WSJ confirms: Next iPhone to have bigger screen

[Kaido]

Shocking, I know

http://online.wsj.com/articles/apple-suppliers-gear-up-for-large-screen-iphones-1405985788

The Cupertino, Calif., company is asking suppliers to manufacture between 70 million and 80 million units combined of two large-screen iPhones with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays by Dec. 30, according to people familiar with the matter.

WSJ is Apple's "official" leak site, so this is probably as good as it gets for confirmation.

 

[PricklyPete]

Hmmm...I actually like the size of the iPhone 5...really don't want something bigger in my pocket.

 

[Eug]

No mention of a new 4" model. If no new one, I'm glad I bought the iPhone 5s when I did.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Hmmm...I actually like the size of the iPhone 5...really don't want something bigger in my pocket.

Seconded.

 

[smackababy]

What? I have to pay to read that article... Worst site ever.

I can't say I am pleased with the bigger screen size, however, I was skeptical I'd like the iPhone 5 increase the same. If Apple can manage their form factor and not have the phone turn into one of those giant, doesn't fit nicely in your pocket phones certain other Android companies are making, I will be fine.

 

[Eug]

Well I've already tried a 4.7" phone which didn't have a huge bezel and while it fit in my pocket, I found it awkward to use one-handed. My sis and wife also don't want big phones, but all three of us have small hands. Then again, my nephew who was a mobile phone sales guy doesn't want a bigger phone either. He's tried all the major phones and he's a big guy too.

 

[KeithP]

I wonder if the current 5S might take over the low end slot displacing the 5C?

-KeithP

 

[Eug]

I wonder if the current 5S might take over the low end slot displacing the 5C?

Maybe, or at least some permutation of it.

 

[saratoga172]

The only one I'm considering is the 4.7" version. If they make it similar to the moto x in size I'll be interested. Still really like the 5S size though. Thinking it was a strong purchase when I got it.

 

[Ns1]

I was contemplating jumping ship, but I one hand the phone constantly and the AT review says that's pretty much impossible on the G3. Decisions decisions...

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I wonder if the current 5S might take over the low end slot displacing the 5C?

-KeithP

Probably not as such - the plastic case is cheaper to make.

I'm hopeful that there will be a 6c or similar with the same cheap plastic enclosure and upgraded internals.

/owns a 5c.

 

[Spineshank]

I actually think I may go with the 5.5" one. I really like the size of phones like the S5 and G3 and wish Apple went more the 5"-5.2" size vs the 5.5" size. But I feel like i will want something bigger than 4.7".

 

[TuxDave]

5.5! This could be an interesting refresh.

 

[mmntech]

5.5'' is a beast for sure. Don't think I'd want one though.

Apple is supposedly making the displays out of sapphire. Which would effectively make them shatter and scratch proof. Not sure how much it would add to production costs over Gorilla Glass.

My 4S still does everything I need, not like the situation I had with the 3G before it. Probably won't be upgrading until next year. I really have to see what else Apple is bringing to the table because a bigger screen isn't doing it for me.

 

[vi edit]

I think the sapphire display was debunked. Far too cost prohibitive. I'll be interested to see if the 32gb base storage rumors hold true. That would be a welcome surprise.

 

[Eug]

I think the sapphire display was debunked. Far too cost prohibitive.

Not just that. Most believe a sapphire display in those sizes with current tech would be too brittle. It would take a leap in tech to make it as resilient as current Gorilla Glass designs.

The only real advantage of sapphire is hardness, which is fine for a small thing like a TouchID cover, but not for a 4.7" screen.

I'll be interested to see if the 32gb base storage rumors hold true. That would be a welcome surprise.

Yeah, I'm not counting on it, but that's what I'm hoping for, for the iPad Air 2.

 

[effowe]

Not just that. Most believe a sapphire display in those sizes with current tech would be too brittle. It would take a leap in tech to make it as resilient as current Gorilla Glass designs.

According to the rumor mill it may feature a hybrid sapphire / glass display which is tougher than gorilla glass, but not as resilient as pure sapphire.

http://www.macrumors.com/2014/07/19/iphone6-display-more-rigorous-tests-not-sapphire/

Upon testing, both types of sandpapers were able to scratch the iPhone 6's front panel, but it did show better resistance than the Gorilla Glass display for the iPhone 5s. Notably, the sapphire Touch ID home button on the iPhone 5s did not display any marks after being scratched by the sandpaper. This would indicate that the alleged front panel from the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is not sapphire crystal, but instead perhaps a next-generation version of Gorilla Glass. It is also possible that the panel could be a hybrid sapphire coated display, which was patented by Apple last year.

