iPhone 8/Plus Plus Size Phone - I'm Getting Curious

[puma1552]

Never been a plus size guy, always gone for the non-plus and always been completely happy. But for some reason I find myself tech geeking out and am curious about a plus size. I myself am not a big guy though, 5'5" so a plus size is pretty unwieldy to be honest, based on the times I've tried one at the Apple store. For the record I'm also a pretty light phone user (battery typically at ~85% after 16-17 hours from taking it off the charger in the morning until putting it back on the charger at night) and I have an iPad I use around the house. I'm not a big content consumer on a phone other than a bit of safari. Also not a gamer, mainly use my phone as a utility tool.

For those of you who have gone from 4.7" to 5.5", how was the transition? Do you have regrets not sticking with 4.7"? Does the plus size feel like a clown phone?

 

[Closingracer]

I actually went from the plus to a regular phone because of the size. I actually went from am iPhone 4 to Android because I wanted a bigger screen and ended with a note 4 before I went to the 6 plus. Since they came out with the bigger screen that I wanted I decided to go with the plus. I found it to be to big for me (somehow the note 8 isn't) and went with the 7. Honestly for video and safari the bigger screen helps but doesn't make the smaller one bad.

 

[ssl0408]

I had the 8 Plus for a week and it was too big and it began to hurt my wrist. It was my first time trying the Plus model. It just wasn’t fun to use. I then purchased the iPhone X and had no such issues.

 

[AlphaGuitarist]

I'm 6'4" and, as a former 6s Plus user, still found it to be a bit unwieldy. It wasn't at all pocket-friendly and not really usable with one hand. I initially got the phone for the larger battery, but switched to the X when it came out. The smaller form factor was like a breath of fresh air.

 

[akash.nu]

I did this switch last year and it’s not as horrendous I thought it’ll be. Occasionally I do find myself in situations where I’d like a smaller phone but honestly it’s fine most of the times.

One of my main concerns were the device fitting inside the pocket of my jeans. I wear slim style. But to my astonishment, it fits in without much issues at all.

 

[KUKitch]

I'd had the plus since the original 6+ and have always loved it, never found it to be overly large... makes the regular seem like a toy - of course now I have the X which I feel like is a bit of the Goldilocks spot, just the right size... smaller but with a big screen. Definitely recommend plus over regular in any case

 

[westislander]

I'm one of those who switch from the base sizes to the Plus model (8 Plus). In the beginning I had mixed feelings. It was definitely an adjustment period. I was initially happy with my choice then I started second guessing myself but ultimately, I realized that I made the right choice for myself and I'm happy I did. The advantages really do trump the negatives being size and weight IMO i.e The nice big screen, the longer battery life, the dual camera setup and an extra GB of RAM. In my case, it was just a matter of getting used to the size/weight. I'll never go back to a sub 5.5" screen.

 

[AlliFlowers]

I love the plus. It took me a few days to get used to it, but I don't want to go back.

 

[Closingracer]

I'm one of those who switch from the base sizes to the Plus model (8 Plus). In the beginning I had mixed feelings. It was definitely an adjustment period. I was initially happy with my choice then I started second guessing myself but ultimately, I realized that I made the right choice for myself and I'm happy I did. The advantages really do trump the negatives being size and weight IMO i.e The nice big screen, the longer battery life, the dual camera setup and an extra GB of RAM. In my case, it was just a matter of getting used to the size/weight. I'll never go back to a sub 5.5" screen.

The battery life was exactly the same for me. On my. 6 plus and 7 Tbh.

 

[Juicy Box]

I went from a 5s to a 6s Plus thinking that I would like the larger sized screen, which I did, but only when I was sitting down and could have 2 hands on it.

It was useless for me as a 1 handed phone. Taking 1 handed photos was very hard. They would sometimes come out blurry from me not being able to hold it still 1-handed, and sometimes I would drop my phone trying to take photos.

The rounded edges of the 6s Plus, along with the size, would make the phone slip out of my hands causing me to drop it.

Finding pockets for it to fit into was a hassle, along with trying to find a place to put it in my cars.

Pretty much my user experience in any situation for using my 6s Plus was horrible when compared to the smaller iPhone, except when I could have two hands on it.

