Next iPhone Could Be Taller and Thinner, Sport a Larger Screen Discussion

[Ed Hardy]

Most people would like to be a bit taller and slimmer, and apparently that goes for the next-generation iPhone. According to an unconfirmed report, Apple is working on a smartphone with some significant design changes.

Read the full content of this Article: Next iPhone Could Be Taller and Thinner, Sport a Larger Screen

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[Mitlov]

I don't care that much about thinness (once we're at half an inch, thinner doesn't make it any easier to carry in my opinion), but more screen real estate would be very welcome. I've got a 3.6" screen and it's just plain too small in my opinion. I have relatively small hands (yes, I know, har har, you're so funny) and I didn't find using a 4.7" Titan to be difficult, not to mention a 4.0" or 4.3" screen.

[Gerard]

As much as I've admired the image quality and screen responsiveness of the iPhone, it's always a relief to use the 4.5" screen of my Samsung Infuse. I have large hands (like you said, whatever) and for years was frustrated by a succession of tiny-screened Windows Mobile phones, the HTC Kaiser, and before that the Touch and the XDA Atom. All 2.5" to 2.8" screens, all ridiculous for touchscreened devices, especially after having used a Toshiba e830 with a nice VGA 4" screen. 4.5" feels just about right, though spelling correction might kick in a bit less often with a 5" screen. Seems a sensible move on Apple's part if this is true.

[Varjak]

I've read this before, but what the heck is a 'liquid metal' body? Is that a fancy way of saying 'cast metal' or 'pot metal?'

I agree with Mitlov, I'm not sure what the advantage of cutting even more thickness does. I'm sure the battery performance will be good (an Apple strong suit); but why cram everything in there for no reason? Is the current iPhone so hard to hold/carry?

I wish they'd gone a bit more, say 4.25 inches (it needn't be a giant like the big Android phones); but 4 inches is pretty good.

[Gerard]

The thickness thing might relate to the very popular use of cases on phones for protection. Seems a bit contradictory to me - I'd prefer a phone which was initially ruggedized, even waterproof, and 5/8" thick or so for durability in pockets and with a raised bezel around the screen to help protect that when dropped. My Infuse is very, very slim, but I use a 'Ballistic' brand rugged, water-resistant case (without the silly-big rubber outer shell) which brings total thickness to 0.7", and is still very pocketable. I'd rather have the phone itself be that way, as dust trapped beneath the plastic protective screen must be frequently cleaned out, but it's a usable compromise. My guess is that the balance tips towards the marketability of numerous personalized 'vanity' cases, such as the latest wave of Pokemon or Hello Kitty nonsense cases for iPhones. With these things on a thicker phone the unit becomes bulky. A thinner iPhone would make for happier users of such cases.

[Mitlov]

It seems to me the popularity of the Droid Razr Maxx over the Droid Razr proves that most buyers would rather have extra battery life than one less millimeter of thickness.

[Adama D. Brown]

I've read this before, but what the heck is a 'liquid metal' body? Is that a fancy way of saying 'cast metal' or 'pot metal?'

Supposedly it's some new alloy that's super strong and resistant against scratches. I have the suspicion that it's basically going to be an over-hyped glossy finish, attached to the device in order to make it sound more advanced, kind of like how tossing a few fibers into the plastic let Motorola brag that the Droid RAZR was "KEVLAR strong!"

[Mitlov]

Supposedly it's some new alloy that's super strong and resistant against scratches. I have the suspicion that it's basically going to be an over-hyped glossy finish, attached to the device in order to make it sound more advanced, kind of like how tossing a few fibers into the plastic let Motorola brag that the Droid RAZR was "KEVLAR strong!"

I found this video online detailing how Apple uses liquid metal to form its new i-devices:

Apple's liquid metal foundry

[lelisa13p]

I found this video online detailing how Apple uses liquid metal to form its new i-devices:

Apple's liquid metal foundry

Har.

[Varjak]

Gerard, good point about the case. I hadn't really thought about that; but even then, there's some limit.