Apple

4-inch iPhone display does not bother iOS developers

posted by Nick T.

Jun 18, 2012, 9:03 AM

4-inch iPhone display does not bother iOS developers

For the first time since its introduction in 2007, the iPhone will have a physically larger display, or at least that is what all those rumors claim. If that happens to be true, the display's resolution will have to be altered, supposedly to 640 by 1136 pixels. But does that really bother iOS developers? Will they have a hard time redesigning their software in order for it to fit the new display?

The answer appears to be "no", judging by a recent survey conducted by Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster. At WWDC 2012, he polled 100 iOS developers and concluded that a different screen size and resolution would not be that much of a problem to tackle. On average, they rated the issue of an altered screen size as a 3.4 on a scale from 1 to 10, suggesting that the required software modifications would not take much of their effort.

Making apps fit on an "iPad mini" would be just as easy of a task, most developers responded. If rumors are to be trusted, Apple is planning to introduce a smaller iPad model with a display measuring about 7.85 inches in diagonal. This rumored iPad model will supposedly have a display with a resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels – just like the iPad 2 and the first-gen iPad.

So if the next iPhone really comes with a bigger screen, don't worry too much about your favorite iOS apps not being adapted to the new display size. Chances are it will happen sooner than later.

Image courtesy of CGI Research

source: Piper Jaffray via AppleInsider

FEATURED VIDEO

Options

43 Comments

40. _PHug_

Posts: 482; Member since: Oct 11, 2011

It would be hilarious if a dev updated their app to use black bars to make it fit (like the pic)

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 5:54 PM 2

39. som

Posts: 768; Member since: Nov 10, 2009

Apple Apps developers are not making any money because their new iPhone can be install an old Apps that they already bought.

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 5:30 PM 0

37. moronman66

Posts: 162; Member since: Jan 09, 2012

I don't know if this is just me, but I'm thinking a lot of the current iPhone apps won't work with the newest iPhone when they bump up the screen, so for a while, people with the new iPhone won't be able to boast about having so many apps, which has always been a selling point for iPhones, either that, or they will not go fullscreen with the old apps or have them stretched to fit the new screen, correct me if I'm wrong on any of this

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 4:42 PM 0

36. jpage

Posts: 4; Member since: Jun 11, 2012

Gotta be minium of 4.3", the 4.8" screen of the gs3 is so tempting, I do think the iPhone display is best on market, but it would be that much better if it was close to 4.5", 4" not enough for me

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 4:19 PM 0

28. Iphone4 unregistered

I bet ya they will loss in the bar again. HA HA HA

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 2:56 PM 3

34. MISTER-H

Posts: 87; Member since: May 28, 2012

Let's hope so. Hahahahaha!

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 4:09 PM 0

23. lil2070

Posts: 14; Member since: Feb 11, 2012

i hope apple doesnt dissapoint us again this time with iphone 5 like they did for the "the new ipad"

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 1:40 PM 0

25. MISTER-H

Posts: 87; Member since: May 28, 2012

Yes it will...

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 2:07 PM 3

18. APPLE_R0YALLY

Posts: 73; Member since: May 08, 2012

Like that™

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 12:47 PM 1

15. AppleConspiracy

Posts: 637; Member since: Oct 18, 2011

Of course everyone will adapt to new screen size/resolution if Apple changes it, but that's not what would Apple do without some trick in their sleeve to make transition elegant and technologically supported. Actually they care so much for this particular issue that they didn't change screen size since first iPhone, and by introducing Retina screen they showed how much they care about developers to remain compatibile EVEN WHEN THEY DON'T UPGRADE THEIR APPS! So, they won't let anything to chance by migrating the problem to devs, they will take care of them elegantly and adequately. My opinion is that they will get rid of Home button and introduce virtual Home button for transition period that will occupy extra 176 pixel space for old apps, although this is only my personal preference.

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 12:23 PM 1

12. taco50

Posts: 5506; Member since: Oct 08, 2009

A 4" screen would be about perfect for me. I don't want a giant phone. That's what my tablet is for.

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 11:28 AM 1

21. iamcc

Posts: 1319; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

Good to know. Thanks for your valuable input.

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 1:13 PM 0

38. tedkord

Posts: 17544; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

4" will automatically be the new perfect screen size for the true faithful, just as 3.5" was perfect up until now. Five years from now, when Apple releases a 4.3" screen, that will become the perfect size.

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 4:50 PM 3

41. _PHug_

Posts: 482; Member since: Oct 11, 2011

If i could give you a thousand thumbs up I would.

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 5:56 PM 0

8. theBankRobber

Posts: 682; Member since: Sep 22, 2011

Things are looking good for IOS devs and users :)

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 11:05 AM 1

7. iamcc

Posts: 1319; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

And I thought that when fragmentation came to iOS the world would end for sure... I guess not.

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 10:56 AM 2

11. taco50

Posts: 5506; Member since: Oct 08, 2009

Fragmentation is when phones don't get software updates and support. Ie android where less than 10% of users have ICS. An update that came out 9 months ago.

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 11:26 AM 1

20. iamcc

Posts: 1319; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

It's interesting (and by interesting I mean hilarious) that your definition of "fragmentation" only applies to Android. You are such an idiot!

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 1:13 PM 3

22. iamcc

Posts: 1319; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

By the way, 9 months ago? What the hell are you smoking?

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 1:14 PM 2

24. MISTER-H

Posts: 87; Member since: May 28, 2012

iJuices ...

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 2:05 PM 0

29. tedkord

Posts: 17544; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

No, fragmentation is when apps and/or features don't transfer from one generation to the next. iOS is fragmented.

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 2:57 PM 2

33. MISTER-H

Posts: 87; Member since: May 28, 2012

That's right.

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 4:07 PM 0

5. appleDOESNT.com

Posts: 456; Member since: Nov 19, 2011

omg, thank goodness, i was really worried how a 4" screen would affect developers. thank you iOSarena for the up-to-date scoop :/

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 10:19 AM 16

10. ngo2dd

Posts: 896; Member since: Jul 08, 2011

why are trolling get over it

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 11:23 AM 7

13. taco50

Posts: 5506; Member since: Oct 08, 2009

Yup trolling as usual and gets 5 thumbs from the blind fandroid trolls.

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 11:29 AM 5

16. appleDOESNT.com

Posts: 456; Member since: Nov 19, 2011

taco talking trolling? lol .. my statement is totally reasonable, this isn't crack reporting! it is not even a feature that is confirmed, just a rumor and is a total waste of reporting space... This website, like you apples in the herd are why most people that don't like apple, hate apple. Your crap does stink, it isn't better, it's all about the same at this point with android offering many more options and features, not just a 1Phone... but the herd put apple and their high profit margins, less features, completely closed nature on a pedestal .. which disgusts the many unlike the few

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 12:31 PM 4

19. APPLE_R0YALLY

Posts: 73; Member since: May 08, 2012

APPLE.ROYALLY AGREES.... like that™

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 12:52 PM 3

26. taco50

Posts: 5506; Member since: Oct 08, 2009

Normal people are not disgusted and could care less about what phones people choose. Look at your user name. Your whole purpose of being here is to bash Apple. That's an unhealthy obsession with what OTHER people choose to spend their money on.

posted on Jun 18, 2012, 2:36 PM 8

27. Ubi2447

Posts: 131; Member since: Feb 14, 2012

I have to agree with you here. Not much of an apple fan myself but that's my own personal choice. But seriously. There's a troll and then there's a troll.