Apple likely to launch 4.5" to 5" iPhones in 2014, analyst says
Coming on the heels of Apple's rumored experimentation with larger screened version of the iPhone, KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the Cupertino company will release a handset sporting a 4.5-inch to 5-inch display.
On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reiterated that its sources within Apple's supply chain are seeing the company testing various screen sizes for future iPhone models. Kuo's predictions are somewhat in line with those expectations, but the analyst said anything larger than 5 inches is unlikely.
In a note obtained by AppleInsider, Kuo points out that Apple will extend the iPhone 5's in-cell touchscreen technology to next year's handset lineup, bumping display size to 4.5 inches, or 5 inches.
The analyst notes Apple is less likely to use anything larger than 5 inches due to the company's "unwavering principle of one hand use."
Apple last changed the iPhone's form factor with the current generation iPhone 5, upping screen size from 3.5 inches to 4 inches. Instead of increasing the phone's width, Apple chose to stretch the screen's height, allowing for easier one-handed operation.
So-called big-screen "phablets" have become increasingly popular, with Samsung leading the way in terms of selection. The Korean firm's Galaxy Note III, which was just released, features a 5.7-inch display, while the Galaxy Mega comes close to being a small tablet with a 6.3-inch screen.
On a separate note, Kuo believes Apple will shift its entire iPad lineup to GF2 touch technology moving into 2014, eliminating the glass on glass setup seen in models like the current 9.7-inch iPad. The iPad 2 will be the sole remaining tablet to use the tech after the switch is made. Apple's refreshed "iPad 5" and "iPad mini 2" should be out by the end of the year, Kuo said, with mass production predicted to start in quarter four.
On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reiterated that its sources within Apple's supply chain are seeing the company testing various screen sizes for future iPhone models. Kuo's predictions are somewhat in line with those expectations, but the analyst said anything larger than 5 inches is unlikely.
In a note obtained by AppleInsider, Kuo points out that Apple will extend the iPhone 5's in-cell touchscreen technology to next year's handset lineup, bumping display size to 4.5 inches, or 5 inches.
The analyst notes Apple is less likely to use anything larger than 5 inches due to the company's "unwavering principle of one hand use."
Apple last changed the iPhone's form factor with the current generation iPhone 5, upping screen size from 3.5 inches to 4 inches. Instead of increasing the phone's width, Apple chose to stretch the screen's height, allowing for easier one-handed operation.
So-called big-screen "phablets" have become increasingly popular, with Samsung leading the way in terms of selection. The Korean firm's Galaxy Note III, which was just released, features a 5.7-inch display, while the Galaxy Mega comes close to being a small tablet with a 6.3-inch screen.
On a separate note, Kuo believes Apple will shift its entire iPad lineup to GF2 touch technology moving into 2014, eliminating the glass on glass setup seen in models like the current 9.7-inch iPad. The iPad 2 will be the sole remaining tablet to use the tech after the switch is made. Apple's refreshed "iPad 5" and "iPad mini 2" should be out by the end of the year, Kuo said, with mass production predicted to start in quarter four.
Comments
Please post 25 more articles each day for the same exact rumor.
"...as the screen size war heats up"
And yes, we'll be hearing all about it in the Apple News Lull (tm)
between WWDC 2014 and the Annual iPhone Event (tm) next year.
And probably in the Apple News Lull (tm) after the holiday season this year.
I can see a 5" iPhone sometime in the future, but not any larger with the 7" iPad mini representing the lowest size of tablets.
It takes time to get things right. Time Samsung, MS, Sony, Dell, HP, Google, BB, etc., etc., are either unwilling or unable to take. Mostly, unable.
Steve Jobs said the phone would meet the tablet. One hand operation isn't going to restrict size as voice operation tech gets better and stops relying on Internet connection AND people get better at dictation. The gyros in the phones will become better at recognizing various types of shakes making signaling easier/more reliable. ...
This is pure fantasy. You are dreaming.
I blame motion pictures. Stop watching Iron Man and Star Trek.
