iPhone 6 resolution theory by John Gruber

[note235]

http://daringfireball.net/2014/08/larger_iphone_display_conjecture

Fascinating if true. I'm getting the 5.5" one.

Currently sold my iPhone 5s and have a Oneplus One. It's slower especially in the camera department (not rooted and barely any apps)but the screen is might fine. Truly stunning.

 

[Commodus]

I think it's going to be higher than what Gruber suspects, at least on the 4.7-inch model. Feld & Volk claims that it's a 1704x960 display based on a pixel-by-pixel inspection of a sample panel.

If true, that's an interesting choice -- it's not 1080p, but it's going to still look really good at that screen size. Could be a clever way of getting the visual impact of a 1080p screen without paying the same battery life penalty. It'd definitely embarrass Samsung, which built the Galaxy Alpha (which has a 720p screen) as a preemptive strike against the next iPhone.

The real question is what the 5.5-inch device will do. I could see that greater-than-1080p resolution Gruber suggests, but I wouldn't rule out 1080p or even the same 1704x960 resolution as the smaller device. We need some harder evidence here.

 

[zerocool84]

People need to realize how huge a 5.5" iPhone would be. They can't change the size of the bezels, it'd feel almost like a 6" phone and even the 4.7" would like like to 5" phone. The bezels kill it.

 

[Commodus]

People need to realize how huge a 5.5" iPhone would be. They can't change the size of the bezels, it'd feel almost like a 6" phone and even the 4.7" would like like to 5" phone. The bezels kill it.

It'll be tall, but I don't think it'll be that unwieldy. An actual 6-inch phone is not just taller, but wider; this will still be as narrow as many other 5.5-inch phones. A 4.7-inch iPhone will probably compare to the original HTC One in terms of portability, and that was just dandy by me.

 

[shabby]

People need to realize how huge a 5.5" iPhone would be. They can't change the size of the bezels, it'd feel almost like a 6" phone and even the 4.7" would like like to 5" phone. The bezels kill it.

Iphone users don't use the top two rows of icons anyway...

67x138mm - iphone 6 4.7
68x135mm - galaxy nexus
68x137mm - htc one m7
65x132mm - galaxy alpha

77x158mm - iphone 6 5.5
75x152mm - oppo find 7
75x146mm - lg g3
73x139mm - sharp aquos crystal x

Apple needs to invent smaller bezels.

 

[mavere]

I think it's going to be higher than what Gruber suspects, at least on the 4.7-inch model. Feld & Volk claims that it's a 1704x960 display based on a pixel-by-pixel inspection of a sample panel.

Their sample panel actually shows about 12.5 to 13 pixels per mm... which is about 326 ppi.

I've no idea where they got 1704x960 from, but their "evidence" only helps Gruber's claims.

 

[Commodus]

Their sample panel actually shows about 12.5 to 13 pixels per mm... which is about 326 ppi.

I've no idea where they got 1704x960 from, but their "evidence" only helps Gruber's claims.

The problem is that the people saying it doesn't quite line up also don't have a panel, like F&V does. Not ruling out a lower res, but I'm more inclined to believe the people who have real hands-on experience than news sites acting as armchair quarterbacks. We'll find out soon enough, at any rate!

 

[Mopetar]

I wonder if they'll be keeping a 4" model around (besides older models) or if it's going to be 4.7" and 5.5" without no other choices going forward.

 

[jpeyton]

Iphone users don't use the top two rows of icons anyway...

67x138mm - iphone 6 4.7
68x135mm - galaxy nexus
68x137mm - htc one m7
65x132mm - galaxy alpha

77x158mm - iphone 6 5.5
75x152mm - oppo find 7
75x146mm - lg g3
73x139mm - sharp aquos crystal x

Apple needs to invent smaller bezels.

I wonder if Apple's marketing efforts will be hampered by the fact that they are not going to be the smallest 5.5" smartphone. Surface area wise, they might actually be the biggest.

