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iPhone 6 Screen Sizes: How it May Compare to the iPhone 5s

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What are the iPhone 6 screen sizes? We won’t know the exact size or sizes of the 2014 iPhone screens until Apple makes an announcement, but rumors are focused on two exact iPhone 6 screen sizes that will match the current group of Android smartphones. Recently we learned what resolution Apple may choose for both 2014 iPhone screen sizes.

The new iPhone may finally deliver a larger screen that catches up to Android smartphones to satisfy demand for larger screens that offer more room to watch movies, play games and enjoy all the current smartphone activities that iPhone owners enjoy on a 4-inch display.

While the majority of smartphones sold in early 2014 still feature screens below 5-inches, the number of large smartphones sold with a 5-inch or larger display grew 369% in the last quarter according to data.

In addition to this fresh data, an internal Apple report documented desire for a larger screen as far back as 2012, after Apple boosted the iPhone screen size to 4-inches. Up until this point Apple stuck with a 3.5-inch screen even as Android phones grew larger. This document detailed a to do list for a new iPhone and right at the top is a larger screen.

iPhone 6 Screen Sizes

Based on all of the rumors, analyst notes and leaks we will see two iPhone 6 screen sizes in 2014. The first with a 4.7-inch screen and the second with a 5.5-inch screen. Though unconfirmed, sources continue to focus on these specific sizes.

These two sizes would allow Apple to compete directly with flagships like the Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8 as well as bigger phones like the Galaxy Note 3 and the rumored Galaxy Note 4 that we expect to see unveiled within weeks of an iPhone 6 release date.

With larger iPhone 6 screen sizes expect a larger iPhone 6 body and frame. The exact dimensions vary between reports, but there is enough data to get an idea of what the two larger iPhone 6 screen sizes will do to the size and shape of new iPhones in late 2014.

The iPhone 6 screen sizes of 4.7-inches and 5.5-inches may share the same 1,704 x 960 resolution according to a 9to5Mac report. This is not a common resolution that we see on smartphones or monitors, but it makes sense for Apple to carefully switch to this resolution to match larger iPhone 6 screen sizes and simplify the process of upgrading apps and iOS 8 for a larger device.

Simply put this is three times the base size of an iPhone 5 resolution, which will make it easier for Apple to prepare iOS 8 for the larger screen and for developers to upgrade to a larger screen size without black bars around the edges of apps. It is unlikely that Apple will confirm this detail alongside iOS 8 in June, so expect a small delay between an iPhone 6 release and complete compatibility of apps ready for a larger 1,704 x 960 iPhone 6 screen size.

The iPhone 6 screen sizes come into focus as reports firm up on the size and the resolution.

The iPhone 6 screen sizes come into focus as reports firm up on the size and the resolution.

Apple could use this same resolution across two iPhone 6 screen sizes and still dramatically beat the 300 pixel-per-inch (ppi) Retina threshold that Steve Jobs declared as a minimum in 2010. The 4.7-inch screen would offer 416 ppi and the larger 5.5-inch screen would offer a 355 ppi. This is not as high as the Galaxy S5 or the HTC One M8, but it is reasonable for displays of this size.

What Larger iPhone 6 Screen Sizes Look Like

With evidence for these specific iPhone 6 screen sizes mounting we are seeing multiple mock ups that show what a larger iPhone 6 may look like with a 4.7-inch display and with a 5.5-inch display. The exact iPhone 6 dimensions vary slightly from leak to leak, but overall these mockups offer a close look at how a 2014 iPhone could compare to the iPhone 5s.

In the video above, we see close look at how a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 might look with an aluminum design that looks similar to the iPod touch and iPad Air design. This comparison shows specifically what the increase from a 4-inch to a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 screen size might do to the overall size of the iPhone. Ming-Chi Kuo, who predicted many iPhone 6 features, suggests this device will remain designed with one-handed use in mind, and that it could include a power button on the side instead of the top, for easier access while holding a larger device in a single hand.

This shows what an large iPhone 6 screen size could look like next to an iPhone 5s with a 4-inch display.

This shows what an large iPhone 6 screen size could look like next to an iPhone 5s with a 4-inch display.

A new report from Nowhereelse.fr shows what a 5.5-inch iPhone 6 might look like. This size looks similar to the 4.7-inch mockups we’ve seen, but with an iPhone 5s on top this looks almost ludicrously large. Putting aside the shock of looking at a massive jump in screen size, there is a strong case for a 5.5-inch iPhone 6 screen size and this mockup shows how that could compare to the current iPhone. According to Kuo’s note to investors this larger iPhone 6 screen size is aimed at the user that won’t mind using two hands to operate the iPhone.

Expect the largest iPhone 6 screen size to require two hands for optimal use.

Expect the largest iPhone 6 screen size to require two hands for optimal use.

The iPhone 6 rumors cover more than just the screen sizes. In our iPhone 6 rumor roundup we highlight the potential for a September release date, iPhone 6 specs like an Apple A8 processor and potential cameras improvements as well as more details from leaks and analysts.  

iOS 8 is the new version of iOS that we expect to see in June, and to arrive on the iPhone 6 this fall. It will likely play a pivotal role in larger iPhone 6 screen sizes and how apps will run on this new iPhone for 2014. 

8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Jamie

    05/17/2014 at 12:32 pm

    I hope apple wakes up. I want the 5.5 inch iPhone if not I will I go to Samsung note book

  2. John

    05/18/2014 at 6:09 am

    Put it out apple!

  3. Liz

    05/18/2014 at 11:01 am

    I have always used i products and love then but as I have gotten older I started having problems seeing the smaller screen so I had to switch to another brand with a bigger screen so I can’t wait for a bigger iphone so I can get back to a product that I understand and know. Very frustrated with the brand I have now and it is one of the best if you don’t get iproducts. So anticipate a release dated to upgrade!!!!!!!

    • M. Dub

      05/20/2014 at 11:02 am

      You’re not the only one with the eyesight problem, people use these phones for much more then the used to.

  4. liz

    05/18/2014 at 3:33 pm

    I am okay with a bigger screen for shure but if it’s going to start going as big as the samsungs then I’ll leave, I want to carry around a phone now a mini thin book. And I hope their software apps and txting n all yhag is like the 4/4s not the new 5 which is hideous!!. That’s when I left iphone it all looked fake and ugly..

  5. Nik

    05/18/2014 at 8:43 pm

    I dont like it. A mobile phone should be compact and able to fit in your palm and pocket comfortably. Not a fan of these big screens- get a tab/iPad for that purpose.

  6. M. Dub

    05/20/2014 at 11:05 am

    These are not just “phones” anymore, people do much more with them then they used to. Why should I lug around an ipad for that?

  7. Johnny Ingram

    05/24/2014 at 8:02 am

    These devices have migrated from just a phone to make and receive call to an all purpose device. I’m looking forward to the larger 5.5 device so that I don’t have to carry my iPad with me.

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