I wonder if the voices have quieted down about losing a 4" screen since the release of the larger screened 6 and 6+ series. I would not plan to go backwards. Anyone else? What do you think? iPhone SE Release announcement is today. http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-se/ Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Some people simply like a smaller phone. I've heard people in Android and Window phone forums asking for smaller 4" phones. I am sure Apple has a segment that wants a smaller phone.
I loved my 4" 5s and it took me awhile to get adjusted to the larger size. Although I am not sure that I would go back to a smaller size there are many who are holding on to their 4" phones and would go for the SE. I believe it will be a success
My old phones do seem very tiny now, which I'm sure is a common observation. Good opinions. I think it is a risk for Apple, but I'm happy that they are listening to consumers. Let's see if their desires pan out into sales. It will be a interesting lesson, for certain. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I'm actually surprised how diverse the consumer interested in smaller phones is. I know a guy that stands at least a head taller than I am (so almost 6"), has hands much bigger than mine, and yet prefers phones that are no larger than 4". He can't stand my Note3 and is amazed, with my small frame, that I prefer larger phones. Because i use my phone for for actual writing, I think that is why I prefer larger screens.
Yes, my 5" Galaxy S4 is tiny On the subject, I'll be shocked if it doesn't sell. I'm sure Apple has done the homework in estimating the demand. They learned their lesson with 5C and the SE has pretty decent specs and premium build.
From the newspaper. "So who would want a more petite iPhone? Plenty of people, it turns out. Even though Apple’s newer iPhones skew larger — the screen sizes on the devices range from 4.7 inches to 5.5 inches, up from four inches for older models like the iPhone 5 and 5S — more than 30 million consumers bought the older four-inch iPhones last year, according to Apple. “Some people even pleaded with us to please keep the four-inch products,” said Greg Joswiak, an Apple executive, during the company’s product event on Monday. So this week, Apple introduced the iPhone SE, a souped-up version of the four-inch iPhone, which will be released on March 31. The iPhone SE, put simply, looks and feels just like the iPhone 5S released in 2013, but it has most of the guts of the iPhone 6S, which made its debut two years later." Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
@viewfly: Yup, I know a guy young enough to be my son (he's 30 now) that prefers the smaller iPhone. The smallest phone I ever had was the Nokia 8210. But smartphones, in my opinion, can't be that small and still be effective. My personal use-case requires something that nears tablet size.
I have always had small phones and I have pretty large hands-I don't think that matters. I use an Xperia Z5 Compact now (4.6 in. screen). It's the only game in town for a flagship spec Android device. If someone doesn't keep offering this size, I will have to look elsewhere and am tempted to get an iPhone SE. Even though I prefer Android I am willing to try iOS to see if it will work for me to get the size I want. I bought a Galaxy S7 and used it for a week and a half before going back to the Z5C.
I have several friends who won't go near the 6/6s/6+/6s+ because they're too big. They settled on the 5s, begrudgingly. This new phone would be perfect for them.
I have one and will use it for a while. This is the first iPhone I have used full time as a personal device (have one for work) and so far it's pretty good. I love the size but feel a little restricted with things like the notifications - they're better on Android. Overall I can probably live with it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The 4 " is very nice. At the Apple Store checking it out. Very lightweight. Rose gold looks nice. Still like the 4.7" size. But I can see the usefulness of the 4". Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
4.7 is a great screen size. However Apple's implementation results in a larger phone than I think it should be. The original Moto X had the perfect footprint for a 4.7 screen. IPhones have large bezels on the top and bottom. I still like the SE after a few days using it.
True. For some they want a case that has overlap and an edge to edge screen would impair the protection they desire. For me, I've gone to cases that have raised lip but not edge over lip. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Valid point. I don't use cases so I'm always looking to reduce the overall footprint wherever possible.
I used the SE for about two weeks and am back on my Xperia Z5 Compact. Too many restrictions for me in iOS. It's painful to use a third-party keyboard, I can't set my own default browser, there is only one messaging app, I can't get rid of that sound effect when sending a message, and it's way too hard to use the launcher, or lack of. Every time I install an app I have to put it somewhere and manually sort the folder. The folders are only three rows and scroll horizontally. I found it cumbersome just to find an app. Also, snoozing an event is my calendar messes up ask future events in a recurring series on Google Calendar. If only one or two of these things were a problem I could probably work with it. It will be a spare phone for me while I hope some new small Android phones appear.
@scottb: So I found this article. I don't know I'd care for any of the recommendations, but you might.... http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/0...uld-finally-create-good-small-android-phones/
@KevinJames, thanks for that. I've read about most of those. Seems as if small size means reduced performance for most manufacturers. Still have a little hope...
It seems that the SE is successful, more than I expected. Interesting that after being criticized for having such a small screen for so long, some people now desire it. And Apple was caught by surprise as well, since they didn't have ready enough units to satisfy demands. I read today, that they are revising orders to 5 Million for the 2nd quarter. Of course the point is that Apple offers more screen choices now. And that's a good thing. @scottb, you have given some of the best reasons that I can appreciate why someone would miss Android features in iOS. There are many browsers and messaging apps, but not having them native would be a nuisance. Along with the google calendar issue. I don't quite get the app finding difficultly and folders. Pulling down the screen, one can type and search, open a lost app easily. Your Sony phone is about the same size as the iPhone 6. It looks quite nice, but I guess you are looking for a smaller device. Vf Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Yes, I really just like small devices. My wife's old iPhone 6s was a little bigger (mostly taller) than my Z5C while having the same screen size. Regarding the App drawer. When I install an app on my Android device it goes directly in to my full screen, vertically scrolling, sorted app drawer. No action needed by me. I can quickly scroll to find apps sorted alphabetically. I have a search option in my launcher (Nova Launcher) but I can find apps much faster without stopping to type. I use one home screen with a few icons on it. I don't use folders. When I compare this to the iOS experience, iOS just feels cumbersome to me, forcing me to rearrange things and move them to a second screen to keep my main screen uncluttered. I imagine it would be fine had that been all I'd ever used.
Ah, I understand. I have 126 apps, and I like having the most useful on the 1st screen. The rest I sort of know where they are. Otherwise it only takes typing one or two letter for the search engine to find an app. That's fine for me. Yeah, I guess if the home screen is empty that's where a new app might go. For me a new app defaults to the last page. It's somewhat easier to arrange app icons within iTunes, once, and fine tune new ones as needed in the phone. Good luck! I wonder if Android will ever pop down to 4" screens though. The Asian market really like big screens. I think it is just a better format for the Asian printed character. Even the old flip phones were huge.
Some people simply like a smaller phone. I've heard people in Android and Window phone forums asking for smaller 4" phones. I am sure Apple has a segment that wants a smaller phone.