Well when you break down all the carriers, models, capacities and colors there are over 200 variants of the iphone currently being sold.
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Other Apple lost me with introducing a 3rd size (6.1") for the affordable 2018 iPhone. But is it just me?
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To add this one point, the carrier thing may apply only to your country, and to your country alone in the world. Most of the rest of the world buy their phones at unsubsidized prices.
OK. I've just compared the Samsung S8 and S8 to the iPhone X. The Samsungs offer around exactly the same screen real estate at 10 (S9) to 20 grams (S8) less weight. Yeah, I know the iPhone has 3D Touch and wireless charging and we are literally comparing here apples to oranges.But in my scenario I just want a conveniently sized screen, in a relatively low weight-to-body ratio, I don't care about having the best camera. A good enough one is good enough for me.
The use of stainless steel is a big contributor to the weight of the iPhone X. It weighs about 3X as much as aluminum. The 6.1” model is expected to use aluminum.
OK, I'm not sure how good this comparison for you: comparing the iPhone X to the Google Pixel phones. Since the Pixel 2 XL is the only Google phone yet with an ultra wide angle screen (2:1), let's compare the iPhone X with that! Extra screen real estate adds extra weight; that's why this is the only Google phone we can compare the iPhone X yet. So the Pixel 2 XL is about the same weight as the iPhone X (175g) but it is more like the equivalent of the upcoming iPhone X Plus in terms of useful screen real estate. I know, I know. It's not exactly the same. But it competes in the phablet category of devices, unlike the iPhone X. And it has a good enough camera. Maybe not good enough for everyone, but good enough for quite a few people. Speaking of people like me who value a sleek device over one packing all the latest bells and whistles, but compromising on being lightweight.
Apple hasn't introduced anything yet. Rumor does not equate to fact.
And the glass backing and added internal wireless components contribute to the weight.
TLDR. That said, can live with the current 8/X size or smaller, would not want bigger (feels right in my hand). I replace my phones every three years, so, don't care what direction next year's phones go and will worry about the line-up and $$ hit in 2020.
Re: 200 different iPhone configurations being sold: if rumors are correct, 2018 phones will help lower the number of models since they are rumored to all have the same Intel modem in them. Assuming similar to 2017 with three colors, two memory sizes, you are looking at 18 different combinations vs. 2017 32 combinations.
As mentioned, this is all rumor and still months away. A little early to get one's underwear in a knot, imo.
Re: 200 different iPhone configurations being sold: if rumors are correct, 2018 phones will help lower the number of models since they are rumored to all have the same Intel modem in them. Assuming similar to 2017 with three colors, two memory sizes, you are looking at 18 different combinations vs. 2017 32 combinations.
As mentioned, this is all rumor and still months away. A little early to get one's underwear in a knot, imo.
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Because within a year (I call March 2019) the SE will go edge to edge giving you a 4.7 inch phone. That’s for the normal 6,6s,7,8 crew who don’t want the X or the new 6.1.
Covers all options. Those who want to upgrade will get the 6.1 “cheap” option. The holdouts will go for the 4.7 6 months later.
Covers all options. Those who want to upgrade will get the 6.1 “cheap” option. The holdouts will go for the 4.7 6 months later.
I would say that also depends if Apple updates the SE 2 with a refresh this year or not. Otherwise, the new and only existing models will be the 6.1/5.8 /6.5 iPhones.
A nice little technical fact you have found.
It's also a fact, a marketing fact, that quite a few people (people like me) care more about the net weight of the device they carry each day than the aesthetics of steel and glass, or the occoasional ability to wirelessly charge in a coffee shop once in a while. At home, I agree with most tech bloggers, like Daring Fireball, you (or I at least) won't really use wireless charging anyway.
I think the weight of the iPhone X is either one of those phones that you adjust or you constantly notice it. And when it is in your pocket, is when you really notice it. One thing I liked about the iPhone 6/6S/7 was the 7000 series aluminum housing is fairly light And durable.
Your math does not add up to me. The successor size-wise to the 4.7" form factor is the X, as both have the same number of virtual pixels or so called "points" horizontally. Which has a 6.8% wider screen horizontally, which adds up nicely to slightly smaller bezels: https://www.paintcodeapp.com/news/ultimate-guide-to-iphone-resolutions
As for elongating the 4" form factor and you get 4.7"... Yes, but that's not the same 4.7" as the 16:9 4.7" had been before on the horizontal side. It's still just a successor of the 4" size. As different as the target markets are for the 4" and the 4.7" models, as different are the would-be users for the X and the supposed successor to the SE (in the case of the X price and weight notwithstanding).
You may be interested in checking with your math further here as well: https://www.sven.de/dpi/
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I think the idea is that it's something that can satisfy both current 4.7 and 5.5 users by being intermediate in physical size. It's a way fo avoiding having to make two lower cost models.
I agree! Apple is offering more choices which is good for everyone.
Some see this as a threat?
It's cool that you/someone at least have finally noticed this obvious fact in comment no. 42, kudos to you!
Anyways, me as a person both appreciating the 4.7" (or add a little, a la X in a 16:9 form; let it be 5", see my first post for details) AND the 5.5" form, but both of them separately as they are the two perfect sizes of their own... I'm certainly not happy with merging them to make something mediocre, at least when concerning the not-so-ideal (6.1" in long form) size.
Yep, we got off the train when iphone 6/+ came along, but later hopped back on real quick to get the SE. We dread the day we are forced to use phablets. May we always have choice.
I’m still positive that Apple might launch an SE2 in the spring and then shift their focus to the larger iPhones in the fall. Or, they were retain the iPhone SE for at least another year in their lineup.
They need to separate the models physically. If Apple introduces 3 models and 2 of them look exactly the same from the front and are the exact same size, it will be difficult to lure people into buying the 5.8" OLED model (Apple prefers to sell the expensive ones obviously). Now the 6.1" LCD model will be different enough and more easily marketable next to the 2 premium models. I see the 6.1" LCD model as a 14" MacBook model between the 13" and 15' MacBook Pro models.
In the end it’s all about fragmentation, which does suck, but it’s their choice I guess. At least these recent increases in screen sizes should be the last ones, not much room to go from there.
