Are the days of a 4" one-hand usable smartphone over?

[Totally]

Are the days of a 4" one-hand usable smartphone over?

I can easily use Nexus 5 with one hand and it feels easier than 5s as it is better to hold. A phone is not only for phone calls or texting anymore. It is only natural that the use then will switch from one handed to two handed use. That said, I used my Note 3 one handed and I have normal sized hands.

But don't you think that if anyone wants to use a phone for more than calls, texts, and internet browsing - like for video/movie watching and things that are better on big screen, that they would just get a tablet?

Maybe I'm the minority here...

 

[sunking101]

But don't you think that if anyone wants to use a phone for more than calls, texts, and internet browsing - like for video/movie watching and things that are better on big screen, that they would just get a tablet?

Maybe I'm the minority here...

People are complaining that a 5.5" phone won't be portable enough and yet they're supposed to find room in their pockets for a tablet instead?

Many people don't own tablets, they're a luxury (and to some folk superfluous) item camped somewhere inbetween a mobile phone and a laptop. A larger mobile phone often negates the need for a tablet completely. Sure some tablet owners will want to keep the distinction and thus not have their tablet gathering dust, but the fact remains that a huge segment of the market demand a bigger screen mobile phone.

 

[Totally]

Are the days of a 4" one-hand usable smartphone over?

People are complaining that a 5.5" phone won't be portable enough and yet they're supposed to find room in their pockets for a tablet instead?



Many people don't own tablets, they're a luxury (and to some folk superfluous) item camped somewhere inbetween a mobile phone and a laptop. A larger mobile phone often negates the need for a tablet completely. Sure some tablet owners will want to keep the distinction and thus not have their tablet gathering dust, but the fact remains that a huge segment of the market demand a bigger screen mobile phone.

I'm complaining about 5.5 inch phones and I DO NOT want a tablet either. So that argument is null and void.

And a smartphone isn't s luxury item? It definitely is.

I guess. Point is that Apple is going to isolate some people who don't want phablets with this move if the only flagship top of the line devices have 4.7 and 5.5 inch screens. And they, including me, aren't gonna be happy.

 

[sunking101]

I'm complaining about 5.5 inch phones and I DO NOT want a tablet either. So that argument is null and void.

And a smartphone isn't s luxury item? It definitely is.

I guess. Point is that Apple is going to isolate some people who don't want phablets with this move if the only flagship top of the line devices have 4.7 and 5.5 inch screens. And they, including me, aren't gonna be happy.

For the majority of under 50s, a smartphone is a necessity of modern life and not a luxury item. If they need a larger screen then they use their laptop or desktop. The middle ground device, a tablet, is a luxury item IMO as it isn't a strict necessity.

 

[THE JUICEMAN]

I have been debating what to do when the new iPhone models come out as well. I have big hands and still find myself adjusting in order to handle the 5 one handed. I have tried several android phones and could use them one handed if I really wanted to but two hands worked better.

As some have stated, the 4.7in may be more comfortable with two hands so if I am going to use two hands anyway then why not get the 5.5in model? This also may allow me to sell my rMini and pick up a MacBook Air instead. I feel like I won't need a rMini and a 5.5in iPhone 6.

 

[Jimmy James]

I think you can still use a big phone one handed. I could scroll a web page and hit the back button just like I've been doing on my 4s now.

I needed to use both hands to type this either way. Not much will change.

Personally, I'm more concerned about pocketability.

 

[thehustleman]

The point really is that for everyone who's using the "4.7 inches is fine unless you have small hands" comment as a point of derision against those who aren't particularly fond of bigger phones is annoying and ignores the fact that not everyone has the same experiences/desires as others. 4.7" may be fine for you; it may not be for others. Acting like everyone should have the same opinion as they do on the matter is silly.

when it comes to one handed use, yes, small hands play a part in it, a major part.

If I had small hands I wouldn't want a Nexus 5, I'd probably be a jailbroken iPhone user.

I really hope not. 4.7 is large for a phone, too big to carry in your pocket in my opinion. And as a guy, my phone is always in my pocket. I'm not gonna carry a murse for it, I'm not a girl. Phone size doesn't matter for girls since they have purses.

