I know this is said a lot, but who are the users asking for cheaper phones? Here on HN, where presumably most people are technologically inclined, the sentiment is "I'll take a bigger phone for large battery life." But all phone manufacturers are going the opposite. Are regular users asking for smaller phones? There must be a user group that wants it smaller and smaller (actually just thinner).
I know a number of women that complain that phones no longer fit in their pockets; and a number of cracked screens from mishaps relating to this issue.
(Specifically because pockets on women's clothing tend to be smaller, especially in jeans.)
Personally I think the iPhone 5 (5S, 5SE and those before it) had the correct screen size. With one hand, most users could reach the entire screen. With the larger screen size, that's no longer the case without some awkward handling.
Therefore I think Apple (and others) should make 4" screen but make the body a bit thicker to accommodate a larger battery. I want a larger battery, but not a larger screen.
I had the original Motorola Droid and the Droid Bionic, both with no case, and the iPhone 6 Plus with a case is certainly thinner than either of those phones with no case. Since I put it in my pocket, I certainly don't want it to be any thicker. Yeah the Droid fit in my pocket too but I would not go back to a phone of that thickness even if the battery lasted for days.
I wasn't going to buy a case, because I wasn't going to drop the phone. A friend of mine talked me into buying a case because I would drop the phone. I bought a case, put it on, and dropped the phone the next day (no damage). Yay friends!
