An iPhone has heft? The 5/S feels like I'm holding a sheet of paper. The edges are more pronounced and it feels squarer but after having both the phones mentioned I don't know how the iPhone is hefty compared to the X.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
4.7" or 5.0" for phones?
- Thread starter TechGod
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
An iPhone has heft? The 5/S feels like I'm holding a sheet of paper. The edges are more pronounced and it feels squarer but after having both the phones mentioned I don't know how the iPhone is hefty compared to the X.
It's compact possibly? but yeah my dad's 5S doesn't really feel like it has heft, on the other hand my Nexus 4 certainly does.
My personal list of ideal size/ergonomics for one-handed use.
Screen size too small -
Apple iPhone 5 (2012)
Apple iPhone 5s (2013)
Ideal range for me -
Motorola Moto G (2013)
Motorola Moto X (2013)
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact (2014)
Sony Xperia ZL (2013)
Sony Xperia ZR (2013)
Maximum limit range -
Apple iPhone 6? (2014)
Google Nexus 4 (2012)
Google Nexus 5 (2013)
HTC One (2013)
Huawei Ascend P6 (2013)
Lenovo S820 (2013)
LG Optimus G (2012)
LG G2 (2013)
Samsung Galaxy S III (2012)
Samsung Galaxy S4 (2013)
Sony Xperia Z (2013)
Over my limit -
Google Nexus 6? (2014)
HTC Butterfly S (2013)
HTC One (2014)
LG G3? (2014)
Lenovo P780 (2013)
Lenovo Vibe X (2013)
Samsung Galaxy S5 (2014)
Sony Xperia Z1 (2013)
Sony Xperia Z2? (2014)
^^^Generally all phablets like the Galaxy Notes, Galaxy Mega, Xperia Z Ultra, One max, Fonepad, Ascend Mate, K900, etc. Excluded BlackBerry and Nokia Lumias since I have zero interest in their OSes right now.
Seems like Motorola and Sony are the only Android OEM's who get it as I expect the Moto X2 and future Xperia Z2 Compact to be ideal to use one-handed. The iPhone 6 (rumored 4.8 inch screen) will probably fall under the maximum limit range unless they go edge to edge with the screen and then it might be the ideal range for me.
Yes, it seemed the iPhone 4/4s was the ideal size a few years ago. You can even make the same case for the iPhone 5/5s now with its elongated screen which bothered some early when reaching for the pull-down notification center. But once you go above 4.5 inches and use gesture swiping with an Android launcher, people who go back to a smaller screen will find it a bit too cramped with videos, games, browsing, and texting.
I always pictured if the Apple increased the screen to 4.7 inches, the iPhone would look similar to the Huawei Ascend P6 and a local branded smartphone here called the Starmobile Knight.
Moto X2 has solidified itself as my #1 pick this year even though Motorola will never popular like they once were and now are part of Lenovo. I'm also reconsidering the Huawei Ascend P6 or P7 just because their thinness makes it easier to wrap my hand around the phone. Also I find Huawei to have a better design language externally and internally than Lenovo. I like the very iPhone-esque look of their Emotion UI without the app drawer.
None of these bigger and successors to last year's flagships interest me as of late. The all-new HTC One is rumored to be 146mm tall, 70 mm wide, and weigh 160 grams with just a 2600 mAH battery capacity? A 300 mAh increase to last year's One and smaller to the Butterfly S? Size has become a turn-off from most of these recently announced flagships with 0.1 to 0.3 screen size increases that features on-screen buttons that also waste space.
