Bit that reviewers often miss when discussing "optimal" screen size of a smartphone

[jintoku]

Surprisingly many reviewers forget this bit when discussing optimal screen sizes on mobile devices, including Anand in the latest review of the Moto X: people's hand sizes differ by a significant amount, with the standard deviation in the US being about 15% (assuming hand size is roughly proportional to height).

So when saying things like "I’d posit that the optimal size is somewhere just shy of 5-inches diagonal, say between 4.7 and 5, but this is a subject of heated debate." one has to add at least another 15% systematic error to this statement.

That's what is so ridiculous about the alleged "research" Motorola (and previously famously Apple) use to argue for the screen sizes they pick: I could easily hold and manipulate a 5.0 inch screen with one hand with my 1.5-sigma larger than average hands, but the person sitting next to me will get along much better with the tiny (in my subjective opinion) display on her iPhone.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I'm not sure if that's completely missed, but I think there's two separate issues here:

1) Ergonomics

2) Screen size of a display.

Maybe some people can manipulate a 5" phone just fine, but is it more ergonomic for them than a 4.3" phone? I'd argue that even though the iPhone feels small, it's actually quite ergonomic. I hold it well and I don't at any time feel like it could slip out of my hand especially when I'm using it one handed to take a photo. I can hold a 4.3" phone just fine too, but it's not as good feeling. The 4.7" Nexus 4 starts to get difficult, especially if I have to manipulate it by reaching across corners.

Notice here I'm purely discussing ergonomics. When people start talking about the effects of screen size and what they see, in terms of "oh it looks so nice with a large screen," then you're getting into aesthetics and enjoyment of your device with a certain screen size.

People often say there's a large crowd that likes small screens due to the # of iphone customers. But do they like small screens particularly? Or do they like ergonomics? Or do they just like Apple?

What about the large crowd that likes the Note 2? Do they buy it for ergonomics? Do they but it for the screen? Do they make a sacrifice in ergonomics by opting for a large screen?

Therefore when people say they like their XYZ phone with their ABC screen size, I would ask if they're saying that because it's the right balance of display and ergonomics? Would holding a larger phone be better for their hands? Or would a smaller one feel better? Or does the visual effect of screen size trump all ergonomic concerns?

 

[MrX8503]

I could easily hold and manipulate a 5.0 inch screen with one hand with my 1.5-sigma larger than average hands.

So...if your hands are larger than average, then that's not considered optimal. Optimal is a size that most people can use comfortably. That would be a phone size that fits average hands. Optimal doesn't mean perfect.

 

[Brian Stirling]

So...if your hands are larger than average, then that's not considered optimal. Optimal is a size that most people can use comfortably. That would be a phone size that fits average hands. Optimal doesn't mean perfect.

Yeah, but as Delirium pointed out there is more to it than how it feels in your hand. I worry about some of the folks that clamor about one hand operation as I envisage them texting while driving.


Brian

 

[MrX8503]

Yeah, but as Delirium pointed out there is more to it than how it feels in your hand. I worry about some of the folks that clamor about one hand operation as I envisage them texting while driving.


Brian

Why do I care what he said? lol

I would disagree with him that the iPhone is easy to hold. I feel like its going to fly out of my hands every time cause its so smooth.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Why do I care what he said? lol

I would disagree with him that the iPhone is easy to hold. I feel like its going to fly out of my hands every time cause its so smooth.

I'm talking about it from a size perspective. You're just adding one more dimension to ergonomics, which is the texture. But then we wouldn't be talking about screen size anymore right?

If you could have an iPhone of any size, what would be the best size to hold?

 

[MrX8503]

My preference is mid 4".

 

[thedosbox]

So...if your hands are larger than average, then that's not considered optimal. Optimal is a size that most people can use comfortably. That would be a phone size that fits average hands. Optimal doesn't mean perfect.

Exactly - a typical statistical measure is what would cover 95% of the user population.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Why do I care what he said? lol

I would disagree with him that the iPhone is easy to hold. I feel like its going to fly out of my hands every time cause its so smooth.

