Size Question For Long Time iPhone Users

[Abstract]

I've owned the following smartphones:

3.5" iPhone 3GS
4.3" Samsung Galaxy S2
4.5" Nokia 925
5.0" Nokia 930
5.2" Nexus 5X (for 6 weeks.....hated it)
4.0" iPhone SE

I didn't know how much I loved being able to comfortably type with one hand, while securely gripping the phone.

I always thought that I was able to securely hold my Nokia 925, but someone bumped into my hand on a tram one day (not really his fault...), and I dropped my phone. I don't think this could possibly happen with my iPhone SE. It's so small that I have a vice grip on that thing.

I didn't know how much I missed being able to use my phone one-handed until my daughter was born. She's 19 months now, and runs around a lot. There's no time for 2-handed use. One arm can be used for operating my phone, while the other can be used for something parenting related.


I can type with one hand on my old 4.5" Nokia 925, but that's the largest screen size I'm willing to go. It's more comfortable to hold than any phone I've ever had, but not more comfortable to use.

My favourite screen size was the Galaxy S2 with the 4.3" screen, but the phone sucked. This is my favourite screen size, but since a good phone with 4.3" screen doesn't exist on the market, I think the 4.0" iPhone SE is the best phone for me. It's so perfect that I may not buy another phone for 3-4 years.

Oh, and battery life is stellar.

 

[Howyalikdemapls]

I started with the iPhone 4. It was cool but I hated the small screen. Then got the iPhone 5. It was better but I hated the small screen. I jumped to the 6+ and I like using it but I hate how it feels in my pocket when I try to climb stairs, hike or sit. I'll be getting a 4.7" iPhone 7 next month but I really wish they would make a 5.1" screen and reduce the bezels so I can have a decent size screen in a small footprint.

 

[12vElectronics]

I've had my 6+ since launch day 2014

I think a 5.0-5.2 inch screen would have been perfect. The 5.5 is just too big.

 

[5105973]

I go way back with iPhones after using Treos and T-Mobile Dash. My favorite size was the iPhone 4...that just disappeared into even my small girly clothes pockets so easily. 5s tended to get stuck a little.

I went to the iPhone 6 and then 6S Plus and truly loved the additional functionality of the bigger screen and big storage capacity and the nice camera with OIS. But I'm not one to carry my phone in my purse. Not even with the Apple Watch to send me my notifications. I missed being able to slip my phone into my pocket. I use the camera a lot.

So I've gone to the SE as my daily driver. I had to take the sim out of the 6S Plus and put it in the SE. I have an iPad mini 4 for web surfing. It is just weird how it all worked out for me but I really want and use the three size categories: small pocket phone, phablet and tablet. I was using my 6S Plus as a pocket computer, running apps that I don't want to load onto the smaller SE's 64 GB storage or use on its smaller screen. Most of these are daily planner type apps and lifestyle apps for crafts and recipes. I have some of those on my iPad mini, too.

For a phablet, I really want the ability to have stylus input for some functions. So I have replaced my 6S Plus with the Note 7 which has its own sim and new phone number. I'm very happy with Android and thanks to help from fellow forum members the transition has been smooth for me. My Apple and Android devices work together across cross platform services that I am still in the process of migrating everything to.

TL/DR--I use three device sizes. Small, phablet and tablet for different purposes and situations.

 

[dennysanders]

The reason I am not as interested in former android users is because I am sure many have switched over because of the larger screen sizes. I am a big boy.

i think you should have narrowed it to more than just iPhone users; iPhone users with big hands, perhaps

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

i think you should have narrowed it to more than just iPhone users; iPhone users with big hands, perhaps

The reason I didn't do that is because one could be used to using a smaller phone, due to Apple's first 7 phones being 4" or under, regardless of their hand size. I have large hands, yet still don't like the idea of using a phone that big. Some with small hands could have a complete opposite mindset. All in all it is probably a thread that never needed to be created. No matter what answers I get, I am still going to be torn on which size I prefer. I have been battling it since day one of the 6 release.

 

[JerTheGeek]

No matter what answers I get, I am still going to be torn on which size I prefer. I have been battling it since day one of the 6 release.

lol I am the same way with tech, it takes me forever to decide which size is for me. I went back and forth with the iPads, got the iPad 3, then the mini then the air, but still wanted to try the mini 4 which I did briefly before switching to an air 2 (I love the size and i wouldn't switch to a mini or 12.9", but I still wonder sometimes cause I'm just indecisive when it comes to tech )
Still looking forward to the iPhone 7 event and launch, and still planning on the 7 Plus. Should be fun, see if I like it, hoping I will cause of the added benefits of its size.

 

[dennysanders]

The reason I didn't do that is because one could be used to using a smaller phone, due to Apple's first 7 phones being 4" or under, regardless of their hand size. I have large hands, yet still don't like the idea of using a phone that big. Some with small hands could have a complete opposite mindset. All in all it is probably a thread that never needed to be created. No matter what answers I get, I am still going to be torn on which size I prefer. I have been battling it since day one of the 6 release.

gotcha.

my thumb doesn't quite reach the top left corner of my 6. that would have been really annoying to me if i had never learned about the dropdown feature where you double-tap the home button to bring the screen down a bit. i don't wanna have to use two hands just to be able to tap a different part of the screen. the size of the 6 is probably as big as i'll ever go.

 

[Osamede]

gotcha.

my thumb doesn't quite reach the top left corner of my 6. that would have been really annoying to me if i had never learned about the dropdown feature where you double-tap the home button to bring the screen down a bit. i don't wanna have to use two hands just to be able to tap a different part of the screen. the size of the 6 is probably as big as i'll ever go.

But that same function works exactly the same on the 6 plus. Just sayin' ;-)

 

[dennysanders]

But that same function works exactly the same on the 6 plus. Just sayin' ;-)

true. i feel like i would have to use that feature more, though, with the +. i don't like having to use that. but i do when i have to. 5 was perfect for me but my eyes are so used to this larger screen now, i can't go back down.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

gotcha.

my thumb doesn't quite reach the top left corner of my 6. that would have been really annoying to me if i had never learned about the dropdown feature where you double-tap the home button to bring the screen down a bit. i don't wanna have to use two hands just to be able to tap a different part of the screen. the size of the 6 is probably as big as i'll ever go.

That is exactly my issue with the 5.5". I can do everything one handed except reach that top left corner. I'd imagine my experience with the 5.5" size is similar to yours with the 4.7". I didn't overly mind using that reachability feature. It's the matter of getting into the habit when I don't have to use it all on this 6S.