Big phones are uncomfortable.

[s44]

I cannot read a text on my 8X without my reading glasses now

Are you telling me WP doesn't have adjustable size fonts!?

 

[WT]

Are you telling me WP doesn't have adjustable size fonts!?

Not in a text message. I have yet to figure out you where that option can be set, if it can in fact be changed.

Edit: Sunovabitch, well there it is !! Color me ignorant on that one. You learn something every day !!

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/winphone/forum/wp8-wppersonal/changing-font-size-for-text-messaging/ec5beb0f-c0c0-4c7d-8359-5c9ec69b7092

 

[s44]

Well, good! But I'm amazed there's more than one spot to look for it in. On Android you set systemwide font and size.

 

[WelshBloke]

Every time I see this thread title pop up I cant help but imagine that the OP is trying to smuggle a phone into prison for a friend and is trying to avoid "that" walk.

 

[toughtrasher]

Every time I see this thread title pop up I cant help but imagine that the OP is trying to smuggle a phone into prison for a friend and is trying to avoid "that" walk.

:ninja_O

 

[Geekbabe]

I adore phablet sized devices, any phone with under a 5 inch screen is somewhat difficult for me to use at this point. I don't talk on my phones, I text and consume content, bigger screens are better for me.

 

[MarkizSchnitzel]

Ok, I may be exaggerating since the S4 is comfortable to hold without a case, but really a case is pretty much essential for such an expensive gadget.

Why should the case be essential? What is the point in designing the phone in the first place if you are going to hide it behind a (in most cases) hideous case?
If it's gonna break, it's gonna break.

 

[s44]

Why should the case be essential?

"Should" has nothing to do with it. A case *is* essential, whether you think it should be or not. Why? Because physics.

What is the point in designing the phone in the first place if you are going to hide it behind a (in most cases) hideous case?
If it's gonna break, it's gonna break.

What, indeed, *is* the point? You've just disproven the design fetishists.

And fatalism is totally incorrect. With just a TPU case as shock-absorber, it will not break. That's the whole point.

 

[Zaap]

Phone cases are not essential, anymore than that stupid plastic your grandparents had all over their couch was ever "essential". Personally, I think 99% of cases are completely stupid.

Taking proper care of what you own is what's essential. I don't drop expensive things. Not my laptop. Not my tablet. Not my phone. Putting a case on and thinking "Now this is okay to drop!" is just being a tad thick.

 

[NetGuySC]

Phone cases are not essential, anymore than that stupid plastic your grandparents had all over their couch was ever "essential". Personally, I think 99% of cases are completely stupid.

Taking proper care of what you own is what's essential. I don't drop expensive things. Not my laptop. Not my tablet. Not my phone. Putting a case on and thinking "Now this is okay to drop!" is just being a tad thick.

I don't believe anyone thinks that it is okay to drop a phone just because it is in a case. I insist on using a case on my Note 3 for the times that I "accidentally" drop my phone. Besides every smartphone I have ever owned (all 4) were entirely too slippery for me to not use a case, the case provides protection and more importantly a surface that is much easier to not accidentally let slip out of my hands.

 

[Crono]

Phone cases are not essential, anymore than that stupid plastic your grandparents had all over their couch was ever "essential". Personally, I think 99% of cases are completely stupid.

Taking proper care of what you own is what's essential. I don't drop expensive things. Not my laptop. Not my tablet. Not my phone. Putting a case on and thinking "Now this is okay to drop!" is just being a tad thick.

Most people who uses cases aren't looking to intentionally drop their phones any more than car owners with insurance are looking to intentionally crash their vehicles. Some cases are mainly designed to protect against minor scratches and scuffs to the body, but others exist to keep the phone from breaking in the event of a fall, unlike that plastic cover for your grandparents couch.

You might not have ever dropped your phone, but for those who use a smartphone a lot, it certainly is a possibility even if you are cautious. I would have mostly agreed with your view in the past until I accidentally dropped my Lumia 1520, cracking the screen (almost all phones will crack if they hit a hard floor at the wrong angle).

