The Apple iPhone has been one of the most iconic cell phones in the industry since its introduction back in 2007. For the longest time, the iPhone had always been released with the same 3.5-inch display - a display that was “large” in 2007 (with smartphones being a new concept from messaging/flip phones and all) but gradually became one of the smaller smartphone displays as other smartphone displays tended to grow larger. When the iPhone 5 was released back in 2012, the iPhone’s display grew by .5 inches for the first time since the first iPhone’s release, but the 4-inch display was still considerably smaller compared to other smartphones - particularly the Samsung Galaxy Note II, which had a massive 5.5-inch display. The iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c kept the same 4-inch display, which was expected as the phones were the yearly “refresh” to the iPhone 5.
The size of the iPhone’s screen has long been a debate among mobile enthusiasts; it would seem that the iPhone’s screen is neither big nor small enough. Back when the iPhone 5 was unveiled, I was not impressed by the .5-inch display increase. Not only was it an insignificant change (in my opinion, mind you) but the fact that the size increase only made the iPhone taller seemed like an odd move to me. I was used to phones being wider, not taller. Of course, it would only be later that I realized that it was probably a smart move by Apple; wide phones are my biggest issue today, not tall phones.
With the iPhone 6 rumored to be released later this year, more talks of a bigger screen are on the rise. Lately, I’ve been seeing an influx of rumors and leaks that suggest the iPhone 6 would feature a 4.7-inch display, which is quite a jump from the current 4-inch size of the iPhone. Not only that, but it’s pressing on the verge of the official “phablet” sized screen, which is a 5-inch display.
As much spit as I give Apple for having a measly 4-inch display in a sea of phablet sized flagships, they’re kind of a godsend for people like me who are continuously losing variety in flagships as more and more move upwards towards phablet-sized. Last year was slim-pickings, this year is even slimmer. If the iPhone 6 ends up having a 4.7-inch display, I have to wonder how many people would truly be pleased with the change.
I could imagine a lot of people being happy. I happen to know quite a few people who specifically avoid the iPhone not just “because it’s Apple and I hate Apple” (I know a lot of them, too) but mostly because the screen is simply too small. On the other hand, I know a lot of people that prefer the iPhone specifically because it has a small, comfortable screen.
I don’t know. Perhaps Apple would benefit from using the idea of releasing two different sized iPhones, or perhaps just upping the display by a little bit again. Yes, yes; I know I gave them a hard time for doing that last time, but that was before smaller displays on phones were nearing extinction. Clearly, I’m eating my own words now. It happens, and maybe it won’t help. All in all, a 4.7-inch display isn’t that bad. It’s still big, and likely Apple would keep it at for two years (assuming the iPhone 6s and 6c were 2015 releases) but I really, really hope that the iPhone never enters phablet territory - that is, not without a smaller counterpart.
But let’s hear it from you, readers. When it comes to the possibility of a 4.7-inch iPhone, what are your thoughts on it? Are you hoping that the iPhone stays small, or do you think it’s due for a size increase? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Images via iMore, Tech Radar
