Maybe Apple Was Kinda Right?

[Stuntman06]

I'd be interested in the methodology, but I'm not willing to pay $30 for the full paper. I find that a sample size of 5 people to be really too small to draw a good enough conclusion. Also, I think the same person should not be performing tasks on phones of different sizes. The person who uses a phone of a particular size first, may get used to that size and may skew the results of other sized phones. I think you need at least 30 people for each phone of the different sizes before you can really draw a reasonable conclusion on usability.

The study measures both speed and accuracy. The researchers found that a 4" screen generated the fewest errors while a 3" screen had the fastest times. I would be interested to know exactly what operations the subjects performed on these devices and the nature of the errors.

 

[kasakka]

I care less about screen size (either way) than I do about overall device size. Keep it small.

Exactly. The Galaxy S4 crams a bigger display in the same size device as the S3. There's still plenty of bezel that could be eliminated from many smartphone designs.

That said, I have absolutely no interest in phones that are any bigger than the current flagship Android phones. They are a bit annoying to use one handed (especially reaching for the buttons at the bottom on my S4 is awful) and holding them isn't as natural as with narrower phones.

Hopefully manufacturers will back off a bit and screen sizes will settle around 4.3-4.5" with minimal bezel.

 

[mclld]

Choices are great! If you dont like a big phone dont buy, if you dont like a small dont buy but it shouldnt be one way or the other (for android anyway)

 

[jimbo1mcm]

Wait for Q3 figures

When the S4 and HTC One figures come in for Q3, you will get a much better idea of what ordinary people want, not research groups.

 

[gotluck]

4.7" screen with minimum bezel = best iphone

 

[jamezr]

To me the chart says "people with higher IQ's choose 4" screens".

Since we're just interpreting the chart to mean whatever our agenda is...

And saying that 4.7 is "perfectly usable" is an outright lie. Usable for who? You? Plenty of people think it's FAR too big for a phone.

Personally (see what I did there?) I liked the 3.5" just fine. The 4" is on the brink of being too big for my tastes for a phone.

Based on overall sales the 4" iPhone 5 literally destroys any other single phone... and before you start spouting off recent sales numbers remember OVERALL sales since launch are the real indicator of consumer demand, not recent sales based on people waiting for the 5S/C to launch.

The people have spoken, and they don't want your wonky 4.7" screen, no matter how usable YOU find it to be. I'm happy you found something you want, but it's only good for you, not for me or for anyone else.

Apple is trying to sell to the LARGEST segment it can. That's currently why the screen size is what it is. Again, they have no interest in satisfying a niche just to alienate the rest of the buyers who prefer something else.

And for the 5 people that left Apple because of that, I am sure they are very sorry to have lost your business.

I have both the IP5 and the S4 and they are both great phones. I prefer the larger screen....that fits my large hands and old eyes!
I think it also notable that I never use my IP5 with one hand. I always use to hands with every phone I have ever had...that includes every iphone released....

 

[daneoni]

Well seeing that market share article on the MR Front Page, I'd certainly say that many people hate the smaller screen enough to leave over it.

The market share isn't what it is because of screen size, its because of price.

 

[mclld]

That is simply not the only reason

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

The S4 is the biggest screen size I've owned and I can operate one handed as good as any thing smaller.

Now the Note 2 which I messed with is a differ story.

I see more people texting with two hands on iPhone's with 3.5 -4 screens while in portrait and see more people use larger displayed phones with one hand. I usually see this when on the road. Pedestrians are immersed into their iPhones always use two hands and never paying attention to traffic, while the ones using larger non iPhones are usually using one hand and looking out for traffic. Can't explain why, it's just what I noticed.

 

[TheHateMachine]

It is great having huge hands and being able to operate the Note 2 one handed with ease. I never understood the whole "It is too big argument" but then again I will never have small hands.

Sometimes I think my Note 2's screen is not big enough.

As for efficiency... I cannot say that I have noticed a hit of that going from my Droid X > Galaxy S3 > Note 2.

----------

I see more people texting with two hands on iPhone's with 3.5 -4 screens while in portrait and see more people use larger displayed phones with one hand. I usually see this when on the road. Pedestrians are immersed into their iPhones always use two hands and never paying attention to traffic, while the ones using larger non iPhones are usually using one hand and looking out for traffic. Can't explain why, it's just what I noticed.

I've only ever been able to text reliably in portrait mode on my Note 2. That said sometimes I am totally inconsiderate and still bump into people when i get texts from my docs or managers about problems.

 

[adder7712]

The only thing preventing apple from selling a bigger iPhone is the terror it may stop ipad sellings.... who will need an iPad if iPhone gets galaxy note display?

Certainly doesn't stop Samsung from selling their own tablets along with the Note. They serve different markets.

 

[The Robot Cow]

Apple is as much or more concerned about product segmentation as they are efficient interface.

They want to sell you each product in the portfolio, and a larger iphone would potentially undermine that. In this way, they will delay a larger screen iphone as long as possible.

I started with an iPad 2, then iPhone 5, and now an iMac. Damn you Apple! haha

How a phone feels in your hands is totally your own personal preference. My Galaxy Nexus feels good in my hands but the iPhone 5 fits my hands just a bit better.

 

[ChrisTX]

Well seeing that market share article on the MR Front Page, I'd certainly say that many people hate the smaller screen enough to leave over it.

Some people get curious, and then some of us actually take the plunge into the dark side. However, the user experience cluttered by all of the bloatware on most Android devices, just isn't the same as the iPhone.

