It’s not likely to ever happen as it would be a pretty niche device because size-wise (and probably aspect ratio-wise) it would sit between an iPhone Max/Plus and an iPad Mini, which I believe have about a 50% percent difference in screen size (measuring surface area since they have different aspect ratios), which is not enormous but also not insignificant. Just wondering if any others would have any interest.
I think the reason for its existence would be because there is no Apple device that is as big as possible while still being just pocket-able and palm-able enough for most clothes and most people. The iPhone Max/Plus is quite a bit smaller than this target and the iPad Mini is quite a bit bigger. If one can remember back far enough, the Nexus 7 hit this size squarely, and was a great device for taking on trips and exploring a new city on foot because of its large size and pocket-ability. (It had huge bezels so a modern version with thin bezels would have an even bigger more useful screen.)
However, the iPhone Max/Plus is probably close enough for most people, given you’re ok having a large phone. (I’m sure there are also some people would want this bigger device as their phone, in which case it might be called an iPhone Mega or Ultra.) But for some people who prefer smaller phones, I think an iPad Nano could be a compelling secondary device. Using an iPhone Max/Plus as that secondary device might work ok for them too if it was designed to serve as a secondary device, but unfortunately second iPhones don’t get all the Continuity functions that iPads do. Crucially missing is the ability to make/receive calls and SMS messages via your primary phone. A software update from Apple could theoretically make it into a proper secondary device, but as long as I’m wishing, might as well wish for ideal hardware too.
I’m not even sure if it should run iOS or iPadOS though. I guess the phone software would be the better fit, but with the devices bigger size and less narrow aspect ratio, it would be a shame to not have certain iPadOS features like landscape Home Screen, landscape orientation lock, split screen, and slide over. Granted it would be yet another spin off of iOS that Apple and devs would have to work with.
Thoughts?
I think the reason for its existence would be because there is no Apple device that is as big as possible while still being just pocket-able and palm-able enough for most clothes and most people. The iPhone Max/Plus is quite a bit smaller than this target and the iPad Mini is quite a bit bigger. If one can remember back far enough, the Nexus 7 hit this size squarely, and was a great device for taking on trips and exploring a new city on foot because of its large size and pocket-ability. (It had huge bezels so a modern version with thin bezels would have an even bigger more useful screen.)
However, the iPhone Max/Plus is probably close enough for most people, given you’re ok having a large phone. (I’m sure there are also some people would want this bigger device as their phone, in which case it might be called an iPhone Mega or Ultra.) But for some people who prefer smaller phones, I think an iPad Nano could be a compelling secondary device. Using an iPhone Max/Plus as that secondary device might work ok for them too if it was designed to serve as a secondary device, but unfortunately second iPhones don’t get all the Continuity functions that iPads do. Crucially missing is the ability to make/receive calls and SMS messages via your primary phone. A software update from Apple could theoretically make it into a proper secondary device, but as long as I’m wishing, might as well wish for ideal hardware too.
I’m not even sure if it should run iOS or iPadOS though. I guess the phone software would be the better fit, but with the devices bigger size and less narrow aspect ratio, it would be a shame to not have certain iPadOS features like landscape Home Screen, landscape orientation lock, split screen, and slide over. Granted it would be yet another spin off of iOS that Apple and devs would have to work with.
Thoughts?