Other Where is the small petite sized phone?

[Scepticalscribe]

Apple has the cellular Apple Watch to sell you along with that huge phone.

I have an old fashioned Omega, complete with dauphine hands, and Arabic numerals, a most elegant and function timepiece, and have no interest whatsoever in purchasing the Apple watch.

 

[rui no onna]

I have an old fashioned Omega, complete with dauphine hands, and Arabic numerals, a most elegant and function timepiece, and have no interest whatsoever in purchasing the Apple watch.

Note the smiley. It was a joke.

 

[blairh]

I think it would be too hard for Apple to produce a premium phone in this size. The battery, the features, the SOC, everything would need to be compromised somehow. Tiny tech is tough.
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What do you expect for a cost considering it would be harder to make than the current X Max. You would be okay with a $1199 price tag on premium phone of this size?

I think by next year they can offer it for cheaper than the XR.

 

[GGJstudios]

My other 1/2 is not to happy to see the sizes. She’s active and doesn’t always carry a bag for her phone.

Women have small hands, small pockets....big phones don’t fit in bras very well as well.

When you compare the weight and size of the current line up to the past they really are forgetting that not everyone has man hands and the roots of the iPhone are of a smaller form factor.

The engineering is done. Don’t neglect the smaller hand sized, smaller body sized market place Apple!

Thoughts?

The iPhone XS is only 0.21 in. taller, 0.15 in. wider and .03 in. thicker than the iPhone 6. That's not enough change to make a noticeable difference.

 

[user74246]

I think it would be too hard for Apple to produce a premium phone in this size.

You are totally right, but it’s a challenge they accepted and mastered for many years. And there were many people who loved them for doing so.

 

[LizKat]

The shift towards larger phones isn’t a western phenomenon. It’s a worldwide phenomenon along with Gen Z.

For Gen Z, the phone is the primary computer in their life. Apple is trying to capture this market for the lifetime income.

There are still plenty of us who are willing and able to spend smartphone-sized dollars but who like a laptop for primary computing with an iPad Pro on the side. And a smartphone that fits in a pocket. One that can be used one-handed by anyone.

I'm one of those people and I have zero problem "downgrading" to a basic flip phone for cell calls when my SE croaks. I can upsize my purse to accommodate that iPad Pro when I think I might need "smart" computing capability. I can't downsize any Apple lineup smartphones now to fit in my jeans pocket and I'm not buying cargo pants for a walk down the road to a neighbor's place just because Apple must think cargo pants are still so trendy.

One hopes Apple rethinks the retirement of the SE and slides a similarly smaller sized phone back into the lineup --even unobtrusively-- in the next couple years. It's not going to cannibalize their other line. If it does... then for once they were on some weird wrong track about what the next great thing was. Maybe it wasn't after all a phone it takes two hands to lift up to your ear when you're not using wireless doodahs in your ears to pick up a call.

So weird when Apple digs in its heels and refuses to continue support of a basic device that still has a market. There can't be that much overhead sticking a somewhat newer chip in it now and then. Same with the iPod touch. It serves a purpose, meets a need, has proven functionality, could need a nudge every three years or so to mesh with basic comms tech advances. ?!Apple?!

 

[DNichter]

You are totally right, but it’s a challenge they accepted and mastered for many years. And there were many people who loved them for doing so.

Not exactly, the requirements we have in today's phones are much different than they were 4-5 years ago. Without a major market for small phones, it's not worth the effort.

 

[dcpmark]

The iPhone XS is only 0.21 in. taller, 0.15 in. wider and .03 in. thicker than the iPhone 6. That's not enough change to make a noticeable difference.

Couldn’t WAIT to get rid of my iPhone 6 for the SE...it was too big. So considering anything bigger than a 6 is a non-starter.

 

[DNichter]

I think by next year they can offer it for cheaper than the XR.

Maybe if they use old parts, but I don't see it. Anyway, hope it comes for all that wants a small phone. I just don't think it's happening.

 

[user74246]

Why would that matter in the above context (answering calls and messages when the iPhone is inside a briefcase)? I assume if one does not have signal on their Apple Watch, they probably wouldn't have service on the iPhone either so lack of coverage becomes a moot point.

Hm I thought the watch does LTE only, whereas an iPhone does 3G and GSM. And you’re explicitly suggesting a cellular watch, and I thought you did so for a reason.

 

[rui no onna]

The iPhone XS is only 0.21 in. taller, 0.15 in. wider and .03 in. thicker than the iPhone 6. That's not enough change to make a noticeable difference.

It is when the 6 barely fits in one's pockets as it is. There's also the extra weight in shorts and jeans pockets as well - it drags the side with the iPhone down.

 

[scottrods]

I never go for big phones either... I have an iPad for large media consumption... the rest of the time I’m working and only have my phone for non-business purposes...

I really loved the 4S I had, better than all the others I’ve dealt with. But with the new ones mine will be an XS , not a MAX. The size is still close enough to the 8 to be usable and fit in a shirt pocket.

 

[Black Diesel]

There's so much discussion on phone sizes, but no poll so I just created one. Go cast your vote so we can actually see how many people prefer smaller phones:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/poll-which-phone-size-do-you-prefer.2137263/

 

[gkn1999]

I am going from an X to an XS but wish there was a smaller phone they would offer as my second "work" phone. I do love the fact that the smaller size now has all the bells and whistles of the max. It made my decision so easy!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

There are still plenty of us who are willing and able to spend smartphone-sized dollars but who like a laptop for primary computing with an iPad Pro on the side. And a smartphone that fits in a pocket. One that can be used one-handed by anyone.

