A crazier prediction: iPhone Plus is real, and huge

http://www.marco.org/2013/01/31/iphone-plus-speculation

by mh_ • 13 years ago

64 60 13 years ago

guelo2• 13 years ago

Samsung innovates and Apple copies, once again.

phaus• 13 years ago

The term "Phablet" may have been coined to describe the Samsung Note, but that doesn't mean Samsung was the first one who released a large-screen smart phone. The Dell Streak was one of the first, and Windows Phone has the Titan I and II.

gfodor2• 13 years ago

"I know, we'll give it a bigger screen!" is a tad shy of what I'd call "innovation."

guelo2• 13 years ago

About as much innovation as "let's make it a rounded rectangle".

bane4• 13 years ago

If this comes out, the sound of all those years of just I cations and excuses (perfect screen size, perfect jeans pocket size, etc.) Will only be drowned out by the new justifications and excuses (perfect purse size, etc.)

Sigh.

martythemaniak• 13 years ago

We've always been at war with Eastasia

Geee• 13 years ago

Who said it was perfect? I think most agree that about 4 inches is the one-size-fits-all. That means it's best on average, not best for everyone.

It's completely OK to introduce new form factors if there's clear demand.

Kylekramer• 13 years ago

Not many said perfect, but there is the classic example of Dustin Curtis' article which claimed the original iPhone size was "one of the things that makes Apple products Apple products" and got a hell of a lot of traction here and elsewhere. Even this article cops to insulting the Note.

eCa• 13 years ago

> Who said it was perfect?

Gruber, for one:

"Apple seems very confident about the precise size and dimensions of the iPhone display: 3.5 inches, with a 3:2 aspect ratio. Not 3 inches. Not 4 inches. [...]

The iPhone 4 feels like a major step toward an idealized iPhone form factor. What defines the iPhone, physically, is the 3.5-inch diagonal screen." [1]

"On These Rumors of a 4.6-Inch iPhone Display [...]

Sure, developers would get on board and support the new size. But why would Apple want to add another vector of fragmentation? For this reason and others, I say it’s bullshit." [2]

"Regarding a Smaller iPhone With the Same Pixel Count [...]

It’s a physical artifact, and the size of the display is what’s important. [...] I really don’t think we’ll see screen sizes other than 3.5 inches" [3]

"Color me skeptical that Apple would introduce another new screen size of any sort." [4]

[1] http://daringfireball.net/2010/06/4

[2] http://daringfireball.net/linked/2012/03/22/46-inch-iphone

[3] http://daringfireball.net/linked/2011/02/20/jin-kim-iphone

[4] http://daringfireball.net/linked/2013/01/08/pixels

tree_of_item• 13 years ago

> This is an example of one of those design decisions that you don’t usually notice until you see someone doing it wrong. It’s one of the things that makes Apple products Apple products.

http://dcurt.is/3-point-5-inches

randomdata• 13 years ago

Nobody stands up and says, "boy, that phone is just the perfect size for my hand" at random. The reason size became an issue at all is because the competition made it an issue.

With that in mind, saying "perfect jeans pocket size" and later saying "perfect purse size" is not a contradiction. Each device manages to satisfy the user's needs and is perfect for them at that given time. That doesn't mean other screen sizes cannot also be perfect, but it is not reason enough to just dump what you have.

rayiner3• 13 years ago

I think the justification is: "if you're going to have only one size of phone, you'll appeal to the most people by going with a smaller size" not "the smaller size screen is the only one anyone could ever want."

Based on my family's reaction to my Lumia 920 (skepticism from my parents, outright ridicule from my wife), I think Apple put smart money on their choice of screen size.

AlexandrB• 13 years ago

Strong opinions, loosely held.

tvon• 13 years ago

You're not exactly setting a high bar for meaningful discussion.

mbell• 13 years ago

Personally - I've used 'large' phones, and I much prefer the size of the iPhone 5. Its big enough but not so big that I can't used it with 1 hand.

yitchelle• 13 years ago

There is some merit to this comment. I have a Samsung SIII. Perhaps, it is my stubby fingers or short thumb, but I find it difficult to fully use it with just one hand. My previous phone was the HTC Desire, and that was pretty good for using it with one hand.

rednukleus• 13 years ago

Different strokes. I have a Nexus 4 and I wish it was a little bigger. I used to have a Desire and it was way too small for me. That's why I'm really glad we aren't all forced to use the same form factor.

cowsaysoink• 13 years ago

It's not just you, I recently used a SIII and it is giagantic compared to my iphone 4 which makes it difficult to use. (And I don't have stubby fingers).

