'no one's going to buy' a big phone

[preslove]

El Jobso strikes again.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/jobs-no-ones-going-to-buy-a-big-phone/

In response to a question at its press conference today about whether Apple could've done anything to avoid its antenna issues with the iPhone 4, Steve took the opportunity to rip on bigger rivals, saying that making a phone so big "you can't get your hand around it" helps, but that "no one's going to buy that." We're assuming he's likely talking about the latest crop of 4-, 4.3- and 5-inch phones that include the Galaxy S series, the EVO 4G, Droid X, and Dell Streak, even going so far as to call them "Hummers" (we take it you don't ever drive a Hummer, Steve?). Though ripping on the competition is to be expected, perhaps the more interesting takeaway here is that we can't realistically expect an iPhone much bigger than the 3.5-inch display they use today -- presumably that'll all be reserved for iPad territory going forward. We personally don't mind something with a little more screen real estate -- but hey, maybe humans need to go through a few more cycles of evolutionary hand enlargement before Cupertino's willing to capitulate.

Having used a 4.3" HD2 and a 4" Vibrant, I call BS. 4.3" may be too big for some people (it was a little uncomfortable using 1 handed for me), but I think 4" is a great form factor for anyone without freakishly small hands.

 

[Phobic9]

The Droid X and the EVO are also both sold out at the moment. Nope, no one AT ALL wants a big phone.

Really, he's a salesman promoting his new baby at the end of the day. Nothing really new here. Funny he called them "hummers" though.

 

[gorcorps]

=/ Sounds like he was just fucking around and people are reading too much into it.

 

[cheezy321]

it is true to an extent.

But then again, everyone has preferences. Some prefer big phones, some dont. This isnt rocket science. Job has an opinion, so does everyone else

 

[tatteredpotato]

iPhone size is going to be mass market, however I bet the >4" devices can still capture 20-30%

 

[SunnyD]

I will. I value screen real estate more than just about anything in a digital internet-capable device.

 

[Zebo]

Translation: Steve will have a 4" iphone out next year. iphone 5 and iphone 5.5

"we listened to our customers and believe in choices"

 

[rh71]

I only bought the X (and finally a 3G phone) because of its screen size... can't browse the web comfortably with anything too small.

 

[sswingle]

As is typical Apple, a 4.3" screen is too big until they decide to use one themselves. Then all will hail them as amazing innovators, why didn't anyone else think of that?

 

[jpeyton]

The problem is that their "retina" display will no longer be a "retina" display if they stretch those pixels over a larger canvas. Irregardless of the fact that a bigger screen will make a web-enabled device more pleasing to use than an extra 50dpi resolution.

 

[exdeath]

I only bought the X (and finally a 3G phone) because of its screen size... can't browse the web comfortably with anything too small.

This. Virtual keyboards are amazing on a large screen, among other things.

 

[Zebo]

I only bought the X (and finally a 3G phone) because of its screen size... can't browse the web comfortably with anything too small.

Steve is FOS everyone know this. I would have bought evo if it wernt for getting hot in my hand and battery life. Just beautiful.

Actually more I think about it Steve will use opportunity to bash when introducing iphone 4" 5.5 - "well we finally got it right with battery life unlike our competitors half a day phones"

 

[zerocool84]

This. Virtual keyboards are amazing on a large screen, among other things.

Exactly once you try it out you don't want to go back. I hated going back to my phone after trying out the Evo for an hour.

 

[tatteredpotato]

The problem is that their "retina" display will no longer be a "retina" display if they stretch those pixels over a larger canvas. Irregardless of the fact that a bigger screen will make a web-enabled device more pleasing to use than an extra 50dpi resolution.

Well it would obviously be higher res to keep the same pixel density.

 

[Zebo]

The problem is that their "retina" display will no longer be a "retina" display if they stretch those pixels over a larger canvas. Irregardless of the fact that a bigger screen will make a web-enabled device more pleasing to use than an extra 50dpi resolution.

LCDs are made in big sheets - Just cut a larger screen out. Pixel density is same but a lot more of em.

 

[AMDZen]

Personally I agree with him. I had an EVO in my pocket and it was too big. To each their own. If Apple thought bigger was better then they would have put a bigger screen on the iPhone 4. Maybe 3.8 inches, MAYBE 4.0 inches but 4.3 was too big IMO. I know thats just me but I think Apple engineers probably felt that way too. There is room in the market for both

 

[shortylickens]

Apples hypocrisy is so fucking annoying I could shit.
When they sell a million huge phones they are pioneering a new way of life in the world. When other companies make and sell large phones they are Hummers and so big no one would want them.

Fucking hilarious.

 

[AMDZen]

Apples hypocrisy is so fucking annoying I could shit.
When they sell a million huge phones they are pioneering a new way of life in the world. When other companies make and sell large phones they are Hummers and so big no one would want them.

Fucking hilarious.

So now you can tell the future? I helped you're spelling for you

 

[shortylickens]

So now you can tell the future? I helped you're spelling for you

1. What the hell are you babbling about?
2. When I rant angrily I forget to check.
3. Good joke. I chuckled.

 

[Zebo]

Personally I agree with him. I had an EVO in my pocket and it was too big. To each their own. If Apple thought bigger was better then they would have put a bigger screen on the iPhone 4. Maybe 3.8 inches, MAYBE 4.0 inches but 4.3 was too big IMO. I know thats just me but I think Apple engineers probably felt that way too. There is room in the market for both

iPhone 4 feels too small in my hand. Actually feel like I was about to drop it at all times before I got this silicon protector which kinda grips to my hand with rubbery. I'd love for their to be a 4" iphone.

Because there is 'room for both' apple should make it don't you think? Or should they just concede sales?

 

[AMDZen]

iPhone 4 feels too small in my hand. Actually feel like I was about to drop it at all times before I got this silicon protector which kinda grips to my hand with rubbery. I'd love for their to be a 4" iphone.

Because there is 'room for both' apple should make it don't you think? Or should they just concede sales?

You make a valid point. On both levels.

First, yes the iPhone feels too small in my hands compared to the EVO. However the EVO feels too big in my pocket. I always feel like I'm going to break it because of how I sit and where I keep my phone.

4" seems to be the right size I think and yes, I think Apple should make both. Makes sense. Or at least make it a bit bigger. Maybe 3.8 would be better.

 

[zerocool84]

You make a valid point. On both levels.

First, yes the iPhone feels too small in my hands compared to the EVO. However the EVO feels too big in my pocket. I always feel like I'm going to break it because of how I sit and where I keep my phone.

4" seems to be the right size I think and yes, I think Apple should make both. Makes sense. Or at least make it a bit bigger. Maybe 3.8 would be better.

3.8 is still much too small.

 

[SAWYER]

So now you can tell the future? I helped you're spelling for you

lol

 

[AMDZen]

lol

Hehehe

 

[mooncancook]

No one is going to buy a big phone unless it's made by Apple.
No one can build a sub-$500 computer that is not a piece of junk unless it's made by Apple