Purchased both 7 and 7 Plus

[TrueBlou]

I'm 6'4" with big hands and I hated the 7+. For the life of me I could not manage one-handed use with it no matter what. Got the 7 and I'm so glad I did. Love the size.

Having said that, if apple manages to shave some of the top and bottom bezels in the next Plus I'd consider it.

Bout the same as me, though I've no problem with its size. I can comfortably wrap my hand round the phone so that my fingers touch and the only part of the screen I find a slight stretch is the upper right corner (holding in left hand.) But I guess that's why reachability is there.

After two years it just feels normal, when I have to do something to my wife's 4.7" iPhone it actually feels small and awkward to use to me now. It slips around in my hand as I try to use it, it's a lot like watching a gorilla with a TV remote I'd imagine

I don't have pocket problems with it because I don't wear skinny jeans, never going to happen, everyone who isn't a woman looks odd in skinny jeans and don't even get me started on meggings

Anyway, that's beside the point, everyone is going to be different, only natural. The advice I normally give to petite people is, don't buy a Plus unless you're happy to use it two handed. If you don't have BFG sized hands and want to comfortably use a phone one handed, the smaller iPhone is a much better match for you.

I've no doubt next years model will come in a smaller frame. But if my experience with large screened Android phones is anything to go by my advice will stay the same, the small difference in size doesn't seem to make much of a difference in use. Even on the S7 Edge which is smaller than the iPhone 7 with the same size screen, I still found the top right corner to be about as much of a stretch, so no real change for me. But hey, like I say, that's just me.

 

[mattopotamus]

Bout the same as me, though I've no problem with its size. I can comfortably wrap my hand round the phone so that my fingers touch and the only part of the screen I find a slight stretch is the upper right corner (holding in left hand.) But I guess that's why reachability is there.

After two years it just feels normal, when I have to do something to my wife's 4.7" iPhone it actually feels small and awkward to use to me now. It slips around in my hand as I try to use it, it's a lot like watching a gorilla with a TV remote I'd imagine

I don't have pocket problems with it because I don't wear skinny jeans, never going to happen, everyone who isn't a woman looks odd in skinny jeans and don't even get me started on meggings

Anyway, that's beside the point, everyone is going to be different, only natural. The advice I normally give to petite people is, don't buy a Plus unless you're happy to use it two handed. If you don't have BFG sized hands and want to comfortably use a phone one handed, the smaller iPhone is a much better match for you.

I've no doubt next years model will come in a smaller frame. But if my experience with large screened Android phones is anything to go by my advice will stay the same, the small difference in size doesn't seem to make much of a difference in use. Even on the S7 Edge which is smaller than the iPhone 7 with the same size screen, I still found the top right corner to be about as much of a stretch, so no real change for me. But hey, like I say, that's just me.

Just to add to this. I think most people do not realize how often they use two hands on the phone. IMO, both the 4.7" and the 5.5" are two handed device. Sure you can wield the 4.7" better, but most people are going to have to shift the phone or use two hands to reach all parts of the screen.

 

[TrueBlou]

Just to add to this. I think most people do not realize how often they use two hands on the phone. IMO, both the 4.7" and the 5.5" are two handed device. Sure you can wield the 4.7" better, but most people are going to have to shift the phone or use two hands to reach all parts of the screen.

Definitely, even with reachability sometimes it's just more convenient to get both hands on the go. Even though I can comfortably tap out a message with one hand, I mostly find myself switching to using both thumbs as it's far, far quicker to use them.

 

[_Refurbished_]

Oh Im not saying Apple doent need to cut the size down.

But it's really a lot closer than you would think looking at them. I think the slim bezels give it the illusion that the device is narrower than it really is.

The difference is actually negligible if you got out a tape measure and saw how small 1 or 3mm really is.

If we were talking Galaxy S7 (only a 5.1 screen) vs Plus then yes it's like 8mm narrower, a pretty significant difference (1/3rd of an inch).