 

[kpkp]

I wonder if Apple's marketing efforts will be hampered by the fact that they are not going to be the smallest 5.5" smartphone. Surface area wise, they might actually be the biggest.

They will be the thinest, z is the only dimension that matters apparently. :\

 

[Red Storm]

I wonder if Apple's marketing efforts will be hampered by the fact that they are not going to be the smallest 5.5" smartphone. Surface area wise, they might actually be the biggest.

I wonder about this too. They have to shrink that bezel, especially on a much larger model. It would look terrible with the current large bezels.

 

[Eug]

Iphone users don't use the top two rows of icons anyway...

Huh?

 

[Trombe]

Kind of doubting the 5.5" one being that high resolution. Runs contrary to the full size vs mini iPads' idea of Retina displays to have higher pixel density on the larger one. I don't own both (just the Mini Retina) but I don't recall the Air displaying more content than the Mini Retina despite the larger screen, so I wouldn't necessarily expect the bigger iPhones to either.

Knowing that they dropped the "X" variant of the SOC last time and just went A7 across the board for all new devices last year, that kind of pixel density would probably also make the 5.5" version feel underpowered compared to the 4.7" from a graphics standpoint if they choose to do the same again and those resolutions are accurate.

 

[shabby]

Huh?

Iphone users also can't detect sarcasm i see.

 

[jpeyton]

They will be the thinest, z is the only dimension that matters apparently. :\

Z height is probably the least important dimension, especially when you're slapping on a case. But Apple won't be the thinnest anyway. The Xperia Z Ultra was 6.5mm, had a larger screen, and no camera bump. If anything, the reviews of the Z Ultra said it was uncomfortably thin, meaning that there is a sweet spot for thickness and comfort.

I don't like the idea of a camera bump anyway. If anything, recess the camera lens a little so it isn't the first thing to catch an edge or surface.

 

[dawheat]

Kind of doubting the 5.5" one being that high resolution. Runs contrary to the full size vs mini iPads' idea of Retina displays to have higher pixel density on the larger one. I don't own both (just the Mini Retina) but I don't recall the Air displaying more content than the Mini Retina despite the larger screen, so I wouldn't necessarily expect the bigger iPhones to either.

Knowing that they dropped the "X" variant of the SOC last time and just went A7 across the board for all new devices last year, that kind of pixel density would probably also make the 5.5" version feel underpowered compared to the 4.7" from a graphics standpoint if they choose to do the same again and those resolutions are accurate.

Seems like the resolution wouldn't be that different than the iPad Air and the A7 certainly doesn't seem underpowered, much less the A8.

I do like how Apple considers both the dpi and amount of content on the screen. The reason I have to root my Android phones (Note 3, OPO) is the lcd_density is set to 480. This works ok for phones like the S4 or S5 which have the same resolution but are 5". For the Note 3, you don't get any more content, everything is just bigger, often stupidly so. Setting this value to 380 on the Note 3 and OPO was essential to making the phone feel useful over the S4/S5 and frankly just looking normal.

 

[Sattern]

The new iPhones look good, but I think the Xperia Z2 is a bit better because of the extra features, I think it will be the best phone on the market.

I've had too many problems with Apple products in the past.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I wonder about this too. They have to shrink that bezel, especially on a much larger model. It would look terrible with the current large bezels.

Like an HTC One?

 

[HumblePie]

I now own an use an LG G3, which is the smallest "footprint" of any of the 5.5inch phones. Still feels pretty large in my hand, especially when you toss a case on it. I previously had an HTC Evo 4g lte, which I found to really be the perfect size I think for me. I think iphones are way too small screen size, and the G3 is just taking a bit longer to get used to. Screen size I LIKE the g3 in use. I hate how it fits in my pocket though.

 

[note235]

My OPO is really annoys me when I'm typing. I'm really contemplating on getting the 4.7 but I will miss the 5.5 inch screen.