Galaxy S7 - super tiny/hard to read UI elements

[globalexpresspilot]

Hello all.

I am coming from the iPhone, and this is my first android device in a couple years (tried switching 2 years ago to android, went back to iOS).

My issue is the status bar on this beautiful screen that has super small interface elements, especially the carrier network data info. Trying to read which data speed (LTE, 4G, 3G, etc) it almost impossible without a magnifying glass. BTW, my eyes are not the problem. On iPhone you can use the "zoom" or the "standard" mode on the display, and either one provides a very readable, large-enough text/icons in the status bar area of the screen. I suspect with this super-high resolution screen that Google/Samsung have not taken this into account and we wind up with a status bar that has way too small icons/text compared to iPhone. I am just surprised with all the many customization options in android that there isn't a way to make this area of the screen more readable.

Does anybody have an idea on how to change this?

Thanks folks!

 

[xocomaox]

The only way I know of changing the status bar size is with a root modification.

I think it's just an eyesight issue. They've done a great job of making this small enough to not get in the way but just large enough to easily read.

 

[rkkeller]

I only have the 7 Edge and my iPhone 6+ icons are about the same size.

 

[dpham00]

The only way I know of changing the status bar size is with a root modification.

I think it's just an eyesight issue. They've done a great job of making this small enough to not get in the way but just large enough to easily read.

Yup.I love the change. But for those who want the larger notification bar, you would need root. The Note 4 was the last device to have the larger notification bar. And it has the same resolution as the newer s6/7 and Note 5, so resolution isn't the issue.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 5

 

[Javier P]

If the size of the status bar icons really bothers you and root is not an option you could try a different thing. Download Zooper Widgets from the Play Store and create your own widget with all the information you need. It's quite easy and the free version should be enough for a start.

 

[lostsoul2]

Yup.I love the change. But for those who want the larger notification bar, you would need root. The Note 4 was the last device to have the larger notification bar. And it has the same resolution as the newer s6/7 and Note 5, so resolution isn't the issue.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 5

HAHAHA!! Your right on that.. I just got this phone and leaving my note 4. My eyes are getting bad but I didnt have an issue with the note 4, but this one is a pain. I have already set test size to large but that does nothing for the notifications and the other small font...

looks like Ill have to pay another $3000 for lasik to enjoy this phone

 

[jma78b]

How about changing to Easy Mode? That makes all the text large! Try it!

 

[Coffeeman]

I agree, very hard to read.

What's driving me crazy, is that alerts such as Mail, stay on the UI bar until manually cleared. On my S5, as soon as I read an email in the Gmail app, the mail notification in the UI bar would go away. On the S7, the notification stays there until I manually roll down the shade, and clear it.

 

[dpham00]

How about changing to Easy Mode? That makes all the text large! Try it!

Easy mode is a bit too basic for me

 

[globalexpresspilot]

I agree, very hard to read.

What's driving me crazy, is that alerts such as Mail, stay on the UI bar until manually cleared. On my S5, as soon as I read an email in the Gmail app, the mail notification in the UI bar would go away. On the S7, the notification stays there until I manually roll down the shade, and clear it.

Yes I agree that's another annoying thing with this phone.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Cakefish]

Yes I agree that's another annoying thing with this phone.

Posted via the Android Central App

I'm not seeing the same issue on my S7? I have the unlocked model, with no carrier branding.

 

[meyerweb#CB]

On iPhone you can use the "zoom" or the "standard" mode on the display, and either one provides a very readable, large-enough text/icons in the status bar area of the screen. I suspect with this super-high resolution screen that Google/Samsung have not taken this into account and we wind up with a status bar that has way too small icons/text compared to iPhone. I am just surprised with all the many customization options in android that there isn't a way to make this area of the screen more readable.

Does anybody have an idea on how to change this?

Settings / Accessibility / Vision / Magnifier window

Turn it on, and then a triple press of the home button will bring up a small magnifying window that you can move to any position on the screen. Tap the 'x' in the upper right corner of the window to close it.

 

[meyerweb#CB]

I've not seen that problem on my Sprint S7 Edge, either.

 

[TJA3500]

I have a fix.
Install Nova Launcher You can uninstall that later and go back to stock.
After installing Nova Launcher , long press on the home screen and go to widgets.
Add the activity widget to your home screen.
On the screen that comes up, scroll down to settings and click on settings.
Then click on .displayscalingactivity. It should be towards the top of that list. When that opens up you can change the DPI to standard or condensed. Choose standard and it should make everything larger. Then you can uninstall Nova Launcher
Let me know if you have any problems I can help.

 

[TJA3500]

Pics #1 and #3

 

[TJA3500]

This is pic #2 after you add widget to home screen

 

[lostsoul2]

of course my phone is getting fixed and cant test yet.. once i get it in a day or 2 ill give it a shot.. thanks

 

[flintlock]

I looked to see this and mine was already at standard so I guess that's the default. If OP is already at standard changing to condensed won't help. He didn't want to enlarge the entire display anyway.

Cheapest solution--dollar store reading glasses