Smartphone screen size?

[Planterz]

I'm curious about what other knifenuts prefer when it comes to the size of their cell phones. My current phone (Samsung Galaxy Light) is a smallish 4". My previous phone (Droid Razr Maxx) had a 4.3" screen. I want bigger, but not so dang big that I can't put it in my pocket. My next phone will be the OnePlus One, as soon as I can get ahold of one. But this thing is a monster. Not just spec-wise, but it has a 5.5" screen, and the phone itself is 6" tall and 3" wide. I'm worried though that I won't be able to carry it in my pocket easily, since in that same pocket I'll have a Spyderco Endura and one of my traditional knives. Although I want something with a bigger screen, I have to admit I like the dinky size of my Galaxy Light because it's so small in the pocket.

On a side-note, remember 10 years ago when you were bragging about how small your cellphone was? I remember when a coworker bought the iPhone when it first came out (3.2" screen), and thinking to myself that I'd never carry something so freaking huge.

So how big of a phone do ya'll carry? Do you keep it in your pocket or in a case on your belt?

 

[SVTFreak]

iPhone. I had galaxy s4 but too many little things irritate me. I don't really miss the extra screen and actually like the smaller phone.

Also had a note 2 for a little while. Not no but hell no.

 

[sideways]

I'mma have to go with freaking HUGE.

Wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[SPNKr]

I have small hands so I prefer small-medium sized screens, but the Nexus 5 was too good to pass on. Though I have to admit, after moving to a large screen, it does feel awkward using a smaller screen again.

 

[Bob6794]

I own a Razr M and yeah I miss the days when we were bragging about how small and slim our phones were. Now we have phones which don't fit in our pockets. A girl I knew had her phone hanging out of her back pocket all the time because the thing couldn't fit in her pocket properly, heck the thing would take up one of my entire front pockets. I wonder if I am the only person who think people look funny holding those big clown phones to their head to talk.

 

[macknife12]

I own a Razr M and yeah I miss the days when we were bragging about how small and slim our phones were. Now we have phones which don't fit in our pockets. A girl I knew had her phone hanging out of her back pocket all the time because the thing couldn't fit in her pocket properly, heck the thing would take up one of my entire front pockets. I wonder if I am the only person who think people look funny holding those big clown phones to their head to talk.

With you there,
Reminds me of the 'Shoe Phone' gag.
Cheers

 

[jkwithawave]

Whatever the size my Galaxy S4 is. I don't watch too many videos or movies on it so I don't need the extra screen. I have a television for all that.

 

[RevDevil]

I have an iPhone 5.

 

[trestle]

I have a 4.3" HTC but am hoping to move to a 5" screen on the next phone. However, that's about the max I'm willing to carry.

I occasionally use the belt clip when I have too much in my pocket but it's kind of fobbish so it gets left home a lot. I've been using the chest pocket on my jackets lately; I live where you need one most of the year so it's convenient.

 

[farmboy]

I have a Samsung Note 3 and it's big. My aging eyes appreciate actually being able to see whats on the screen, especially the calendar.

 

[Munchy]

I have the Samsung note 2. It's pretty easy to carry even with its 5.5" screen without a case but when I had a case it felt like a brick in my pocket. I've dropped it a few times onto concrete without the case and it's still going strong!

 

[jstrykr74]

Q10 with a 3.1" screen. That sounds small but because the screen is square it's as wide as a larger screen but with the bottom cut off. I much prefer the physical keyboard to a touch screen keyboard. The screen is a little small for videos, but that's what the 70" tv's for.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have a Samsung Note 3 and it's big. My aging eyes appreciate actually being able to see whats on the screen, especially the calendar.

I was looking at the Note 3 as a replacement for my Samsung S3 as my 2-year contract is just about "up". Many here had mentioned that they really liked it and I was hoping for something that I could "write" on for notes in the field. Don't think it is all that practical for me. I compared it to my phone and I normally carry the phone in a shirt pocket.... The Note is too dang big. But then as others have mentioned, I remember folks comparing their phones and the sizes. I used a bag phone years ago for work. So, I know big phones. Think I will probably go with the Samsung S5 in a month or so.