I have an iP4 so it's the same basic layout as that last three iPhones other than the strangely stretched 5 but the thing I like about it's ergonomics is that the sides are not as rounded and thin as many Android phones including my HTC One. The constant push to make these devices ever thinner isn't working for me.

If it were up to me I'd have a thicker flatter side somewhat like the iPhone but perhaps textured and maybe even a little rubber.

The nice thing about the curved back on the HTC One is that even though it's over 9mm thick in the center it rounded towards the edge so it sits well in my pocket.

The downside to the HTC One, in addition to the edges that are too thin is that it kind of wobbles when sitting on its back.

So the HTC has positives in one area that are negatives in other areas.


Brian

 

[Eug]

DLeRium makes a good point. The larger screens aren't about proper ergonomics for one-handed use. They're about bigger screens, making readability easier.

Personally I think a good range for the average user for one-handed use ergonomics is somewhere in the 4" to 4.5" range, depending up on the bezel size, at least if we're talking about 16:9 phones. Sure, I can use my 4.7" 68 mm wide RAZR HD one-handed, but I don't think it's ergonomic.

My chosen phone size would be 4" to 4.3" since I have smaller hands, but preferably thicker than many of the newer phones (like Brian suggests) and more grippy (also like Brian suggests). I think BlackBerry has gotten it right with its 4.2" phone.

The 5"+ phablets are just ridiculous for one-handed use ergonomics for the vast majority of the population. Most of us aren't NBA players. However, they are nice to look at, if you're willing to compromise with the one-handed ergonomics then they can be a good solution for many people.

BTW, I will likely be switching from my 4.7" 68 mm wide Android phone to the 4.0" 59 mm wide iPhone 5S/5C when it comes out. I just wish the iPhone were a bit more grippy or else thicker.

 

[SlitheryDee]

BTW, I will likely be switching from my 4.7" 68 mm wide Android phone to the 4.0" 59 mm wide iPhone 5S/5C when it comes out. I just wish the iPhone were a bit more grippy or else thicker.

I'm with you on this, but I have one question for you and for everyone else who seems to care a lot about the texture or "grippyness" of a phone.

Are you really going to use it without some sort of protective case that would negate whatever texture the actual phone back has anyway? I've been through a few modern mobile devices in my time, and I've seen a lot more owned by other people. One thing that stands out to me is that basically everybody drops their phone on a regular basis, and with smartphones you're lucky to get even one free unprotected drop onto a hard surface without breaking the screen. I am personally guaranteed to drop a new phone at least in the first week of owning it. Therefor some sort of protective case is mandatory if I want to use a phone for more than a couple of weeks without breaking it.

Because of that, I basically ignore what the back or edges are made of. I didn't buy any of the glass backed iphones, but the glass backing would never even have given me pause because I knew that I was immediately going to slap a case on any phone I bought. I'm not worried about buying one phone that didn't survive a naked drop test vs another phone that did because I'd never be stupid enough to use it naked on a day to day basis.

So my question is: How much does the feel of the naked phone really matter?

 

[Zaap]

^Knock wood, but I've not once dropped my Note 2. I don't plan on doing so ever. And I'd never disgrace it with a case.

I did drop my old SGS3 a few heart-stopping times. But now I make a conscious effort to always know where my phone is before doing anything where a phone drop is likely.

I used to drop my Droid X all the time- then I just realized I was doing risky things while holding it- and it was virtually always unnecessary stuff. Like, I don't really need to try and zip up a jacket while holding the phone, or reach for it in a hurry while my concentration is elsewhere, etc. No more thoughtless moves with the phone unsecured= no more drops.

 

[thedosbox]

I'm with you on this, but I have one question for you and for everyone else who seems to care a lot about the texture or "grippyness" of a phone.

Are you really going to use it without some sort of protective case that would negate whatever texture the actual phone back has anyway?

Yes. Cases degrade ergonomics by adding bulk - particularly width.

