How do you feel about giant phones/phablets?

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Halcyon

Member
I have a DROID RAZR and can hold it quite easily in my hand. Its very thin and light. I can take it out of my pocket no problem.

I think most people just don't know how to hold bigger phones in one hand. You gotta rest the bottom on your pinky and lean it against the rest of your fingers. That frees up your thumb to get the most range of motion.
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
Guy at work has a Galaxy note, it really looks stupidly large when he calls on it.

I rock a 4S iPad 3 combo, and it suits me fine.

At least we have choices though.
See, I would love to go Apple, iOS is easily the best OS, and their products are second to none. It's just too much of a financial commitment. I pay £10 a month on an 18 month contract for my Note, with nothing up front, a 4S was going to cost me at least £35 a month, for 24 months with £150 up front. I make that £180 for my Note against £990 for the 4S, it's ludicrous. Throw an iPad 3 on there and your are talking £1500, it just isn't worth it. It's nearly 10x the outlay, fuck that!
 

kinggroin

Banned
People look like idiots putting those huge androids in their pockets... it looks awkward when they are trying to put them in their pockets, taking them out, as well as talking on them. STOP IT PEOPLE.

I don't even think the iPhone should go above its current form factor. I like it because it fits in your pocket without much fuss and you can sit down without having to adjust your phone. I personally think the iphone is kind of bulky at times. Its not terrible since I don't have one of those huge rubber cases on it, just one that covers the outside with a thin piece of plastic in case of a small drop it might help. I like my mobile to be... mobile.


*shakes fist

Those dag nabbit whippersnapper hippies and their androids

I needed two hands to type that
 

snacknuts

we all knew her
After owning an iPhone 3GS and OG Droid, I got a Droid X. Used that for eight months before getting an iPhone 4S. The downgrade in screen size was awful. It was one of the many reasons I went back to Android in May. I have a Galaxy Nexus now and it's pretty much perfect, but I would absolutely get a Note if it was a Nexus device. Dat giant screen. <3
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
After owning an iPhone 3GS and OG Droid, I got a Droid X. Used that for eight months before getting an iPhone 4S. The downgrade in screen size was awful. It was one of the many reasons I went back to Android in May. I have a Galaxy Nexus now and it's pretty much perfect, but I would absolutely get a Note if it was a Nexus device. Dat giant screen. <3
What do you mean "If it was a nexus device?" isn't the nexus just another Samsung model?
 

RoadDogg

Member
After using the Galaxy S3 for awhile I am ready to get the next Galaxy Note if it comes to Verizon. My pocket is more then big enough and I only talk on the thing when I am at a desk. I use a headset/speaker phone when in the car. The rest of the time it is pretty much just used for web browsing so the bigger the screen the better.
 

kinggroin

Banned
What do you mean "If it was a nexus device?" isn't the nexus just another Samsung model?


Yes and no.

Samsung made the hardware, sure, but Nexii are the only devices that offer a pure google android experience with zero bloat, and the latest OS updates (only the nexus is running jellybean at the moment).

Another effect of being a pure device, the dev community is usually unparalleled.


Its sorta to Google what the iPhone is to Apple.
 

Zeppu

Member
I find it incredible that the people who currently own iPhones but would like larger screens are practically non-existent.

I'm not saying this sarcastically or anything, I just really find it mindblowing.
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
Yes and no.

Samsung made the hardware, sure, but Nexii are the only devices that offer a pure google android experience with zero bloat, and the latest OS updates (only the nexus is running jellybean at the moment).

Another effect of being a pure device, the dev community is usually unparalleled.


Its sorta to Google what the iPhone is to Apple.
Ah, I get ya. I like Android, it isn't quite as smooth as IOS, but it's not far off, and you don't need to make that dreaded handshake with Apple. I think I'll stick with Samsung too, their devices are awesome. Size aside, I love my Note, and my mates S3, while slightly cheap feeling, is fantastic.
 

Carton

Member
I can't believe think things like a Note are too big for their hands. I can comfortably grip an iPad in one hand.

0OONN.jpg


I took this shot with my iPad in the other hand.

I love the size of the Note. It's not a problem for my pockets, and the screen size is fantastic for the things i do most: reading ebooks & textbook pdfs, browsing, flashcards, email and messaging.
 

bede-x

Member
I love large phones. You can't operate them with one hand, but they're great for internet consumption. I have the HTC Titan at the moment and wanna switch to the next Note(please don't be pentile).
 

