I feel like with more people using their phone as a primary computing device they will be bigger to accommodate that. Genuinely interested in why people prefer smaller phones
I understand where you’re coming from here, however I think there’s still enough folks for whom their phone isn’t their primary computing device that explains the desire for smaller phones. That and smaller hands as Throwsbooks mentions.
Frankly mobile OSes still don’t really cut it for more involved computing work even when bigger, so with that in mind, personally I’ll take improved portability via smaller size over larger size and a still subpar computer experience.
Also when I do want a larger portable computing experience, I’m simply going to opt for a laptop instead, for a number of reasons ranging from a physical keyboard, OSes built for general computing work, and a screen size that’s not some awkward in-between of a phone and a tablet yet still isn’t as good as a larger laptop screen.
Edit: Adding here that I’ve also given tablets a fair shake, as I had a Nexus 7 back when Google was trying to do tablets, and have briefly dabbled with iPads here & there. They’re not bad devices, but they’re supplementary computing devices imo, not primary ones (i.e. for more involved document creation/programming/creative activity, etc.).
My laptop’s my primary driver, and the device I go to when I need to do any real work. I sometimes get frustrated trying to do something on my phone and switch to my laptop because it’s far more efficient. My phone’s for doomscrolling and music primarily, so I don’t need all the bells and whistles.
For my mum, on the other hand, her phone is her primary driver and the big screen is especially useful with aging eyes so she can make the font bigger and still have real estate. The pocket thing isn’t an issue either because she just throws it into her purse.
Though, she does drop her phone and crack the screen way more often than I do, bit unwieldy when they hit the phablet size. 🤔 I wonder if manufacturers like that, more money in warranties/repairs.
I understand where you’re coming from here, however I think there’s still enough folks for whom their phone isn’t their primary computing device that explains the desire for smaller phones. That and smaller hands as Throwsbooks mentions.
Frankly mobile OSes still don’t really cut it for more involved computing work even when bigger, so with that in mind, personally I’ll take improved portability via smaller size over larger size and a still subpar computer experience.
Also when I do want a larger portable computing experience, I’m simply going to opt for a laptop instead, for a number of reasons ranging from a physical keyboard, OSes built for general computing work, and a screen size that’s not some awkward in-between of a phone and a tablet yet still isn’t as good as a larger laptop screen.
Edit: Adding here that I’ve also given tablets a fair shake, as I had a Nexus 7 back when Google was trying to do tablets, and have briefly dabbled with iPads here & there. They’re not bad devices, but they’re supplementary computing devices imo, not primary ones (i.e. for more involved document creation/programming/creative activity, etc.).
You make a real good point.
My laptop’s my primary driver, and the device I go to when I need to do any real work. I sometimes get frustrated trying to do something on my phone and switch to my laptop because it’s far more efficient. My phone’s for doomscrolling and music primarily, so I don’t need all the bells and whistles.
For my mum, on the other hand, her phone is her primary driver and the big screen is especially useful with aging eyes so she can make the font bigger and still have real estate. The pocket thing isn’t an issue either because she just throws it into her purse.
Though, she does drop her phone and crack the screen way more often than I do, bit unwieldy when they hit the phablet size. 🤔 I wonder if manufacturers like that, more money in warranties/repairs.