Also, imagine how funny people are going to look holding their phablet sized iPHone 6's with 5.5 inch screens up to their ears to talk to someone - I look forward to the memes =P

as a guy mine is also always in my pocket, but how is 4.7" too big to fit in a pocket?

If a Galaxy note 2 or 3 can fit in a pocket with a 5.5" screen without any problem, why wouldn't a 4.7" phone fit?

women and kids who where emo jeans don't like the bigger screens, since they won't fit into their pants pockets.

Lol, don't forget men who wear women's jeans. I'll never understand why they make women's jeans with such small pockets

Another thing, what's wrong with being female or having small hands or just plain wanting to have smaller phone options for a host of other reasons? I'm not saying that a bigger iPhone is a bad choice for everyone. I'm just saying it's a bad choice for me personally and I'd like it if Apple gave us a smaller option with up to date hardware.

nothing wrong with being female or having small hands, no one said anything was.

As a guy, I like the 4" for one-handed use. My hand isn't big enough for a 4.7 . So power to those girls haha. Why is girls in quotes?

and nothing wrong with that. If you have small hands you get what works for you.

But don't you think that if anyone wants to use a phone for more than calls, texts, and internet browsing - like for video/movie watching and things that are better on big screen, that they would just get a tablet?

Maybe I'm the minority here...

Maybe people just don't want to carry 2 devices?

Maybe a tablet won't fit in their pocket like a phone will?

Maybe they can't justify the expense of a tablet?

 

[rui no onna]

People are complaining that a 5.5" phone won't be portable enough and yet they're supposed to find room in their pockets for a tablet instead?

My purse can fit an iPad Air. If I can bring my purse, I can carry my iPad. My iPhone, I tend to use for instances where I don't carry my purse hence, it needs to be pocketable (if not in my jeans pocket, then at least in my jacket/sweater/hoodie pocket).

 

[sunking101]

My purse can fit an iPad Air. If I can bring my purse, I can carry my iPad. My iPhone, I tend to use for instances where I don't carry my purse hence, it needs to be pocketable (if not in my jeans pocket, then at least in my jacket/sweater/hoodie pocket).

Carrying two devices which essentially do the same thing is OTT for most folk, and men don't (*generally) use handbags. I should imagine that simultaneous iPad and iPhone-touting women are a small minority. I own a tablet but it never leaves the house, and never will. I want a mansize phone with me at all times

 

[wilky76]

Motorola have got it right with a 4.7" screen on the Moto x, it isn't that much bigger than the iPhone 5 and is easy to use one handed.

IF the iPhone 6 followed the same kind of design ie less bezel, then it be perfect at 4.7" for alot of people even those with smaller hands.

 

[Caesars]

Yes, and thank God, I love my iPhone but the screen is just too tiny to do anything but be a phone.

This is all based off my usage, ymmv.

 

[rui no onna]

Carrying two devices which essentially do the same thing is OTT for most folk, and men don't (*generally) use handbags. I should imagine that simultaneous iPad and iPhone-touting women are a small minority. I own a tablet but it never leaves the house, and never will. I want a mansize phone with me at all times

My sample size is small but my mom, myself, 2 aunts and 3 cousins all tend to carry both our cellphones and tablets daily. I wouldn't say it's that unusual. All of us carry purses though, and one of my aunts is affectionately called the bag lady by her co-workers.

My dad doesn't want to carry an iPad himself but he steals either my mom or my iPad when we're in a hospital waiting room or something. My brother generally brings his own (backpack or messenger bag).

 

[cynics]

My ex is small (110 lbs 5.6") always wore tight jeans and NEVER carried a purse. She was kind of tomboyish in that respect, jeans and no purse 99% of the time. She has/had a Galaxy S3 (which is slightly larger then the S4) and never had a problem with it. Typically back pocket carry, and careful not to sit on it.

Because of that I feel most women should be able to do the same with minor adjustment of course. But she's like a worse case scenario as far as large phone and small person.

Edit: Rereading this makes me sound obsessed lol.

 

[rui no onna]

My ex is small (110 lbs 5.6") always wore tight jeans and NEVER carried a purse. She was kind of tomboyish in that respect, jeans and no purse 99% of the time. She has/had a Galaxy S3 (which is slightly larger then the S4) and never had a problem with it. Typically back pocket carry, and careful not to sit on it.

