The title says it all. I'm disappointed in the iPhone 6. Why? There are several reasons for my disappointment and I'm not exactly sure how to state it best. It seems like Apple is simply chasing Samsung rather than sticking to their convictions. This seems like a move to take market share from the competition instead of innovating. Let me explain.
Remember the iPhone 5 keynote address? In response to requests for larger iPhones Phil Schiller drilled the competition by saying,
So what changed? Samsung started selling a ton of large phones that's what. It is true that the iPhone was very small, but the real reason Apple did not move to larger screens two years ago was because they did not want to fragment iOS. Did we all of a sudden stop using our thumbs during the last two years? Of course not.
I've purchased several Android phones over the last several years and most of them have larger screens. I kept coming back to the iPhone however, because it was the best phone on the market for my needs. I could easily manage it with one hand without getting a cramp. It was easy to whip out of my pocket to take a picture. I could send messages quickly with one hand.
There was also something unique about the iPhone. There was only one iPhone. Each year, Apple would release a new iPhone. Everyone would rush down to the Apple Store to get THE iPhone. That has changed. There are now 4 iPhones (5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus). It feels like Apple is watering down the brand and falling into the same trap that Samsung fell into.
My main complaint about the iPhone 6 is Apple did not keep the 4 inch size, or at least something close. What about a 4.3 inch display? I love the new features of iOS 8, but I'm really going to miss the one handed use of all my iPhones to date. In fact, I'm going back to a 5S for now. Hopefully Apple will continue to develop a smaller phone for people like me.
Remember the iPhone 5 keynote address? In response to requests for larger iPhones Phil Schiller drilled the competition by saying,
"But why would design it that way? What is the design center for a phone? It's this. It's your hand. A phone should feel great in your hand, and more importantly should be easy to use with this magical device we all carry called a horizontally opposed thumb. It does most of the hard work for us. So when you carry your phone it should fit beautifully in your hand. It should be easy to send messages, type emails, surf the web, and that's just how we designed iPhone 5."
So what changed? Samsung started selling a ton of large phones that's what. It is true that the iPhone was very small, but the real reason Apple did not move to larger screens two years ago was because they did not want to fragment iOS. Did we all of a sudden stop using our thumbs during the last two years? Of course not.
I've purchased several Android phones over the last several years and most of them have larger screens. I kept coming back to the iPhone however, because it was the best phone on the market for my needs. I could easily manage it with one hand without getting a cramp. It was easy to whip out of my pocket to take a picture. I could send messages quickly with one hand.
There was also something unique about the iPhone. There was only one iPhone. Each year, Apple would release a new iPhone. Everyone would rush down to the Apple Store to get THE iPhone. That has changed. There are now 4 iPhones (5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus). It feels like Apple is watering down the brand and falling into the same trap that Samsung fell into.
My main complaint about the iPhone 6 is Apple did not keep the 4 inch size, or at least something close. What about a 4.3 inch display? I love the new features of iOS 8, but I'm really going to miss the one handed use of all my iPhones to date. In fact, I'm going back to a 5S for now. Hopefully Apple will continue to develop a smaller phone for people like me.