RoadHazard

Gold Member
It's funny how all the people with iPhones say that 3.5" is perfect and anything over 4" is ridiculous, while everyone with a larger phone agrees that 3.5" is just too small. Could it be that you don't really know how you would like a larger screen until you've tried using one for a while?

I know I thought a phone with a 4.5"+ screen would be ridiculously large back when I had one with a 3.5" screen. That screen size felt just right for me at the time. Then I got drunk at a bar one night and lost my phone (yeah, that was stupid, but at least it was a cheapo ZTE phone), so I had to get a new one. Decided to get the Galaxy Nexus, with its comparatively massive 4.65" screen. At first it did feel larger than I was used to, of course, but I quickly adapted and very soon it didn't seem very large at all. Now I wouldn't want anything smaller than 4.5" or so.

So, the point is this: To those of you saying 3.5" is perfect and anything around 4.5" is ridiculous - maybe you wouldn't feel that way if you tried living with one for a while. Of course there will be exceptions - for some people 3.5" probably is perfect - but most people who have gone from something smaller to something larger (at first feeling a bit hesitant) seem to share my feelings about it and agree that going back to 3.5" would feel very tiny and cramped.
 

Zeppu

Member
It's funny how all the people with iPhones say that 3.5" is perfect and anything over 4" is ridiculous, while everyone with a larger phone agrees that 3.5" is just too small. Could it be that you don't really know how you would like a larger screen until you've tried using one for a while?

I know I thought a phone with a 4.5"+ screen would be ridiculously large back when I had one with a 3.5" screen. That screen size felt just right for me at the time. Then I got drunk at a bar one night and lost my phone (yeah, that was stupid, but at least it was a cheapo ZTE phone), so I had to get a new one. Decided to get the Galaxy Nexus, with its comparatively massive 4.65" screen. At first it did feel larger than I was used to, of course, but I quickly adapted and very soon it didn't seem very large at all. Now I wouldn't want anything smaller than 4.5" or so.

So, the point is this: To those of you saying 3.5" is perfect and anything around 4.5" is ridiculous - maybe you wouldn't feel that way if you tried living with one for a while. Of course there will be exceptions - for some people 3.5" probably is perfect - but most people who have gone from something smaller to something larger (at first feeling a bit hesitant) seem to pretty much share my experience of doing that.

This is exactly what I was talking about.

I mean you see quite a few people who say: "It's a shame that you can no longer find high end Androids with smaller screens". Then you find a lot who have a 4.5+" screen and have no problem fitting them in their hands or pockets. Comparatively you fine very, very few who say: "I love iOS but I really wish I could have this in a larger screen" yet you find an abundance of people who claim that 3.5" is the perfect size since anything larger wouldn't fit in their pockets or hands.

It just doesn't make sense. It either means that anyone who wanted a larger screen has already shifted to Android (i.e. a lot of people find screen size more important than OS) or that there is a direct correlation between size of hands and pocket size (please, lets not use the stupid hipster/skinny jeans stereotype) and phone choice. Since the people who like Android but prefer smaller screens exist then the opposite should also be true.
 

surly

Banned
I find it incredible that the people who currently own iPhones but would like larger screens are practically non-existent.

I'm not saying this sarcastically or anything, I just really find it mindblowing.
Admitting the screen is too small is admitting fault with an Apple product. That's why you're not really seeing it. 3.5" will be "perfect" until a bigger screen iPhone comes out, then whatever size that is will be "perfect" and there'll be some jumping through hoops to try and explain away the u-turns, as always.

J/K of course! Nobody would possibly act like that.
 
This is why I hope the increase size rumor for the iPhone 5 is true. I think the EVO is a great size while the current iPhone is a bit too small. It's one of the reasons I have yet to move over.
 

Vormund

Member
I find it incredible that the people who currently own iPhones but would like larger screens are practically non-existent.

I'm not saying this sarcastically or anything, I just really find it mindblowing.

I would be in that category. For me personally, I think the Galaxy S3 is the perfect size. But I'm already in the Apple ecosystem, it wasn't enough to sway me.
 

edgefusion

Member
I'm very satisfied with the size of my iPhone 4S, any larger and it's going to be uncomfortable to hold/use one-handed. I'm a little disappointed Apple are going with a taller screen for the new iPhone because I think the current screen size is perfect.
 

