Which is the better aspect ratio: tall and skinny or short and squat? [Poll of the Week]

2017 has ushered in quite a few firsts in the smartphone world, perhaps the most notable of which being the 18:9 smartphone display. The LG G6 and Samsung Galaxy S8/Plus were the first phones to feature 18:9 displays (technically 18.5:9 in Samsung’s case), and many other companies have followed suit.

However, a handful of devices have been announced this year that have the more “traditional” 16:9 aspect ratio displays, like the HTCU11, OnePlus 5, and even Google’s own Pixel 2.

See also: What is the LG G6’s 18:9 aspect ratio all about? – Gary explains

What are the benefits of 18:9 displays? Probably the biggest benefit of the new aspect ratio is the fact that your phone can have a large screen (at the diagonal) without being unwieldy in the hand. Also, more and more TV shows and movies are being recorded in 18:9, such as Jurassic World, House of Cards, Stranger Things. Our own Gary Sims does a great job at explaining aspect ratios in this article if you’d like a more detailed explanation.

Do you prefer one over the other? After owning the HTCU11 and Pixel 2 XL, I’m a fan of taller/skinnier (18:9) displays. I’m sure there are some folks who prefer short and squat 16:9 displays though. Be sure to cast your vote in the poll attached below, and speak up in the comments if there’s anything you’d like to add.