Now I have an M8 and use a tempered glass screen protector and a strong case. Not because I'm paranoid, but just as practical insurance. A case and screen protector are far cheaper than repairing a screen, which can cost $200 to fix (glass is bonded to the display in 1520, couldn't even replace it myself). Considering a lot of phone insurance plans have a deductible that high, it makes it seem a much better deal to just buy a case and screen protector. Also, if and when I sell my phone it will likely sell for more if it's in pristine condition than if it even had minor damage to the body.

I'm sure it's possible to handle a phone with white gloves, or for non-clumsy people who aren't using their phones outdoors and in a lot of different places to keep their phone in perfect shape, but for everyone cases at least are a reasonable purchase. If you can afford to replace a flagship phone if it breaks and not have it hurt your wallet, then more power to you, you can act as your own insurance.

 

[rh71]

Having my case for the note 3 means I don't have to handle it like a delicate flower every time I yank it out of my pocket. I even flip it around nonchalantly if upside down. I've also dropped it corner-first from shallow pockets so it was good it was on there.

 

[openwheel]

People who put cases on phones should not be complaining about phone size getting too large.

 

[Bman123]

I've got a otterbox on my note 2 and don't complain about it at all. I'd rather know if I drop my phone it will be ok then to be out of cash replacing a screen

 

[Zaap]

I'm sure it's possible to handle a phone with white gloves, or for non-clumsy people who aren't using their phones outdoors and in a lot of different places to keep their phone in perfect shape, but for everyone cases at least are a reasonable purchase. If you can afford to replace a flagship phone if it breaks and not have it hurt your wallet, then more power to you, you can act as your own insurance.

I dropped my S3 once or twice. (Luckily never broke it). It was enough to teach me to stop doing stupid, distracting things while handling the phone, which I believe 9 times out of 10 is what people do when they end up dropping their phone. "Yeah, so I just had to answer that text while I was running down a flight of stairs... yada yada."

When I'm in a "high drop possibility" activity, I make a very conscious effort to know the phone is secure. It's now just 2nd nature, and takes no effort at all.

Never dropped my Note 2 (mint condition until I sold it) and never plan on dropping my Note 3 (looks like the day I bought it.)

Putting a case on it wouldn't help me grip it any better (it would ruin the look of it though.) I simply have to hold on to it properly when it's in my hand and be conscious of it -OR- make certain I secure it in a pocket or lay it down safely before I do whatever *high probability of drop* activity, such as entering/exiting a vehicle, carrying my kid, bending down to pick something up, etc. etc.

"I even flip it around nonchalantly..."

And right on cue... this is the kind of thing I was talking about as an example of "I have a case on my phone, so it's okay!" No. I think it's being a bit thick to flip an expensive smartphone around "nonchalantly" case or not.

 

[blairharrington]

I think it's sad to see the LG G line now morph essentially into a phablet with the upcoming G3. G3, S5, M8, and Z2 are all huge phones IMO.

I realize there is a strong market for such large devices but as a current Nexus 5 user I'd actually like something smaller like the Moto X or future iPhone 6. I would never use buy a larger phone (relative to the Nexus 5) at this point.

 

[zerocool84]

Phone cases are not essential, anymore than that stupid plastic your grandparents had all over their couch was ever "essential". Personally, I think 99% of cases are completely stupid.

Taking proper care of what you own is what's essential. I don't drop expensive things. Not my laptop. Not my tablet. Not my phone. Putting a case on and thinking "Now this is okay to drop!" is just being a tad thick.

This is just a dumb comment. No one intentionally drops their phones.

 

[MarkizSchnitzel]

Maybe buying phones that don't have 2 times as many easily breakable glass panes is not a good idea.
Or just not buying phones that are not well designed.

I just don't understand why people keep asking manufacturers for thinner phones, and than they put idiotic covers on them.. I get it, to show of, but it's ridiculous.

 

[Zaap]

This is just a dumb comment. No one intentionally drops their phones.

No S sherlock. You just think an extra piece of plastic that makes your phone look idiotic will protect you from it.

 

[NetGuySC]

No S sherlock. You just think an extra piece of plastic that makes your phone look idiotic will protect you from it.

Lol.. well then okay Captain Obvious.. that extra piece of plastic does protect my phone when I accidently drop it, and that extra piece of plastic does make it easier to hold making me less likely to accidently drop it.