I'm one of those people and I have zero problem "downgrading" to a basic flip phone for cell calls when my SE croaks. I can upsize my purse to accommodate that iPad Pro when I think I might need "smart" computing capability. I can't downsize any Apple lineup smartphones now to fit in my jeans pocket and I'm not buying cargo pants for a walk down the road to a neighbor's place just because Apple must think cargo pants are still so trendy.

One hopes Apple rethinks the retirement of the SE and slides a similarly smaller sized phone back into the lineup --even unobtrusively-- in the next couple years. It's not going to cannibalize their other line. If it does... then for once they were on some weird wrong track about what the next great thing was. Maybe it wasn't after all a phone it takes two hands to lift up to your ear when you're not using wireless doodahs in your ears to pick up a call.

So weird when Apple digs in its heels and refuses to continue support of a basic device that still has a market. There can't be that much overhead sticking a somewhat newer chip in it now and then. Same with the iPod touch. It serves a purpose, meets a need, has proven functionality, could need a nudge every three years or so to mesh with basic comms tech advances. ?!Apple?!

Great post.

Earlier this year, my brother offered me his iPhone 6 - his work planned to give him a new phone. This new phone - which was his choice - was the iPhone SE, which I loved at first sight.

Anyway, I refused the iPhone 6 - it was simply too large, too unwieldy and too uncomfortable to use, so my other brother inherited it. Instead, I decided to buy an iPhone SE for myself.

I daresay I will inherit his SE, when his office next decides that he needs a new phone.

 

[arkitect]

I just wish the XS stood for Extra Small…

*sigh*

 

[rui no onna]

Hm I thought the watch does LTE only, whereas an iPhone does 3G and GSM. And you’re explicitly suggesting a cellular watch, and I thought you did so for a reason.

Afaik, Apple Watch supports both LTE & UMTS (3G). I'm US-based so there's no 2G here anymore (at the very least, not for AT&T).

The original response was a joke (hence the smiley face). I don't actually personally own an Apple Watch (found them too bulky). For some reason, I got it fixated in my mind that you needed the cellular version to be able to answer phone calls.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I just wish the XS stood for Extra Small…

*sigh*

Yes, so do I.

I still recall my old clam phones with nostalgic pleasure. Gorgeous things, and beautifully functional, too.

 

[Black Diesel]

Yes, so do I.

I still recall my old clam phones with nostalgic pleasure. Gorgeous things, and beautifully functional, too.

Go cast your vote on phone size preference....the poll is just getting started and it seems there is more than just a handful of people who prefer smaller phones:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/poll-which-phone-size-do-you-prefer.2137263/

 

[user74246]

Afaik, Apple Watch supports both LTE & UMTS (3G). I'm US-based so there's no 2G here anymore (at the very least, not for AT&T).

You are totally right, the watch does both LTE and 3G. My bad! Makes it actually more interesting for me now, although we’re not so lucky and have many parts of the country not covered by both. A cellular watch and a Xs max could potentially be a nice combination, paired with a 11" iPad.

Currently I’m using a 4" iPhone and 7.9" iPad. And I would rather upgrade those instead, to new models with same dimensions and weight, but larger screens.

 

[rui no onna]

You are totally right, the watch does both LTE and 3G. My bad! Makes it actually more interesting for me now, although we’re not so lucky and have many parts of the country not covered by both. A cellular watch and a Xs max could potentially be a nice combination, paired with a 11" iPad.

Currently I’m using a 4" iPhone and 7.9" iPad. And I would rather upgrade those instead, to new models with same dimensions and weight, but larger screens.

I'm still on an iPhone 7 (which I got on a darned good deal - free with iPhone 6 trade-in).

Among the new phones, the Xs would be the most tolerable size-wise (although at around same weight as the 6+, still too heavy for my taste). Alas, $1K is more than I'm willing to pay for an iPhone since my primary use for one is just to forward calls and messages to the iPad.

The Xr is a wee bit more acceptable price-wise but it's just way too big for me.

 

[kohlson]

Apple is trying to capture this market for the lifetime income.

...and the services they can sell. Research reports show that the bigger the screen, the more users are likely to buy apps and services.

 

[subjonas]

I don’t think Apple has completely abandoned the 4.7” form factor quite yet. Once the 8 gets too old I’m fairly certain they’ll do some sort of spec update much like they did with the SE for the 4” form factor.
Those who need anything smaller, however... Apple has completely abandoned. And no, a smartwatch doesn’t replace a smartphone.
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With all due respect, you're going off personal opinion by saying there is a market for it. I am trusting Apple here, as I am sure they have done plenty of research and understand better than anyone. If there was a market, they would make a phone that size.

That’s not necessarily the whole truth. Even if there is a decent market, it’s possible Apple would forgo the SE if it works against their larger strategy.

 

[GGJstudios]

It is when the 6 barely fits in one's pockets as it is. There's also the extra weight in shorts and jeans pockets as well - it drags the side with the iPhone down.

If pocket size is the dominant factor in choosing a phone and 1.69 ounces makes that much difference, it sounds like there's a better fit (literally) by going with another manufacturer's product that prioritizes dimensions rather than functionality.

 

[rui no onna]

If pocket size is the dominant factor in choosing a phone and 1.69 ounces makes that much difference, it sounds like there's a better fit (literally) by going with another manufacturer's product that prioritizes dimensions rather than functionality.

Unfortunately, other manufacturers' products don't integrate well with the iPad. That's the primary reason I haven't gone back to a flip phone. Besides, it's not like Android's any better in terms of smaller sized phones.

For now, I'm quite happy with the iPhone 7 but I'm kinda dreading the day I'm forced to upgrade (most likely due to apps not supporting older iOS versions) if Xs-level size and weight or larger becomes the minimum.