Because of that I feel most women should be able to do the same with minor adjustment of course. But she's like a worse case scenario as far as large phone and small person.

For a female, 5'6" is around average. I'm 5'1". Petite sizes tend to have smaller pockets.

Something I've mentioned earlier, people come in different shapes and sizes. If a 4.7" or 5.5" works for you or your ex, then great. I just don't get why a lot of folks here insist that the same thing will work for everyone else when they're not aware of other people's circumstances and preferences.

 

[cynics]

For a female, 5'6" is around average. I'm 5'1". Petite sizes tend to have smaller pockets.



Something I've mentioned earlier, people come in different shapes and sizes. If a 4.7" or 5.5" works for you or your ex, then great. I just don't get why a lot of folks here insist that the same thing will work for everyone else when they're not aware of other people's circumstances and preferences.

I'm not insisting it will work for you or anyone else but it could given some adjustment on your behalf. Albeit I can see why you'd or anyone else would find that annoying. So I'm not saying you or anyone (that is open minded) in this thread is wrong.

My argument has always been a larger screen on the same size device. The competition can do it, so should Apple.

 

[jjfad]

I think one of the issues is that a 4.5" or greater screen I one handed but you have to sort of balance the phone on your finger tips. I can do that but I don't like it and I always think I'm going to drop the phone. For my hand size the iPhone 4 was the last phone I could use comfortably one handed, ie and grip it properly.

I really hope Apple comes out with a new 4" option...,

 

[ET iPhone Home]

Bah-bye 4", Hello 4.7" Design is like a fashion trend. Your 4" will return 30 years later.

 

[Technarchy]

My s4 is one hand able

Using my S5 one handed as I type this.

I think people have some serious misconceptions about usability and phone size with modern devices.

 

[iPhone7ate9]

Using my S5 one handed as I type this.

I think people have some serious misconceptions about usability and phone size with modern devices.

Exactly. And I use my phone two handed too all the time it's second nature, not a big deal.

 

[Totally]

Bah-bye 4", Hello 4.7" Design is like a fashion trend. Your 4" will return 30 years later.

Noooo . Luckily I just bought a 5s because of the 4" screen and jailbreakability and I kind of needed more space. So power to the 4" screen. Hopefully after the 6, apple goes back to it.

 

[The Phazer]

My argument has always been a larger screen on the same size device. The competition can do it, so should Apple.

A larger screen would be just as unusable for us.

The answer is very simple - Apple should be able to do three sizes of flagship phone. It's not rocket science.

 

[ZombiePete]

Using my S5 one handed as I type this.

I think people have some serious misconceptions about usability and phone size with modern devices.

Yeah, even people who have had bigger phones and didn't particularly like the size just don't understand what it is that they really want. Now that we know that Technarchy can comfortably use an S5 one-handed, we can safely say that everyone can and anyone who says differently is either deluded or lying.

----------

Exactly. And I use my phone two handed too all the time it's second nature, not a big deal.

Thank you for saying this! It's about time that people realize that because using a phone two-handed works great for some that it's fine for everyone and anyone who has any negativity at all towards bigger phones just needs to get over it because it's not a big deal.

EDIT: I guess it's not clear, but this post is 100% sarcasm; my point being that just because you are fine with a bigger phone doesn't mean that everyone is or should be, and admonishments to "get over it" are ridiculous because you're essentially telling people to ditch their preferences for yours. Happy posting.

 

[Totally]

Are the days of a 4" one-hand usable smartphone over?

Thank you for saying this! It's about time that people realize that because using a phone two-handed works great for some that it's fine for everyone and anyone who has any negativity at all towards bigger phones just needs to get over it because it's not a big deal.

No, I don't need to just get over it. I'm allowed to have my own opinion, just like you are. I think that people look stupid when they hold phablets up to their ears to talk to someone. That's my opinion, I'm allowed to have it.

 

[ZombiePete]

No, I don't need to just get over it. I'm allowed to have my own opinion, just like you are. I think that people look stupid when they hold phablets up to their ears to talk to someone. That's my opinion, I'm allowed to have it.

Yeah, I was being incredibly sarcastic.

 

[Totally]

Yeah, I was being incredibly sarcastic.

My bad. Sometimes it's hard to tell over the internet...