Too Big, Too Small...Just Right | Screen Sizes for new Phones

[Bentstraight]

Ummm...hello logic.
I've been telling this to people since the Galaxy S2 came out with a 4.3 inch screen. It's not about the screen size alone. You have to consider the overall physical size of the phone you will be holding. Samsung knows how to make a comfortable form factor with the least amount of bezel, and that just looks effing unbelievable and sleek. Just look at their GS3 and Note 2. Both have very minimal bezels with big screen sizes. What's the result? The result is a phone that feels smaller in the hands but with a larger sceen size. So basically, anyone that tries to say that a GS3 is too big for their hands, should not even bother with a 920. FACT.
When you look at an iPhone with it's massive top and bottom bezels, the thing looks so ancient. There is absolutely no reason to having a thick heavy phone with big bezels these days.

 

[crystal_planet]

Ummm...hello logic.
I've been telling this to people since the Galaxy S2 came out with a 4.3 inch screen. It's not about the screen size alone. You have to consider the overall physical size of the phone you will be holding. Samsung knows how to make a comfortable form factor with the least amount of bezel, and that just looks effing unbelievable and sleek. Just look at their GS3 and Note 2. Both have very minimal bezels with big screen sizes. What's the result? The result is a phone that feels smaller in the hands but with a larger sceen size. So basically, anyone that tries to say that a GS3 is too big for their hands, should not even bother with a 920. FACT.
When you look at an iPhone with it's massive top and bottom bezels, the thing looks so ancient. There is absolutely no reason to having a thick heavy phone with big bezels these days.

I've handled a Note. It's huge. Not comfortable as phone at all - but then it's more of a niche device.

Also, I wouldn't consider the iPhone as an aesthetically pleasing design, but it feels solid and well built. Samsung devices are light and have fragile feel to me. That is also a criterion for a comfortable device. (I'm speaking personal preference of course)

 

[power5]

I would prefer a larger bottom bezel as it gives something to hold onto. I am always hitting the Bing button on my titan. Other than that it's a great sized phone.

 

[AKA Preluva]

I remember when the Samsung Galaxy 3 came out with its massive 4.8" screen and I thought it was too big, and was one of the people who said a 4.3" screen was the sweetspot as my samsung (original) focus had a 4" screen. So when I finally held the Lumia 900 came out w/its 4.3" I thought it was the perfect screen size and wondered how could anyone hold a 4.8" screen?

Fast forward today, and I think differently. I now realize that the overall footprint (physical size) of the phone is a better indicator of what screen size is right. For example, look at the sizes of three phones listed below


Nokia 900
4.3" screen
128 ? 69 ? 12 mm
(5.03" ? 2.7" ? 0.45")

Samsung Galaxy III
4.8" screen
136.6 ? 70.6 ? 8.6 mm
(5.38" ? 2.78" ? 0.34")

HTC Titan II
4.7" screen
132 x 71 x 9.9 mm
(5.18" x 2.78" 0.39")



Can I realisticly now say that a 4.8 screen is too big and a 4.3 lumia is just right? Nope, they have the same footprint! A mere 6mm in height and I shout 4.8 screen is too big? I sound foolish

I understand now, that OEMs vary the bezel size ( material surrounding the screen ) and that plays a big role in how large a phone feels in your hand.

Maybe one day when edge-to-edge screens are normal I could do fair apples to apples comparison w/screen sizes, as of right now the overall physical phone size is far more important


Here are the raw screen dimension of several popular screen sizes. Assuming a 16:9 screen rations with square pixels
4.0"
88.6mm by 49.8mm
(3.49" x 1.96")

4.3"
95.2mm by 53.6mm
(3.75" x 2.11")

4.5"
99.6mm by 55.9mm
(3.92" x 2.2")

4.8"
106.2mm by 59.7mm
(4.18" x 2.35")

And you'll think even more differently when the evolution of the smartphone is complete. You'll have 3 different classes of Phon-let or phablet (which sounds stupid).

5" = Small
7" = Midsize
10" = Flagship!

 

[Winterfang]

Ummm...hello logic.
I've been telling this to people since the Galaxy S2 came out with a 4.3 inch screen. It's not about the screen size alone. You have to consider the overall physical size of the phone you will be holding. Samsung knows how to make a comfortable form factor with the least amount of bezel, and that just looks effing unbelievable and sleek. Just look at their GS3 and Note 2. Both have very minimal bezels with big screen sizes. What's the result? The result is a phone that feels smaller in the hands but with a larger sceen size. So basically, anyone that tries to say that a GS3 is too big for their hands, should not even bother with a 920. FACT.
When you look at an iPhone with it's massive top and bottom bezels, the thing looks so ancient. There is absolutely no reason to having a thick heavy phone with big bezels these days.

You have some solid reasoning. Though I believe the Iphone 4 is still unmatched in terms of design, I can't think of a more beautiful piece of tech.

But yeah, I hold hundreds of phones weekly and the samsung ones are by far the more comfortable, is just great design that's made with the customer in mind. I do however find it a little bit touchy. The phone unlocks with the slightest touch of the home button.