How do you rate 4" screen web-browsing?

[Quicklite]

Say 4.7" screen size gets 5 out of 5 rating as a reference point - how would you rate the the 4" screen for quick internet browsing?

Curious to hear your thoughts. I'm thinking that that 4" is quite compact for internet - so you've got to zoom alot / hold it closer. Though could it be even better than 4.7" for browsing?

 

[LovingTeddy]

No way I will downgrade to 4 inch... My minimum requirements now is 5 inch with 1080P screen. Even iPhone 6S still failed that requirement. 4 inch just fell too cramped...

I looked out iPod Touch 6 gen and tried to browse some website. Those website that aren't optimized for mobile devices, text is so small, you cannot even read without constantly zoom in and out

 

[Quicklite]

No way I will downgrade to 4 inch... My minimum requirements now is 5 inch with 1080P screen. Even iPhone 6S still failed that requirement. 4 inch just fell too cramped...

I looked out iPod Touch 6 gen and tried to browse some website. Those website that aren't optimized for mobile devices, text is so small, you cannot even read without constantly zoom in and out

Definitely think that more websites might kick the browser into mobile mode - instead of the full version. Even with 5" 1080p I still switch it to landscape.

 

[maxsix]

The tiny display provides a unique Apple like experience. Most people that like the small iPhone care more about its cute size, one handed operation and how easy it fits in their pocket, than using it

For fast efficient enjoyable web browsing via Smartphone Android 5.7" equipped smartphones lead the way. My iPhone 6S Plus is OK, but still lacks the beautiful crisp high definition resolution that is a hallmark of good smartphone.

 

[Quicklite]

The tiny display provides a unique Apple like experience. Most people that like the small iPhone care more about its cute size, one handed operation and how easy it fits in their pocket, than using it

For fast efficient enjoyable web browsing via Smartphone Android 5.7" equipped smartphones lead the way. My iPhone 6S Plus is OK, but still lacks the beautiful crisp high definition resolution that is a hallmark of good smartphone.

Good point - that SE is a unique device with particular usergroup who's after different things to powerusers; it's the power of the latest processor in a small body - and it lets you surf the web whilst on the move.

 

[LovingTeddy]

Definitely think that more websites might kick the browser into mobile mode - instead of the full version. Even with 5" 1080p I still switch it to landscape.

Definitely that more and more website will be optimized for mobile devices. However, even with mobile optimized website, 4 inch screen displays way less information than larger screen. Plus the fact that 4 inch iPhone has sub 720P display, everything displayed is bigger than 5 inch screen with 1080P. Take the following screen shoot as example.

This is just direct comparison between Nexus 5X which is my daily driver along with Nexus 6P and iPod Touch (I believe Apple uses same display panel with iPhone SE).

As you can see, not only iPod display waynless content than Nexus 5X, and the font is quite bit as well. The MacRumors logo appears much bigger on iPod than Nexus 5X.

In all, browsing website on 4" still sub-optimal, at least for me

 

[Quicklite]

Ouch. Does Apple let you use smaller font - to display more in the browser?

Definitely that more and more website will be optimized for mobile devices. However, even with mobile optimized website, 4 inch screen displays way less information than larger screen. Plus the fact that 4 inch iPhone has sub 720P display, everything displayed is bigger than 5 inch screen with 1080P. Take the following screen shoot as example.

This is just direct comparison between Nexus 5X which is my daily driver along with Nexus 6P and iPod Touch (I believe Apple uses same display panel with iPhone SE).

As you can see, not only iPod display waynless content than Nexus 5X, and the font is quite bit as well. The MacRumors logo appears much bigger on iPod than Nexus 5X.

In all, browsing website on 4" still sub-optimal, at least for me

 

[MRU]

Really for many people it's not an issue that will govern their buying decision. There are more factors than web browsing. For those that it is - buy a bigger screened device, there are plenty out there to choose from. It's a completely subjective thing and I would guess for most people, the mobile browser is not something they spend the most amount of time on in their mobile device, and I would presume for extended browsing, most would generally prefer to web browse on a desktop/laptop or tablet moreover a mobile phone regardless of the phones screen size, or else rely on mobile apps that offer tailored experience for doing much of the web browsing tasks such as tapatalk for forums, amazon, eBay, banking apps, google newsstand, clipboard & apple news etc.. all of which replace the need to look at the individual websites.

 

[Quicklite]

Interesting point - I think it's probably true for many, that a more responsive device is more important; be in the in the browser, loading sites, etc; A9 would be a saving grace for that screen res I suppose.

Really for many people it's not an issue that will govern their buying decision. There are more factors than web browsing. For those that it is - buy a bigger screened device, there are plenty out there to choose from. It's a completely subjective thing and I would guess for most people, the mobile browser is not something they spend the most amount of time on in their mobile device, and I would presume for extended browsing, most would generally prefer to web browse on a desktop/laptop or tablet moreover a mobile phone regardless of the phones screen size, or else rely on mobile apps that offer tailored experience for doing much of the web browsing tasks such as tapatalk for forums, amazon, eBay, banking apps, google newsstand, clipboard & apple news etc.. all of which replace the need to look at the individual websites.

