Android Likes 4.7 Inches or More

Android Likes 4.7 Inches or More
Android Likes 4.7 Inches or More

Android just loves the philosophy “bigger is better”. Just take a moment and look at their devices. Unlike iPhones, they keep their devices at a conservative size that is easy to handle. Android is continually seeing how big they can go. Some good examples are the Samsung Galaxy Mega that is 6.3 inches and the LG Optimus G Pro which is 5 ½ inches. Here is why Android Likes 4.7 Inches or More.

Choice

The consumer does have a variety of choices when looking for a new device. It just seems highly unlikely they will find anything smaller than the average 4.7 inches. The items are no longer out there. Even looking at the recent phones released by Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon everything has screens of a minimum of 4.7 inches. T-Mobile has a few premium phones for over and their screens start at 5 inches.

Smaller means lower

Smaller means lower
Smaller means lower

There are some smaller phones available, but the quality just will not be there. Some that can be found are the:

  • Verizon – Motorola Droid 4 with a 4 inch screen
  • Verizon – Casio G’zOne Commando with a 3.6 inch screen
  • AT&T – Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro with a 4 inch screen
  • Sprint – Kyocera Torque with a 4 inch screen
  • Motorola Admiral with a 3.1 inch screen
  • Sprint – ZTE Fury with a 3.5 inch screen

Does size really matter?

When it comes to owning a phone it just depends upon the person as to what size works best for them. If you are always browsing on the phone then 5 inches and above works best for being able to see everything. If you are always trying to operate the phone with just one hand then it is easier to accomplish the task with a phone smaller than 4.3 inches.

Are the small ones really gone?

Are the small ones really gone
Are the small ones really gone

Even though the phone has only grown an inch at maximum it is that inch that can have people frustrated when they only have one hand. It makes a huge difference when a consumer can actually see everything on the screen and is not having to strain in order to see things. Yes, it is a pain for the person that loves to do things one-handed or even play games. Android laid the platform for the devices and consumers loved it. In just a few short years consumers have to wonder what happened to actually be able to fit a device in a pocket or even a small purse.

With that larger display, it now makes sense that phones are becoming the primary computer for a significant part of the world’s population. Individuals in third-world countries may be unlikely to own cars and laptops but more and more are buying cell phones. For the rest of the world, our phone is how we do everything from paying bills and making dinner reservations to how we start our car or check on the baby.

So why is bigger almost always better?

So why is bigger almost always better?
So why is bigger almost always better?

The most obvious advantage is that a larger display allows more text to be displayed, especially convenient if you’re browsing online. A small screen is fine if you’re texting or making a call, but once you try to read text on a website, that tiny screen is suddenly a big inconvenience. Small screens work for quick tasks, but if you’re using your phone for media, you’re going to want a bigger screen.

  • Camera and photos – A larger display won’t improve the pixel quality of your photos but it will definitely improve the composition.
  • Video-chatting and Face Time are better, since the whole point is to make you feel like you’re actually there.
  • Games – You can follow the action more easily and the larger screen also means your accuracy will improve, since it’s easier to see where you should be tapping. Also, icons are more spread out, so you’re less likely to hit the wrong button.
  • Speaking of spreading out, that larger screen means more accuracy with your touchscreen on and offline. Whether it’s the keyboard or closely packed URL options – think Facebook’s Tag Photo, View Full Size, Make Profile Picture – all crammed together, bigger definitely translates to more accuracy.
  • Movies – If you’ve ever tried to watch a video on your phone, this one is self-explanatory. We don’t go to the movies for the grossly overpriced popcorn; we go for that giant screen.
  • Android users have a distinct advantage over iPhone users in one area – split screen display. Users can download an app enabling split screen functionality, allowing you to view two apps at once.

Bigger battery

Bigger battery
Bigger battery

As a side note, in addition to the advantages of a larger display, a bigger screen also means a bigger battery. As screen size has increased, so has battery life. Compact phones meant compact batteries, which was fine when we used our phones for talking or texting. The battery of my old Motorola Razr would be completely inadequate for an iPhone 6 Plus or a Samsung Galaxy Note 5.

Single-handed Use is tough

Single-handed Use is tough
Single-handed Use is tough

One of the problems with a bigger screen is that one-handed use is more challenging. Depending on how big you go, you may not be able to reach the whole screen when typing but that’s where Siri and voice dictation comes in handy. Besides, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus include a one-handed mode. When you double-tap the TouchID button, everything onscreen scoots closer to the bottom making it easier to reach. Android phones feature a similar “Reachability” mode so that the top of the screen is accessible with one hand. A keyboard configured for one-handed typing is also available. In addition, there is a multitude of third-party keyboard apps to choose from in Google Play, iTunes, and the Windows Phone store.

Larger displays don’t necessarily mean a bigger phone. The Sharp Aquos Crystal and the Samsung Galaxy A3 are millimeters apart in overall size but the screen of the Aquos Crystal is nearly bezel-less, meaning it features a 5-inch display compared to the 4.5 inches of the Galaxy A3.

If you’re still on the fence about whether to go for the bigger screen, the best answer is to go into a store and see for yourself. There’s no better way to see if it fits in your pocket comfortably, is too heavy, or if a bigger screen is more trouble than it’s worth. My guess is once you see the options available and how much it improves your overall experience, you’ll understand why bigger is almost always better.

Read the news on https://www.pokiesforandroid.com.

Amanda Sanders

Amanda is a Sydney-based blogger. She is passionate about innovation, great Android design, technology and new gadgets. Her favorite quote is “No matter what. I wouldn't let anyone change me. I wouldn't let them strip away whatever tiny parts of me were human. Assuming I had any humanity to lose.”

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