Consumer interest in Apple's 'iPhone 6' at record levels, as new sketches show rumored big-screen de
With leaks and alleged information about Apple's next-generation iPhone picking up steam, a new report shows that consumer interest for the so-called "iPhone 6" expected to debut later this year is already at record levels.
451 Research on Thursday published the results of its latest survey, which suggests that rumors of a new iPhone with a bigger display are of great interest to consumers. Potential smartphone buyers were asked how interested they would be in an "iPhone 6" with a larger display, "gesture control," a faster processor, and updated iOS mobile operating system starting at $199 for 16 gigabytes.
Among those polled, 14 percent said they are "very likely" to buy the rumored device, while another 26 percent characterized themselves as "somewhat likely" to purchase one. Similar surveys related to the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5 before those products' official announcements showed considerably less interest: 26 percent total were interested in an iPhone 5s as of March 2013, while 33 percent said they were likely to buy a rumored iPhone 5 in March of 2012.
Of course, the survey is based on speculation about what exactly Apple might release later this year. But expectations are growing that the next iPhone will sport a bigger display -- aided by rumored design specifications leaked out of the Far East.
The latest such leak comes from Chinese smartphone case maker Elam, which apparently believes Apple's next iPhone will be based on the rough design mockup included below:
The design shown in the latest alleged leak is similar to earlier leaked designs, which inspired the following mockups created by designer Martin Hajek for Nowhereelse.fr. They show a thinner, larger iPhone that borrows some design elements from the iPhone 5c and iPod touch, including larger circular speaker and microphone holes at the bottom of the device, and elongated "pill" shaped volume buttons on the left of the handset.
Apple is expected to introduce a larger-screened iPhone as consumer demand for such devices continues to grow. The latest survey from 451 Research and ChangeWave found that as of March, demand for larger smartphones hit an all-time high of 47 percent, up from 40 percent in December 2013, and 27 percent in December 2012.
Noted insider Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities said in his latest research note this week that he expects Apple to meet this consumer demand with the launch of two larger iPhones this year. Specifically, he believes the company will debut a model with a higher-resolution 5.5-inch display, in addition to a new 4.7-inch size.
Apple's latest handsets, the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, all sport 4-inch displays, which are among the smallest smartphone screens on the market today. Prior to the launch of the iPhone 5 in 2012, all of Apple's previous handsets had smaller 3.5-inch displays.
Apple has been reluctant to quickly embrace the trend toward larger phones as the company has been focused on allowing ease of use of the device with just one hand. According to Kuo, while the 5.5-inch model will require two hands to use properly, Apple apparently plans to reduce the bezel on the 4.7-inch model to keep it within the company's guidelines for one-handed operation.
451 Research on Thursday published the results of its latest survey, which suggests that rumors of a new iPhone with a bigger display are of great interest to consumers. Potential smartphone buyers were asked how interested they would be in an "iPhone 6" with a larger display, "gesture control," a faster processor, and updated iOS mobile operating system starting at $199 for 16 gigabytes.
Among those polled, 14 percent said they are "very likely" to buy the rumored device, while another 26 percent characterized themselves as "somewhat likely" to purchase one. Similar surveys related to the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5 before those products' official announcements showed considerably less interest: 26 percent total were interested in an iPhone 5s as of March 2013, while 33 percent said they were likely to buy a rumored iPhone 5 in March of 2012.
Of course, the survey is based on speculation about what exactly Apple might release later this year. But expectations are growing that the next iPhone will sport a bigger display -- aided by rumored design specifications leaked out of the Far East.
The latest such leak comes from Chinese smartphone case maker Elam, which apparently believes Apple's next iPhone will be based on the rough design mockup included below:
The design shown in the latest alleged leak is similar to earlier leaked designs, which inspired the following mockups created by designer Martin Hajek for Nowhereelse.fr. They show a thinner, larger iPhone that borrows some design elements from the iPhone 5c and iPod touch, including larger circular speaker and microphone holes at the bottom of the device, and elongated "pill" shaped volume buttons on the left of the handset.
Apple is expected to introduce a larger-screened iPhone as consumer demand for such devices continues to grow. The latest survey from 451 Research and ChangeWave found that as of March, demand for larger smartphones hit an all-time high of 47 percent, up from 40 percent in December 2013, and 27 percent in December 2012.
Noted insider Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities said in his latest research note this week that he expects Apple to meet this consumer demand with the launch of two larger iPhones this year. Specifically, he believes the company will debut a model with a higher-resolution 5.5-inch display, in addition to a new 4.7-inch size.
