Ask HN: Why are phones getting larger? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Why are phones getting larger?

5 pointsErrorcod311 comments

You can not even fit them into your pockets properly. I thought phones/computers getting smaller was the way ahead.

Media consumption.

In the early 2000's people wanted a small phone because it was just a burden to carry it around. The information on display could fit in two short text lines (name, phone number) and there was not much to do with apart from calling and texting (short and costly text messages).

Suddenly the phone stops being just a phone with a simple snake game and becomes a media consumption platform, plus an open window to Humankind's Knowledge Base (aka Internet :)). Of course you'll want a big screen for that. Also, people don't just use their phones on the street but everywhere, especially at home.

Browsing the internet on a small device makes it harder to use the touch screens. To compensate, phones are becoming more tablet-sized. Many smartphones are also used to play games or use apps that have the same issue as the above.

More screen space = more accurate touch screen interaction = better user experience. [0]

If you want a phone to only make calls or send SMS with, get an older style flip/shell/slide phone. Or shop around for a smaller model smartphone.

[0] And most people I know (myself included) dislike using a stylus, which does help alleviate this issue

Phones progressively got smaller but once we got effective mobile browsers they got larger again.

Many argue that screen size is a trend. Successful phones are copied, including screen size.

More on this here: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2455169/why-smartphone-screen...

Large screen phones are quite popular in Asia, and it's not at all uncommon to see guys here with shoulder bags (basically a hand bag for a man) so the size issue is less of a problem.

For example: My Thai mother in law bought a Samsung something-or-other phablet that she could barely hold in one hand.

I'm not quite sure. I went to an iPhone 6 (6, not 6+) and want my iPhone 5 back. Companies responded to consumer demand but I think this is largely a case of consumers not having a clue what they actually want.

I agree, the phones should still be phones and not tablets. If a customer want a tablet - buy a tablet. If they want a phone - buy a phone.

On the other hand what Apple made with the 6/6+ is a decent solution even though personally I believe the iPhone 6 to be slightly too big as well. Had to purchase a silicon case just to get a firm grip when holding it.

Some consumers (myself included) don't want two devices that essentially do most of the same things but are just slightly different sized. I have the 6+ and like it a lot. I sold my iPad Mini Retina when I got the 6+ and for the most part haven't really missed it. If the iPad Mini Retina had phone capabilities, I might have considered making that my only mobile device, but that would have required carrying something to lug it around, so the 6+ is probably the best device to rule them all for me.

Big phones --> Smaller Phones --> Smaller Phones --> We have the technology to show NSFW content on the phones --> The screens start to become bigger and bigger.

Coincidence?

I use my phone (Note 3) for texting, surfing, playing games, and talking -- in that order. Texting, surfing, and playing games are all better on a larger screen.

Market research has a lot to do with it, it is what people want, according to research and feedback.

Most phones will fit in a purse, though. So, usually, will an iPad.

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