Smartphone screens, how big is too big?

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I did some searching on the topic, but I didn't find anything similar to what I wanted. So if there is an existing topic, please point me to the right place. I added examples for each size to make it easier to visualize, so don't get hung up on the specific phones themselves. They're there for reference.

I'm interested to find out how the community feels about smartphone screens getting larger and larger. Personally, I think my Evo at 4.3" is about as big as a phone should be. I've held a Galaxy Nexus, and it just feels...huge. The Galaxy S3, if rumors are true, is going to be another 4.7" device. The Galaxy Note is just...gigantic. It's a (small) tablet, and in my opinion shouldn't even have a cell receiver in it. People using the Note as a phone just look ridiculous.

Now, I know this is subjective because it all depends on the user's hand-size. But generally speaking, does anyone else feel that smartphones (at least, Android smartphones) are getting too big?

[tsupersonic]

I use a Galaxy Nexus (4.65"), and previously Incredible (3.7"). I prefer a smaller screen with a high resolution. My ideal phone would have a 4.0" display with a 1280x720 resolution (367 PPI) or I guess I could stand 4.3" display.

The Galaxy Note is not a phone, and everyone who says it is, just look stupid holding that to their face.

[Scorpus Veteran]

I voted >4.7"

4.7" is right on the boundaries of being comfortable, and anything larger than that is simply too awkward to use with one hand.

[StrikedOut]

I put 4.7" but to me it also depends on the shape of the back of hte case. I had a Desire before my Sensation and thought it was just right, especialy compared to the Desire HD. The HD felt huge but it is a very square edged back where as the Sensation is much more rounded and feels perfect at 4.3". If a 4.7" device can mimick the same feeling in my hand then I am happy to have a larger device.

[_neutrino Veteran]

I think that the 4.7 display is Just as large as I am willing to use anything larger than that and I have to use 2 hands to do anything.

[Scott Hellewell]

The bigger the better, but it needs to be able to fit in my pockets. The Galaxy Note still fits.

[The Dark Knight]

In my opinion, 4.7" starts pushing it. The Galaxy Note with its 5.3" display is just plain ridiculous!

[+jamesyfx Subscriber²]

The Galaxy Nexus looks big as compared to an iPhone - but... Hey. The iPhone is a very small phone these days.

I would not get a Galaxy Note, that is just too big. Although not the biggest Android phone I've seen... the Viewpad 7 is bigger. And ridiculous. :p

:x...

[Rudy]

Anything over 4.3" is getting a little big

[123456789A]

4.3 is my favorite size, but if they made an ipad sized phone with an extremely loud speaker, I would buy one just to troll people.

[neo1911]

Anything from 4.0" to 4.3" is ok. Anything higher than 4.3" requires obnoxious pockets.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Anything larger than 4.3" is ridiculous for a phone. Have you ever seen someone use the Galaxy Note as phone? I have, and it's one odd sight when a man holds an oversized slab to his hear...

[TheLegendOfMart]

4.3" is my upper limit, 4" is a sweet spot imho.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

I prefer +4.3''

That is the reason I don't like iPhone. Its almost perfect. Except for the screen size

Note seems okay. Anything bigger than Note is pushing it too far, I guess

[Billus]

5.3". The Galaxy Note is perfect. Fits in most, if not all my pockets and I wear skinny jeans (sometimes), normal jeans, shorts and denim shorts as well as dress pants. The only funny thing about the phone is that other phones fit inside its screen.

Oh and playing games on this phone feels right. I'm talking Fifa 12, Virtua Tennis, Gameloft HD games etc as well as well as your casual games like Angry Birds and Draw Something. I hate playing Angry Birds on smaller phones now, have to squint far too much, particularly on the iPhone.

[rajputwarrior]

iphone is perfectly sized for me.

[Dan~]

A guy at work had the new Samsung Note (whatever it's called) it looked stupid being too big, it looked 80's

[Syanide]

The bigger the better. Even if it's big, you get used to the size and everything looks microscopic afterwards. I wouldn't push it past the 4.6/4.7" mark personally, but hey, there are people who swear by their Galaxy Note. I currently own a 4" device, I'm happy with it, but I wouldn't mind a larger display.

Also, one thing people forget to mention: display size =! device size. A 4.3" display could easily fit on the same phone size that I currently own by making use of most of the surface.

[sagum]

I have the Lg optiums 7, and it has one of the smallest screens you'll find on a Windows Phone at 3.8".

I found the entire case becomes a bit too big for my liking and while it does fits in my pocket, but it just feels too big, even now.

If phones were edge to edge screen screens, I think I'd be happy to goto 4" at the most, but right now 3.8" is pushing it for me.

I feel any bigger and they cese being mobile phones and carrible phones.

As in they are small enough to carry places just like my laptop is, but they're not mobile in the sense you can just throw them in any tiny spot and forget about them until you need them.

I can only imagin how annoying the note must be to look after while trying to do day to day stuffs.

[S00N3R FR3AK]

For me that 4.65(gnex) 4.7(One XL) is the perfect size for me. I thought 4.3 would be good but after using both they just seem right. The note for me was just a tad bit big, but for someone like my dad and his huge hands it is the perfect size for him.

[firey]

I definitely think 20" is just a bit too big.

[neo158]

I voted for 4.7", it's close enough to the 4.65" of my Galaxy Nexus. Anything bigger is just stupid, the Note is to big to be a smartphone and to small to be a tablet.

[Roger H. Veteran]

To me anything bigger than 4.3" is just too big (i have a SGS2 now :p) I still haven't really played with a 4.7 device but i think 4.0 is the sweet spot for me anyways, still have little issues sometimes with the 4.3 reaching top half of the device :D. So i'll just assume 4.7 will just be out there!

[primexx]

4.3 is too big, anything more is just excessive... <= 4.0 is best

[TAZMINATOR]

@OP,

It is really up to you. No matter how big or small you want. Depends on how you can carry or fit your needs.

I have 4.3" phone and an iPad. I can take iPad with me to places as long as the WI-FI service is available.

I don't care what people think about what I bring. It's my decision to bring so I can check or play.

I prefer +4.3''

That is the reason I don't like iPhone. Its almost perfect. Except for the screen size

Note seems okay. Anything bigger than Note is pushing it too far, I guess

Muhammad,

iPhone 5 or later may have 4" screen or larger... We will see. We find out about the announcement later this summer or fall.