 

[Zaap]

Lol.. well then okay Captain Obvious.. that extra piece of plastic does protect my phone when I accidently drop it, and that extra piece of plastic does make it easier to hold making me less likely to accidently drop it.

Mostly, all the toddler-wrap on your phone is doing for you really is:

1. Making an other sleek device look like a silly toddler's toy.

2. Giving you a false sense of security that the toddler-wrap will protect you from your own clumsiness, when in reality, all you have to do is not be clumsy when using your phone and stop thinking it it gives you license to do risky things while using your phone.

Eventually, you'll give yourself permission to take those silly training wheels off.

 

[dawheat]

Mostly, all the toddler-wrap on your phone is doing for you really is:

1. Making an other sleek device look like a silly toddler's toy.

2. Giving you a false sense of security that the toddler-wrap will protect you from your own clumsiness, when in reality, all you have to do is not be clumsy when using your phone and stop thinking it it gives you license to do risky things while using your phone.

Eventually, you'll give yourself permission to take those silly training wheels off.

For some reason this post just screams doucebag to me. I personally dislike most cases as well (I use the S-view case on my Note 3 b/c I like the functionality) but I certainly know why people use them.

I have peers who have to travel internationally for weeks at a time and they cannot access any corporate resources, including email, on non-secured devices. If anything happens to their phone, they lose a major source of communication without any ability to replace it without corporate IT fedexing them a new device (no you cannot just get a phone locally and add Exchange credentials). Every single experienced person uses some sort of case b/c they've all had it happen - a client knocks their phone on the ground, they're jumping out of a taxi in the rain, they're on their 3rd flight in 3 days, etc.

If you're a parent, you're pretty much going to need a case b/c kids will be kids. Living in Manhattan, I've been jostled by other pedestrians hundreds of times. It happens when you live in such a dense area. Then the endless examples of people with jobs that require some sort of physical work.

 

[Zaap]

Oh please. Most people toddler-proofing their phones from themselves aren't traveling internationally to the wilds of the earth with no access to resources all the time. Let's dredge up every extreme while we're at it.

If you're being jostled around in public- put the freakin' phone away, pay attention to your surroundings.

If you're with your kids: put the phone away.

if you're jumping out of a taxi in the rain, onto your 3rd flight in 3 days, etc- put the phone away.

Like I said, all most people need to do is stop trying to tweet or do whatever it is they feel is so damned important when they're engaging in activities that increase the likelihood of dropping the phone. (Or being the annoying jackasses I see people being who keep their minds/eyes glued to their damned phones all the time rather than engage in the real world.) When you're seated IN the taxi or plane securely- THEN use your phone- not while jumping out of it. No adult toddler-proofing needed.

 

[Crono]

Oh please. Most people toddler-proofing their phones from themselves aren't traveling internationally to the wilds of the earth with no access to resources all the time. Let's dredge up every extreme while we're at it.

If you're being jostled around in public- put the freakin' phone away, pay attention to your surroundings.

If you're with your kids: put the phone away.

if you're jumping out of a taxi in the rain, onto your 3rd flight in 3 days, etc- put the phone away.

Like I said, all most people need to do is stop trying to tweet or do whatever it is they feel is so damned important when they're engaging in activities that increase the likelihood of dropping the phone. (Or being the annoying jackasses I see people being who keep their minds/eyes glued to their damned phones all the time rather than engage in the real world.) When you're seated IN the taxi or plane securely- THEN use your phone- not while jumping out of it. No adult toddler-proofing needed.

I get it now. All of this is to explain that it's not that you don't see the potential usefulness of cases, you just don't like the way people use their phones.

Which is fine, and to each his own, but you can't reasonably expect everyone to take care of their stuff the same way you do. I mean maybe the world would be a better place is that were the case (no pun intended), but it's not reality.

 

[Zaap]

I get it now. All of this is to explain that it's not that you don't see the potential usefulness of cases, you just don't like the way people use their phones.

I was responding to the assertion made in this thread that a case was "essential".

They most certainly aren't. Maybe some feel they're essential for them personally. Fine. But to insist that applies to everyone is silly. (Kind of like the whole theme of this thread, someone insisting their own personal preference -based on some hangup at that- is an absolute for everyone.)

Many of us don't want to a case ruining the look of a phone any more than I want a Nabi vs. an adult's tablet.