My point is it's not negligible. I owned and used both devices. There was a tangible difference for everyday use.

 

[rijc99]

My point is it's not negligible. I owned and used both devices. There was a tangible difference for everyday use.

I second your impression. There's definitely a tangible difference. I can use the 7 one handed all day without having to shift the phone. When I used a 6S Plus there was constant shifting and switching to two handed use. Not great when carrying stuff and trying to text or dial.

 

[TrueBlou]

I second your impression. There's definitely a tangible difference. I can use the 7 one handed all day without having to shift the phone. When I used a 6S Plus there was constant shifting and switching to two handed use. Not great when carrying stuff and trying to text or dial.

Your hands aren't big enough, I can manage to type one handed, as I am just now, get your digits in a grow bag

Kidding aside, there definitely is a little difference in using other devices with matching screen sizes but smaller frames.

Though from my own experiences in using various devices, I still think if you have difficulty with a 5 inch or larger screen on any device, then you're going to have to compromise at some points regardless of the frame size. There's just no getting away from the physical space such a screen requires.

Shaving 8mm off the width of the phone definitely helps, but if you can't reach every part of a 5, 5.5, 6inch or whatever, then you're going to have to employ 2 thumbs sometimes. I've used phones without bezels so you're essentially just dealing with the screen and the same issues still exist, albeit to a slightly lesser degree at times.

 

[karinatwork]

Had a 6 Plus because I loved the idea of the larger screen. But for the entire two years, I always felt like I was unhappy with handling the phone. Yes, I carry a purse, and the phone is in my purse, but when I use it, I HAVE to use two hands. Which, when carrying a purse in one hand, is super tricky. I have switched back to a 7, and the first few days were hard. But now that I've gotten used to having a smaller device again, I love it. It is considerably smaller than the 6+, but not too small, and considerably easier to operate one-handed. Everyone who has tried to hold the Plus in one hand and then push the home button knows that feeling of precariously balancing the phone in one hand, hoping it won't topple over the edge. The large screen is awesome. Two cameras are awesome. The better resolution is awesome. But portability is key in a mobile device. (My 2 cents).

 

[Griffs65]

Been using the two sizes for a year, black 6 plus and white 6s, just done upgrade program today and bought a white 7 plus (must say the black Matt looks best). But now prefer the white easier on the eyes for some reason, getting older now . For me it's more of a reading, music, photography and Entertainment device than a phone so the plus is better. If you are mostly a phone user get the small one. Having had the two phones (Mrs had my white 6s) l'd rather put up with the larger size for the things that are important to me. Good luck if above makes sense (dyslexic)

 

[Tsuchiya]

Torn between the two. Had a 6+ for two years now, and I've really enjoyed and appreciated the bigger screen and battery life. Especially given how much I watch videos on it when out and about.

The 4.7" model just feels right in my hand though, and makes navigation on the go a cinch, whereas my 6+ requires constant hand gymnastics.

Feel like if I don't go for the plus this time around, I'll need to get an iPad mini or something to carry on the go.

 

[TrueBlou]

Had a 6 Plus because I loved the idea of the larger screen. But for the entire two years, I always felt like I was unhappy with handling the phone. Yes, I carry a purse, and the phone is in my purse, but when I use it, I HAVE to use two hands. Which, when carrying a purse in one hand, is super tricky. I have switched back to a 7, and the first few days were hard. But now that I've gotten used to having a smaller device again, I love it. It is considerably smaller than the 6+, but not too small, and considerably easier to operate one-handed. Everyone who has tried to hold the Plus in one hand and then push the home button knows that feeling of precariously balancing the phone in one hand, hoping it won't topple over the edge. The large screen is awesome. Two cameras are awesome. The better resolution is awesome. But portability is key in a mobile device. (My 2 cents).

While I can't agree with the home button situation, but that's because of my ogre sized hands

I do definitely agree that for some the larger device is just far too cumbersome.

