Are 4.0-inch to 4.5-inch screens the sweet spot on smartphones?
Summary: People surveyed prefer a device with a screen in the 4.0-inch to 4.5-inch range, as long as the device is thin.
Almost 90 percent of smartphone owners want a larger display, claims a report by The Strategy Analytics Wireless Device Lab.
It also turns out that those surveyed prefer a device with a screen in the 4.0-inch to 4.5-inch range, as long as the device is thin.
"Almost 90 percent of existing smartphone owners surveyed chose a prototype smartphone with a display larger than their current device,' commented Paul Brown, a Director in the Strategy Analytics User Experience Practice. 'This trend is driven by increased mobile web browsing capability, as well as engaging video and gaming experiences."
This has lead to some speculation that the next iPhone may get a display size bump up from the measly 3.5-inch that the current models have sported. After all, there is a huge difference between a 3.5-inch display and a 4.5-inch display.
But is 4.0-inch to 4.5-inch really the sweet spot? In theory, I agree, but in practice, I'm not so sure.
Smartphones sporting 4.5-inch displays are pretty large beasts. Take the LG Optimus 4G LTE for example. This handset measures 133.9 x 67.9 x 10.5 mm, which doesn't sound much until you put it up against the iPhone 4S, which measures in at 115.2 x 68.6 x 9.3 mm. That might not sound like a big difference, but in your hand it is.
On the iPhone my thumb comfortably travels across the screen, but in a larger handset I can't do this, which makes using the handset a two-handed job. This is not always an issue, but for tapping out a quick text message or email, having to wield a big smartphone turns the job into a hassle.
Another problem I find with larger smartphones is carrying the thing around. I find that the iPhone is about the right size for pocket storage --- even though I still have mine in a belt pouch for each access and because I carry too much junk in my pockets. However, a smartphone with a 4.5-inch screen is a big slab to carry around with you. It's not exactly a tablet, but it's still a pretty big bit of kit to store in a pocket.
For me, a 4.5-inch smartphone is almost too impractical for pocket carry. It's also too large for a belt pouch because I don't want to go around looking like Batman.
So how does anyone carry around a slab of a smartphone? Maybe if I carried a bag around at all time, but the truth there is that I'd never have the smartphone with me because I'd never have the bag with me. It kind of defeats the object of having a smartphone in the first place.
Related:
- 5-inches: The new smartphone battleground
- Amazon's Kindle Fire: Can it save 7-inch tablets?
- iPhone 5 bezel leak supports 4-inch display rumor
- Kindle Fire and why 7-inch tablets suck
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Talkback
I might just have big hands
I have a 4 inch while dad has a 4.5
Do note that my hands are relatively stubby in comparison to a normal persons.
And well, you also forgot about women, cause, you know, they usually carry a handy dandy little thing called a purse.
Your thoughts on size of devices are correct
So while you can easily find people who say that they have no problem with even 5" Samsung Galaxy Note smartphone, do not let them deceive you. They just never notice how often they actually have to use second hand. It happens unconsciously.
So, keeping in mind width problem, the only way how Apple would increase iPhone's screen is making it longer: 1:1.5 aspect ration to 16:9: 1132x640. This would require moving and narrowing home button, but still it will keep width (and height) of the phone the same as now. Additional pixels would be reserved for iOS functions, video, web browsing.
BS
She uses both equally with one and two.
Hold phone in left, dial with right, two thumb texting, one and two hand app selection, email hold in left, select with right.....
Unless you are doing something strange, task specific, your use is generally the same.
Why the obsession with one hand?
What is wrong with using two hands? There seems to be a mental block regarding this.
To take calls, the Galaxy Note can be operated with one hand. If you have to do anything less trivial, you wouldn't want to do it while in motion. If you are running or walking very quickly, it is difficult to have two hands on a phone. But you don't want to use the phone in such a manner as it will get into an accident easily.
3.5 designed for SMALLEST-handed of target demographic to use SINGLE-handed
It also means that most could use a larger phone.
Belt Pouch HAHA
Would't give up my 4.5" for anything!
I think that's a 5.3" Note!
Its why I don't understand...
Can't wait for a larger iPhone
Apps are such a big part of phones today that the extra size to get the extra screen size is worth the extra bulk.
If the iPhone 5 has a larger screen I will be upgrading for sure.
Sorry,
Sorry, it's not for you to say what you like. Steve Jobs says 3.5" and it shall be 3.5".
4 - 4.5' is the perfect size
People (me included) use their phones to do a large amount of their web, email, social networking, reading & even work tasks. The larger screen of a 4 - 4.5" device makes this doable and keeps the device portable, usable & comfortable in your hand.
And what is with this drive to make the thinnest device possible. To me, 8 - 9mm thik seems to feel good in the hand, have a solid build, fits in the pocket and offers enough room to put a good sized battery in it to last a full day. Enough of thin to be thinnest!
I bet this survey was in US
I'm not suggesting that everyone in US wants huge phones and noone in Europe but I think there may well be a trend.
Depends on what you use the phone for
If you are using to do real work when away from the desk, the bigger the better. 23" would be nice but it is difficult when you want something to have it with you all the time, including while jogging.
I am very satisfied with my Galaxy Note. Can't find another phone on the market today that is more optimal than it.
my thoughts exactly
I'm curious...
iPhone is only 320x480
msalzberg, try to resize your Safari window on your Mac to 320x480 and browse the Internet. Let us know if you can survive 90 seconds on that.
Phone screen Size
Having a Samsung Galaxy Note, I don't agree at all with your opinion
I can tell you that in my profession I have to use a suit and the Galaxy Note fits right in the jacket pocket or the trousers pocket, therefore allowing me to carry it around everywhere I go.
I think your opinion is the natural opinion of someone who has never used a bigger size phone for a while and so is somewhat dettered with the initial huge size that the phone seems to have when you aren't accustomed to it (I know I had it the first time i picked it up).