Well it's all opinion isn't it, there will always be smaller options well at least android not sure about apple when they go bigger. I think though the reality is that average size will not got back smaller as technology stands.

Interesting theory. I have been considering a Nexus 7, but have more or less rejected it because it's less portable than my 4.3" phone, and the screen is still too small. For example, you can do tabbed browsing on it, but I resented the space the tabs took away from the content.

I may be unusual, though. The 7" form-factor is said to be good for reading books, which I am happy to do on my phone, so the extra few inches isn't enough of a benefit for me to offset the loss of portability.


For me, 4+ inches is still a convenient size for a phone. I don't see how having two devices, namely a smaller phone and a 7" tablet, is more convenient. You need a bag or a jacket to put the tablet in, and it's still cumbersome. The main benefit is being able to leave the tablet at home; but then you are stuck trying to write emails, read maps etc on a tiny phone.

I expect it will happen, but be a relatively small part of the market.

I remember when I bought my first iphone in 2009. I thought it was great as I had an all in one device, phone, book reader, web browser, music player etc. Over time I picked up other devices after thinking that an all in one wasn't optimal for my needs and started to see limitations in each device. Now I find myself carrying around three devices: The galaxy note (5.3), Kindle Keyboard and Galaxy tab 10.1. Having had the kindle for 2 years and the note for a few months, a 7 inch tablet seems too small and not much of an upgrade on the devices I already have, hence why I now also carry a 10 inch tablet.

The benefit is that you don't need to lug around a device that's good for watching movies on the off chance someone will call you. If all you need is a train time or directions to a bar, an iPhone / desire S sized device is perfect.

I used to have a dumb phone I'd take out on nights when I planned to get wasted. But I missed GPS and emergency surfing. I can't imagine taking a SG3 out clubbing.

It all depends on priorities.

Until the Apple US win I was certain 11.6" tablets would win out, at least for indoor use.
Archos are idiots. They had the worlds lightest 10" tablet but changed to a heavier design. They really could have used that weight advantage better in their marketing.

I must admit I prefer a smaller mobile - when I upgraded in May I looked at the Samsungs, HTC's etc but they all just seemed too big and bulky, in the end I settled on the Sony Xperia P with a 4" screen and while it doesn't seem too bulky it does still feel big and I'm seriously considering changing to the Sony Xperia Go with a 3.5" screen.

Although I guess a lot is to do with what you want to use a phone for - with me it's calls/texts/email, tethering and as an MP3 player, with internet use only being a backup if my other devices aren't available, and watching video/tv only if I'm stuck somewhere and bored, although the GPS can be handy as can the camera but aren't necessities, but the main thing I'd like is a long battery life and bigger screen + higher resolution usually = poor battery life and I long for the days when a weekly charge was all I needed.

In my opinion, we are the trend setters, and the people with Notes and SG3's will look as silly as people in flared trousers in a few years time. We are just ahead of the curve!

Makes no sense whatsoever the biggest selling phones have a 3.5 screen. The note has sold 10 million and that surpassed expectations.

I do think the iPhone is just the right size, if you increase the size of a phone's screen from 3.5 to 4.5 inches it really doesn't make the user experience much better.

Going to a 4.5" screen increases the phone size too much, watching a video on a 4.5" screen doesn't add enough to the user experience to justify the bother of having to carry around such a large phone.

If the iPhone 5 has a larger screen I hope it can be kept within in the existing form factor as much as possible. I know this opinion is echoed within the iPhone user community. Now we are able to hold phones such as the S3 and put them in out pockets etc its just to big to live with on a daily basis.

Is it just iphone users that describe their phone as - 'suits my needs' - 'fits in with my lifestyle' - 'the user experience' etc does make me chuckle

I'd be happy with a smaller phone seeing as 99% of the time I only use it for making calls or sending text messages

If that is what you there are numerous choices out there you don't need a smartphone do you.

No it isn't just iPhone users. I have a Desire S. Please stop chuckling now.

I've a 3.5" T-Mobile Vivacity (based on the ZTE Crescent) and it 'suits my needs' very well.

I agree with this.

I did find my larger phone was incrementally better. For example, the on-screen keyboard was now good enough that I didn't feel I needed a physical one (which all my previous phones had).

Silly for you, Gormond, but I personally love it and don't give two hoots about those who think I look daft with phone to ear. 3.5inch is a complete joke, but no doubt the 4 inch screen will be universally recognised as being the magic number because Apple said so. My Note It also fits in my front pocket and I can sit down without it cracking.

You are probably right there, but going from 3.7 inch (My old Desire S) to a 5.3 inch (Note) has made one hell of a difference both in viewing films and browsing.

A complete joke to you, not me - isn't choice a wonderful thing

It will all change come September's release when the new perfect size screen comes out

Yep, choice is a wonderful thing.

I have to disagree with people saying that a bigger screen than 3.5" does not make any difference to the experience.

I use to have a HD2 and found it a lot better to surf the web on than my friends iPhones or even my wife's Desire.

Now that I have an S3 its even better for surfing the web and am blown away when watching videos etc.

Every though a bigger screen would be better I must admit that it's the biggest I would go with a phone though.

The S3 fits perfectly in my front pocket and hand.

Also when I'm typing I normally use my 2 thumbs anyway with SwiftKey keyboard as it's a lot quicker than just using one thumb or finger.

I use the S-pen to swype and damn its fast.

I was using Swype (or Slide it), but found SwiftKey to be quicker for me (I do like to use capital letters, punctuation and numbers a lot as well though).

Yet, you find it a joke someone would like a 3.5" screen...just accept different people like different things