 

[SlitheryDee]

^Knock wood, but I've not once dropped my Note 2. I don't plan on doing so ever. And I'd never disgrace it with a case.

I did drop my old SGS3 a few heart-stopping times. But now I make a conscious effort to always know where my phone is before doing anything where a phone drop is likely.

I used to drop my Droid X all the time- then I just realized I was doing risky things while holding it- and it was virtually always unnecessary stuff. Like, I don't really need to try and zip up a jacket while holding the phone, or reach for it in a hurry while my concentration is elsewhere, etc. No more thoughtless moves with the phone unsecured= no more drops.

I'm so bad about dropping things that I wondered if there really was anyone who could actually use anything one handed without dropping it roughly 5% of the time that they use it (that's about my fail rate I would guess). I can't retrain myself to avoid risky behavior though. I can't redirect my concentration while I reach for it. I can't trust my fingers to simply grasp it while I'm concentrating on using it. Perhaps I'm at the far end of the dexterity spectrum here, but I am guaranteed to drop anything I'm attempting to grasp eventually. If it only takes one drop at the wrong angle to kill the thing, I'm willing to let aesthetics take a back seat to continued use of the device.

One thing I notice a lot is people using phones with broken screens. 90% of the time those are also phones without cases. I know without a doubt that I would be one of those people if I also didn't use a case.

 

[Eug]

I use my RAZR HD without a case because it would add width, and I like the back anyway. It's Kevlar, but has almost like a smooth rubbery feel to it. The texture is similar to the back of the original Nexus 7. Not sticky, but not slippery either.

If I get an iPhone 5S and it's anodized aluminum, I will likely use a case, but partially because the anodization does NOT hold up very well to daily use (depending on the colour). Ironically, the glass on the 4 and 4S is comparatively much more resistant to scratches (but not drops). My wife's iPhone 4 back still looks pristine after 3 years, but that's because I put a protector on it.

iFixit iPhone 5 scratch test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSFKVq36Hgc

Bang! Bang! Bang!

 

[Ravynmagi]

I don't rely on reviewers to tell me what the optimal phone size is or what size of phone I should be buying. So I think this is a non issue.

It's a highly individual decision based on many factors that reviewers naturally can't cover. So I think when a reviewer does talk about optimal phone size, they are speaking very generally and shouldn't be read into too deeply.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Yes. Cases degrade ergonomics by adding bulk - particularly width.

I am in agreement with you here. I find holding and using a naked smartphone to be much more pleasant than using one with a case. My issue is with the continued use of that device after I smashed it on the floor because it slipped from my fingers while I was reaching for the volume button. Or maybe it got yanked from my pocket because the cord of the earbud I was using to listen to a podcast while I worked got caught on something. I like things that feel nice in my hand, but I also like things that aren't broken.

 

[thedosbox]

I am in agreement with you here. I find holding and using a naked smartphone to be much more pleasant than using one with a case. My issue is with the continued use of that device after I smashed it on the floor because it slipped from my fingers while I was reaching for the volume button. Or maybe it got yanked from my pocket because the cord of the earbud I was using to listen to a podcast while I worked got caught on something. I like things that feel nice in my hand, but I also like things that aren't broken.

I've yet to break a bare device simply because it dropped on the floor. And that includes dropping it on a concrete garage floor. A couple of cosmetic scuffs aren't a big deal, but I also regard phones as tools - not as a poor "investment" that I might want to resell to someone else.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I've yet to break a bare device simply because it dropped on the floor. And that includes dropping it on a concrete garage floor. A couple of cosmetic scuffs aren't a big deal, but I also regard phones as tools - not as a poor "investment" that I might want to resell to someone else.

I don't resell phones either. I really do seem to break smart devices almost immediately by dropping them if they don't have some kind of armor. I've broken an iPad, an iPod, and a Motorola atrix simply because they fell out of my hand and hit the ground. I had dropped them before that and gotten lucky, but my luck didn't survive multiple accidents. My insistence on a case is purely to preserve the utility of the device for myself. I also see many other broken phones in my day to day life. To this day every one of those that I've noticed were caseless.

