“Apple’s ‘one-hand use’ philosophy can still be seen on the latest iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, via the new ‘Reachability’ feature which brings the on-screen items closer to the bottom bezel,” Mihai Matei reports for G 4 Games.
“Next year however, Apple might plan on facilitating one-hand use by borrowing a page from its previous designs,” Matei reports. “Specifically, a fresh report from Asia has revealed that the Cupertino-based giant could add a 4-inch iPhone model in its 2015 line-up.”
Matei reports, “Allegedly, the smartphone will be created to facilitate single-handed operation, with ‘female users’ being an important part of its intended market segment.”
(5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus left, 4.7-inch iPhone 6 center, 4-inch iPhone 5s/c right)
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: In general, the only people who still think they want a 4-inch iPhone are those who do not yet own a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 or 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus.
After iPhone 5s and 5c go the way of the dodo, the 4.7-inch display should, and likely will, be Apple’s smallest iPhone display going forward.
Most in my family would switch from a 4.7 inch phone to a 4 inch model if it had the same design and guts as a 6.
So MDN take really says that Apple will just continue to make bigger and bigger phones, whether or not its customers want them. 4″ phones be damned. That is Stupid.
MDN is dead wrong. There are plenty of users with smaller hands that can;t effectively grip or one hand type on the 6. I gave up after 3 weeks and returned mine to go back to my 5S. Reachability is nice but it only helps vertically. If you r thumb can;t reach horizontally all the way across to the far end of the keyboard you are simply out of luck–mine can’t.
I had a 5S and then changed to a 6, for the updated capabilities. Even with my LARGE hands, I find the 6 big. Too big. It’s also too tall to fit comfortably in pockets, especially jeans, which the 5S did comfortably. If I could get 6 capabilities in a 5S size, I’d change in a heartbeat.
I also realised that, because I have a 9.7″ wi-fi iPad, a small iPhone is perfect, so that it remains unobtrusive and does not duplicate screen/size functionality.
I really DO hope Apple adds a smaller iPhone 6 sooner rather than later.
If they had a 4″ phone with other specs like the 6/6+, I’d switch back.
I’ll be in line for a 4″ iPhone because it never fell out of my pants or jacket pockets. If the 5s had Apple pay and faster processor I’d have bought it rather than the 6.
My wife doesn’t want anything bigger that her 5s and may get Apple watch for pay.
MDN arrogance doesn’t drive the market.
I was perfectly happy with the 4 inch screen on my iPhone 5. My only reason for purchasing the iPhone 6 was because I wanted Touch ID and a faster iPhone. Had Apple kept the 4 inch design, I might have bought one.
Ideal solution would be a 4″ (or better yet a 3.5″ iPhone-4-sized) Bluetooth handset that would be an accessory for the iPhone 6. That way you would have both a phone AND still have the phablet if you wanted to watch Netflix or take a picture with the iPhone 6’s better camera. If that were an option I would gladly and immediately buy the two devices. Without that option or an upgraded iPhone 5 I’ll probably stick with my iPhone 5s indefinitely.
Better yet, an iPad mini–sized 6++. The 6+ is a compromise, not even close to the ideal tablet size.
With a 3.5″ handset for making calls, texting, and virtually everything you do with your iPhone except watching Netflix and looking up trivia on Wikipedia, you’d be set. The handset could either couple with the iPhone 6++ in your briefcase or purse using Bluetooth, or just have its own cell phone radio.
4″ iPhone would find a customer in me and I”m a guy! My hands unable to hold a phone comfortably due to deformities, the small size would be welcome.
I have used an iPhone 5 for two years and I still think I want a 3.5″-screen iPhone 5.
Or, better yet, an iPhone 5 with a 4″ screen that has OS improvements that make it easier to use such as the option to replace the top row of app icons with a partially pulled-down notifications area.
I would jump all over a high end 4″ iPhone. I have the 6 and am a big size male but, still can’t use the 6 properly. I want a fully featured 4″ and not a “C” version.