Apple's latest handsets, the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, all sport 4-inch displays, which are among the smallest smartphone screens on the market today. Prior to the launch of the iPhone 5 in 2012, all of Apple's previous handsets had smaller 3.5-inch displays.
Apple has been reluctant to quickly embrace the trend toward larger phones as the company has been focused on allowing ease of use of the device with just one hand. According to Kuo, while the 5.5-inch model will require two hands to use properly, Apple apparently plans to reduce the bezel on the 4.7-inch model to keep it within the company's guidelines for one-handed operation.
Comments
The larger screen desire does seem to be increasing. Bit nuts, possibly its like that tail fin fad back in the day.
Unforgivable.
That would be closer to a fact than a rumour and therefore has no place on the internet.
I don't think we should be set on 4" though. It's the device form factor that's the main thing. Some want 4", others want 4.7", the average between those is 4.35" and that fits in the current form factor. It won't satisfy everyone but then what does? It would be a new design and allow easy one-handed use. A 4.7" would be like the S3 here:
[VIDEO]
A few of them have to balance it at the tips of their fingers and reposition it to access the whole screen. Especially with touch id, you'd want to pull the phone out with one hand, unlock and then make a call with one hand. 4.3" edge to edge makes more sense to me. There's clearly a demand for larger screens so that's not in question but we have to figure out what Apple would be more likely to do.
Ok, so there must be an article on Wikipedia then¡
Hmm, that phone looks too large for my taste, just as I always thought. Would an iPhone with a 4.35" screen add a row and column of icons on the homescreen? I don't care so much for higher ppi, but I can't believe Apple would create a larger screen phone without 'any benefits' other than a simple stretched out screen. Developers would want to make use of the larger screen.
I would expect Apple to stick with their 'one-hand operation' wish, so they should continue with an iPhone with a 4" screen, or at least a FF of the same size, in an optional expanded iPhone line-up.
Now with anti-grav dock.
[IMG]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/41591/width/300/height/600[/IMG]
I'm all in for the 4.7 or the 5.5, whichever comes first. Assuming they both really are iPhones and the 5.5" is not $299 w/contract for a 16 GB.
There is no avoiding it now. This is what happens. AI is not the only site lending huge weight to Ming's reports. He is dead on balls accurate 90% of the time, and I would take his comments as about 90% accurate to what we'll see, but subject to change.
I do its think high time Apple make the mythical 5" iDevice, with 1920 x1080 display, and all the power and radios you need in your pocket.
I saw a little kid using his mom's galaxy to make a call at the store the other day, and he looked ridiculous holding this gigantic iPad mini sized device to his ear....so I vowed that would not be me.....I'll use ear buds to make calls as I do now
That's all good and well, but where are the rumours that they will continue to make a 4" iPhone?
Yeah, Apple should definitely keep a 4" form factor for those that want a more compact phone.
iPhone 6:
Now with anti-grav dock.
Finally, an iPhone that is drop-resistent.
Now it looks like Apple will make large screen phones as well, attacking Samsung where they make their money. I doubt Samsung will introduce a compact high-end phone to start competing with Apple (esp after promoting the advantages of screen size for so long).
So what's left for Samsung to do? Apple is going to steal millions of customers/sales with a larger phone, while still keeping a lock on the 4" screen size. Waiting to see what feature spam they use to try and hang on to sales.
the question isn't whether they keep a 4" this year or not. They will either as a 5C or a 6C ( with this years internals but maybe not touchID). The question is whether that becomes a line, rather than a plastic version of last years model. If the latter the 4" disappears for good next year which would be a mistake.
Don't know what Samsung will do, but I may have found their marketing material already
That's all good and well, but where are the rumours that they will continue to make a 4" iPhone?
Frankly, I don't know anyone that likes the 4" screen, including my 63 year old mother. Remember, the 3.5" - 4" screen was a Steve Jobs thing. You have to be able to use the phone with one hand, and even then it was aggravating touching the wrong thing with my thumb half the time.
If they release something like a 4.3"- and the size of the iPhone stays the same- why would anyone complain?
Lest we forget apple went from 3.5" to 4" and not only did they not go bigger with the phone- they actually reduced the overall mass.
So you're quitting?
I'm hoping it isn't 4.7 and 5.5- mainly for everyone else, but if it was id get the 4.7. If they do a 4.3 and 4.7- I'm getting the 4.7- so I'm covered either way.
Uhm, no. Although it got smaller (from 61 to 58.6mm) it did grow in height; from 115mm to 123.8mm. Sounds like a non-issue, but the phone now sometimes gets stuck in my pants because the pocket is wider than the opening itself and I need to turn it 90 degrees first.
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP2
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP685