Thoughts on 7 Standard versus 7 Plus size

[simonmet]

I recently switched from the standard-sized iPhone 7 to the Plus size and these are my thoughts.

Firstly, the reason I switched is because I sold my laptop and don't own any other computer, device (iPad) or TV so the phone is my only source of entertainment. Until recently I thought I'd never get a Plus-sized phone but since selling the laptop I started to become increasingly curious about the Plus size. I like to watch videos on the phone, particularly in bed and I felt that I was missing out on a lot of video quality because of the iPhone 7's just better than 720p resolution. I then did a quick calculation and found out the Plus phone has (just) over twice the number of pixels of the 7. That's a lot.

After a week of so of use my thoughts on the Plus size are mixed and less than I hoped and perhaps even disappointing, even considering the much boosted resolution for video and here's why.

The Plus size is far to big to use single-handedly. The standard size is about the upper limit of comfortable single-handed use. As a result, I found myself using the phone far less when out and about. Previously I would often use the phone when carrying a coffee or shopping bag and now I can't. This sux and represents a regression in functionality as far as I'm concerned.

Secondly, there are many apps and games that have become harder to use and now require two hands or are just generally more fatiguing.

I don't really take photos so the telephoto lens is kind of meaningless to me.

I've found my right hand and arm becoming fatigued and strained from using the larger screen.

It's not all bad. I will say the bigger screen is better for videos (TV and movies). Browsing the web is also nicer, when I can devote two hands to holding the phone that is. But I'm not feeling that the advantages are worth the added size and cost of the Plus model. I didn't realise how much I used the phone single-handedly and how much harder it was going to be with the Plus size. These are things I needed to experience first-hand to find out I guess, but at least now I know.

I now feel I should've kept the standard size and got a cheap second-hand iPad for home use instead. I kind of didn't want to have multiple iOS devices though so I wanted to test if a Plus-size phone would fill the niche of a phone and tablet but in my opinion it doesn't. It's a limited phone because of its size (too big) and a limited tablet because of it's size (too small).

I will probably keep it for now (haven't decided yet) but I'll definitely switch back to the smaller size when the iPhone 8 comes out. My hope is that the 8 manages to reconcile some of the advantages of a larger, higher-resolution screen with the smaller form-factor of the standard-sized iPhone. Rumours suggest it'll do exactly that.

So I wanted to share my thoughts for anyone else considering the switch.

What are your experiences regarding the two sizes and does anyone else feel the same as me?

 

[blaine07]

I think big is the only way I know. Go big; or go home. ‍♂️

 

[tjwilliams25]

I used to be vehemently against larger phones, making fun of Android users and the like. And then the iPhone 6 came out and completely changed my viewpoint. I tried a Plus out at my Target store and was amazed at how well it fit my hands. I used to get hand cramps with my 5s and now I don't nearly as much since I've switched. It's true that the larger size makes it more difficult to do some things one-handed, but it also makes maneuvering easier if you happen to have larger hands like myself. Of course, it's always good to have variety since one thing that works for one person might not work for another.

 

[blaine07]

I'll make another suggestion; as goofy as this sounds..

Look into a "Loopy" case. Has the Loop on back. Make the big ole Plus 10X more easily manageable. Can carry phone and other stuff in hands using loop, removes fear of dropping it because you need to reach top left of screen and if you have short fat fingers like me it's hard to do. Every time I mention Loopy people think I'm stoooopid until they try it.

Here, I'll even give you a link: https://www.loopycases.com/collections/apple/products/loopy-iphone-7-plus

Just something to consider. Makes plus phone SO much easier to manage with the loop. A pretty good case to boot. Aaron the Ho at MobileReviews-eh.ca rates it highly too: https://www.mobilereviews-eh.ca/loopy-case-review-iphone-7-cases/

Maybe this case is a compromise to help with the fatigues etc associated with big phone?

/the end just food for though.

Edit: BEST thing about Loopy is you won't drop phone on face in bed watching videos.

 

[capathy21]

I recently switched from the standard-sized iPhone 7 to the Plus size and these are my thoughts.

Firstly, the reason I switched is because I sold my laptop and don't own any other computer, device (iPad) or TV so the phone is my only source of entertainment. Until recently I thought I'd never get a Plus-sized phone but since selling the laptop I started to become increasingly curious about the Plus size. I like to watch videos on the phone, particularly in bed and I felt that I was missing out on a lot of video quality because of the iPhone 7's just better than 720p resolution. I then did a quick calculation and found out the Plus phone has (just) over twice the number of pixels of the 7. That's a lot.

After a week of so of use my thoughts on the Plus size are mixed and less than I hoped and perhaps even disappointing, even considering the much boosted resolution for video and here's why.

The Plus size is far to big to use single-handedly. The standard size is about the upper limit of comfortable single-handed use. As a result, I found myself using the phone far less when out and about. Previously I would often use the phone when carrying a coffee or shopping bag and now I can't. This sux and represents a regression in functionality as far as I'm concerned.

Secondly, there are many apps and games that have become harder to use and now require two hands or are just generally more fatiguing.

I don't really take photos so the telephoto lens is kind of meaningless to me.

I've found my right hand and arm becoming fatigued and strained from using the larger screen.

It's not all bad. I will say the bigger screen is better for videos (TV and movies). Browsing the web is also nicer, when I can devote two hands to holding the phone that is. But I'm not feeling that the advantages are worth the added size and cost of the Plus model. I didn't realise how much I used the phone single-handedly and how much harder it was going to be with the Plus size. These are things I needed to experience first-hand to find out I guess, but at least now I know.

