I think the future of the phone is in the 5-inch size. Apple may be slow to go there, since they didn't invent it, and they can be a bit stubborn about such things. But I think it's like with desktop monitors, why does Apple no longer make a 15-inch or even a 17-inch iMac? Because everything else being equal, bigger is better. Once you could make screens cheap enough, they grew.
And I tell you, the usability difference between a 3.5-inch screen and a 5-inch screen with the same pixel density is very far from trivial. With web surfing, with reading, and with video, it's a big difference. I could never use an iPhone for web surfing, it feels like doing the tango in a phone booth. But with the Samsung Galaxy Note's 5.3-inch screen it's much more palatable. And the Note is thinner and barely weighs more than the iPhone.
So now the price difference is becoming trivial, the question is if anybody has too small pockets for a 5-inch phone? Maybe on some garments for children and women, I'm honestly not sure, but none of my clothes can't easily fit one.
An iPhone 4S and a Samsung Galaxy Note
Update:
To me, the Galaxy Note is the Kindle to the Nth degree. It's screen is barely smaller, but it's a ton smaller and lighter, the screen has twice the resolution and ten times the contrast (for a e-ink Kindle), it is way faster, it can handle whatever content you can throw at it, text or otherwise...
As a reader, it sucks me in. Even a full magazine format is quite easy to read on it, and for something formatted for smaller screens, I don't see how you can make a better device and keep it pocket-sized.
I'd prefer iOS (it would make video and vodcasts easier to get at with iTunes), but otherwise...
[Update] ...I realize that opinion is odd to some and unlikeable to others. But I throw it out in this brash fashion because 1) the e-ink Kindle hardly needs more promoters and 2) I think this idea is not one many have yet, but I think it's a very promising one. The Galaxy Note is not cheap, but if done purposefully, I don't see why something like it could not be done for a price similar to the Kindle Fire's price. And to me it's more useful than the Fire, which needs to shred 200 grams and half the thickness, and even then wouldn't be pocketable for most.
Adam Engst wrote:
Pockets for women are an interesting topic - they either don't exist reliably enough or aren't large enough (even for the iPhone) so women generally have to come up with another way of carrying devices anyway.
It is indeed interesting. To men, the idea of not having pockets is ludicrous.
What puzzles me most is that so many ladies’ purses (most?) have no shoulder-strap, so their hands are never free. What they do sacrifice for fashion!
Update:
To me, the Galaxy Note is the Kindle to the Nth degree. It's screen is barely smaller, but it's a ton smaller and lighter, the screen has twice the resolution and ten times the contrast (for a e-ink Kindle), it is way faster, it can handle whatever content you can throw at it, text or otherwise...
As a reader, it sucks me in. Even a full magazine format is quite easy to read on it, and for something formatted for smaller screens, I don't see how you can make a better device and keep it pocket-sized.
I'd prefer iOS (it would make video and vodcasts easier to get at with iTunes), but otherwise...
[Update] ...I realize that opinion is odd to some and unlikeable to others. But I throw it out in this brash fashion because 1) the e-ink Kindle hardly needs more promoters and 2) I think this idea is not one many have yet, but I think it's a very promising one. The Galaxy Note is not cheap, but if done purposefully, I don't see why something like it could not be done for a price similar to the Kindle Fire's price. And to me it's more useful than the Fire, which needs to shred 200 grams and half the thickness, and even then wouldn't be pocketable for most.
9 comments:
Some people like to use their phones with one hand. With a 5 inch phone, the thumb of the hand that is holding the phone cannot reach all of the screen.
I already see people taking their phones out of their pockets when they sit down. I think some of the reason for this is that they are not comfortable with the phone in their front pockets when they sit.
Admittedly good points.
I can use a 5-incher one-handedly, but it is not a safe hold and I have very large hands, so.
And for years I haven't bought pants with no side-pockets, so I guess I've forgotten how it is with normal pants.
All right then, I guess many people will stick with smaller phones, if they mainly use it for phoning and texting purposes.
Eolake said...
"All right then, I guess many people will stick with smaller phones, if they mainly use it for phoning and texting purposes."
Which brings us right back down to the basic argument: "It's not the size that matters; it's how you USE it!" :-D
You have some big hands there Eolake! A friend of mine in his 70's who is slight of stature and musculature saw my 7" Samsung tablet and liked it. I suggested he check out the 5" Samsung as a tablet that might fit him better. One man's big phone might well be another man's small tablet.
By the way the liliputing.com site reviewed the 5" Samsung player recently. The review is very extensive and I generally like the site. You may want to check them out if you haven't already.
Ya, I have a finger span of about 22 centimeters, 8.6 inches.
A friend of mine who is a pianist is very envious.
Update:
To me, the Galaxy Note is the Kindle to the Nth degree. It's screen is barely smaller, but it's a ton smaller and lighter, the screen has twice the resolution and ten times the contrast (for a e-ink Kindle), it is way faster, it can handle whatever content you can throw at it, text or otherwise...
As a reader, it sucks me in. Even a full magazine format is quite easy to read on it, and for something formatted for smaller screens, I don't see how you can make a better device and keep it pocket-sized.
I'd prefer iOS (it would make video and vodcasts easier to get at with iTunes), but otherwise...
I appreciate your strong opinions and recommendations Eolake. I bought the 7" Galaxy Tab WiFi partly on your recommendation, and it's working out very well for me. I will strongly recommend that my vertically challenged friend get the 5" Galaxy Player.
Kewl.
The Player is a different beast though, much cheaper, a MP3 player. Not sure how much it has in common, but it seems the screen resolution is way lower.
Maybe you meant the Note.
Thanks for that, I tend to forget how different they are. Here in the US the Note is $700.00, vs. $210 for the 5" Player. They both run Android, but the hardware is much different.
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