 

[Eug]

I read that article a few days ago, but I don't understand the patent. However, it sounds like the front panel is still glass, which has a scratch rating like glass of course. The base layer is sapphire, but that means that the layer exposed to the outside world is still glass. Indeed, the scratch test seems to prove that the outer layer isn't sapphire, which makes the use of sapphire kind of moot in some ways even if it's there. If the other layer was sapphire, I'd probably not use a screen protector. If it scratches like glass, I would use a screen protector regardless.

And my point about resiliency of sapphire is that pure sapphire would be less resilient. Yes, it would be more scratch resistant, but it would be more fragile to breakage as well.

What I'd prefer is a top layer with the scratch resistance of sapphire, but with the flexibility of glass.

So, whatever the case, I'm not really sold on this new iPhone 6 front panel, assuming the ones making the rounds is actually the real thing. It seems decent, but not a big leap in real world advantage.

 

[effowe]

I read that article a few days ago, but I don't understand the patent. However, it sounds like the front panel is still glass, which has a scratch rating like glass of course. The base layer is sapphire, but that means that the layer exposed to the outside world is still glass. Indeed, the scratch test seems to prove that the outer layer isn't sapphire, which makes the use of sapphire kind of moot in some ways even if it's there. If the other layer was sapphire, I'd probably not use a screen protector. If it scratches like glass, I would use a screen protector regardless.

I think you have it backwards. The patent is for a sapphire glass coating which covers the underlying glass structure.

From the patent linked here..

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph...99".PGNR.&OS=DN/20130236699&RS=DN/20130236699

12. A glass assembly comprising: a glass sheet; and a sapphire sheet adhered to the glass sheet, wherein the assembly is less than or approximately equal to 1 mm thick.

13. The glass assembly of claim 12, wherein the sapphire sheet is adhered to a first side of the glass sheet, wherein the glass assembly further comprises a second sapphire sheet adhered to a second side of the glass sheet.

14. The glass assembly of claim 13, wherein the total thickness of the glass assembly is less than 1.5 mm thick.

15. The glass assembly of claim 13, wherein the sapphire sheet and the second sapphire sheet have a common sapphire plane type forming the major surface.

And the subsequent image taken from the patent itself linked here..

http://pdfaiw.uspto.gov/.aiw?Docid=...ageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=B37F55C0D69C

Looks like a hybrid sandwiched sapphire / glass combo.

 

[Eug]

If that's the case then that panel isn't what's in the leaked panel most likely. I betcha it's Gorilla Glass.

 

[Rakehellion]

Meh. I'm not that excited for a bigger phone, but I'll be just plain pissed if they do a market segmentation and make the 5.5" phone faster than the 4.7".

 

[TheStu]

Meh. I'm not that excited for a bigger phone, but I'll be just plain pissed if they do a market segmentation and make the 5.5" phone faster than the 4.7".

Well, I think it will be similar to the iPad mini/ iPad Air. The Air is faster than the mini, but not by a huge margin. I can't imagine that they'll drop the A8 into the 5.5" only, and an A7+ into the 4.7".

It might happen that the 5.5" will have more RAM, or maybe it will go up to 256GB, or have MUCH better battery life. But I don't think that there will be a significant difference in compute performance.

 

[pw257008]

Well, I think it will be similar to the iPad mini/ iPad Air. The Air is faster than the mini, but not by a huge margin. I can't imagine that they'll drop the A8 into the 5.5" only, and an A7+ into the 4.7".

It might happen that the 5.5" will have more RAM, or maybe it will go up to 256GB, or have MUCH better battery life. But I don't think that there will be a significant difference in compute performance.

yeah, that sounds about right, slightly higher clocks due to more thermal headroom, or maybe extra RAM or battery life for that same reason (though of course the larger display might equalize out any benefits to a larger battery).

 

[smackababy]

So, Samsung is already trying their "make fun of Apple because PLEASE BUY OUR PHONE, please! We need all the help we can get" advertising campaign.

I guess it beats the "Why would you wait in line for a phone, when you can get ours? They are right over there. Nobody is waiting for it. We have tons of them. Please, go buy ours, they are just sitting on shelves! Please!"

 

[Eug]

Just 1 GB RAM. I was afraid of that although I'm more worried for the iPad Air 2.

http://card.weibo.com/article/h5/s#cid=1001593744942102033003&vid=&extparam=

If true, it's not the end of the world, but disappointing nonetheless.