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What's The Perfect Size For a Modern Smart Phone?

Cellphones are getting big. Where do we draw the line?

Cellphones are getting big. Some would argue too big. There's going to come a time when phones become so large that we won't even call them phones anymore. We might be forced to call them something different, something more than just a phone.
 
Oh. But as it turns out that's already happened. Short of building a phone into our very own hands, there's not much extra growth that today's cellphones can do. Devices like the EVO 4G, while visually striking, are relative monoliths in the mobile crowd, pushing the boundaries of our pockets at over 4" thick.
   
When it came to tablets, we wondered just how big these thin, computing powerhouses could become, but now, it seems as if phones are beginning to warrant the same sort of thinking. What's the right size for a modern cellphone anyhow?

You don't quite realize how large today's screens have become until you hold one in your hand. It's one thing to be told that a device packs a 4" screen, but another thing entirely to have it in your pocket, held to your ear, and completing the day-to-day tasks that you most often do. After all, a screen isn't just something to look at — its size can greatly impact how a device is built and functions.
    
Take, for example, the Dell Streak. The so-called tablet has a bit of an identity crisis, billing itself as an iPad-style device, but with cellular capabilities. However, it is, for all intents and purposes, a phone. And it's over 5" big. For some, this isn't an issue. It may feel a little bit different than a conventional device, and feel a tad more snug in the odd type of pocket, but it's still a phone. But for others, the size is simply too big.

According to Wikipedia, the average size of an adult male hand is around 7.5" in length, and 3.5" wide. Compare this to the Samsung Galaxy S, a device that's 4.8 by 2.5", and you can see how close we're coming to engulfing the human hand in cellular goodness. Phones have actually grown to a point where it's almost impossible to hold one in our hand. This is obviously the outer limit for size — any larger and you might require two hands, or it may become impractical to actually make calls.

From a functionality perspective, phones are traditionally designed with the purpose of making and receiving calls — nothing more. Text messaging and email build upon that original purpose, as does web surfing, but the more capabilities you add, the less of a traditional phone it becomes. With this in mind, you could argue that the right size for a phone is the same as it's always been — under 2 or 3". It's only when you add all those extra features that a larger screen becomes necessary.

The HTC Legend is a smaller android device, but almost as capable as larger sized phones.
The HTC Legend is a smaller android device, but almost as capable as larger sized phones.
Or does it? BlackBerries have long been known as messaging and communication powerhouses, but have had relatively small screens and physical size when compared to more feature-heavy devices. A 3" Android device can, technically, do the same sort of things as a 4" EVO. The extra screen real-estate makes things more comfortable, sure, but the larger you go, the more you blur the lines between phone and tablet territory. You're no longer producing a phone, but a borderline tablet.

And therein lies the problem. The right size for a cellphone isn't some magical, pre-ordained number that we've yet to discover. It's entirely fluid, and largely dependent on how we expect to use our mobile devices. A multimedia-heavy device is, naturally, going to be as large as one can comfortably fit in their hand, because that's what the media demands. But as those features and demands are removed, and one focuses on traditional cellular functions, that size decreases. It's the reason why dumbphones have barely changed in size over the past five years, and why BlackBerries still maintain the same form. When it comes to size, It all depends on the scenario.  
Daggityon July 30, 2010 at 1:04 a.m.
I have a Nexus One, but I'd love to have a bigger screen, like the Dell Streak. Mainly because rather than having a phone that also has a web browser, I use it more as a web browser which doubles as a phone.
TheIneffableBobon July 30, 2010 at 1:15 a.m.
My Droid X feels perfect for my hands. Not too big, not too small.
airuleson July 30, 2010 at 4:03 a.m.
I'm rocking the iphone ipad combo and it's a nice balance. The iphone gets the everyday use and the ipad gets the "away from home for a while, need internet" use. 
alkatrazon July 30, 2010 at 4:35 a.m.
Am I the only one who noticed that the hand drawing is wrong. Should be 3.5in at the bottom, 7.5in at the side.
bagels staff on July 30, 2010 at 5:12 a.m.
@alkatraz: I have no clue what you're talking about. There is nothing wrong with that hand. We have always been at war with Eastasia. </1984>
HeadNodShyon July 30, 2010 at 5:18 a.m.
@alkatraz: I think they might be referring to the reach of your fingers. It's hard to reach the bottom of your palm without moving your hand. It could also just be stupidity.
simianon July 30, 2010 at 6:11 a.m.
The correct answer is the original N-Gage and I will accept no other. Now if you'll excuse me I have some taco talking to do.
spncrrron July 30, 2010 at 6:36 a.m.
The Aria felt like a perfect size in my hand. If only it weren't a low-end android phone.
Bobby staff on July 30, 2010 at 6:48 a.m.
I buy my shorts at Banana Republic. Inside the pocket of these shorts is another little pocket... a pocket perfectly sized for a cellphone no larger than an iPhone. Odd, I know. But hear me out. When the iPhone is in my pocket it tends to shift around and turn sideways, making walking uncomfortable. But when it's set in the tiny pocket, it remains perfectly vertical. So until I replace all of my shorts, I must only choose devices of a certain size. 
TheLepperon July 30, 2010 at 7:01 a.m.
I totally agree with simian. XD the original N-GAGE
RonaldBryanon July 30, 2010 at 7:27 a.m.
Is the EVO really 4 inches thick? What all do they need to fit behind that screen?
 