 

[desura]

My preference is mid 4".

I'm actually surprised that a 3" or smaller phone never came out.

I remember the trend before the iphone was for ever thinner phones. I liked that trend.

If you're using your phone for everyday out and about, you only need a screen big enough to give you the info you need. I'm loved to see an iPhone that was the size of a folded Razr flip phone.

 

[thedosbox]

I don't resell phones either. I really do seem to break smart devices almost immediately by dropping them if they don't have some kind of armor. I've broken an iPad, an iPod, and a Motorola atrix simply because they fell out of my hand and hit the ground. I had dropped them before that and gotten lucky, but my luck didn't survive multiple accidents. My insistence on a case is purely to preserve the utility of the device for myself. I also see many other broken phones in my day to day life. To this day every one of those that I've noticed were caseless.

Point being, you asked if people really do use their phones without a case. The answer is yes, yet we're somehow able to avoid the catastrophic damage you seem liable to *shrug*

 

[SlitheryDee]

Point being, you asked if people really do use their phones without a case. The answer is yes, yet we're somehow able to avoid the catastrophic damage you seem liable to *shrug*

Yeah I guess so.

I really would love to be able to do that.:|

 

[hans007]

I've never broken a phone and I've never used a case. Sure they got scuffed but I've had

A g1 , g2 , mytouch 3g slide. HTC thunderbolt , a galaxy nexus and a RAZR m.

That said I'd say the RAZR m is looking pretty beat up on some edges but had held up great. And it think its about ideal size.
I think for me it more about the width and weight more than the volume. The thunderbolt had the same size screen but was wider and thicker and a lot heavier and it was just annoying to hold. And well a terrible phone to boot. The galaxy nexus wasn't bad either to hold though slightly wider than the RAZR m. So I think about moto x sized or slightly smaller is about all i want. Player with a coworkers HTC one and its a bit too heavy.... I guess I like lighter phones. Just played with a droid maxx and its way too big and terrible feeling to hold. I think I'd probably get the droid mini but I actually like amoled and the glossy back seems like a terrible idea

Also I can just barely palm a basketball and still like relatively smaller phones. I have no idea how people live with a galaxy note with a case or something unless they are girls with purses.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I am in agreement with you here. I find holding and using a naked smartphone to be much more pleasant than using one with a case. My issue is with the continued use of that device after I smashed it on the floor because it slipped from my fingers while I was reaching for the volume button. Or maybe it got yanked from my pocket because the cord of the earbud I was using to listen to a podcast while I worked got caught on something. I like things that feel nice in my hand, but I also like things that aren't broken.

I disagree. Some phones feel better in hand with a case. My Galaxy S2 for example felt better with a TPU case on it. The Nexus 4 is large enough where a case adds too much bulk. In the N4's case I'd say going naked is better.

Another example was my iPod Touch 4G. That thing was damn thin. 7mm? I felt like it was always going to slip out of my hand because I couldn't get a good grip on it. Only after putting an Incase slider case on it did I feel comfortable holding it while going for a run.

I'd say it depends on the phone geometry and the case itself.

 

[Eug]

I went and played with my wife's iPhone 4 for a while. With the case it's about 61 mm wide, which is damn-near perfect for my hands. While I can use the 69 mm wide Android phone I have one-handed, it just feels so awkward in comparison.

OTOH, phablets are now almost one-third of the Indian smartphone market, so it's clear a lot of people don't mind the ergonomic issues that much.

http://businesstoday.intoday.in/sto...of-indian-smartphone-market-idc/1/198200.html

The value proposition of the extra-large smartphones, also called the phablet, seems to have caught the fancy of the Indian consumer.

The segment sporting screen sizes between 5 and 6.99 inches grew 17 times year-over-year, accounting for 30 per cent of smartphones sold in the country in the second quarter of 2013, says a report from research firm IDC.