My wife, who refuses to own any phone larger than the 4.7", she's a petite wee lass. Has great difficulty using my phone. She tried out of curiosity, but there was literally no way she could use it at all one handed, physical impossibility.

I think really that's what it boils down to. If you're a gargantuan such as myself the Plus feels like the right size, I can use it comfortably.
But for the more petite among us, I think the primary consideration has to be the size of your hands. If you have nice dainty little hands you're either going to have to settle for using the Plus almost exclusively with two hands, or settle for the more appropriately sized smaller device.

It's just a shame Apple don't seem to consider that some people just can't justify using a bigger phone for no other reason than their ability to comfortably use it so they miss out on the dual cameras. I'm sure they could have added dual cameras to the smaller device if they really wanted too. I'd be less than surprised if next years model gets them.

 

[nidserz]

I upgraded from a 6 to a 7 Plus mainly because of the dual cameras. I love to take photos, especially when I travel (usually 3-4 times a year). My hands are tiny, and I just can't be comfortable using the 7 Plus on a daily basis. I mean I can't even reach across the screen with my thumb small. I have been using the LG G5 for the last 3 weeks and just managed ok, but the 7 Plus is quite a bit bigger than that. I also like to be able to put my phone in my front pocket, and scroll with one hand, tap to scroll to top, access the camera etc with one hand. I know people say you get used to the Plus size, but I think I the pros of being able to feel comfortable with using my phone on an everyday basis is more important than the bokeh/zoom of the camera.

I have ordered and getting my brother to pick up a regular iPhone 7 for me tomorrow. I will try using the plus a bit over the next few days, and if I somehow get comfortable with it, I will return the 7 before it gets to me. Otherwise, will sell the 7 Plus.

 

[iObama]

I can't wait for all the people who wear skinning jeans look at themselves in photos in like 10 years. Just thought I would throw that out.

I don't think making the bezel on the top is going to help you much.

Kinda like how people now look back at their loose jeans from 10 years ago and cringe?

 

[zone23]

Kinda like how people now look back at their loose jeans from 10 years ago and cringe?

Do you mean like parachute pants yeah.

 

[aka777]

The design of the 7+ is the worst part of it. It is veritably huge compared to many similar screen size phones on the Android side and I fully expect Apple to tout how they managed to cram the same stuff in a smaller shell for the iPhone 8+ as if it's something new.

This is quite true. For a company who will sacrifice battery to save a mm, it's amazing how much large their plus is versus the competition, whose phone's have larger screens too.

 

[pdxmatts]

I had pre ordered a 7 jet black. Coming from a 6+ I loved the portability and size.
The killer was the battery. I'm spoiled by the plus.
Just changed to a 7+ and feel much better. Battery life is the same as the 6+.
I will say the 7 was def faster than the 7+ it's just too bad the battery won't last a day with heavy use.

How is the 7 faster than the 7+ ??

 

[janeauburn]

I'd probably keep the plus if I agreed with with what you said but for me I think the 7/6 pocket comfortably. Whereas the plus is on the verge of sticking out of my jean pockets.

No iPhone has ever been comfortable in my pocket, and that includes the too-thick SE/5.

The last phone I had that was comfortable was the BlackBerry Curve. Tiny and thin!

Apple doesn't really make phones for pockets. They make them for people who walk around zombie-like staring all day at the phones in their hands, apparently too neurotic or uncomfortable to actually look around at the world they live in. Sad.

 

[Ronnoco]

I could never go back to a smaller display. I saw a guy with a 4S the other day and it look like a child's toy phone. That thing was tiny. Lol

 

[Benito]

I've had the 7 plus now for a couple of days and I have to say that I am getting used to the size of it, even with my small hands. I'm keeping the Plus and find that it is relatively easy to get used to the larger size. The benefits of the extra screen space and duo camera make it worth getting used to.

 

[clarencek]

How is the 7 faster than the 7+ ??

I'm assuming the less pixels to push the faster the phone.
It's pretty noticeable - at least for me.