Tim Cook Denies Bigger-Screen iPhone Rumours

You may recall that alongside a cheaper, lower-cost iPhone rumour there was speculation about a bigger, 4.8-inch screen iPhone being in the works. The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg sources couldn’t confirm it, yet they still reinforced the rumours of a cheaper iPhone. And yesterday, even Tim Cook had a couple things to say about a possible Apple “phablet”.

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Sources alleging that the Apple is working on a bigger-screen iPhone are claiming that the market demand is for bigger-screen phones. This in the light of some interesting sales numbers of high-end, giant-screen smartphones running Android. Let’s have a look at the numbers: According to Samsung, it sold 100 million Galaxy S line smartphones in three years, including the Samsung Galaxy S I, S II, S III and the available public numbers show it has sold a combined 15 million Galaxy Note I and II’s since their launch. Now, add this to LG’s 1 million Optimus G . . .

Another interesting fact comes from an earlier survey conducted by Piper Jaffray, which says the majority of people aren’t interested in buying a bigger-screen iPhone, and they don’t buy the iPhone 5 because of its 4-inch screen. I think the Samsung executive has it right: it’s the ecosystem they get with the device.
Now, after reporting a record $54.5 billion first-quarter revenue, Apple CEO Tim Cook has added his own words about the probability of an Apple “phablet” — he was asked by a Goldman Sachs analyst whether the company has plans to make one “phone with a larger screen”.

“The iPhone 5 offers, as you know, a new four-inch retina display, which is the most advanced display in the industry,” said Cook. “It also provides a larger screen size without sacrificing the one-handed ease of use that our customers love.”

Fact is, after citing its sources twice, Digitimes revoked its earlier claims and now states there are two 4-inch iPhones in the works. One of the main arguments for a 4-inch screen is — and Apple ads highlight this as well — that you can reach the whole of the iPhone’s screen with your thumb while operating it with one hand.

Now, we don’t know whether Tim Cook will do the opposite of what he previously declared stupid or insane like Steve Jobs did, but one thing is certain: Apple won’t reveal its plans for future products, not even during an earnings call.

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