 

[Novus John]

Painful but passable. The apps look okay on a 4" screen, though, which I think is more important for a smartphone.

If you spend most of your time browsing the web, then a 4" screen won't suffice, if you need it for the occasional calls, messages and mail, then it should do fine.

 

[TurboPGT!]

How do you rate it? Who cares?!! What kind of question is that? People that like and want 4" iPhones know what they're getting and don't need to rate the web browsing experience on a scale of 1-5.

I don't understand why people feel the need to criticize it just because they personally choose a different size.

This is like people who order Large fries criticizing people who order Medium fries. Positively insane.

 

[LovingTeddy]

Ouch. Does Apple let you use smaller font - to display more in the browser?

I don't think so... I am not too sure, I will have to check after work and report back to you
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How do you rate it? Who cares?!! What kind of question is that? People that like and want 4" iPhones know what they're getting and don't need to rate the web browsing experience on a scale of 1-5.

I don't understand why people feel the need to criticize it just because they personally choose a different size.

This is like people who order Large fries criticizing people who order Medium fries. Positively insane.

It is kind the fact that browsing on 4 inch screen provides subpar browsing experience.

For most people though, 4 inch is more of convince for carry and one hand usability than anything else. I do not even know why people value one hand operation when you cannot even use Apple watch one hand.

 

[Quicklite]

How do you rate it? Who cares?!! What kind of question is that? People that like and want 4" iPhones know what they're getting and don't need to rate the web browsing experience on a scale of 1-5.

I don't understand why people feel the need to criticize it just because they personally choose a different size.

This is like people who order Large fries criticizing people who order Medium fries. Positively insane.

Not really criticising, comment about the idea of "choice" is fair if the SE, 6S and 6S+ are roughly same price. They're not. At $250 & $350 less than 6S & 6S+ devices, it's not just a choice on screen size - its also a choice about the budget (it's a big gap). I'm just curious if the difference in user experience is really that big.

The 4" screen is the most noticeable trade-off, to get the most affordable iOS device yet; it works for some people, those looking for bigger screens would probably want to either shell out an extra $$$, or get an Android. Though there will be many with big hands making do with the SE - not because they want that screen size, instead due to the price.

 

[throAU]

Basically IMHO it sucks. Not to crap on the 4" size though...

I'm a massive 4" phone form factor fan (kinda want an SE, i don't like the 6 form factor), but if you want to do significant amounts of web browsing, you're better off doing it on something else.

But that's not what i carry a phone around for... That's what i have an iPad or Mac for.

Sure, i'll use a 4" phone for browsing if it's all i have on me, but it's not ideal.

But the larger phones suck for one handed usability, pocket ability, bend-ability, etc.

Depends what you want. I'll happily trade web browsing for a "better" phone size.

 

[Zagor13]

I prefer 4" web browsing as can do with one hand and quicker; its same as 6s no difference except I prefer smaller size (I would even take 3.5) but can deal with 4

 

[Quicklite]

I prefer 4" web browsing as can do with one hand and quicker; its same as 6s no difference except I prefer smaller size (I would even take 3.5) but can deal with 4

Interesting point. I suspect when SE starts getting delivered, it will be seen by owners as the best thing since sliced bread regardless of the screen.

 

[throAU]

The tiny display provides a unique Apple like experience. Most people that like the small iPhone care more about its cute size, one handed operation and how easy it fits in their pocket, than using it

No, i make use of my phone a lot. One hand operation means I can actually use it far more easily whilst doing something else. Like eating. Or carrying a bag whilst walking (e.g., luggage through an airport terminal or through a foreign city whilst using maps), etc.

 

[asleep]

Never had an issue using the 5S.

 

[Q-Dog]

I consider web browsing on any phone something to be done only out of necessity and not a compelling enough reason to carry a giant phone. Same with watching movies. I have other options for web browsing and movies and never consider those uses when deciding what phone to get.

Obviously not everyone feels as I do. If I could only afford one device I would consider a larger screen for the phone.

 

[0007776]

It works just fine, unless your vision is starting to go bad in which case a giant screen might be nice.

 

[Mjmar]

Wonder how we all lived with small iPhone screens for 7 years

 

[KdParker]

Just looks too small for me now. But hey more form factors the better.

 

[maflynn]

I'm probably going to be buying the SE, but I will say, that I don't use a smart phone for web surfing. I think for my needs - quick searches, it will be ok. Doing any indepth research using the web, no so much.

 

[splitpea]

It's great except for the sites that insist on an inch-high sticky header and half-inch sticky footer in landscape mode while presenting landscape-oriented images. Sigh.

 

[C DM]

It's interesting how people are trying to figure out how things measure up against a 4" screen when until just about 1.5 years ago anyone who was using an iPhone was doing it on a screen that was 4" or smaller for years and years (and plenty of people have still been using such devices even since then).