27182818284• 13 years ago

I do not understand phablets. I really don't. My Galaxy Nexus is already pushing the limits of what is comfortable to use with one hand, and there is something else that never seems mentioned: Phablets start to get too big for your winter coat pocket, your jean pockets, etc. They simply become uncomfortable to carry, even if you do use them with both hands.

wmf• 13 years ago

You're supposed to put a phablet in your purse, not your pocket.

mikegioia• 13 years ago

The Galaxy S3 is too large to type with one hand. Whenever I hold it, I have to kind of 'shake' the thing further down my hand to click on buttons in the top corners.

Raphael• 13 years ago

It does feel large in the hand, but fits reasonably in pocket.

lh77772• 13 years ago

Buyers wanting a small phone or better one-handed operation could still buy a 4” iPhone, and people who want a large screen would finally have an iPhone as an option.

If this is the case, why would Apple have increased the screen size for the iPhone 5 to 4"? It's obviously not big enough to satisfy people who want a huge screen, but it is big enough to make the phone (more) awkward for people with small hands. Seems like a better approach would have been to keep the 3.5" screen alongside the 5" Plus model, unless of course there's also an iPhone Mini in the works.

navitronic• 13 years ago

The 5's size was to maintain the 326ppi of the display and ensure a smooth transition for developers. A 3.5 and a 5 inch screen would have made app developers have to create 2 separate layouts, whereas this approach means that developers 2 similar layouts for 4-class phones (3:2) and 5-class phones (16:9), which should ideally mean less work for the developers

lh77772• 13 years ago

Sure, of course they want to minimize fragmentation. But developers have been making apps for the 3.5" (3:2) form factor since 2008. So continuing to make a 3.5" (3:2) phone alongside a 5" phone (either 3:2 or 16:9 or anything else) wouldn't make any more work for developers than they've already made.

rayiner3• 13 years ago

I don't think Apple made the iPhone 5's screen bigger to appeal to people who wanted a big screen. I think they did it to appeal to people who wanted a 16x9 screen for watching movies. The extra size is a side-effect of moving to a 16x9 ratio while maintaining the same width as the iPhone 4.

sergiotapia• 13 years ago

Makes sense and should come as no surprise. Lots of people enjoy the large screen, Apple may release a phone in that size arena to compete and join in on the action.

Samsung has proven that people like that screen size (S3). I live in Bolivia and the vast majority of people I've asked, "Why do you prefer the Samsung S3 over the iPhone?" answer "Because of the screen size".

People like to get their money's worth.

jxdxbx2• 13 years ago

How are larger, but lower-density screens getting your money's worth?

Oh well. This is why Apple keeps the iPad 2 on the market. Side-by-side, cheap sells and larger screens sell. Higher dpi and better calibrated displays don't sell.

zopticity• 13 years ago

Why people love large screens because:

1) It's easier to see and read. Especially for kids and elderly people. 2) Bigger is better right? Almost like a cultural thing. You can show off to your friends! 3) Now you don't have to pinch zoom in anymore because everything should be readable without any action. Save some time, especially when you're driving -- which also makes the GPS more feasible.

parf73• 13 years ago

i've migrated from iphone to galaxy note really like form factor

my wife's iphone5 works much faster and more stable (plus ive $500+ content in itunes) once apple released big iphone i'll buy it right away

justjimmy• 13 years ago

This really sucks. I've always enjoyed the small (compared to those out there now) size of iPhone 4. And now it's just slowly getting bigger and bigger.