I now feel I should've kept the standard size and got a cheap second-hand iPad for home use instead. I kind of didn't want to have multiple iOS devices though so I wanted to test if a Plus-size phone would fill the niche of a phone and tablet but in my opinion it doesn't. It's a limited phone because of its size (too big) and a limited tablet because of it's size (too small).

I will probably keep it for now (haven't decided yet) but I'll definitely switch back to the smaller size when the iPhone 8 comes out. My hope is that the 8 manages to reconcile some of the advantages of a larger, higher-resolution screen with the smaller form-factor of the standard-sized iPhone. Rumours suggest it'll do exactly that.

So I wanted to share my thoughts for anyone else considering the switch.

What are your experiences regarding the two sizes and does anyone else feel the same as me?

I used to think the same way about the plus as you do now. I didn't think I could use it one handed (I couldn't at first until I learned how) and I hated how tall it was. You really have to change the way you hold the phone. I have rather small hands for a man and I use the plus one handed every day. Like you, in the beginning I had hand/arm fatigue and just thought it was ridiculous. But after learning how to basically balance it on my pinky (pinky on the bottom, ring, middle, and index fingers on the back, and thumb to navigate, I use it one handed all the time. Typing usually requires two hands if I want to be fast but the only key I have an issue reaching with my right thumb when typing one handed is the CAPS arrow.

Give it some time and I can almost guarantee you will never go back to a smaller one. The advantage of a much better display and battery life is enough to stick with it.

 

[Deacon-Blues]

On September 13, 2014, I made the following comment about the iPhone 6 Plus;

It looks pretty huge but then again there was a time I said the iPhone 5 was too big. Then I said the iPhone 6 was too big, but I just bought one. So two years from now I may be posting on this forum on a Plus sized iPhone. Right now to me, the Plus looks clown-sized, but I do seem to be slowly adjusting my preferences upward.

I am posting on an iPhone 7 Plus. I'll never go smaller. OP you'll adjust.

 

[simonmet]

Thanks for the replies guys (including gals).

You've convinced me to keep it. Less than one week probably isn't enough to form a proper opinion. I'm probably also suffering a bit of "upgrader's remorse" because I'm unemployed and poor and put money from the sale of my laptop towards the upgrade.

I think when I get my high quality videos loaded onto the device I'll be happy. It's definitely better for some landscape games too.

I found some minor fatigue when I switched from the 5s to a 7 and that subsided so I'm hoping this will too.

Thanks again

 

[cbreze]

I tried a 6+ and used it for about 6 months. It was ok size wise, but I don't do that much one handed anyway. I don't need to always have my phone in hand ready to use like when carrying something else. As the days and weeks passed by I found the only thing I really liked about it was enjoying a larger screen when browsing the web. Pocketing it was a concern all the time. In any case I opted for a smaller 7 about 3 months ago and like the size a lot better. Fits right in my shirt pocket. I have a laptop at home for everything else anyway. So to each their own preferences.

 

[44267547]

Thanks for the replies guys (including gals).

You've convinced me to keep it. Less than one week probably isn't enough to form a proper opinion. I'm probably also suffering a bit of "upgrader's remorse" because I'm unemployed and poor and put money from the sale of my laptop towards the upgrade.

I think when I get my high quality videos loaded onto the device I'll be happy. It's definitely better for some landscape games too.

I found some minor fatigue when I switched from the 5s to a 7 and that subsided so I'm hoping this will too.

Thanks again

I own The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. I'm actually surprised how much I gravitated towards the 7 Plus and I quickly adjusted to the size of it. The selling points for me were the battery, 1080 P screen, and dual camera. The stereo speakers is my favorite feature, as I use the speaker quite often for phone calls and the clarity is amazing.

I always say, if one can adjust to the size of the Plus, it's easily the Better of the two iPhones.

 

[Loveandterror]

I switched from a 5s to the 7 yesterday and I can't fault it in size. I held the 7 plus in my hands today and it felt like a brick ( I'm a girl and I have small hands ), of course its much more fun to watch videos on there or browse the web, but I'd be too worried of dropping it all the time.
For you, the plus is probably the best option. I'm sure you will enjoy it for a long time

 

[wproct]

I have a similar situation. I previously owned a 5s which I absolutely loved, but it was only 16g of storage and I wanted more. I struggled between getting, an SE which would have been the same size as my 5s, or a 6s. I decided to go for the 6s. I've been battling buyers remorse as the 6s is way more cumbersome in my pocket and is not as handy for one handed use. However, the 6s is much faster and easier to read websites etc. I have made up my mind to just keep the 6s and hope it grows on me. Worst case scenario I just go back to the 5s because I kept it also. I think it just takes some getting used to, I hope.

 

[Zaft]

I had the plus and now have the 6S 4.7. Though the plus is nice I found it cumbersome.
It cant replace my iPad at home anyway. The issue is the bezels, they are too big but the iPhone 8 will reduce them by a lot hopefully.

 

[Will22]

I went from 3GS to 4 to 4s and then to all sorts of android and windows large phones until I came back iphone with the 6, then a 6s and a 7 last year. I tried a 7+ but sent it back after a week because of the size.

In January I thought I would give it another go and use it only rather than going from 7-7+ a few times a day. After a few weeks I went back to the 7 and does it look and feel small.

The thing that helped me get used to the size most was the jet black as it is so much easier to hold. Because of the fear of the jet black scratching I went for black with my 7 and the first 7+ I tried. Don't think I would go back now although I'll keep the 7 because I'm trying to get my wife to change to iOS from windows.

All I need now is to be able to jailbreak them

 

[Gachiennuocmam]

Ive been living with the bulky brick 7+ for months and now i just got a new little SE. At first i love how small and convenient in hand the SE is but after a few hours with it went back to 7+ because just of its large screen.