Apple 'leaving money on the table' by not releasing big-screen iPhone - Page 6

Originally Posted by kept 
…chasing niches is all that Apple does.

The opposite, in fact.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil 

 

Try to enjoy your Samsung garbage!

I think he'll be staying with Apple.  How's your iPhone 1 doing these days?

Originally Posted by wakefinance 
I think he'll be staying with Apple.  How's your iPhone 1 doing these days?

Receiving daily use. You really think Apple would make a 5" phone one year after their 4" phone?

Why all these arguments about why Apple should or shouldn't have a 5-in iphone?  Just wait a bit, either the big-screen phone wave will die down or Apple will release a 5-in iphone.  Just as simple as that as Apple decided to follow the small screen tablet with the ipad mini.  That was a right decision.  (or not?? depends on how you look at it.  But who cares, it's here.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil 

 

Receiving daily use. You really think Apple would make a 5" phone one year after their 4" phone?

Anything is possible. (4.94 not 5)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil 

 

Receiving daily use. You really think Apple would make a 5" phone one year after their 4" phone?

I'm glad to hear it.

And yes I do.  That's 5" give or take.  Apple would be foolish to not tap such a large market.  For the purpose of this topic, I think there are four groups of phone customers, two of which Apple could appeal to with a larger phone:

1.  People who own the iPhone and want nothing larger than 4" or who might even be unhappy with Apple's choice to move up to 4".  These people will not choose the larger iPhone.

2.  People who own the iPhone and want a larger device.  These people will be attracted to the larger iPhone.

3.  People who own Android phones simply because they want a larger screen but would prefer to use an iPhone.  These people will be attracted to a larger iPhone.

4.  People who own Android phones because they prefer Android over iOS.  These people will not choose the larger iPhone.

I'm not going to give you any citations because this is purely speculative, but I think category 2 is at least 50% of the current iPhone market, though clearly not 50% of the vocal forum members here.  I think category 3 is between 20% and 30% of the current Android market.

Regardless of where the market percentages actually lie (be it 30% of iPhone users or 50% of Android users...you name it), I think there is a market that Apple is ignoring.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevt 

 

Hilarious comment this. iPod aside, chasing niches is all that Apple does.

 

 

Simple fact of life is that people have their own personal preferences about screen size, and the closely correlated device size. This is true of smartphones, as it is true of Notebook computers, as it is true of tablets.

 

Apple recognises this in the last two categories, offering multiple screen sizes in iPads and MacBooks. Time for them to offer more choice with the iPhone. Otherwise they lose sales, and marketshare, and down the line, then developers ... and become even more of niche seller.

This is something people dont grasp, people do buy different products based entirely on their preference of what they want. If there is a market for a bigger (or smaller) product then Apple would be unwise to not tap it, especially if its going to sit at the premium end of the spectrum.

Now people complaining about having a bigger screen cause it makes the phone more difficult to use most likely havent realized there are some glaring usability problems with iOS that just dont make any sense anymore and need to be changed pretty damn soon. Jumping from the 4 to a Nexus device and now the 5 these have stood out the most

Just a couple of examples is that the back button is in the top left corner of numerous apps...this made sense when the screen was smaller but now its pretty difficult to use the phone easily with one hand, Android hasn't had this issue since their system controls are on the bottom of the phone. 

Next issue is the music controls, when in the app they are on the bottom (makes sense its easier to skip and play songs) but on the lock screen music controls are at the top and that means you have to rake your hand across the phone and that simply just doesn't make sense. Android puts the music controls in the middle of screen which makes it far easier to reach. I wish iOS did this but that would require a retooling of how notifications work on the home screen.

If Apple pushes beyond the paradigm they've established and make some changes to iOS i dont think Apple adding a bigger screen will make any problems with usability

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvin 


Apple has demonstrated that the unexpected is possible when it's done for the right reasons. Switching to Intel, switching to unix, discontinuing the XServe, making an MP3 player, making a phone, making a tablet, making a slightly smaller tablet, making a widescreen phone without comprimising the width of the device.

A few people saying 'I want one' isn't enough to be the right reason. There would have to be significant market demand, which isn't demonstrated in the sales figures when the iPhone 5 outsells all of them:

http://venturebeat.com/2013/02/01/the-5-best-selling-phones-in-the-u-s-are-from-just-2-companies-apple-and-samsung/

There would have to be a very good reason why they would go back on what they said about the iPhone size being designed around the comfortable reach of a human thumb.

Like I said earlier, arguing that there isn't demand for a larger iPhone simply because it outsells all other phones is fallacious.  There is only one phone running iOS: the iPhone.  All sales of iOS phones are sales of iPhones.  People have no choice but to choose the iPhone if they prefer iOS to Android.  If in some parallel universe iOS was running on a multitude of phones including but not limited to the iPhone, iPhone sales would be dramatically lower because the market for devices running iOS would be fragmented among many handsets.  And if in that same parallel universe, the iPhone was by far the best selling iOS device, then we could begin to draw conclusions about its success.  Would it be the screen size?  Would it be the build materials?  Would it be the home button?  Would it be the speaker quality?  Nobody knows because that universe isn't our universe.  In our universe, all we know is that more people buy phones with iOS than buy specific phones made by Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Sony, LG, or any other manufacturer. 

Originally Posted by wakefinance 
In our universe, all we know is that more people buy phones with iOS than buy specific phones made by Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Sony, LG, or any other manufacturer. 

There's a reason for that.

Originally Posted by dasanman69 


It's a pretty big table and Apple is eating plenty. I guess investors want Apple to eat it all.