The only thing preventing apple from selling a bigger iPhone is the terror it may stop ipad sellings.... who will need an iPad if iPhone gets galaxy note display?

The Galaxy Note size is a far stretch, and it's not even Samsungs #1 product. Even 5" is borderline phablet. 4.3" - 4.7" is the way to go. However 4" isn't bad either when the UI is optimized for the form factor.

 

[TacticalDesire]

I don't need a chart to tell me what screen size is best for me.

 

[Vegastouch]

The only thing preventing apple from selling a bigger iPhone is the terror it may stop ipad sellings.... who will need an iPad if iPhone gets galaxy note display?

I dont buy that. I have a 4.8" phone screen and think the Nexus screen should of went to 8".
I prefer the SS Note 8 and 8" Tab 3 better than the Nexus 7" screen as far as size though it wouldnt stop me from buying the N7's new tablet.

Android is recently said to be selling a lot more tablets than Apple these days so i guess most dont feel the way you do and im saying this because Android phones are all bigger than the iPhone is. In fact, all smart phones are bigger than the iPhone is and im sure many of those people are buying Android tablets of all sizes...and iPads so imo having a bigger iPhone wouldnt affect iPad sales at all.

I still say Apples price affects them more than anything.

 

[Technarchy]

I still say Apples price affects them more.

Especially in so-called emerging markets where the iPhone 5 is a month's pay or more for some people.

Then again has never been an "everyman's" product.

And it will probably be a mistake for Apple to try and be...

 

[Vegastouch]

To me the chart says "people with higher IQ's choose 4" screens".

LOL, really? How on earth do you come to that conclusion?

And saying that 4.7 is "perfectly usable" is an outright lie. Usable for who? You? Plenty of people think it's FAR too big for a phone.

My hands arent big but i have no problem using my GS3. At times reaching the top i have to slide the phone down a bit but it isnt like it is some big effort. If i take off the Otterbox, that itself makes it easier since it is then thinner.

Personally (see what I did there?) I liked the 3.5" just fine. The 4" is on the brink of being too big for my tastes for a phone.

To each their own. The iPhone imo is just too small and one of the big reasons ill never buy one though there are other reasons that Apple will never change.

The people have spoken, and they don't want your wonky 4.7" screen, no matter how usable YOU find it to be. I'm happy you found something you want, but it's only good for you, not for me or for anyone else.

Android destroys iPhone in world market share.

Apple is trying to sell to the LARGEST segment it can. That's currently why the screen size is what it is. Again, they have no interest in satisfying a niche just to alienate the rest of the buyers who prefer something else.

Id bet that Apple would sell even more phones if they made the screen at least 4.5" and of course made it a little wider too.

 

[TheRealCBONE]

I don't have big hands, but I am typing this one handed on the S4 & really only use 2 hands for playing games. I cradle the phone on my pinky between the 1st and 2nd knuckles and can reach all corners with my thumb even with a case on the phone. If Apple showed people holding the iPhone so they could use all the articulation of their thumb and palm rather than the stupid, stunted tyrannosaur way they do now, we'd probably have a 4.7 inch iPhone. If there was widespread developer usage of gestures and auto hiding, a 4.3 inch iPhone could be great (after a jailbreak to enable the basic functionality I need in a phone).

Regardless, I draw the line at 5 inches. Any bigger and the entire thing becomes oddly balanced and fits poorly for my needs.

 

[Technarchy]

Regardless, I draw the line at 5 inches. Any bigger and the entire thing becomes oddly balanced and fits poorly for my needs.

Samsung managed to cram a bigger screen onto a phone that essentially is the same size as its predecessor.

It would be nice if they could do that again because the size of phones is creeping past the point of self parody.

I remember when I first saw the HTC Titan, I thought it was ridiculous. Now...

 

[MorphMan]

Why not just enable phone capability on the iPad mini? 95% of whats needed is already there. If you don't want to use it, don't get a voice enabled SIM.

The world has changed, Internet is the priority now not voice.

While travelling i saw a huge number of people using full sized iPad's as cameras so clearly size doesn't bother people.

 

[Irishman]

4.7 is love. Would be my perfect iPhone

Does BigJim83 have BigHands83? Might explain why you prefer 4.7".

 

[jamezr]

One thing becomes really clear when reading the many threads about screen size. One size does not fit all! What is perfect for one person is not so perfect for another person. That is why we have so many choices. I for one am very glad we have so many screen sizes to choose from in the smartphone market. So everyone should be glad we have so many options. We should not put others down for not having the same wants/needs as us. I like larger screens. But if you love smaller screens great! It does not matter to me what phone you use......just don't try to tell me my choices are wrong......

 

[maxosx]

When reading about display sizes it's easy to identify the followers from the leaders. All those who agree with Apples dictatorial stance have been followers from childhood. Those who are not afraid to speak up for themselves and are quite clear about what they want, are the people who lead and succeed.

Where Apple is correct is in their self centered approach designed to keep them fat and happy. Wildly successful with billions stashed overseas, it's their followers that brag about Apples accomplishments as though it was their own.

 

[mattopotamus]

I like the form factor of the iphone 5. If they could fit the biggest screen possible using the same size device, that would be my perfect size.

 

[Vegastouch]

I like the form factor of the iphone 5. If they could fit the biggest screen possible using the same size device, that would be my perfect size.

Its still too skinny. If they made the screen even taller it would look funny.