Screen size too small -
Apple iPhone 5 (2012)
Apple iPhone 5s (2013)
Ideal range for me -
Motorola Moto G (2013)
Motorola Moto X (2013)
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact (2014)
Sony Xperia ZL (2013)
Sony Xperia ZR (2013)
Maximum limit range -
Apple iPhone 6? (2014)
Google Nexus 4 (2012)
Google Nexus 5 (2013)
HTC One (2013)
Huawei Ascend P6 (2013)
Lenovo S820 (2013)
LG Optimus G (2012)
LG G2 (2013)
Samsung Galaxy S III (2012)
Samsung Galaxy S4 (2013)
Sony Xperia Z (2013)
Over my limit -
Google Nexus 6? (2014)
HTC Butterfly S (2013)
HTC One (2014)
LG G3? (2014)
Lenovo P780 (2013)
Lenovo Vibe X (2013)
Samsung Galaxy S5 (2014)
Sony Xperia Z1 (2013)
Sony Xperia Z2? (2014)
^^^Generally all phablets like the Galaxy Notes, Galaxy Mega, Xperia Z Ultra, One max, Fonepad, Ascend Mate, K900, etc. Excluded BlackBerry and Nokia Lumias since I have zero interest in their OSes right now.
Seems like Motorola and Sony are the only Android OEM's who get it as I expect the Moto X2 and future Xperia Z2 Compact to be ideal to use one-handed. The iPhone 6 (rumored 4.8 inch screen) will probably fall under the maximum limit range unless they go edge to edge with the screen and then it might be the ideal range for me.
Yes, it seemed the iPhone 4/4s was the ideal size a few years ago. You can even make the same case for the iPhone 5/5s now with its elongated screen which bothered some early when reaching for the pull-down notification center. But once you go above 4.5 inches and use gesture swiping with an Android launcher, people who go back to a smaller screen will find it a bit too cramped with videos, games, browsing, and texting.
I always pictured if the Apple increased the screen to 4.7 inches, the iPhone would look similar to the Huawei Ascend P6 and a local branded smartphone here called the Starmobile Knight.
Moto X2 has solidified itself as my #1 pick this year even though Motorola will never popular like they once were and now are part of Lenovo. I'm also reconsidering the Huawei Ascend P6 or P7 just because their thinness makes it easier to wrap my hand around the phone. Also I find Huawei to have a better design language externally and internally than Lenovo. I like the very iPhone-esque look of their Emotion UI without the app drawer.
None of these bigger and successors to last year's flagships interest me as of late. The all-new HTC One is rumored to be 146mm tall, 70 mm wide, and weigh 160 grams with just a 2600 mAH battery capacity? A 300 mAh increase to last year's One and smaller to the Butterfly S? Size has become a turn-off from most of these recently announced flagships with 0.1 to 0.3 screen size increases that features on-screen buttons that also waste space.
It depends on the physical size of the device rather than the screen size. For example the S3 is larger than S4 but has a smaller display. Even the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is almost as big physically as the S4 despite its much smaller screen.
I would prefer something along the size of the S4 Mini but without the rubbish specs. At least a 720p display with minimal bezel. There's a huge void in high end smaller phones right now, Apple being pretty much the only contender. Currently use a S4 and it's quite awkward to use with one hand.
I would prefer something along the size of the S4 Mini but without the rubbish specs. At least a 720p display with minimal bezel. There's a huge void in high end smaller phones right now, Apple being pretty much the only contender. Currently use a S4 and it's quite awkward to use with one hand.
It seems that the S5 Mini will have a 720p screen.
http://www.droid-life.com/2014/03/2...-featuring-a-720p-display-and-snapdragon-800/
Right. You can't adapt therefore you refuse to believe that others can.
I chose the 5.2" screen on my G2 because the 4" screen on the iPhone is way too small for me to enjoy multimedia. The market is littered with phones ranging from 4" (iPhone) to 4.7" to 5.2 to 5.7 to 6+. There's plenty of choice. People like bigger screens because big screens just do media consumption better. You ask any Note 3 owner why they decided on the Note 3 and you'll never hear "because I had no choice;" rather, they'll tout it as a feature they appreciate about it.
But people wanting a 4.7" display don't have any choice. The Moto X isnt available in my country and the rest of the flagships are 5" or bigger.
Name one recent flagship that is 4.7". I can't adapt to q bigger display but doesn't mean I think no one can.
