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Smartphone Screen Real Estate: How Big Is Big Enough?

Posted by Soulskill on from the if-it-doesn't-fit-on-your-coffee-table-you-might-have-a-problem dept.

MojoKid writes "Aside from the terrible nickname (it sounds like a term for the spoiled offspring of fabulous people), phablets are somewhat controversial because they seem to be the epitome of inflated phone sizes. A lot of people wanted bigger, and this is 'bigger' to the extreme. A larger screen on a smartphone is attractive for obvious reasons, but surely there's a limit. So how big is too big? If you're not into parsing out the particulars of form factors and use cases, here's a really easy way to figure out if your phone or phablet is too big: Can you hold the device in one hand and 1) unlock the phone, 2) type out a text message with your thumb, and 3) adjust the volume with the rocker without using your other hand? If not, you might need a smaller phone."

3 of 320 comments (clear)

  1. I have a Galaxy Note by maroberts · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ..and it fits perfectly in my breast shirt pocket. I don't put phones in trouser/pants pockets ever since I broke a screen of one by doing so.

    I love the Note as its large display makes a great GPS device when in its car holder.
    The main thing I want in a smartphone now is enormous battery life as well as the features. I do miss the days when you could charge your phone once a week, but not so much I'm willing to go back to having a basic phone.

    --

    Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
    Karma: Chameleon

  2. What?? by Cenan · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Can you hold the device in one hand and 1) unlock the phone, 2) type out a text message with your thumb, and 3) adjust the volume with the rocker without using your other hand? If not, you might need a smaller phone.

    None of the above points are arguments for/against screens of any size. All of those "problems" can be solved without even thinking about the size of the screen on a device.

    1) unlocking schemes for phones can take on any number of different forms, not all requiring you to swipe from edge to edge to unlock.

    2) usability of the virtual keyboard has nothing to do with screen size, but a matter of placing it in the correct location on the screen

    3) adjusting the volume on a phone has nothing to do with screen size, and everything to do with placement of the rocker button.

    --
    ... whatever ...
  3. Re:Phone is for talking by rikkards · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I think the question they are answering is:
    Would you have a phone if your tablet was capable of making and receiving phone calls