iPhone 6 rendering by MacRumors.comBy Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
When the iPhone first came out in 2007 (hard to believe its been that long) it had one of the largest touchscreens in the market at 3.5-inches. That size was perfect for the time given we were still on 2G networks and the app ecosystem didn’t even exist yet.
Apple finally bumped up the iPhone’s screen size to 4-inches two years ago with the iPhone 5, and that’s how big it’s been since. Looking at the competition today, 4-inches isn’t even considered the standard in cheaper mini-versions of larger flagship smartphones, many of which sport 4.3-inch to 4.5-inch screens. The larger flagship devices start at 4.7-inches and push the limit of one-handed use with 5-5.2-inch screens.
There have been various part leaks pointing to larger 4.7-inch and possibly 5,5-inch iPhones coming this fall, and in many ways, the time is right for larger iPhones. Here’s why.
It’s not a “s” revision year – Apple has been known to introduce new smartphone designs every other year. Since the iPhone 5s was nearly identical to the iPhone 5, we can be almost sure that a whole new design is coming down the pipe. Apple will likely take this opportunity to push out a larger-screen device.
A big screen is better for consuming Apple’s content – Apple’s got tons of video and audio content through their iTunes store, they’re making serious moves towards mobile gaming with iOS 8 and the CarPlay, HomeKit and HealthKit initiatives will have apps that are easier to manage on larger devices.
Apple has been listening to its users – You don’t become the most valuable company in the world by being insular, Apple under Tim Cook considers what users want and proof of this is the more affordable plastic iPhone 5c (which has been increasingly popular). Apple is certainly biding its time, ensuring that the right components are available for a larger iPhone as well as ensuring the user experience scales nicely on larger screens.
Larger screens come with perks- With larger screen you can fit a larger battery, more radios, more sensor, place a larger camera, bigger speakers and all while maintaining the sort of thin, light but robust build that Apple’s known for.
It’s good for business –With an increased focus on enterprise, a larger iPhone will be easily adopted in the corporate world. Bigger screens will be better for using the iPhone on field, for signing documents, running apps like Numbers or Excel, or presentation software like Keynote or PowerPoint right from an iPhone.
The world is ready- This is the biggest reason of all. There are millions of users who desire a larger iPhone as well as millions of other who are on the end of their contracts with their larger competing smartphones. Making these users, and any potential switchers, happy would be a profitable proposition for Apple.