Wished they'd ditch iPhone 5 size, but go ahead with the iPhone plus model, this way those that prefer small and nimble devices gets satisfied too (but then not sure how many of us are out there).

heifetz• 13 years ago

they're not replacing existing models, they're adding another option.

nextparadigms• 13 years ago

It will probably be like 4.9" or 5.1" just to be "different".

weirandeng• 13 years ago

There is also going to be a iphone++, and it's user-oriented.

abdophoto• 13 years ago

I feel like a 5-inch iPhone is actually too big. The 4-inch iPhone I think is actually on the smaller side. I'd love to see data of the screen size of the most purchased Android phones over the last 12 months.

ieze• 13 years ago

How long until Apple makes something the size on an iphone with the screen size of a note? (With some sort of magic, like the thinkpad butterfly keyboard.)

rorrr2• 13 years ago

I'm not spending a dime on Apple products anymore. After the shitty lawsuit war they started, I'm not paying to support that behavior. Fuck Apple.

kingnight• 13 years ago

All companies litigate, what does that have to do with speculation on future product details? It's also a pretty weak reason alone to change buying behaviors if you previous were a consumer of Apple products (their corporate tactics are not new).

Did you choose to ignore HN's approach to comments that sits right below the comment box?

rorrr2• 13 years ago

Not all companies are douchy enough to sue for rounded corners.

3amOpsGuy• 13 years ago

All American companies litigate might be closer to the truth but i sure hope it isn't.

bane4• 13 years ago

Just wait until this stupidity [1] starts getting turned into lawsuits. Half the trendy clothing, soap and perfume stores on the planet look like this.

http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=85036990&caseType=SERI...

shurcooL• 13 years ago

After using a 3GS for 3 years and iPhone 5 for a month, I have to say I like the 3.5" iPhones over 4" iPhone 5.

4" is marginally bigger in terms of screen size, but it's quite a lot more awkward to use with one hand only.

I also don't like the 16:9 aspect ratio of iPhone 5, it's too narrow in portrait and too short in landscape. 3:2 was so much nicer. I love iPad's 4:3.

Finally, it feels like there's too much bezel on the iPhone 5 (compared to say Galaxy S3 and Note 2).

redthrowaway• 13 years ago

The larger screen of my Nexus 4 is a bit of a mixed bag. One-handed manipulation definitely takes some getting used to (you rest the phone on your finger pads, instead of gripping it), but the greater screen real estate is an absolute godsend for reading and web browsing. My old 3gs just feels nowhere near as useful as a web device when compared to the Nexus 4, so I can certainly see Apple releasing a competing product.

matdrewin• 13 years ago

I can't believe Apple is stooping down to copying the Samsung phablets. I think the galaxy note is the stupidest thing around.

Apple should go the iPod nano/Shuffle route with the iPhone. I practically don't use mine anymore now that I have an iPad.

ChuckMcM• 13 years ago

I'm reminded of the Conan spoof: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J2Au80BmHc

Its interesting to watch the conversation here. Whether or not Apple creates a new 'size' phone or ipad or ipod for that matter its really based on their idea that there is some segment of the market out there that hinges on a particular size. The only limit here is the cost to bring out a new SKU versus the expected revenue it will bring in over its lifetime. If that number crosses the threshold them bam! you get a new SKU.

A little as a year ago people were saying "There is no 'tablet' market, there is an 'ipad' market." Those people have, for the most part, stopped saying that but as a new market there is very little history to tell you what is and what is not important for consumers. That information is developed by releasing products and evaluating the reactions.

jxdxbx2• 13 years ago

Argh

I want a smaller phone, to be less redundant with a tablet. Since I got a tablet I use my phone for audio, maps, calls, SMS, camera--all things I could do with an iPod nano-sized 2.5" display. A smaller phone would be clippable, lighter in my pocket.

But I think Marco might be right. I could deal with a bigger iPhone if it were cheaper and contract-free, I guess. But it's sort of disappointing to me how little interest there is in smaller screen sizes. Apple would be unlikely to issue a phone not compatible with any third-party apps, however.(3.5 inch screen with no bezel would be nice, too, and compatible with apps.)

landhar• 13 years ago

I would understand phones tending to get bigger if the iPad had been a flop and tablets had not been able to prove they are relevant for consumers. With tablets being superior on all aspects except for making calls and taking pictures, what I want is a minimalistic phone. Big enough that I can text, take pictures and make calls. And that I can plug to a tablet anytime to provide it with 3G connectivity.

And when I say "plug to a tablet" I mean that in the most meta sense you can imagine, what I want is somehow to be able to use my tablet using the same data plan as my phone, and that all my data can sync seamlessly from my phone to the tablet.

A crazier prediction: iPhone Plus is real, and huge

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