Zeppu

Member
They are waiting to Sep 12 to change their minds on proper screen size.

"Look at how smart Apple is! They kept what is essentially the same size but made it widescreen."

The 180 will be on the optimal aspect ratio, not on the screen size. The screen size bump is really small anyway.
 

tino

Banned
"Look at how smart Apple is! They kept what is essentially the same size but made it widescreen."

The 180 will be on the optimal aspect ratio, not on the screen size. The screen size bump is really small anyway.

Thats what the junior Apple fan would say. Respectable community leaders such as Tobor and Gary Whitta would insist 3.5" is the perfect size for at least half a year before they are forced to upgrade to the glorious 16x9 screen under family pressure.
 

tsumineko

Member
Seeing people trying to browse the net or poke out a message on a 3.5inch device is hilarious while I'm in real estate heaven with my 5.3inch note.

Hate hate hate.
 

Bgamer90

Banned
So, the point is this: To those of you saying 3.5" is perfect and anything around 4.5" is ridiculous - maybe you wouldn't feel that way if you tried living with one for a while. Of course there will be exceptions - for some people 3.5" probably is perfect - but most people who have gone from something smaller to something larger (at first feeling a bit hesitant) seem to share my feelings about it and agree that going back to 3.5" would feel very tiny and cramped.

I understand that once you get used to something of a bigger screen size that it's hard for many to go back but no, 4.5"+ is ridiculous to me. I have messed around with phones of that size and while it's easier to read things on it (for obvious reasons), the size is just too much for a phone in my opinion. You can't do things with one hand, it's harder to take it out of a pocket/put it back in (for me), etc.

I'm not opposed to the iPhone getting a larger screen but I don't want the size of the phone itself to increase that much in size.

Seeing people trying to browse the net or poke out a message on a 3.5inch device is hilarious while I'm in real estate heaven with my 5.3inch note.

Hate hate hate.

Seeing people talk to others on their 5.3 inch galaxy note is hilarious. Looks like they came straight out of 1990.
 

FireCloud

Member
Galaxy S3 screen size is perfect...Its not that hard to hold for me either. Its really jarring holding an iphone or my ipod touch now because the screen just feels way too small

Bigger than GS3 might become a little too cumbersome to hold, but HD video looks amazing on this screen

+1

I have a Galaxy S3 and don't have a problem with the screen size. Coming from the DroidX, there isn't that much difference in size but the resolution increase is great especially since I do a lot of ebook reading on my phone.

I tried out a Galaxy Note at the AT&T store and couldn't imagine getting used to a screen that size. I guess the Galaxy S3 is pretty close to the limit of what I'd find comfortable to hold.

Doesn't all of this vary by person? I don't have very large hands. But I can imagine those who do may find a 3.5 inch screen uncomfortable and may have no problems with a phone the size of the Galaxy Note.
 

Zeppu

Member
Seeing people talk to others on their 5.3 inch galaxy note is hilarious. Looks like they came straight out of 1990.

Strangely enough, doing calls makes up a very small percentage of smartphone usage. Even if there's any reason to give a shit how you look like while talking on the phone, the advantages of the large screen size more than make up for it.

I still wouldn't want a note sized phone (since the Nexus size is good enough for now) but looking hilarious while making a call is really the smallest of anyone's problems. '90s phones were also hilariously thicker.
 
I have an iPhone 4s and I love the screen quality. But having messed around with several of my workmates Galaxy S3s, the screen size on the 4s is too damn small. I fucking love those bigger screens.
 

Bgamer90

Banned
Strangely enough, doing calls makes up a very small percentage of smartphone usage. Even if there's any reason to give a shit how you look like while talking on the phone, the advantages of the large screen size more than make up for it.

I still wouldn't want a note sized phone (since the Nexus size is good enough for now) but looking hilarious while making a call is really the smallest of anyone's problems. '90s phones were also hilariously thicker.

It's not about how it looks... it's about how comfortable it is to use. Anything over 4.5" isn't comfortable to use in my opinion.
 

Divvy

Canadians burned my passport
It's not about how it looks... it's about how comfortable it is to use. Anything over 4.5" isn't comfortable to use in my opinion.

Comfort has less to do with size and more to do with design. A curved edge helps a lot with comfort and improves how easily you can reach things with your thumb.
 