Never watched a video on my phone. Don't intend to. Don't stream the radio or anything either. Those activities really eat up the gigs.

I just got one of Verizon's Tablets (free with 2yr contract +data) and will be learning about tablets now. This will be my first experience with them other than messing with them in the store.

 

[HwangJino]

My galaxy s4 is about is large as I want it. Perfect screen size IMO. IPhone screens are tiny.

 

[snapyafangaz]

I'm an iPhone (5) man. No hate for Android as an OS (it's ahead of iOS in many ways), just happen to be on that bandwagon, but I do love the build quality and the form factor of the iPhone. I'm frankly worried about them finally caving in and upping the size with the iPhone 6. I carry the 5 in my front pocket with no case, and I love that I can't even tell it's there.

That said, I have an iPad Mini and love it, and I suspect we'll see the line between phones and tablets blur even more in the future. The less and less people actually make voice calls, the more and more an iPhone starts to look like a tiny iPad (or fill in your favorite Android equivalent).

 

[rickdarris2004]

Currently on the iPhone 5. Had a Note 3 for the last 3 months, great phone, just not something I really enjoyed using. That and my entire computer lineup is Apple. Looking forward to seeing what the iPhone 6 has in store

 

[Planterz]

I'm an iPhone (5) man. No hate for Android as an OS (it's ahead of iOS in many ways), just happen to be on that bandwagon, but I do love the build quality and the form factor of the iPhone. I'm frankly worried about them finally caving in and upping the size with the iPhone 6. I carry the 5 in my front pocket with no case, and I love that I can't even tell it's there.

It is kinda odd, although not suprising, that Apple is hopping on the Android bandwagon of larger cell phone screen sizes. Steve Jobs' vision (never mind how you feel about the man) was a phone that was easily usable with one hand, and I can certainly understand that. But of course, his preference isn't necessarily the majority's preference, and people have seemed to want bigger screens. I think the 4.7" screen of the iPhone 6 is just about "right" - personally if could design a phone, it'd have a screen with that size. Big enough to have a full-HD screen, but not so big you can't use it one-handed. But of course, I'm a guy with average sized hands. Some people I know that switched from iPhones to Android wanted a bigger screen, but on the opposite side of that same token, many people I know who have stuck with iPhones have primarily done so because of the smaller size. So it baffles me why Apple would abandon the smaller phones (word is, for a while anyway, that they'll still offer the 5C while the 6 and 6S - the 5.5" phablet - are their main offerings).

Similarly, it baffles me why there aren't good small Androids being produced. Companies like HTC, Samsung, and LG put out "mini" versions of their flagships (the One, S4, G2) , but they're only "mini" versions in appearance. All are neutered in at least a few ways. Inferior cameras, low-res screens, less RAM, weaker processors, etc. The only small Android phone that could be considered a flaghship (having top specs, and high performance) is the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact. Apart from the obvious smaller battery and smaller screen (still 720p HD), it's identical to its bigger brother. Same Snapdragon 800@2.2GHz, same 2GB RAM, same 20.7MP camera. In fact, because it has a 720p screen instead of a 1080p, it actually outperforms the Z1 (fewer pixels to push). But it's the ONLY phone like that. The other "mini" versions of flagship phones out there, while still decent phones, aren't truly worthy of being compared to their namesakes. And for some dumb reason, the Z1 Compact isn't officially available in the US (but you can get one on Amazon or eBay).

 

[sideways]

I want a big screen 1) to get stuff done since I spend a lot of time on my phone and 2) to have a big enough battery. Many of the smaller phones come up short with their batteries.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think many people who don't want a larger smartphone will get a mini if they are aware that they are available. The basic smart phone functions (maybe the camera could be better?) are met they would appear to fill an important niche. Honestly, I seldom ever take a picture with my smartphone and my use consists of telephone calls, a convenient contact list, texting, checking email when I am out and about if I need to, and a basic calculator. All the other stuff.... I never use.