Are phones getting too big?

[jomarr]

I think the perfect size for me is a 5 incher.

With that said, I can make exemptions.. If I decide to get an Android Phone, it'd be the next Note. If I decide to get a Lumia and they're bigger than 5' then I have no choice.

 

[tech_head]

All too big.
My S4 is optimal.
I'll compromise.
it can't be any taller than the HTC M8 but can't be wider than my S4. (146x69.8)
It can be as wide as a Galaxy S5 but not taller than my S4. (136.6x72.5)

But once again the S4 got it right.
The LG G3, the Sony Z2 and others are just too biiiig...

 

[rahxephon]

All too big.
My S4 is optimal.
I'll compromise.
it can't be any taller than the HTC M8 but can't be wider than my S4. (146x69.8)
It can be as wide as a Galaxy S5 but not taller than my S4. (136.6x72.5)

But once again the S4 got it right.
The LG G3, the Sony Z2 and others are just too biiiig...

Glad you found the perfect size for yourself. Oftentimes adding a case will make a device in this day and age too large. Worked out for the iphone though, haha.

 

[Oleg.Derevenetz]

Sony Xperia Z1 was too big for me, so I got Compact version.

 

[Haalcyon]

As I revisit this I currently feel that my Note 3 is the perfect size to me but I really enjoyed the size of the Lumia 1520 too.

 

[lafountain]

As I revisit this I currently feel that my Note 3 is the perfect size to me but I really enjoyed the size of the Lumia 1520 too.

While something the size if the note is perfect for some, there are plenty out there that would like something under 5", it would be nice if a high end device under 5" was offered.

 

[Haalcyon]

While something the size if the note is perfect for some, there are plenty out there that would like something under 5", it would be nice if a high end device under 5" was offered.

I wonder why oems are not addressing the desire by some for a <=5" flagship.

 

[ahaxton]

I wonder why oems are not addressing the desire by some for a <=5" flagship.

Because according to their marketing research, people prefer bigger phones. Motorola said when they surveyed, something like 70% were going to upgrade to a bigger screen. So if you sell a flagship phone that is smaller, you're going to sell less phones. Because you're going to sell less phones, components cost more because you are buying less of them, so you need to charge more. So for a similarly specced device, you're going to pay more for a smaller device, which means they'll sell even less. No win position for them.

 

[Haalcyon]

Because according to their marketing research, people prefer bigger phones. Motorola said when they surveyed, something like 70% were going to upgrade to a bigger screen. So if you sell a flagship phone that is smaller, you're going to sell less phones. Because you're going to sell less phones, components cost more because you are buying less of them, so you need to charge more. So for a similarly specced device, you're going to pay more for a smaller device, which means they'll sell even less. No win position for them.

Apple seems to be doing fine with the 6 and 6+. Two flagships, one small and one not so small.

 

[EOA DEV]

Yes phones are getting too big, and its a shame that all flagship phones are now phablets :/

 

[Haalcyon]

Yes phones are getting too big, and its a shame that all flagship phones are now phablets :/

Some believe that market research has driven OEMs into that position, with relatively few still want <=4.5" flagships. I prefer phones in the 5-6.3" range but I know not everyone does. What is wrong with smaller devices that are not flagships? For me, the less than 2GB of RAM and <1080p resolution is my only gripe. I prefer a good amount of screen real estate.

Sent from my LG G-PaD

 

[EOA DEV]

Some believe that market research has driven OEMs into that position, with relatively few still want <=4.5" flagships. I prefer phones in the 5-6.3" range but I know not everyone does. What is wrong with smaller devices that are not flagships? For me, the less than 2GB of RAM and <1080p resolution is my only gripe. I prefer a good amount of screen real estate.

Sent from my LG G-PaD??????

You certainly have a point, but with big phones i often come across various ergonomic issues due to the large size (ex. can't fit in my pocket!!!).

 

[EOA DEV]

Some believe that market research has driven OEMs into that position, with relatively few still want <=4.5" flagships. I prefer phones in the 5-6.3" range but I know not everyone does. What is wrong with smaller devices that are not flagships? For me, the less than 2GB of RAM and <1080p resolution is my only gripe. I prefer a good amount of screen real estate.

Sent from my LG G-PaD

You certainly have a point, but with big phones i often come across various ergonomic issues due to the large size (ex. can't fit in my pocket!!!).

 

[Dark Penguin]

Thanks for proving my point. People on smartphone forums always want bigger and better phones with bells and whistles galore. Regular folks want a device with a 4-4.5 inch screen that they can use for texting/calling/emailing and occasionally browsing the web. For everything else they use a tablet or a laptop or even a PC.

I don't think it's only enthusiasts, necessarily, who want bigger screens. I can't be the only one who values the capability of using my phone for things which, in the old days, I could do only on a computer. The more tasks I can accomplish games I can play, or AV I can watch, the more satisfied I will be with the device, because it means I don't have to haul out the computer.

While the question of what's too big is entirely subjective, but the largest phones out there, like the Note series--and now the iPhone 6+ too--are clearly in the sweet spot for the people who own them. For all their apparent bulk, people seem to be able to use and carry them without undue awkwardness. I asked about this issue specifically with regard to the Note series, and was surprised to find that most of the people who answered were entirely comfortable carrying it in their pocket, front or back for men, usually a back pocket for the women. I was surprised that some of the women do this, in preference to using a purse, at least when the day's outfit permits.

 

[Haalcyon]

To me the Note series is just normal sized and anything with a smaller screen is just...small. Sometimes small is good though, which is why I have an S5 but...but
I find myself using the S5 less and less.

 

[djw39]

Some believe that market research has driven OEMs into that position, with relatively few still want <=4.5" flagships. I prefer phones in the 5-6.3" range but I know not everyone does. What is wrong with smaller devices that are not flagships? For me, the less than 2GB of RAM and <1080p resolution is my only gripe. I prefer a good amount of screen real estate.

Sent from my LG G-PaD

It's things like LG's current lineup: G3 at 5.5", QHD, and then G3 Beat/s/Vigor, 5.0", 720p. Seems like there ought to be a 1080p phone in there somewhere, no?

 

[Haalcyon]

It's things like LG's current lineup: G3 at 5.5", QHD, and then G3 Beat/s/Vigor, 5.0", 720p. Seems like there ought to be a 1080p phone in there somewhere, no?

G2?

 

[gamerish]

I actually really like larger phones. 6" is perfect for me.

 

[djw39]

G2?

Yeah, I really prefer the software and hardware design on the newer LG models though. They could still update the UI on the G2, and then it would match up well against e.g. Moto X 2014.

 

[mrshanno]

I think the 4.7" to 5.0" is the sweet spot