None of this kind of thing is possible today and none of it is even "just around the corner" despite over 40 years of people saying so.
Personally, I believe it's possible Apple will make a bigger phone and to those that argue about one hand operation, they will just say "Well, different sized people have different sized hands so we are now making two (or three) sizes." But all this stuff about magic phones that can understand your commands is just that … "magic" (i.e. - fantasy).
Interpretation requires intelligence/sentience. Not going to happen.
I have said it before and I will say it again: The faster Apple release a 5 inch iPhone the better. The advantages of a bigger screen size outnumber the disadvantages by a wide margin. C'mon Apple, give me what I want, and do it sooner rather than later!!!!
Also these rumors coming out a couple days before the new phone launch almost makes me wonder if someone is trying to sabatoge.
I have said it before and I will say it again: The faster Apple release a 5 inch iPhone the better. The advantages of a bigger screen size outnumber the disadvantages by a wide margin. C'mon Apple, give me what I want, and do it sooner rather than later!!!!
Really? Is this a fact? I've been using a Nexus 4 for several months as my daily driver, and I'd have to disagree. Everytime I play with my friend's iPhone 5 I not only NOT miss my bigger screen (seems to make little tangible different while viewing content), I'm still shocked at the buttery smoothness, comfort level, and light weight of the device in usage. I still need to constantly adjust my grip with the Nexus 4, depending on what aprt of the screen I need to hit, and that's only a 4.65" screen, nevermind 5-6" as is being discussed. A bigger screen MAY outweigh everything else for some, don't don't pretend it's a fact, nor a "wide margin". It depends what your priorities are, and personally I've found little real advantages of a bigger screen that make worthwhile the discomfort of using it.
I thought Apple was going to dump this tech due to screen freeze-up issues on the iPhone 5 and move to an alternative tech.
But I still think a lot more people prefer one hand usability than bigger screen... I am still happy with 4 inch and I often take an iPad mini with me if I want a serious experience, that cannot be compared to any Phone or phablet.
So I don't care a lot about my phone, if it has 2,8 inch screen or 6,5 it's just too small. I just want that retina display on my mini...
But many people actually want small High End phones, so much that some android fans started a petition for a small high end phone.
And I fear that if Apple will make a bigger screen, they will later make an even bigger screen, and they will also fall into the trend of where bigger phone means better specs, longer battery life etc, and people who want a small high end phone will be left behind....
I want apple to really consider every posible screen size, all the aspects of it and pick just the right size for just about everyone. It will be a screen size that we didn't even know we like until Apple will show it to us. That is exactly what people are silently expecting from Apple a form factor perfection just like iPad mini.
Really? Is this a fact? I've been using a Nexus 4 for several months as my daily driver, and I'd have to disagree. Everytime I play with my friend's iPhone 5 I not only NOT miss my bigger screen (seems to make little tangible different while viewing content), I'm still shocked at the buttery smoothness, comfort level, and light weight of the device in usage. I still need to constantly adjust my grip with the Nexus 4, depending on what aprt of the screen I need to hit, and that's only a 4.65" screen, nevermind 5-6" as is being discussed. A bigger screen MAY outweigh everything else for some, don't don't pretend it's a fact, nor a "wide margin". It depends what your priorities are, and personally I've found little real advantages of a bigger screen that make worthwhile the discomfort of using it.
You seem to like the iPhone 5 a lot so why don't you dump the Nexus/Android and come over to the darkside! lol
I agree with a lot of what you are saying. But I really feel that Apple is capable of making the most amazing 5 inch phone the world have ever seen.
I agree.
It won't be like any other smartphone ever seen.
All display on the front surrounded by a chamfered metal trim. No buttons no visible camera no bezels. Just a smooth glass surface surrounded by beautiful metal.
That's what I envision the 5 inch screen iPhone being. Probably a little shorter than the 5 and not much wider. If apple makes the device thinner that would help negate any added width.
It takes time to get things right. Time Samsung, MS, Sony, Dell, HP, Google, BB, etc., etc., are either unwilling or unable to take. Mostly, unable.
HTC did it stunningly right.