We asked, you told us: Phones are getting way too big

It seems like just the other day that I attended a local Galaxy Note launch event. But it actually took place back in 2011, and it’s easy to forget that the phone’s 5.3-inch screen was considered absolutely gargantuan at the time.

We’ve seen even bigger phones launching since then, with high screen/body ratios and tall aspect ratios fortunately helping to soften the blow. Nevertheless, it’s not uncommon to find 6.4-inch, 6.67-inch, and even 6.9-inch screens on today’s flagship phones.

This ever-increasing metric got us wondering whether today’s phones are simply getting too big, so we turned the question over to you, our dear readers.

Are smartphones getting too big?

Results

A total of 1,551 votes were tallied and the poll results show that 49.8% of readers think phones have gotten too big and they hate it. Next up, just over 25% of readers think phones have indeed become too big, but they don’t mind the current size. In other words, ~75% of readers think phones are too big (regardless of whether they mind or not).

A grand total of 15% of polled readers think phones are in the Goldilocks zone of being just the right size (not too big, not too small). Finally just under 10% of respondents felt that phones aren’t big enough.

The latter number is pretty interesting, and reader comments suggest big phones aren’t merely for those with big hands. Speaking of reader comments…

Here’s what you had to say

• Keith Leger: If Samsung would offer the S20 Ulta in the other 2 sizes with the same specs I think they would have their answer. The current size would not be the top seller IMO. I think it is too big.
• YaruSP: I’m use HUAWEI Mate 20 X, which is 7.2 inch 18.5:9 aspect ratio. Has a 5000mAH battery, headphone jack and OLED screen. Watching videos on this is great as is using Android split screen features. I can watch YouTube while taking notes (remember keyboard takes up space too) all pretty comfortably.
• Scott Hagele: For me about the size of the Galaxy S8 (about 6 by 2.75 inches) is perfect. The Galaxy S8 size fits my hand and pocket perfectly. When I need larger I pull out my tablet.
• DeLeon629: Small devices are unrealistic for the features they say they’ll offer circa 2020: Why would anyone in their right mind want a 4.7 inch screen with a desktop web surfing option? What book is printed with a small enough page to fit on the surface of a 5.5 inch surface? Let’s not even get into photo-editing… My next device will undoubtedly be a Galaxy Fold considering there’s no point in having a device with a screen under 6 inches, yet advertised as a small pocket-able computer. You need as much real estate as possible to utilize the laundry-list of features they say they’re offering.
• Pedro: This is one of the reasons that I passed on Samsung this time. Bigger and bigger phones, and they only put the best hardware on the biggest one. 6.9” is already tablet size, and not comfortable for a phone. My S8 is what I consider the limit for the size of a phone. Pixel 4 I welcome you!
• Tom Mercer: I actually enjoy big phones. I’ve made it a challenge to get a bigger phone each time. already on the Pixel 3 XL, so we’ll see what happens in two years when that gets upgraded
• DBS: Android OEMs have already proven time and again that they’re cowards to take initiative. They do it if Apple does it. Which is why I can’t wait for Apple to release the 5.4″ iPhone 12 Pro. You’ll see how, after that, Android OEMs will suddenly have an epiphany and by 2021 they’ll all be doing a smaller version of their flagships.

Thank you for voting in the poll and for leaving those comments, we really do appreciate it. What do you make of the results? Let us know down below!