Resource Overload

Now that the iPhone 5 has shipped we have, in some cases, at least five image sizes in each binary.

iPhone 3G and older iPod Touch

iPad

iPhone 4

iPad Retina

iPhone 5 and new iPod Touch

Here’s a table of sizes for various images.

I have a 16GB iPhone 4. Why should I have to download four additional sets of images that take up space on my phone? With the latest upgrade to iOS 6 I had to delete a bunch of stuff so I could perform the upgrade. I’m curious how much space I’d save if I had only iPhone 4 resources? I’d image it’s quite a bit.

To fix this issue I’d like to see is a mechanism in the store that would download a resource package for your particular device. That way we’re not penalized with a gob of resources we won’t use.

With my iPhone 4 I’d get the iPhone 4 resource pack. If I install the app to my older iPod Touch I’d get the standard definition resource pack.

I know Apple won’t see this, but I had to get the thought off my mind. I’m sure there are others who have had the same wish.