Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Other Do you watch most videos and other video content on your iphone?

T

tonybarnaby

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Dec 3, 2017
2,385
1,741
I see a lot of people talking about how the 8+ is superior to the X (and any normal sized iPhone) for watching videos or movies on their phone.

The #1 reason I went with an 8+ is the wider keyboard and better feel in hand. I may watch a YouTube video here and there on my phone, but 95% of the videos/movies I watch are on a tablet, phone or streamed to my tv. The biggest phone I've used is the 6.3" Note 8. Even that was inferior to any tablet, tv or computer screen. I just feel like if someone watches a ton of media, they would buy a tablet or want to watch it on something bigger than even the largest phone screen.

Ipads aren't exactly cheap, but there are plenty of cheap options. I got my daughter a 11.6" Android tablet for $150 a few years ago. It even came with a detachable keyboard.

I'm not judging anyone who watches a lot of video on their phones, I just feel like tablets are so cheap it seems like a no brainer to watch on something larger than a "big" 5.5" phone. YouTube is nice on my 8+, but my phone is the last choice I'd make if I have other devices available.
 
I watch a f-ton of video on youtube, through my iPhone. The screen is big. iPhone is not as heavy as iPad. Easy to carry around.
iPhone X notch blocks part of the video, which is never an issue for iPhone 8 users.
 
That basically why the notch rarely bothers me. I usually watch most videos on my Mac and sometimes iPad Mini.
 
I may watch video on occasion on my iPhone when out and waiting somewhere.

But, even though my 6s+ is a a larger phone and therefore a larger screen it really can't hold a candle to viewing things on my 48" television.

Hell, I watch more video on my 17" MBP or the 21" Apple Cinema Display connected to my G5 Quad than I do my iPhone.

My iPhone is a phone and that's what I use it for. OK for some video in a pinch but I much prefer as big a screen as I can get to watch video.
 
I watch more video on my iPhone than any other screen. I have a cheap Samsung tablet but there are at least 4 things that make it annoying as compared to my smaller phone.
 
After a lot of arguing and confusing discussion last week I had an epiphany that there are Portrait people and there are Landscape people and that is why there is a harsh difference of opinion over whether or not the iPhone X is "bigger" or "better" than the 8 Plus.

If you're a Portrait person, if you spend 90% of your time in that orientation reading texts, emails, web browsing, etc, then the X is for you as it is slightly wider, definitely longer, and fits in your pocket very comfortably. And you'll perceive battery life to be a beast because you're not streaming for 2 or 3 straight hours almost every day.

If you're a Landscape person, if you spend 90% of your time in that orientation playing games, watching YouTube videos, streaming movies, etc, then the Plus is for you as it is both taller and wider in that orientation and gives you a more fully immersive experience. And you'll perceive the battery to be better on the 8 Plus than the X because you'll be draining it with 2 or 3 consecutive hours of streaming almost every day.

So....if you're a Portrait person, the X is for you. If you're a Landscape person, the Plus is for you. Trying to make the X into a video streamer is a compromise and trying to make the Plus into a handy pocket texter will be a disappointment. I haven't watched a video more than 2 minutes long on my iPhone in 5 years. Thus the X is a great phone for me. I can understand why those who were looking towards the X as the 'new' Plus are disappointed with the battery life and the notch.
 
I watch no videos on my iphone or ipad. But since I am retired and usually at home, I have much bigger screens I prefer to use when watching videos. When I am out and about, I am not interested in watching videos.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vermifuge
I don't very often.. Sometimes I'll watch a short YouTube video but that is rare and the videos are short.
 
I rarely ever watch videos on my phone outside of a youtube video here or there in bed, but I had to take a 12 hour car ride to a funeral last month and having unlimited data with T-mobile was a godsend for streaming from my Plex server there and back. I've got the X and was very happy with the size of the screen - I was in the back seat and just stuck it in between the headrest and seat in front of me and had my AirPods in. Didn't even have to worry about getting neck cramps from staring down at my hands.
 
8 Plus here and I watch a good bit of video. YouTube and some games when I am away from the house or not near our main TV.
 
On the iPhone, just the occasional YouTube video. I only have a 4.7" iPhone, though.

If I'm watching on a portable device, I prefer watching on the iPad. I bring the LTE iPad with me practically everywhere, anyway. Particularly so on long car or airplane trips where there's plenty of time to kill.
 
My only device right now is my iphone, so yes, I do watch plenty of videos on iphone (regular 7 at the moment) ;)
 
I watch a lot of downloaded iTunes movies that I purchased. And, keep about 6 or so on iPhone until watched and I dl more.
 
I watch YouTube videos on there but that’s about it. I have my iPad Pro 10.5 for watching videos of my iPad mini for watching videos on the go.
 
I watch You Tube videos on whichever device is easiest at the time. I love the wide, accurate colour gamut of the phones, but would struggle to watch more than around an hour on each.

That's where my iPad Pro 10.5 comes in handy - it seems to sip power and is a good size. Then there is the MacBook on which I'll watch Netflix and assorted other video.
 
I will sit on the sofa in front of the TV and watch movies on my phone.

Probably watch 90% of video on my phone. A regular 8, btw. And a 6S before that.

My wife says I'm crazy. I say it's more comfortable. I suppose that being able to see it without needing my glasses has something to do with it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rui no onna
Nope, hardly ever (really never) watch any video on my phone, not YouTube or any other video
My phone is typically used for email, text, phone calls for work, reading books, occasionally Twitter and taking a few pictures here and there
iPhone X so the notch never bothers me
 
Pretty much none.

Most of what I watch is on the desktop since the ergonomics are so much better. It's bad for your body to hold your head looking down, having to hold the device itself, focusing on a close/tiny screen. None of it is good.

Plus the UI is limiting IMO. I'd rather have multiple tabs that I can branch out from, do things at the same time while the video plays, and so on.

For much longer videos, TV, or movies, there's the TV.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back