I disagree. I feel that there are zero choices for me, besides the iPhone, which is what I have now because of the lack of choice. I'm not aware of any phones under 5-inches that have good specs. All of the smaller phones are crippled in some way that is a dealbreaker for me.
I will likely buy the GS5 Mini when it is released, but as of today, all of the phones with good specs are 5+ inches.
I would think it depends on the person. Personally, I liked the nexus 4's size the best. The nexus 5 is one of the best devices out there, but it is too unwieldy for my hands. I'm currently back on the iPhone 5s for now. But size isn't the only reason. Touch ID works perfectly on 7.1. I can't go back to passwords.
I never totally rid myself of the LG Optimus F7 despite the fact I have flagship devices. The reason? I love its size.
Wow really?
This is lack of choice because only one manufacturer provides a 4.7" screen, many provide 5" and bigger.
So don't tell me it's my country's(which is New Zealand) fault when the market is to blame.
I'm 6'4ish with large hands (can easily palm a basketball). I wouldn't say that a certain screen size is too small or too large. What I find to be the biggest factor in most phones now is the bezel. The Nexus 5's bottom bezel makes the phone too big and awkward for one handed use. Constantly stretching and straining to hit the top corner. But if I use my phone upside down, it is instantly much easier to hit the top corners. No change in screen size, just change in bezel. And even then, the bezel is still a little too big for my taste.
The Moto X does it right with the smaller bezel on the bottom. In addition, this makes landscape typing more symmetrical because the on screen buttons fill up the rest of where the bezel cuts off. Granted, the Moto X has a smaller screen size, but it is the bezels that help make it feel so much more comfortable to use with one hand.
My fear is that because Apple is so set in their ways with a physical home button as big as it is, a 4.7" iPhone will feel too big with one hand for a lot of people. That button makes for a larger bezel, making your thumb have to stretch even further for the top corner, which is used a lot more in iOS and Android. In fact, MacRumors had an article not too long ago with rumored dimensions of a 4.7" iPhone. And the bad part is that a 4.7" iPhone is (rumored) to be larger than even a 5" Nexus 5! So smaller screen, and yet your thumb will still have to stretch further away! It is time for Apple to rethink the home button. This will be even worse with a 5.5-5.7" iPhone.
The Moto X does it right with the smaller bezel on the bottom. In addition, this makes landscape typing more symmetrical because the on screen buttons fill up the rest of where the bezel cuts off. Granted, the Moto X has a smaller screen size, but it is the bezels that help make it feel so much more comfortable to use with one hand.
My fear is that because Apple is so set in their ways with a physical home button as big as it is, a 4.7" iPhone will feel too big with one hand for a lot of people. That button makes for a larger bezel, making your thumb have to stretch even further for the top corner, which is used a lot more in iOS and Android. In fact, MacRumors had an article not too long ago with rumored dimensions of a 4.7" iPhone. And the bad part is that a 4.7" iPhone is (rumored) to be larger than even a 5" Nexus 5! So smaller screen, and yet your thumb will still have to stretch further away! It is time for Apple to rethink the home button. This will be even worse with a 5.5-5.7" iPhone.
Not sure if this is the MR post you're referring too but if it is, I'd be all for this redesign (I'm aware many postulate it's likely fake). I'm a fan of phones with a smaller footprint (perfectly happy with the 5s) yet an iPhone with the dimensions specified in that post would be great--essentially following Moto's lead with the X. This rumored iPhone would be no wider and only about 5mm longer, thanks to significantly reduced bezels--actually a touch smaller than the Moto X.
If Apple can't do something similar to this yet still insists on using a 4.7"+ size display, I'll likely be using my 5s for at least another year.
This is the one I was thinking of:
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/03/11/iphone-5c-ipod-nano-large-screen/
Those dimensions of a 4.7" iPhone would make it bigger than a 5" Nexus 5 despite the smaller screen. Meaning bezels will be even bigger than the already too large bezels of the Nexus 5.
