Smartphone screens, how big is too big?

[HighwayGlider]

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.

Saw a guy talking with a Note the other day. That thing is big, and looks funny.

[Axel]

I find my girlfriends HTC Sensation too big. It's just from an ergonomic standpoint it feels like I have to overstretch my thumb or manipulate my hand in an odd way to reach the top left corner. I suppose it's something you probably get used to an stop noticing. I guess if a screen were 4" and virtually edge to edge that might be the upper limit of what I'd find comfortable. Although I'd love my iPhone screen to be bigger, it's a bit of a trade off when it comes to ergonomics.

All the same, I guess it's nice to have the option of a "bridge" device like the Galaxy Note if you're after a bit more productivity on the go, but I suppose you'd just end up using it with two hands most of the time!

[georgevella]

The size of your smartphone's screen is directly proportional to the size of your hand :p

On a serious note, I've voted for 4.7" because that's the current screen I'm using (HTC One X), but I think I can handle the Note. As for screen sizes in general, IMHO anything larger than the Note becomes a tablet; personally Samsung market's the Note perfectly - a phone/tablet hybrid.

[Shaun N.]

I have an iphone 4 atm. for phone uses its fine. For anything else I would want a bigger screen. If I watch a video on it I would want it bigger. To play games on it I would want it bigger.

[Hardcore Til I Die]

I've used the sensation XL (4.7"), not used anything bigger so I can't comment.

I'd like to see a phone with almost no bezel so the front is completely dominated by the screen! A lot of these large devices have large bezels which add meaningless size.

[jakem1]

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...

I agree that the Galaxy Note is ridiculous but I was surprised by how comfortable the HTC Titan is with it's 4.7" screen. I was expecting it to be way too big but it doesn't feel that much bigger than a 4.3" device.

[Paul Ferson Veteran]

I don't think there's a limit to how large a phone should be. If it works and is comfortable enough I'd have no problem with it. I've only ever seen one Galaxy Note though, and I'd say it's perhaps a little bit too big for anyone reasonable. It truly is like holding a slab of material to the side of your head for a phone call. The HTC Titan is surprisingly comfortable for its size, so if you can work a large screen into a comfortable body then it doesn't seem like a bad idea at all, as long as resolution increases too. At the moment my favorite display size is that of the Galaxy Nexus. It's big but not obnoxious, and the time I spent with a demo model in an O2 Shop was enough to let me see that I could use the phone with one hand.

Basically, the only limit really is whether you can use it with one hand or not. Take that away and you'll anger some of the businessmen who have to hold a coffee in one hand and a phone in the other, as well as school students who have to make it less obvious they're using a phone in school, and probably lots of other demographics. As long as it's comfortable to use I have no problem with increasing screen size, to be honest.

[Gaffney]

4.7 seems to be the largest reasonable currently, 4.3 is about perfect then 4.0 and 3.7 is normal and anything below is small.

The Galaxy note isn't really your typical phone which is why I don't get the hate pointed at it. It's a mini tablet that you can probably fit in your pocket or defo into a bag that also has phone capabilities, just because an ipad is portable doesn't mean you walk down the street with it. A portable tablet with phone capabilities, just don't put it to your head in the middle of a street or on a train.

[whyme]

I bought a Galaxy S2 the first week they were released in Asia, (to replace my iPhone 4), and have been quite happy with ever since , but lately I've been using a Galaxy Note quite a bit and I love it!

I'm looking forward to seeing what the Galaxy S3 will be like next Thursday, but honestly, for my next phone I want something at least the same size as the Note!

After having used the Note for a while, my S2 display just seems too small and poky.

[Nashy]

Any bigger than the Galaxy Nexus and I can't see it being comfortable for me to use.

[SharpGreen]

Definitely think anything bigger than my nexus' 4.65" screen is too big. Though I also thing anything smaller than it is also too small. 4.65" is perfect I think.

[alphaomegainfinity]

So now that the Galaxy S3 comes out with a 4.8 inch display, what do most people say here?

[Boz]

I voted 4.7 but I wouldn't mind Galaxy S3 4.8 display if it's designed nicely so it still fits in similar form factor of 4.65 but has a bigger screen. To me personally that's a max size I would have on a phone.

But it is relevant to say that I am not at all against Galaxy Note beautiful 5.3" screen but that is for those ocassions and people who really need more of a tablet on the go but don't want to carry a tablet and a phone separately. Galaxy Note fits that crowd perfectly. At that point it's less relevant that it's a phone with 5.3". It's actually a tablet with phone capabilities.

I would actually like to see more of the capabilities and phones like Galaxy Note where they create a tablet with phone capabilities. You can always use bluetooth but having one device that does it all and has a big screen but still is very portable is a winner.

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

Probably anything larger than 5.0", but couldn't say for sure as the largest phone i've used is my Galaxy Nexus.

[Anibal P]

Galaxy Note is definitely pushing the boundaries of a "phone"

That being said, the only people I see not using a headset are those obnoxious types that insist on yelling into their phones, and making sure everyone around em knows they have a phone, usually iPhone or Feature phone users from what I've seen around here

[TangoEight]

When I got it, the 4.3 inch screen was like a joke but earlier today I was holding it in both hands watching a youtube video and it felt small.

Anyway the point is if you get a big phone it will feel massive then youll get used to it. Unless its really massive then you might not.

[Guest]

I prefer the iPhone form factor, I have fairly big hands but I can easily reach all part of the screen with a thumb on the same hand which I hold it. The Galaxy S2 Starts to feel a little less easy and it's just possible for me on the Nexus. Anything bigger is stupid. Well, not stupid, but certainly less convenient.