The word in Rumortown yesterday was that Apple, in an attempt to slow the onslaught of Android devices, is making a smaller, cheaper phone called the iPhone Nano. While I may not believe the rumors in their entirety, some of it makes perfect sense. Why wouldn't Apple make a new model of their current iPhone?
After all of the hubbub yesterday, we asked on Facebook, “Would you buy a miniature Apple iPhone?” Not only did we get a lot of negative feedback from users, but many of them brought up an idea similar to one of my own. If Apple is making an iPhone Nano to ward off Android, shouldn't they be making a larger iPhone, too?
Not all Android phones are small and cheap. In fact, most of them are larger than the iPhone (physically and in display size) and about the same price. A larger display makes for more comfortable text input, web browsing, and overall use. However, it does add bulk to the device and suck up more juice. It doesn't come without consequences. But with some Android devices sporting nearly an extra inch of display real estate, it makes you wonder why Apple would only be considering downsizing instead of following the trend.
If they're considering appealing to different demograpics – which they should be – a larger phone should be on the drawing boards as well. The iPhone has remained primarily the same size since D-Day. In comparison to other phones from that time, a 3.5-inch display was daring, bold, and unheard-of. In terms of smartphones today, not so much. If an Android phone is released with a display smaller than 3.7-inches, I don't bat an eye at it. I have somewhat big hands – large thumbs more than anything – and they don't play nicely with the smaller 3.5-inch display. I can barely get by with the 3.8-inch screen on the myTouch 4G.
If Apple truly wants to challenge Android at its own game (I never thought I'd be saying something like this), they will have to consider all options: small, big, physical keyboards, etc. Otherwise, they will just be wasting their time. The market is adapting and evolving and the iPhone hasn't fundamentally changed in nearly four years. Android's Law has allowed for technology in the iPhone's counterparts to finally surpass it, and Apple has some catching up to do.
Will they make a bigger and/or smaller iPhone? I don't know. They need to do something, and it sounds like several people would like to get their paws on a larger version of the legend phone as well. I know I wouldn't mind seeing it in some other form factor. Would you consider purchasing a larger iPhone? Or do you think the current size and form factor are perfect?
