Just a WAG from a rough approximation, but it seems like people who have moved to a larger screen, after they get used to it for awhile, just do not want any part of a smaller screen. Now there are some exceptions, like for people who are unpleased with an OS or a skin, but generally, you stay with bigger. I have progressed from an old LG flip, to a Droid, to an S3, S4 and now I am eyeing a Note 3. I get used to larger size phones very quickly and enjoy them, especially if the resolution stays high.
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.
Once you go bigger, you don't go back
- Thread starter jimbo1mcm
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I wouldn't say that, perhaps the size difference wasn't that great but I went from a droidx (larger phone) back to the iPhone. The larger screen had its pluses and minuses. I like the android platform, as I do the iOS. Like the hardware both platforms have their sets of +/-
I'm considering the note, but I'll wait until I see the note III before making a decision.
I'm considering the note, but I'll wait until I see the note III before making a decision.
This wasn't the case for me. I sold a Samsung Galaxy S3 in favour of the smaller iPhone 5. One of the reasons was to have a smaller phone in general. 
I went all the way up to the note 2 and now I am back to a nexus 4. I wish there was a high end 4.5" android phone with 4.3" of usable space.
Are we talking phones exclusively? Because I went from a 10" tablet to a 7" tablet, if that counts
Every time I go larger, I think that's as large of a screen I would like. Then I upgrade to a larger screen, and I say yet again that's as large as I'll ever go. It's kept going -- though I do think I'm maxed out at the 4.7-5" range. I have no interest in the phablet territory.
And I certainly won't be going back to a 4" screen. Speaking of, is it me or is the iPhone 5C aka the cheaper/affordable iPhone kind of ugly? It genuinely looks like a plastic toy. I'm more than happy to praise Apple for their designs (and usually there's something worthy of praise) but the iPhone 5C isn't really hitting the mark in terms of looks/aesthetics. And how much more "mid-range" can the iPhone specs get? Will future updates bog it down as they do now with the 4 and 4S (? not sure about the 4S)?
Hi-res gallery of what's likely the iPhone 5C: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Apple-iPhone-5C-gallery-of-high-res-images-price-surfaces_id46144
And I certainly won't be going back to a 4" screen. Speaking of, is it me or is the iPhone 5C aka the cheaper/affordable iPhone kind of ugly? It genuinely looks like a plastic toy. I'm more than happy to praise Apple for their designs (and usually there's something worthy of praise) but the iPhone 5C isn't really hitting the mark in terms of looks/aesthetics. And how much more "mid-range" can the iPhone specs get? Will future updates bog it down as they do now with the 4 and 4S (? not sure about the 4S)?
Hi-res gallery of what's likely the iPhone 5C: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Apple-iPhone-5C-gallery-of-high-res-images-price-surfaces_id46144
That was a bit random =P I personally dont like plastic electronics, but its not all bad looking, I like to think of it as a redesigned iPhone 3G. Still not my style though
I actually think it looks very "clean." I have not seen a black one and wonder if they are only doing colors and white =/
I had an S3 and went to an iPhone 5. I currently have an S4 and I'll be getting the next iPhone so no your statement isn't true with everyone.
----------
Yeah I actually really like the way it looks and I'll be getting the plastic one provided it has the same specs internally.
----------
Yeah I actually really like the way it looks and I'll be getting the plastic one provided it has the same specs internally.
I have the IP5 and the S4. I find myself squinting and holding the IP5 closer to see what is on the screen. The S4 is perfect for me...not too big yet large enough that I can see it without have to squint to see the screen. It has an SD card too so I can store movies and my 5 year old can watch if we are waiting for anything. I tried the Note 2 but that just too big. It also does not fit in my pocket.
I think it is funny how when the S4 came out made with plastic.......a TON of iPhone users knocked it for being made of plastic Now that Apple seems poised to release a plastic iPhone........they don't seem to mind plastic as much anymore........
I can't speak for the note sized phones, but for me the larger phones are harder to hold with one hand. I find myself using one hand quite often when I'm commuting. I also didn't see a marked improvement in reading/viewing with the larger phones, so I was getting a more bulky phone with little benefit.
I exclude the Note because that's so much bigger I believe reading/viewing is better but at a cost of being so large of course.
I exclude the Note because that's so much bigger I believe reading/viewing is better but at a cost of being so large of course.
I had the opposite experience. Went from an ip5 to a Note 3, found it was wayyy too big (but an awesome phone) and went back to my ip5. Things I found important was my phone functions as a phone first and a computer/browser/etc second. Being able to easily hold the ip5 in one hand and the simple nature of iOS just allows me to do exactly that. Yes I can hold the note 3 in one hand, but honestly manipulating icons and onscreen elements with one hand holding the phone just wasn't happening.
I do have a tablet that I carry around everywhere and use for those times when I do need a large screen. I'm just waiting for a 5-6" tablet which is pocketable, as the 7"ones are kind of non pocketable IMO. As for my phone I don't think I will ever go much larger than maybe an HTC one Mini size.
Well, screen sizes will go down again at some point in the future. The point is that the marketing needs something to brag about, so people see: Wow, now THAT IS a phone I would like to have. Sure they'll still have the internal specs, like Processor speed, but these are not visual.
We'll reach the size, where bigger wouldn't considered a phone anymore and than the marketing will be stuck. So they'll make phones smaller again to show the people: Look how tiny we build it. And if you have a phone smaller as 5" you cannot use a 5" Display, for example.
We'll reach the size, where bigger wouldn't considered a phone anymore and than the marketing will be stuck. So they'll make phones smaller again to show the people: Look how tiny we build it. And if you have a phone smaller as 5" you cannot use a 5" Display, for example.