I've owned enough different phonesof different, including my first cell phone which was a brick. Here, I took a few pictures. The phone, compared to an iPhone 3, and a width comparison with the iPhone 3. Of course, the iPhone 4 is even smaller than the 3 where you basically get rid of the black part height wise, width wise get rid of everything but the screen, and thickness you get rid of the metal band. The main problem from my first phone was just how thick it was. The majority of that is battery and keypad. So today's smart phones still look and feel small to me. 
 
And yes, I have been on the AT&T network since they were Bellsouth, before they were Cingular.
 
In all fairness, the phone was first my sister's and when she got a smaller phone, I took that one with another line added to her account. I did a year or so later switch to a massive looking (but smaller) flip phone.
 
EDIT: Just for fun, one more picture, the SIM card.
24bearon July 30, 2010 at 7:51 a.m.
Bigger is better and manlier... 5 inches! After getting a short hands on with the Dell Streak, I think I'm going to need to buy more cargo pants/shorts.
LiberalTugboaton July 30, 2010 at 8:34 a.m.
@theineffablebob said:
" My Droid X feels perfect for my hands. Not too big, not too small. "
Agreed. My Droid X is the perfect size. The screen dwarfs all of my friends iphones. Of course they are like "OMG its too big" 
I answer, "thats what she said"
guppy507on July 30, 2010 at 10:31 a.m.
I'm happy with the size of the Incredible.  It's bigger than any other phone I've ever had, but it's a lot thinner.
ElGrecoon July 30, 2010 at 2:38 p.m.
@spncrrr said:
" The Aria felt like a perfect size in my hand. If only it weren't a low-end android phone. "
Ditto on the Aria. I also like my carrying things in my pockets, and generally phones with screens larger than 3.5 inches are just too bulky. As far as usage in my hands, the iPhone 4 is about as large as i'd go. If I could get a reasonably thing, 3.2 inch screen, handset with a snapdragon I'd be sold in an instant.
PJon July 30, 2010 at 8:07 p.m.
3.5 inch screens are the perfect size. When I held the Galaxy S in my hand i was shocked. a 4 inch screen is WAY to big on a phone. But dude, the Super AMOLED screen is amazing, but on the S its way to big..
 
Has anyone else used the smallest android phone in the world? The SE X10 Mini. My dad bought one and its fucking tiny. Even thouugh it only runs 1.6 its really impressive how damn smal it is. But it running android means also that it can get really sluggish just like any other Android powered phone.
Big_Daddy_Afroon July 30, 2010 at 8:51 p.m.
I prefer the iPhone size. The size isn't bad and the clarity is perfect. The Evo would probably be my limit but I don't care for bigger phones. The Droid X looks like it will just make an annoying bulge in my pocket. 
soralapioon July 31, 2010 at 2:05 p.m.
I have a Desire and I love the size. The screen is big enough to be of real use, but the phone isn't bulky. Fits comfortably into my pocket and doesn't get in my way even when biking or something. But really, anything from iPhone to this size is fine by me. Much smaller and the device becomes painful to use with my huge man-bear paws.
Teston July 31, 2010 at 3:43 p.m.
This is highly detailed
eolithon July 31, 2010 at 8:09 p.m.
I upgraded from the Instinct to an EVO, and I thought I would balk at the large screen. I don't. I find it's perfect. It fits my hand well, gives me enough screen real estate to do what I want. In some cases I still find I want a little larger. Not sure that would actually work in my pocket, though.
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