I used the iPhone 6s Plus for almost 2 years before I "downgraded" to an SE.

 

[eyoungren]

Went from a 5 to a 6+ to a 6s+. Got used to the plus size in less than 5 minutes and find it awkward to handle my 5 and 4s now.

Have yet to find a pair of jeans with pockets so small the phone won't fit. Just not a problem I have at all.

PS. I use ALL my phones with two hands. Not dropping a ~$900 dollar phone because I wanted to one-hand things.

 

[BigMcGuire]

My wife is 5'1. Tiny. She went from a 5 to a 6+ with me many years ago. She instantly liked it and can't even stand to use a non-plus phone anymore. She uses her phone a lot - view space, battery life, she loves it - the size isn't even a problem for her. Me? I'm 5'11, not tiny. Love the plus phones. Wouldn't/couldn't ever go back.
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I did this switch last year and it’s not as horrendous I thought it’ll be. Occasionally I do find myself in situations where I’d like a smaller phone but honestly it’s fine most of the times.

One of my main concerns were the device fitting inside the pocket of my jeans. I wear slim style. But to my astonishment, it fits in without much issues at all.

I get the athletic (stretchy) fit slim style pants (lol). That said, yeah, my 6+, 6s+, and 8+ (now) have never had a problem being in my back pocket. I have coworkers who put their + phones in their front pockets - that doesn't work to me. Has to be back pocket for me.

 

[westislander]

The battery life was exactly the same for me. On my. 6 plus and 7 Tbh.

I'm not surprised. The components in the new 7 are more power efficient the an iPhone two generations behind. I went from the 6 to the 8 Plus and saw a massive improvement in battery life.

 

[Closingracer]

I'm not surprised. The components in the new 7 are more power efficient the an iPhone two generations behind. I went from the 6 to the 8 Plus and saw a massive improvement in battery life.

I mean in use really.

 

[1050792]

The Plus size is great at first until you realize it's the exact same experience as you had with the regular sized phone besides that you keep bringing a clunky brick in your pocket and in your hands. Not to talk about the one hand usage which is almost impossible unless you bring reachability for every action but then you are losing screen real estate.
The only Plus* about a bigger size iPhone is the battery life that will last a little longer, if your main goal is to get an all day battery life of heavy usage and don't mind the compromises you have to make to adjust to the phone, then I'd say it's worth it. For me personality I can't carry a brick in my hands anymore so I stick to regular sized phones.

 

[TantalizedMind]

Pencil me in for one of the guys that like my SE’s form factor but hate the small screen.

iPhone X seems like it would be a good choice for me but it’s too expensive...

I’ve held a 7 Plus multiple times and it just feels frustrating...

And I don’t think a “regular size” iPhone 8 would make me happy.

 

[Newtons Apple]

The size is why I went to a plus size phone. Took about a day to get used to it's size but would never go back to a smaller keyboard again. I will be looking at the X+ this fall but my current X is suiting me just fine.

 

[nburwell]

One of my main concerns were the device fitting inside the pocket of my jeans. I wear slim style. But to my astonishment, it fits in without much issues at all.

Same here with me. The 8+ barely fit (comfortably) in my jeans and dress pants. While I loved the screen and bigger keyboard of the 8+, I prefer something that fits more comfortably in my hands (I'm a 5'9 slim guy). With that said, the X, for me, was the best of both worlds. Bigger screen than the 8 and the keyboard is a slightly bigger. All in a device that is about the same as the regular 8.

 

[akash.nu]

Same here with me. The 8+ barely fit (comfortably) in my jeans and dress pants. While I loved the screen and bigger keyboard of the 8+, I prefer something that fits more comfortably in my hands (I'm a 5'9 slim guy). With that said, the X, for me, was the best of both worlds. Bigger screen than the 8 and the keyboard is a slightly bigger. All in a device that is about the same as the regular 8.

I’m not really slim but built, so even though the jeans is tight the plus phone slides in well enough.

 

[eyoungren]

I’m not really slim but built, so even though the jeans is tight the plus phone slides in well enough.

This is not directed at you, but just a comment on pockets in general…

Perhaps it's just where I shop, but as I mentioned previously, I have yet to find a pair of pants where a pocket is too small for my phone. Dickies, Faded Glory, Wrangler, Levis, all seem to have sufficient pocket width to fit a plus phone.