I have the IP5 and the S4. I find myself squinting and holding the IP5 closer to see what is on the screen. The S4 is perfect for me...not too big yet large enough that I can see it without have to squint to see the screen. It has an SD card too so I can store movies and my 5 year old can watch if we are waiting for anything. I tried the Note 2 but that just too big. It also does not fit in my pocket.
I think it is funny how when the S4 came out made with plastic.......a TON of iPhone users knocked it for being made of plastic Now that Apple seems poised to release a plastic iPhone........they don't seem to mind plastic as much anymore........
I miss having a small phone which is partly why I'm switching back to the iPhone. Different strokes for different folks.
And I actually prefer plastic and I've always said that
I use both the HTC One and iPhone 5 - sometimes, the iPhone just feels better. Despite the smaller screen.
I'm a fan of larger screens now - but given I don't stare at websites or read much on my phone, the iPhone's smaller screen doesn't both me in the slightest and sometimes is actually preferable (easier to use one-handed).
----------
Squinting huh? Right
Look - you can say you prefer the larger screen without exaggerating the iPhone's situation. Its not TINY. You don't need to use a microscope, and the difference between 4" and 5" (while substantial) isn't enough to go from "squinting to see" to utter brilliance.
As for your last comment - please stop generalizing Apple users/fans. I've said this before:
Those who cry and whine about plastic in the GS4 are likely trolls who's opinions can summarily be ignored. Those who truly don't like plastic are also not going to like it on the iPhone. And those who haven't said anything on the matter likely don't care and don't appreciate being lumped into some group for the purpose of mocking all Apple fans.
I'm a fan of larger screens now - but given I don't stare at websites or read much on my phone, the iPhone's smaller screen doesn't both me in the slightest and sometimes is actually preferable (easier to use one-handed).
----------
I have the IP5 and the S4. I find myself squinting and holding the IP5 closer to see what is on the screen. The S4 is perfect for me...not too big yet large enough that I can see it without have to squint to see the screen. It has an SD card too so I can store movies and my 5 year old can watch if we are waiting for anything. I tried the Note 2 but that just too big. It also does not fit in my pocket.
I think it is funny how when the S4 came out made with plastic.......a TON of iPhone users knocked it for being made of plastic Now that Apple seems poised to release a plastic iPhone........they don't seem to mind plastic as much anymore........
Squinting huh? Right
Look - you can say you prefer the larger screen without exaggerating the iPhone's situation. Its not TINY. You don't need to use a microscope, and the difference between 4" and 5" (while substantial) isn't enough to go from "squinting to see" to utter brilliance.
As for your last comment - please stop generalizing Apple users/fans. I've said this before:
Those who cry and whine about plastic in the GS4 are likely trolls who's opinions can summarily be ignored. Those who truly don't like plastic are also not going to like it on the iPhone. And those who haven't said anything on the matter likely don't care and don't appreciate being lumped into some group for the purpose of mocking all Apple fans.
Not at all.
Had a Galaxy S2 Epic 4G Touch which had a 4.5" screen and easily went to a iPhone 4S.
And the GS4 is a grip buster. Tough on one handed use without shifting to an un-secure grip.
Had a Galaxy S2 Epic 4G Touch which had a 4.5" screen and easily went to a iPhone 4S.
And the GS4 is a grip buster. Tough on one handed use without shifting to an un-secure grip.
i will never go smaller...my S4 makes my iphone 5 seem so tiny now. not sure how i managed to do anything on that thing.
This has been one of the biggest adjustments I am having going from the iPhone 4S to the HTC One. I can't use the One with just one hand. I like the One mini at 4.3 inches.
it is amazing how defensive people get about the iPhone. It is a great phone.....but as i stated too small for me as i squint to see it....nuff said.I use both the HTC One and iPhone 5 - sometimes, the iPhone just feels better. Despite the smaller screen.
I'm a fan of larger screens now - but given I don't stare at websites or read much on my phone, the iPhone's smaller screen doesn't both me in the slightest and sometimes is actually preferable (easier to use one-handed).
----------
Squinting huh? Right
Look - you can say you prefer the larger screen without exaggerating the iPhone's situation. Its not TINY. You don't need to use a microscope, and the difference between 4" and 5" (while substantial) isn't enough to go from "squinting to see" to utter brilliance.
As for your last comment - please stop generalizing Apple users/fans. I've said this before:
Those who cry and whine about plastic in the GS4 are likely trolls who's opinions can summarily be ignored. Those who truly don't like plastic are also not going to like it on the iPhone. And those who haven't said anything on the matter likely don't care and don't appreciate being lumped into some group for the purpose of mocking all Apple fans.
No where did I say it was tiny.....you said that not me. I never said anything about a microscope nor did in EVER imply anything like that. You are being overly defensive and implying things i NEVER said or implied. I never said i went from squinting to UTTER BRILLIANCE as you stated. YOU said that. I just said I don't have to squint when using the S4 but I do with the IP5. That is my experience. So stop being so defensive......i am allowed to state an opinion and use cases.
You people have some TINY hands if you're having trouble using the One, Nexus 4, or S4 one-handed. I can see that with the Note 2, but with any of those?
Tiny hands.
Tiny hands.
You people have some TINY hands if you're having trouble using the One, Nexus 4, or S4 one-handed. I can see that with the Note 2, but with any of those?
Tiny hands.
Nah - my hands are average, not tiny. It's not that I can't use it one-handed (I do have to shuffle my hand somewhat), but that to reach across to the opposite side, my palm ends up slightly touching the screen and negates any taps I try with my finger. Pain.
Usable with one-hand, but there are some drawbacks and it certainly isn't as easy as it is with my iPhone 5.