I was so into big phones, but then..

[theapplefanboyj]

I used to love big phones. Since I had my iPhone 4s I've always wanted a bigger phone. I loved my nexus 5 when I got it, then my OnePlus One! But then, I've slowly grown to the idea that it's too big. Well, for me anyway. I actually loved the idea of a big phone but then, I'm not sure what happened. Last night I was thinking that 'Why haven't Google added a one handed operation feature as standard with lollipop?' I've always needed it one way or another. In class I can't hold my phone with two hands without being noticed. And I love Samsung's one handed operation on the S5 but then again, I'd prefer a smaller phone overall.
But it shouldn't be too small, right? I'm leaning towards the Z5 compact or something along those lines for my next phone. Share your thoughts on this topic too!

 

[mattopotamus]

I had the z3 compact for a little bit, and it felt awkward to hold. The phone is very slippery and has poor egronimics. The best small phone I can think of is the moto x 2013. It still is a great phone and feels great in hand. You can get a 32gb developer edition from amazon for $279 contract free.

The other option would be with the iPhone 5S or the iPhone 6 if that is not too large.

 

[Dontazemebro]

You know what, I'm also starting to fall in love with smaller devices since only having the 5s around, or maybe it's that I'm falling back in love with iOS again. I dunno, but whatever it is, I can see why so many people weren't ready to give up their one handed usage.

 

[AppleRobert]

Depends on the specific phone and bezels. You should be able to handle 5" one handed.

The trend with flagships now is bigger is better. Just saying.

 

[apolloa]

I used to love big phones. Since I had my iPhone 4s I've always wanted a bigger phone. I loved my nexus 5 when I got it, then my OnePlus One! But then, I've slowly grown to the idea that it's too big. Well, for me anyway. I actually loved the idea of a big phone but then, I'm not sure what happened. Last night I was thinking that 'Why haven't Google added a one handed operation feature as standard with lollipop?' I've always needed it one way or another. In class I can't hold my phone with two hands without being noticed. And I love Samsung's one handed operation on the S5 but then again, I'd prefer a smaller phone overall.
But it shouldn't be too small, right? I'm leaning towards the Z5 compact or something along those lines for my next phone. Share your thoughts on this topic too!

Agree, I like my Nexus 5 and its the first bigger phone I've had, but when its in my pocket it can turn itself off sometimes as its a bit too flat and the power button gets pressed, I do like the extra keyboard space though, but then I was fine with the iPhone 4.
I saw and handled an iPhone 6 Plus a relative had with a case on it and just couldn't get over its huge size, its way way too big and it put to sleep any ideas I had about the Nexus 6 as that's even bigger! The Note 4 is smaller but then if I don't like my Nexus 5 in my pocket then that will be a nightmare..

So next year I think I will go back to small, I am going to get an Xperia Compact, most likely will wait for the Z4 version as it will be just as powerful as the bigger phones and have a great camera. This is something that only Sony seems to get so far? Oh and Apple. But the public demand bigger and bigger devices so that's what we get.

I have concluded for me that I would much rather have a smaller phone and an 8" tablet.

 

[xxray]

I've started slightly missing smaller phones too. I held my friend's Galaxy S something the other day and I was like wow this is really comfortable and still a pretty good sized screen.

But I'm sticking with my 6+ until the 7 so.

 

[cdmoore74]

I played with the Galaxy Alpha a month ago and I find that phone to feel more impressive than say my Note 4. If these Android OEM's have any sense we could see a comeback in 2015 for phones that are smaller than the iPhone 6 but are just as premium as the bigger flagships.
And there is no need to go above 1080p in a phone 4.7" and below. Give the next Alpha the same screen quality of the Note 4, 3gb of ram, next gen snap dragon 64bit processor, Note 4 camera with OIS, removable battery, SD card slot, IR blaster. That would be a nice pocketable phone.

 

[MRU]

I was so into big phones, but then..

I had all the phablets past few years and got to a point where I felt the benefits of extra screen size were of a lesser consequence to me than the negatives / practicalities of a bigger device, hence I've gone from 5.7 & 5.5 and even 6" (1520) back to 4.7 on both my android and iOS device and I am far more content .

Really loving my Galaxy Alpha and my iPhone 6 .

 

[apolloa]

I played with the Galaxy Alpha a month ago and I find that phone to feel more impressive than say my Note 4. If these Android OEM's have any sense we could see a comeback in 2015 for phones that are smaller than the iPhone 6 but are just as premium as the bigger flagships.
And there is no need to go above 1080p in a phone 4.7" and below. Give the next Alpha the same screen quality of the Note 4, 3gb of ram, next gen snap dragon 64bit processor, Note 4 camera with OIS, removable battery, SD card slot, IR blaster. That would be a nice pocketable phone.

I'm hoping the Xperia Z4 Compact has the same size 4.6" screen as the current model, maybe boost the res to 1080p but all the reviews of the current 720p res screen have been very positive. Hope it has a Snapdragon 805 or 810 with 2 or 3GB RAM, SD card slot, Sony's latest camera technologies of 20mpx sensor and the new auto focus tech they have developed and a good flash, a slimmer design profile but the same width and height as the current model. And the latest Gorilla Glass on the front which I guess will be Gorilla GLass 4 by then?

