iPhone X iPhone Xs+ Usability

[corriewf]

Hey guys-

I have not owned an iPhone since the iPhone 5. I am trying to decide on the usability of the iPhone X+ one handed. I currently have a pixel xl which gives me some hand fatigue..figuratively.. not literally. I went on the Apple store and looked at the regular iPhone X and had a couple of takeaways, 1. It can be tough to reach the top corners of the screen one handed for notifications or control center. Do you guys see this being a larger problem with the Xs+? I can use an iPhone 8+ one handed but there is a large bezel on the top that I don’t have to reach to. Since that will be screen area on iPhone xs+...I could see that being pretty tough.

Additionally, it seemed like the keyboard is really funky on the regular x. Is that something you get used to over time? The added spaces bother my ocd..lol.

 

[haqsha23]

i had trouble using the X one-handed. The X+ will certainly be quite difficult to use one-handed, especially when taking into account that the control center has to be swiped from the top right, when your thumb is normally near the bottom of the screen.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I think anybody thinking of using this device one-handed needs to look at the ergonomics and realise it’s going to be the same as any Plus before it. It’s a phablet at the end of the day and use cases will need to adapt.

 

[corriewf]

i had trouble using the X one-handed. The X+ will certainly be quite difficult to use one-handed, especially when taking into account that the control center has to be swiped from the top right, when your thumb is normally near the bottom of the screen.

Ok, so that’s exactly the info I am looking for. So if you’re stuck using two hands, is it reasonable to think larger screen is better?
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I think anybody thinking of using this device one-handed needs to look at the ergonomics and realise it’s going to be the same as any Plus before it. It’s a phablet at the end of the day and use cases will need to adapt.

Well...not really like the previous phablet because the bezels are now screen that you have to reach. I can use an 8+ one handed but if I had to reach the very top left corner...don’t think so.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Well...not really like the previous phablet because the bezels are now screen that you have to reach. I can use an 8+ one handed but if I had to reach the very top left corner...don’t think so.

My understanding from rumours has been the X+ will be a similar size to an 8+ but with smaller bezels, so the reach-ability of the screen is even harder due to a significantly bigger screen.

Unless Apple put some impressive quick settings to make one-handed use easier I don’t think it’ll be truly capable.

 

[kungxpao]

I think the Xs Plus will be a similar size to the current Plus phones. Had a 7 Plus and I had no problem using it one hand. Not as easy as the X I’m currently using but doable.

 

[corriewf]

My understanding from rumours has been the X+ will be a similar size to an 8+ but with smaller bezels, so the reach-ability of the screen is even harder due to a significantly bigger screen.

Unless Apple put some impressive quick settings to make one-handed use easier I don’t think it’ll be truly capable.

I wonder why they didn’t just nix the 8+ body and make a wider iPhone X that would have a screen closer in size to the 8+ but more usable from a one handed perspective. It seems, and I may be misjudging, that a lot of those wanting an x+ are not liking the smaller x screen due to its usable screen space. They made the x screen long but skinny. In my opinion the ui for the keyboard etc looks awkward in that screen ratio of the x.

 

[PlainEnvelopes]

The first few days you have the phone it will be a little werid, but you will get used to it. I do not like using smaller phones now, whenever I use my wife's 7 it is weird.

 

[corriewf]

I think the Xs Plus will be a similar size to the current Plus phones. Had a 7 Plus and I had no problem using it one hand. Not as easy as the X I’m currently using but doable.

Yes, but could you use the 7+ one handed if you had to reach the top left top of the bezel for notifications?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I think one thing that makes one handed operation hard on the X is the control center and notification screen swipes. Having to get to the upper left and right part of the screen is difficult one handed on the X so I’m sure it will be even worse on the XS+. You can use reachability to shift the screen down it definitely helps.

 

[sunapple]

With my 7 Plus I can reach the top one-handed, but it's tricky. I will however at some point upgrade to XS Plus because I watch a lot of video and I don't want to downgrade my screen real estate. Reachability helps as well (double-tapping home button).

 

[Ralfi]

Do you guys see this being a larger problem with the Xs+?

If you're struggling with the regular X, then yeah, it'll be worse with the X+.

Additionally, it seemed like the keyboard is really funky on the regular x. Is that something you get used to over time?

I don't use Apples keyboard.

Have a play around with both G-Board (Google's keyboard) & SwiftKey.

Both these keyboards use swipe typing which is much more efficient once you get used to it & additionally makes one handed typing easier.

 

[Jetcat3]

With my 7 Plus I can reach the top one-handed, but it's tricky. I will however at some point upgrade to XS Plus because I watch a lot of video and I don't want to downgrade my screen real estate. Reachability helps as well (double-tapping home button).

I also would love to increase real estate for videos but it’s only a 22% increase in area for 16:9 videos over the X. 5” diagonal vs 5.53”. Not sure if that’s worth carrying that much extra device around.

 

[zakarhino]

I would suggest getting the XS if one handed use is a priority for you. I can get by using one hand on the X right now but I know the XS+ will be a two hand device for the most part.

 

[ckurt25]

Start practicing using the Reachability feature of your phones - Settings > General > Accessibility > Reachability

Once you get the hang of it, reaching the "top" corners is pretty easy.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I adapted to my X and will be able to adapt to it's larger brother.

Not worried in the least.

 

[sunapple]

I also would love to increase real estate for videos but it’s only a 22% increase in area for 16:9 videos over the X. 5” diagonal vs 5.53”. Not sure if that’s worth carrying that much extra device around.

22% sounds like a lot to me... I’ve switched between regular and Plus iPhones a few times and the difference is totally worth it for me.

 

[corriewf]

Does the reachability work for those corner drop down menus?

I’m currently on a pixel xl so no ability to test on a current iOS mobile device.

Even with reachability, it’s an added step of double tapping the home bar right?

I’m torn.. want the added battery life of xs+ and I’m always tempted by the added screen space, but I just don’t consume media on my mobile device anymore. It’s my iPad or computer for media. Typically I use my phone for reading some news while walking...pictures pictures pictures..and some brief internet browsing.

There is something to be said about being able to quickly get your phone out, shoot off a text with one hand and back into the pocket.

 

[Deguello]

I also would love to increase real estate for videos but it’s only a 22% increase in area for 16:9 videos over the X. 5” diagonal vs 5.53”. Not sure if that’s worth carrying that much extra device around.

Nearly 1/4 bigger doesn’t seem like an “only” to me.

I can use the Plus versions one-handed, but my hands and fingers are substantially bigger than average. Reaching all the way to the edge of the device is a stretch even for me, though. Almost everyone is going to be using two hands if it involves reaching up to either of the top corners.

 

[ckurt25]

Does the reachability work for those corner drop down menus?

Yes, it does.

 

[Reach9]

Give the bigger iPhone a chance, i’m getting it too and reachability will be my friend.

Worst case you can return it in a few days and just get the other one.

 

[corriewf]

Give the bigger iPhone a chance, i’m getting it too and reachability will be my friend.

Worst case you can return it in a few days and just get the other one.

Question on that- if you preorder and get the iPhone X+ early, would you be able to swap out easily or face the wrath of 5-6 shipping times?

 

[jsmitty]

I use reachability all the time on my X and did on my 7+ before. It’s easy to get used to using.