I’ve been quite vocal about my dislike for the size of the current iPhone. When the iPhone 6 was released, I bought one, then returned it, because I wasn’t comfortable with its size. When the 6s was released, I finally upgraded, because I needed to be current with the latest features. (None of which have proven worthwhile, in my opinion.) I handed down my iPhone 5s to my partner, and she is very happy with it. Every time I pick it up, I have a nostalgic feeling for a phone that I can use with one hand.
Apple is expected to re-introduce a 4″ iPhone later today. I say re-introduce; they are still selling the 5s, but it’s two generations old; today’s model is said to be pretty much like the iPhone 6s, just smaller. This phone is rumored to be called the iPhone SE, though I bet that won’t be the actual name.
As I pointed out recently, some 60% of users had iPhones that were smaller than the iPhone 6 or 6s (and minuscule compared to the clown-shoe sized 6 Plus and 6s Plus). There is a huge market for a smaller phone, and Apple has finally realized their mistake in imposing only two sizes, both of them larger than previous models.
What’s interesting is the fact that Tim Cook was so clear about the iPhone 5 – the first 4″ model – being the perfect size. He said:
The iPhone 5 offers a new, 4-inch Retina display, which is the most advanced display in the industry. No one comes close to matching the level of quality as the Retina display. It also provides a larger screen size for iPhone customers without sacrificing the one-handed ease of use that our customers love. We put a lot of thinking into screen size and believe we’ve picked the right one.
This was at a time when Android phablets were selling well. Yet Apple felt that a phone should be one-hangable, not overwhelmingly large.
But given the response of users, with many not upgrading because of size (perhaps), I wonder how Tim Cook will spin this. Will he say that Apple was wrong? Or will he just say something about giving users more choice (which they would have had if there had been a 4″ iPhone 6 or 6s…)?
In any case, I look forward to a 4″ iPhone. I’m not sure I’ll sell my 6s and “downgrade,” because the 6s is quite recent, but if I can get enough for it, I may do so.
Psssttt… Wanna buy a used 128 GB iPhone 6s? With case, and AppleCare+, UK only. Get in touch.