nano. The 4.7″ I think that will make a lot of people happy with the screen size and edge to edge will help keep the one handed use. The new Samsung S5 is barely larger than the S4. I think Samsung has hit the limit in phone size. As pointed out here, a lot, the S4 and S5 are not Samsung’s big sellers. I think a iPad nano would be a great seller. I can see a lot of business uses for it. With cell connectivity it would be very close to a phablet. Having a new line of entry level iPads would be great for the holiday season. Something that does not have the toy status of an iPod touch. It would be interesting to know the actual numbers of phablet sells. With Samsung’s history their at least a 1/4 of what the analyst say.
I agree with MDN’s comment about the emerging markets and perhaps not calling it an iPhone. Not sure Apple can get the bigger screen device cost down without sacrificing something else in the design though.
And I personally think the 5s is bordering on being a nuisance in your pocket because of it’s size. The iPhone 4 I had was much less noticeable. I do have an iPad though, so the smaller phone for me is a better solution for just a phone, text and email device. The iPad is so much better as a browsing machine than the 5s I rarely use the 5s for browsing. The one exception is for using maps and routing directions in the car. It’s better than the 4 was because of the screen size. I don’t need a one size fits all device, but agin, in the emerging markets, the bigger device may be the better business decision. Not sure it needs to be 5.5″ though.
Comparing a larger phone to the old brick phones is stupid. I walk around every day and many, many people using their so called phablet as a phone and it looks perfectly normal. I use one and it feels absolutely fine. Too may untrue myths floating arounds about bigger screened phones, like “too big for the pocket”; “cannot use in on hand” and this is another. If anything it is silly trying to watch a film or type … on a smaller screen.
Using an iPad Mini as a phone, now that is stupid, try putting one of those in your pocket. A phablet sized iPhone should have been a must do for a long while now, I really cannot understand why it has not happened yet.
Apple has not released a larger phone because it wants to get it right, according to its own standards—not in response to an outcry. When they get it right, they’ll release it.
I understand that Apple wants to get it right and that and it should not immedietly respond to an outcry. However, it has taken far too long and others have come out with some great larger phones and then improved on them already. Apple has the skill and resources in-house already to do it and its frustrating they have not.
I think Apple will go with two size phones.
The reason why is because every other product line they come in two sizes.
MacBook Air 11″ and 13″
MacBook Pro 13″ and 15″
iMac 23″ and 27″
iPad Mini and iPad Air
With these different sizes Apple is able to give customers choice. I myself am trying to decide between the MacBook Airs – do I need ultra portability with the 11″ or should I go for the bigger screen with better battery life?
As such, an iPhone in two sizes will give customers some choice. The bigger size will also keep those who really want one from wandering off to a competitor.
Apple has played the itsy bitsy annual iPhone refresh game long enough. I do not blame Apple, because cashing in on Notth American cell customers with eligible subsidized phone upgrade plans makes a lot of money for Apple.
There have been some terrific parody ads about apples annual cell upgrades.
I would have to see the 4.7 inch iPhone 6, but will wait for the possible phablet. I have daily long commutes in the oilsands, and consuming newspaper apps, and other content is important to me. I absolutely do not want more than just one device.
Apple revenues are most iPhone, so they are worried about maxing out screen size, and ending the significant form factor upgrade game. After a phablet, there is no reason to buy a new iPhone again…. And do not kid yourself, that has been a long held fear at Apple… Being a mature tech company in the purest sense of the word… Absolutely no new product in the pipeline can generate the revenue and mean as much as the iPhone, to apple.
So, to Apple, get on with it… Bring on the 4.7 inch and 5.5 inch iPhone models, and bring the form factor upgrade game to a long, overdue end…
Waiting longer than Samsung has already cost millions of users. Once users are lost and begin to be embedded in a music and app environment, they can be very difficult to get back.
Personally, I never played the upgrade game. I waited for the iPhone 4s, and have been waiting for an iPhone worthy of replacing it ever since. Indeed, I often get texts from my mobile carrier reminding me of eligible upgrades… I will admit to wanting an LTE phone… I hope my wait ends this fall, with an iPhone phablet.
If iPhone clearly will not offer a phablet and even a 4.7″ iPhone fails to impress me (it might), then I will likely leave, for a Samsung offering… The apps exist to transfer over all my iTunes, so there is nothing tethering me to a small Apple phone offering.
Finally, the Asian market will mean more to Apple than North America or Europe… Apple must play the phablet game, and will. There must be an Apple phablet, and so there will be.