Rumor: Apple exploring pressure-sensitive iPhones with curved glass displays up to 5.5"
Future iPhones from Apple could feature radically different designs with curved glass covers, displays as large as 5.5 inches, and even new sensors that could determine how much pressure a user is applying to a touch screen.
Alleged details on Apple's potential future smartphones were detailed on Sunday by Bloomberg, which claimed that the company apparently plans to release two new iPhone models in the second half of 2014. Both of those models will supposedly feature "larger displays with glass that curves downward at the edges," the report said, citing an anonymous source.
The two new iPhone models will feature screen sizes of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches, reporters Tim Culpan and Adam Satariano claim. The larger screen sizes would position Apple to compete more directly with popular big-screen smartphones like Samsung's Galaxy Note lineup.
The rumored big-screen handsets with curved glass displays are expected to be released in the third quarter of calendar 2014, according to the unnamed source.
Beyond those rumored handsets, the report also claimed that Apple may enhance future iPhone models with more advanced touch sensors capable of detecting pressure. Such functionality is "unlikely to be ready for the next iPhone release and is instead planned for a later model," Bloomberg claims.
Some of Sunday's report aligns with earlier rumors, which suggest Apple is indeed planning to release an iPhone with a larger display in 2014. However, well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities said in September he expects Apple to release a handset with a screen sized between 4.5 and 5 inches -- not as big as the 5.5-inch display cited in the latest rumor.
According to Kuo, who has a strong track record in predicting Apple's future product plans, the company is unlikely to use any smartphone screen sizes larger than 5 inches due to its "unwavering principle of one-hand use."
Apple last changed the iPhone's form factor in 2012 with the 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, and boasted that the larger screen still allowed for easy one-handed operation. This year's two new iPhone models, the 5c and 5s, both kept the same 4-inch Retina display.
Alleged details on Apple's potential future smartphones were detailed on Sunday by Bloomberg, which claimed that the company apparently plans to release two new iPhone models in the second half of 2014. Both of those models will supposedly feature "larger displays with glass that curves downward at the edges," the report said, citing an anonymous source.
The two new iPhone models will feature screen sizes of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches, reporters Tim Culpan and Adam Satariano claim. The larger screen sizes would position Apple to compete more directly with popular big-screen smartphones like Samsung's Galaxy Note lineup.
The rumored big-screen handsets with curved glass displays are expected to be released in the third quarter of calendar 2014, according to the unnamed source.
Beyond those rumored handsets, the report also claimed that Apple may enhance future iPhone models with more advanced touch sensors capable of detecting pressure. Such functionality is "unlikely to be ready for the next iPhone release and is instead planned for a later model," Bloomberg claims.
Some of Sunday's report aligns with earlier rumors, which suggest Apple is indeed planning to release an iPhone with a larger display in 2014. However, well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities said in September he expects Apple to release a handset with a screen sized between 4.5 and 5 inches -- not as big as the 5.5-inch display cited in the latest rumor.
According to Kuo, who has a strong track record in predicting Apple's future product plans, the company is unlikely to use any smartphone screen sizes larger than 5 inches due to its "unwavering principle of one-hand use."
Apple last changed the iPhone's form factor in 2012 with the 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, and boasted that the larger screen still allowed for easy one-handed operation. This year's two new iPhone models, the 5c and 5s, both kept the same 4-inch Retina display.
Comments
You can already determine how hard you're pressing - by the change in shape your finger makes as it exerts more pressure.
This would put Apple squarely in the game with the flagship devices of all other smartphone makers.
I realise some people here think a 4" screen is normal for a high end device, but that's clearly not the view of the majority. Such a move will help Apple in winning over additional users of Samsung, HTC, LG devices. It's very hard to move from a 5" screen to a 4" screen. Will be interesting to see if Apple will retain the 4" size or instead risk the wrath of the vocal minority.
I truly hope the rumour "The two new iPhone models will feature screen sizes of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches" is correct.
This would put Apple squarely in the game with the flagship devices of all other smartphone makers.
I realise some people here think a 4" screen is normal for a high end device, but that's clearly not the view of the majority. Such a move will help Apple in winning over additional users of Samsung, HTC, LG devices. It's very hard to move from a 5" screen to a 4" screen. Will be interesting to see if Apple will retain the 4" size or instead risk the wrath of the vocal minority.
There's no way in hell Apple is going to release TWO larger, separate sizes. If anything, the flagship "S" line will increase in size slightly, and the C will remain at 4".
And 5.5"? No way in hell.
Wait....I thought 3.5 inches was the perfect size??
I did not know Apple was sensitive to pressure.
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If that is what she told you she was lying.
There's no way in hell Apple is going to release TWO larger, separate sizes. If anything, the flagship "S" line will increase in size slightly, and the C will remain at 4".
And 5.5"? No way in hell.
Give me one good BUSINESS reason why Apple will not develop a 5.5" phone.
I'll give you FOUR reasons why they should:
1. Apple is forgoing a large and growing market by not entering into the phablet category.
2. Phablets are expensive and consumers are accustomed to paying a premium for then. This is right in Apple's strike zone.
3. Phablets are popular in Asia, a stated growth area for Apple.
From Business Insider...
Phablets have experienced phenomenal growth in shipments across the Asia-Pacific region.
Shipments increased by an average of 88 percent quarter-on-quarter between year-end 2011 and June 30 of this year, according to IDC.
4. Apple is relinquishing this category to Samsung and will cause damage to Samsung if they can grab some of this market.
She lied.
I hate to repeat myself, but if Apple releases a phablet, it will be 5.7" not 5.5".
5.7" is exactly half an iPad mini screen which would make it 1536x1024 at 326DPI. Two apps optimized for this screen format could run side by side on the iPads.
Nonsense!
That is RnD.
Two apps optimized for this screen format could run side by side on the iPads.
The purpose of which being what?
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The purpose of which being what?
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Split screen multi-tasking?
That answer’s implied; my question is for it.
oooohhhhh...... nice.
Less on lawsuits and billboards, more on this as info becomes available please.
If any Apple execs read this site, open invite for you to take me out to lunch next time I'm in the San Jose/Cupertino area (I get out there about every 3 months). With a screen that size lets talk about how Apple can finally redefine widgets and make them better than what Android currently offers. Love the ideas or hate them, either way I'd be happy to add to the scope of possibilities. Leave the 'grid of icons' as an option for those that love that too.
That answer’s implied; my question is for it.
Judging from this rhetorical question you seem to imply that split screen multi-tasking would be useless on an iPad, I have a feeling that any example I can give will be dismissed in one way or the other.
Give me one good BUSINESS reason why Apple will not develop a 5.5" phone.
I'll give you FOUR reasons why they should:
1. Apple is forgoing a large and growing market by not entering into the phablet category.
2. Phablets are expensive and consumers are accustomed to paying a premium for then. This is right in Apple's strike zone.
3. Phablets are popular in Asia, a stated growth area for Apple.
From Business Insider...
Phablets have experienced phenomenal growth in shipments across the Asia-Pacific region.
Shipments increased by an average of 88 percent quarter-on-quarter between year-end 2011 and June 30 of this year, according to IDC.
4. Apple is relinquishing this category to Samsung and will cause damage to Samsung if they can grab some of this market.
None of that shit matters to Apple if they believe 5.5" for a phone is a ridiculous size. If they release a larger phone, it will be between 4.5-5.0, and probably leaning towards the lower end of that range. You're a bit out of touch if you actually believe "most" people want a 5.5" phone. If that was the case, 9 million iPhones wouldn't have been sold in a weekend.