Bgamer90

Banned
Comfort has less to do with size and more to do with design. A curved edge helps a lot with comfort and improves how easily you can reach things with your thumb.

It's hard for me to do anything with one hand with a screen that's 4.5"+.

It's also harder for me to take it out my pocket and put it back in.

It's just the nature of having a 4.5"+ screen for me; it's going to be too big for me to use it the way that I want to.
 
I'm looking forward to getting a nice ~4.5 inch phone when I upgrade later this month. Recommendations? For more than just screen size.

Edit: I got long fingers.
 
It's funny how all the people with iPhones say that 3.5" is perfect and anything over 4" is ridiculous, while everyone with a larger phone agrees that 3.5" is just too small. Could it be that you don't really know how you would like a larger screen until you've tried using one for a while?

I know I thought a phone with a 4.5"+ screen would be ridiculously large back when I had one with a 3.5" screen. That screen size felt just right for me at the time. Then I got drunk at a bar one night and lost my phone (yeah, that was stupid, but at least it was a cheapo ZTE phone), so I had to get a new one. Decided to get the Galaxy Nexus, with its comparatively massive 4.65" screen. At first it did feel larger than I was used to, of course, but I quickly adapted and very soon it didn't seem very large at all. Now I wouldn't want anything smaller than 4.5" or so.

So, the point is this: To those of you saying 3.5" is perfect and anything around 4.5" is ridiculous - maybe you wouldn't feel that way if you tried living with one for a while. Of course there will be exceptions - for some people 3.5" probably is perfect - but most people who have gone from something smaller to something larger (at first feeling a bit hesitant) seem to share my feelings about it and agree that going back to 3.5" would feel very tiny and cramped.

The same argument can be used by a fan of SUVs.

Not everyone wants an SUV, and especially not a Hummer (Galaxy Note.)
 
The bigger the better for me, and here's why:

-I rarely make phone calls. It's usually text messages, etc.
-I work as an illustrator, and I'd like to try out drawing on a tablet.
-Carrying around the Vita or whatever doesn't bother me

So, something like the Note sounds great to me. But I don't really want to switch to Android.
 

tino

Banned
The same argument can be used by a fan of SUVs.

Not everyone wants an SUV, and especially not a Hummer (Galaxy Note.)

Compare to SUV is a fair analogy (I love car analogy). But both BMW and Porsche eventually "gave in" and make SUV. Now their SUV are one of their most successful divisions. Therefore, its reasonable to assume Apple will eventually make 5" iPhones. :)
 

Magnus

Member
3.5" is perfectly fine. Cant imagine it getting much bigger without increasing the unit's size, and that would be terrible.

Anything larger would compromise my ability to use the device with one-hand. I only use two when I'm typing something lengthy, like this, or a lengthier email/message.

It needs to be comfortably one-hand-able.
 

Zeppu

Member
The same argument can be used by a fan of SUVs.

Not everyone wants an SUV, and especially not a Hummer (Galaxy Note.)

What if 10" Tablets are Hummers, 7" are SUVs, Note is Rolls Royce Phantom/Bentley Continental, 4.5" are saloons, 4" are hatchbacks and iPhones are Smarts?
 

Chris R

Member
Current iPhone is way too small for me to the point where I can't hold a naked one as it hurts my hand. It needs a bulky case before I can get a good grip on it with a single hand.

I think my SGII is the perfect size in both phone and screen. I can reach everything one handed with my thumb if need be.

The Note on the other hand looks terrible and unwieldy, because it is in the nomans land between tablet (the Nexus 7 is as small as I'd go for one of those) and a phone. I know someone who has one though and laugh internally every time they pull it out to answer a call.
 
I can't believe think things like a Note are too big for their hands. I can comfortably grip an iPad in one hand.

lol what? Yeah anyone can grip an iPad in one hand, but can you actually USE it?!

Now I don't know if some of you are just trying to make a BS excuse, but the S3 is too big for everday use IMO. I don't like to use a phone two handed, it's annoying. Tablets I can understand though

The sweet spot was my Nexus One which was 3.7" display. but I think 4" is PERFECT

As long as I can grip it with one hand and use all activities one handed including texting, I'm good.
 

Wiktor

Member
3.5" is perfectly fine. Cant imagine it getting much bigger without increasing the unit's size, and that would be terrible.

To be honest, like 40% of iPhone's front is bezel, so there is plenty of space to put more screen in even without making it bigger.
 
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