Product scale
A “6.1-inch iPhone” isn't 6.1 inches tall.
146.7 mm / 5.78 in tall
The 6.1-inch figure is the display, measured diagonally — not the height of the phone.
Manufacturer-specified
Why this is interesting
People hear a phone described as “6.1 inches” and naturally picture that number as its height.
But display size and device height are different measurements. One is a diagonal across the screen; the other is the straight vertical dimension of the phone body.
How this measurement works
Apple's specifications list the iPhone 13 at 5.78 inches (146.7 mm) tall, and its display as 6.1 inches measured diagonally. That body height makes a handy pocket ruler: one metre is about 6.8 iPhone 13 heights, and the Gateway Arch is about 1,309.
Height vs display size
- Device height
- 146.7 mm / 5.78 in
- Straight physical dimension of the body
- Display size
- 6.1 in
- Diagonal measurement across the screen
How certain is this?
Manufacturer-specified. Apple publishes both the 146.7 mm body height and the 6.1-inch diagonal display size.
Manufacturer-published dimension.
Sources & further reading
Apple
iPhone 13 - Technical Specifications(opens external site) — Size and WeightHeight = 5.78 in (146.7 mm)
Apple
iPhone 13 - Technical Specifications(opens external site) — Size and Weight; DisplayBody height and 6.1-inch (diagonal) display
Follow this rabbit hole
Related reading
Keep going
- Product scaleThis 40-oz Quencher H2.0 is listed at 11.02 inches tall.
- Product scaleOne metre is about 6.8 iPhone 13s tall.
- Pocket-sized EverestEverest is about 60,000 iPhone 13s tall.
- Ball mathA regulation table-tennis ball is exactly 40 mm across
- Stack it upSix feet is about 1,045 quarter-thicknesses.
- Stack it upThe Gateway Arch is about 110,000 quarter-thicknesses tall.