I suppose if people are trying to cram a plus phone into the change pocket/pocket watch pocket of their pants this could be said.

Maybe it's just because I don't shop high-end stores? Do pants from those shops come with smaller than normal pockets which would be the cause of this oft-quoted problem? Perhaps the pocket size is reduced in proportion to the price of the pants? IDK. Or maybe people seek pants with undersized pockets on purpose?

Probably I'm just not with the times and don't get it.

 

[joeblow7777]

I upgraded to the 8 Plus after 3 years with a regular sized 6.

After the first day my only regret was not having a Plus all along. Before the end of the first week it stopped even feeling like a plus sized phone. Now it just seems normal and the non-Plus models, including the X, feel too small and cramped.

I should also mention that I’m a man of average height (about 5’10”) and an average to perhaps slightly athletic build, I do not wear loose or baggy clothing, nor do I wear skinny jeans, and my 8 Plus fits comfortably in my hands and all my pants pockets.

 

[Closingracer]

This is not directed at you, but just a comment on pockets in general…

Perhaps it's just where I shop, but as I mentioned previously, I have yet to find a pair of pants where a pocket is too small for my phone. Dickies, Faded Glory, Wrangler, Levis, all seem to have sufficient pocket width to fit a plus phone.

I suppose if people are trying to cram a plus phone into the change pocket/pocket watch pocket of their pants this could be said.

Maybe it's just because I don't shop high-end stores? Do pants from those shops come with smaller than normal pockets which would be the cause of this oft-quoted problem? Perhaps the pocket size is reduced in proportion to the price of the pants? IDK. Or maybe people seek pants with undersized pockets on purpose?

Probably I'm just not with the times and don't get it.

The jeans I wear is usually. American Eagle and a few pairs of lucky jeans as well. I love American Eagle jeans because they just feel great and stretch as well. The American Eagle jeans the pockets are fine but the lucky ones the front pockets are a tad small for my note 8 ( around the same size of the iPhone plus).

 

[44267547]

The 6.5 iPhone X will easily be my next iPhone. What I’m really curious about, is what ‘Exclusive’ features does Apple provide the larger 6.5 variant that will entice the consumer to want to spend the extra money for this device. Camera upgrades seem very likely, but I think this will be the one model that will be sought after, strictly because of a bigger battery and larger viewing experience with the display is warranted enough for some.

 

[rui no onna]

Never been a plus size guy, always gone for the non-plus and always been completely happy. But for some reason I find myself tech geeking out and am curious about a plus size. I myself am not a big guy though, 5'5" so a plus size is pretty unwieldy to be honest, based on the times I've tried one at the Apple store. For the record I'm also a pretty light phone user (battery typically at ~85% after 16-17 hours from taking it off the charger in the morning until putting it back on the charger at night) and I have an iPad I use around the house. I'm not a big content consumer on a phone other than a bit of safari. Also not a gamer, mainly use my phone as a utility tool.

For those of you who have gone from 4.7" to 5.5", how was the transition? Do you have regrets not sticking with 4.7"? Does the plus size feel like a clown phone?

5'2" female with short stubby fingers. I actually got the 6 Plus first thinking I'd just use two hands whenever I use it. However, I found there were too many situations where it was a bit too big and awkward to use one-handed (e.g. grocery, etc). The size also had it slipping from my fingers too frequently. Another problem was it didn't eliminate my need to always carry the iPad. The 16:9 5.5" display was a poor substitute for the iPad's 4:3 9.7" particularly for web browsing in landscape. I always have a purse anyway which can fit the 9.7" iPad Air just as easily as the 6+ (iPad's actually easier to find inside that black hole). After two months with the 6+, I gave up and got a 4.7" iPhone 6 instead.

On a side note, I often wonder why they even bother putting front pockets in women's pants/jeans. Feels like the only thing they're good for is lipstick or cash.

 

[Falhófnir]

I personally go with the plus models because I find the battery life of the 4.7” models lacking... and also because I got spoilt by the 401ppi and can now notice the difference to 326 in general usage - not a huge deal but it’s there. Other than that I probably would be content with the smaller formfactor, or in particular the (effectively 5” 16:9) of the X.