They demand Apple eat it all, otherwise they are doomed. And then when Apple does, they get sued for anti-trust issues.

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Originally Posted by GQB 

An iPad mini 'phone' with the bluetooth earphone that I already use 100% of the time, and I'm in.

It's called SKYPE

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Originally Posted by herbapou 


If apple doesnt have a big screen when my contract expires, i am buying a nexus phone. And i am not alone

There definitely is a market for a larger screen iPhone.

I know a few people who bought the Samsung S for it's larger screen.  They admit they put up with shorter battery charge life and other android weaknesses.

I find the iPhone size fine, but not all have my very good close vision.

I find those who like the larger screen, definitely don't have my very good close vision. I prefer the higher quality iPhone screen, they don't notice the difference.

My suggestion is slightly less than 5" and greater than 4.5", perhaps about 4.7".

Quote:

Originally Posted by saarek 

 

I’m genuinely curious as to why you want a phone with a bigger display? Everyone I have seen with a large Android device pressed against their heads looks like absolute twats. I can understand wanting a bigger display for content such as games/books/movies etc but then why wouldn’t you just get an iPad?

 

Apple has explained why they went for the 4” display, it’s the biggest they could go and still maintain one handed operation.

I find it rather easy to operate my 4.6" galaxy Nexus with one hand.  I am 6'-4" with big hands and simply find the iPhone too small...

I Started with Android because i have to use Verizon, but I stayed with it because I simply liked the screen and size of the Galaxy Nexus over the iPhone 4 which was the iPhone at the time.  I can't see the 1/2" added to the bottom of the iPhone 5 much of a reason to switch to the iPhone...

Seven people at my office got new phones in the last two months of the year.  All but one got Galaxy phones over iPhones (Two Switched from iPhone 4).  

Apple is losing customers over this issue...

Quote:

Originally Posted by massconn72 

I just think it's too damn big. Put that in your back pocket, and see how fast it is stolen in a crowd?

I keep my galaxy Nexus in my front pocket.  Why do people always have to put the phone in their rear pockets????

I never understood the reasoning on that one....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvin 

A few people saying 'I want one' isn't enough to be the right reason. There would have to be significant market demand, which isn't demonstrated in the sales figures when the iPhone 5 outsells all of them:

Oh... so the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S weren't selling that well so Apple brought out the 4" iPhone 5 to compete with the larger phones that were selling well... 

Quote:

Originally Posted by theCore 

Natural evolution-  the screen should be larger-   Apple must IMO,  develop a slightly larger form factor for a variety of reasons.

When the Iphone was released it was a huge step forward in many ways.  Today,  the small screen lacks.  

 

Reasons-  Typing accuracy,   eyesight limitations,   ease of use etc,  visual real estate.   Slimmer, lighter phones can easily handle the larger screen.

 

No point in letting other companies get a leg up. 

Apple should evolve to a 5" screen size, its a natural  direction.  Lets call it "Guy-phone"-    for those of us with big mitts. 

 

Those seeking smaller form factor-   a wrist worn repeater would do the trick.   I truly hope Apple is developing,  that too,  is a natural direction.  Again, no point in letting other companies..........

I agree and have noticed many women have trouble holding the 4.5" and larger phones.

Even with my large hand the Samsung S3 is a handful, the largest phone I could safely hold.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jungmark 


I'm sure Apple isn't gonna spend money just to spend it. Why waste 12.5 billion on a has-been mobile device company?

Btw, you prob mean Android 4.2 is better because most Android devices are stuck at 2.x.

Perhaps a little surprising: Over 42% are now reported to be running 4.x.

It's a slow grind, and you're right that just over half are still on a 2.x version, but it's getting better.

With about 99% confidence, I believe that:

1. Apple will eventually make a 4.5-5" phone (and perhaps keep making a smaller model as well). 

2. About 95%* of the people who have written in this thread to argue that either (a) that Apple never will do so and/or (b) that such a device would be useless/dangerous/thiefbait will eventually own and like one. I would save the evidence of what they're saying now so that I can write "gotcha" when they reverse themselves later, but I'm too lazy.

* Respect to tallest skil for not reversing himself on the value of the iPad mini...so far. He did have to admit he was wrong about the market demand for it, though.

Bonus thought: IMO, I think 4.5" is the right size for a phone, 7" (4x3 aspect) the right size for an ebook reader, and 10" (16x9 or 16x10) the right size for a full-function tablet. But I'm not going to pretend that my preferences are the God-Given Truth for everybody.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil 

 

There's a reason for that.

You're right, and I explained it fully in the post you quoted from.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil 

 

The opposite, in fact.

You keep saying it, but providing no proof. The Mac is a niche player, period. It's a great computer, but it's not for everyone, and the market mostly has dismissed it, thus far. I love the Mac, but lets get real here. It's only a few percentage points above Linux in the market, and if you factor in enterprise usage, it gets waxed by Linux. It's a niche player, period.

Originally Posted by ruel24 
The Mac is a niche player, period.

No, it's built for the middle man. For the everyone. It's the computer designed for the person in the middle of the road, everyone, as broad as possible, to cover as large a market as possible. The niches are the people for whom it doesn't work. The people who believe they need multiple internal hard drives or the ones who DO need copious amounts of RAM and workstation processors. 

Ah, the old "If I keep repeating it, that makes it true" bit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by toysandme 

I'm getting a 5 inch +/- this year. Apple had better have one for me.

Or..what? You'll send Tim Cook an angry email? Apple is not going to make a 5inch phone this year. Accept that and move on.