 

[Tsepz]

I am happy with the Note 4 size.

From the day I got my 1st Android (SE Xperia X10, 4inch display), I absolutely fell for 'bigger is better', I moved to the S2 with 4.2inch after that and was happy, then came the S3 with a huge (at the time) 4.8inch and I fell for big screens even more. I kept a keen eye on the Note range thinking that they were too big, tried Note 1 and 2 and was just not ready, then I made the mistake of getting the GS4 instead of waiting for the Note 3 last year, when the Note 3 arrived I tried a friends and instantly fell for it, the S5 arrived early this year and I happily past on it and got the Note 4, I am so happy and I feel that I should have gone Note from Day 1, the huge display coupled with incredible batt life and top specs is perfect for me.

If Samsung bring the Note 5 with a 6inch display in a phone slightly bigger housing, I'll go for it, big phones are for me, phones like the Z3 Compact are just too small and fiddly for me now, I can't go back.

 

[TacticalDesire]

The 2013 Moto X was still the best feeling phone for me. Ever. And I have much larger than average hands. I can use something like a Note 4 no problem but it's just not as convenient.

 

[Technarchy]

Everyone loves looking at the big phones with bigger screens, but in terms of holding and feeling, more compact devices are more pleasant to me.

2013 Moto X being a good example, as well as the iPhone 6 and prior iPhones.

 

[theapplefanboyj]

It's a shame that most compact phones are always low specced with the exception of the Xperia z3 compact and maybe the moto g.
I don't want a screen size as small as the iPhone 5s (I'm typing on the iPod touch 5 at the moment) but I don't want such a large display. And I definitely wouldn't want to go for the moto x of last year. Not because of the screen size but because of the battery and the no expansion.

 

[mib1800]

It's a shame that most compact phones are always low specced with the exception of the Xperia z3 compact and maybe the moto g.
I don't want a screen size as small as the iPhone 5s (I'm typing on the iPod touch 5 at the moment) but I don't want such a large display. And I definitely wouldn't want to go for the moto x of last year. Not because of the screen size but because of the battery and the no expansion.

Galaxy alpha has great specs equal or better than Iphone 6. And it is MUCH smaller size than 6.

 

[gkarris]

I was never a fan of big phones.

If I can't use it with one hand, then it's useless to me...

 

[Shanghaichica]

I do like big phones. I got the original galaxy note when it first came out and also used the note 3. However it is a double edged sword because you lose that ease of use that you get with a smaller phone, especially for someone like me who has small hands. I've really enjoyed using the S5 because it's so comfortable to use and still has a decent amount of real estate. However the note 4 is calling me, so I think I'm going to pull the trigger on Wednesday...

 

[Zaft]

Galaxy alpha has great specs equal or better than Iphone 6. And it is MUCH smaller size than 6.

Does not help i guess, it lags like crazy.

 

[mib1800]

Does not help i guess, it lags like crazy.

Nope. Alpha is very snappy and it doesn't reload tabs like iphone 6. iphone 6 maybe smoother but alpha is overall better in performance like faster scrolling speed, multi tasking and data speed .

 

[Zaft]

Nope. Alpha is very snappy and it doesn't reload tabs like iphone 6. iphone 6 maybe smoother but alpha is overall better in performance like faster scrolling speed, multi tasking and data speed .

Yes keep telling yourself that

 

[AppleRobert]

Folks here should well be aware when you subject yourself to size for specific devices, they will be very limited in the future and then you are stuck with their battery size and display and UI and camera, etc etc.

Just look at how many devices became available in October and November that you were interested in and had to dismiss because of other things regardless of their size.

 

[gkarris]

Folks here should well be aware when you subject yourself to size for specific devices, they will be very limited in the future and then you are stuck with their battery size and display and UI and camera, etc etc.

Just look at how many devices became available in October and November that you were interested in and had to dismiss because of other things regardless of their size.

?

"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
- Popular Mechanics, 1949

http://ifaq.wap.org/computers/famousquotes.html

 

[AppleRobert]

?

The thread topic is big and small smartphones.

 

[MRU]

Does not help i guess, it lags like crazy.

What?

My Alpha is snappy as my moto x and Google play edition s4. You clearly haven't used one.

 

[MRU]

Yes keep telling yourself that

I have both the Alpha and the iPhone 6. The Alpha does not lag and is as smooth in daily use as my iPhone, indeed it keeps a few more apps in memory too meaning in daily use it can often be snappier. I love both equally, but saying it lags is nonsense. (Exynos model Alpha)

 

[gotluck]

I have no problem using big phones, the usability I would say is better on phablets.

I just can't handle them when I'm not using them. I can't stand the large slab in my pocket.

If pocketability is not a factor, then I'd really rather be using a large tablet over a phablet.

Really only resort to the regular computer if I have to.