Agreed, if those dimensions prove true, though I'm sure many people will be happy enough to have a larger display. Just too big for my tastes.
I'm 6ft 2. I still don't like 5" displays. Unless the body of the phone is small and it has no bezel, maybe the Nexus 5 body is the biggest I could go.
Well, for me personally it has nothing to do with small hands (I can palm a basketball) and actually less about display size and more about device size. I can easily use devices with 5" displays but as my phone is also my primary source of music/podcasts/internet radio and is in my pocket or often strapped to my arm while active, I don't find the larger devices as convenient or comfortable. In fact, I think it's inaccurate to compare devices based on display size but rather should be using overall device size. The HTC One and Moto X have the same size display but are significantly different sizes. The LG G2 is only about 1 mm longer than that same HTC One yet has a 0.5" larger display. My point is I don't have an ideal display size but rather ideal device size.
And while I'll agree that large display phones aren't going anywhere, the general tone I'm seeing on boards like this is that many people are now finding phones are getting too big--manufacturers are moving past that proverbial sweet spot. The push the last few years has been for larger displays and thinner devices. I think what we're going to see going forward is OEMs trying to reduce device dimensions by focusing on minimizing bezels--or at least I hope so.
Last edited:
I am avoiding devices with large bezels regardless of their quality. I agree about the ideal size of a device, not how big the screen is. The Note 3 is large but does not nearly have the wasted space of other devices.
I just sold a note 3 and a iPhone 5s and now have a Moto G, seems the perfect size for me.
I remember when I got the first BlackBerry Bold 9000, I thought that phone was too wide. I couldn't really wrap my hands around even though its faux leather backing felt nice in the hand. But then again, it was 15mm thick.
I'm actually wanting compact phones to make a comeback. At least ones with excellent specs and not the low end market which has plenty of those. My favorite phone based on ergonomics is still the Google Nexus One. It was only a couple millimeters taller and narrower than the original iPhone, but it is still absolutely wonderful to hold in the hand. When I still had the first gen iPhone, I would use the Nexus One case because it was nearly a perfect fit. I remember when I had the Samsung Focus, it felt awkward because it was 64mm wide and about the same height as the iPhone 5/5s. I thought Apple and Google nailed the perfect one-handed size phone with the very first iPhone and Nexus.
For me, my sweet spot is maybe 4.5-4.7 inches in screen but depends on much bezel is there. Abt 130mm tall, 65mm wide, and 7-8mm would be my ideal dimensions right now. Something like the Moto G or X but a little more thinner. I really like the woven black on the Moto X. Fingerprint resistant and just feels nice. And 4.7 inches is good enough for better viewing experiences and browsing.
I'm actually wanting compact phones to make a comeback. At least ones with excellent specs and not the low end market which has plenty of those. My favorite phone based on ergonomics is still the Google Nexus One. It was only a couple millimeters taller and narrower than the original iPhone, but it is still absolutely wonderful to hold in the hand. When I still had the first gen iPhone, I would use the Nexus One case because it was nearly a perfect fit. I remember when I had the Samsung Focus, it felt awkward because it was 64mm wide and about the same height as the iPhone 5/5s. I thought Apple and Google nailed the perfect one-handed size phone with the very first iPhone and Nexus.
For me, my sweet spot is maybe 4.5-4.7 inches in screen but depends on much bezel is there. Abt 130mm tall, 65mm wide, and 7-8mm would be my ideal dimensions right now. Something like the Moto G or X but a little more thinner. I really like the woven black on the Moto X. Fingerprint resistant and just feels nice. And 4.7 inches is good enough for better viewing experiences and browsing.
I'm really happy with the size of the Moto X. I bounce back and forth between the Galaxy S4 and the Moto and each have their merits. My family owns a couple bowling centers and I enjoy coaching so it is nice to have a decent camera as well as a 5" gorgeous screen to watch the playbacks on so the students can watch if something happens to pop up on short notice and I don't have time to get my video camera. But the smaller footprint of the Moto X takes the cake as a daily driver for me.