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Attain 4.3" screen instead of 4.5"=major letdown

shark974

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2010
209
23
So the one thing that probably really bugs me about my current phone the Captivate is the paltry 4.0" screen. At the time it was one of the biggest (only the Evo and Droid X were bigger at the time) but now it has fallen way behind.

So basically if I spend big bucks on another phone (and I'm not upgrade eligible til March) I want to be ahead of the curve on screen size (as well as all other major specs IE dual core, 1GB RAM etc, so the Infuse is out).

That means I'm probably not settling for less than 4.5", and heck 4.65 as the rumored Nexus Prime might be nice for a little future proofing.

So it's really disappointing to me to see ATT got the only GS2 with a 4.3 inch screen, while the other carriers get 4.5". Maybe I'm the only one who cares, but major enthusiasm killer for me. Real letdown by ATT imo.

I feel like I could buy a 4.5" SGS2 and be happy for two solid years, even the Nexus Prime wouldn't tempt me that much. But 4.3 (and in fact I think it's really even less, like 4.27") just isn't enough. It will be just like the 4.0 on my Captivate, feeling outdated way too fast once I buy it. It seems like all flagships are already switching to 4.5, and they'll get even bigger once Ice Cream removes the space taken by the hardware buttons.

Call me immature but I like having the "biggest and badest" phone among everybody I know. You cant do that if your screen is smaller. If I get a 4.3, random people will be sporting bigger 4.5's in no time. Whereas a 4.5, will probably stay at the top for a while. Besides the utility, the SINGLE biggest need on smartphones is more screen space imo.
 
I am very very very happy it only has a 4.3. When the Infuse came out, I wasnt even aware of SGSII. I didn't do my homework because my contract was up and I needed a phone right then and right now. I liked the Infuse, but couldn't pull the trigger because it was just too ridiculously big for me. It was definitely a deal breaker for me. That's when I started researching phones thinking there has to be something better coming out with a smaller screen. Sure enough, it was the "Attain". After many months of waiting, I was disappointed to hear rumors about the US version going to have a 4.5". So glad AT&T didn't go that route.
 
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If it is really that disappointing wait for the nexus prime or HTC Holiday. I for one am pleased its not going to be 4.5. I always use otterbox defender cases so its going to be tough as is.


The Nexus Prime I read is headed for Verizon, obviously I'm on ATT. The HTC Holiday is intriguing and indeed 4.5". However I do love Samsung's Super Amoled technology and might have a hard time switching.

Also HTC builds a chunky, heavy phone compared to Samsung's slim mantra. It's really neither here nor there some people prefer one way some another, so HTC's designs arent BAD per se, but I do have a physical labor job, and a light phone is somewhat more necessary to me to carry around all day without being obtrusive in the pocket.

So the HTC might be an option but does have those drawbacks. Probably mainly the lack of super amoled.
 
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I am very very very happy it only has a 4.3. When the Infuse came out, I wasnt even aware of SGSII. I didn't do my homework because my contract was up and I needed a phone right then and right now. I liked the Infuse, but couldn't pull the trigger because it was just too ridiculously big for me. It was definitely a deal breaker for me. That's when I started researching phones thinking there has to be something better coming out with a smaller screen. Sure enough, it was the "Attain". After many months of waiting, I was disappointed to hear rumors about the US version going to have a 4.5". So glad AT&T didn't go that route.


I wouldn't be surprised if the Attain is the same size as the Infuse, ironically.

It's just like my Captivate, if I hold it against my brother's Evo, they are almost the exact same size (Evo=4.3 screen, Captivate=4.0). The Captivate just has way more bezel.

From the SGS2 preview vids I've seen so far handling the Attain next to the other SGS2 variants from the launch event, I haven't noticed the Attain looking any smaller than it's 4.5" SGS2 counterparts. I'd bet they are the same size the Attain just has a bigger bezel.
 
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lol..you guys continue to crack me up... like I have said before..once you hold a 4.3" and a 4.5" in your hands ...side by side...you won't be able to tell the difference.


There are soooo many more good reasons to wait for the Holiday though...so I will give you that one :p

I tried to respond to this thread earlier, and looks like it never went through....oh wells. Try try again..

Well, again, for me as well 4.5 is just crossing the line. I mean, if you use the logic that 4.3 is pretty much 4.5....well ok then, but 4.5 is basically 4.6...and well since we're at 4.6 lets just go to 5" and so on and so forth and the madness continues. If you hold up an inspire next to an Infuse...the size difference is obvious.

A phone with a 4" screen would be great for me, if honestly if they made an SGS2 with a 4" screen (and assuming the case takes up no extra real-estate than it does with the Infuse) and samsung also made the one they area about to release I'd pick the smaller once. Call me crazy.

I'd own an Atrix right now if the penTile screen it uses wasn't subpar compared to everything else.
 
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I wouldn't be surprised if the Attain is the same size as the Infuse, ironically.

It's just like my Captivate, if I hold it against my brother's Evo, they are almost the exact same size (Evo=4.3 screen, Captivate=4.0). The Captivate just has way more bezel.

From the SGS2 preview vids I've seen so far handling the Attain next to the other SGS2 variants from the launch event, I haven't noticed the Attain looking any smaller than it's 4.5" SGS2 counterparts. I'd bet they are the same size the Attain just has a bigger bezel.

The specs say the AT&T version is 4.9x" inches. The Infuse is 5.2". The HTC Inspire is 4.84 so it will be in between those two, a bit closer to the size of the Inspire.
 
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I have an Infuse, and comparing it's 4.5" to 4.3" screen it looks a LOT bigger. Comparing it to physical size the difference is so minute I don't understand how anyone using a 4.3 can think it feels so much larger in hand.

What I have found, the THINNESS is more of an issue than the physical size. The Infuse is so thin (as will be the SGSII) it is like holding a playing card and having it "flip" out of your palm. For me it's actually too thin and doesn't feel stable to hold (I have dropped it numerous times, mostly on the carpet). Once I put a thin case on it that little extra thickness made it much more secure.

Thickness is sometimes more important than just length and width. Makes it feel much better in the palm. :eek:

After reading AT&T is going with 4.3" I think I'm just going to hang in with the Infuse for a while and see what comes out in the next month or 2. I may just switch to T-Mo.
 
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The specs say the AT&T version is 4.9x" inches. The Infuse is 5.2". The HTC Inspire is 4.84 so it will be in between those two, a bit closer to the size of the Inspire.
Thanks for posting that. I'm glad I read to the end before replying with those specs.
I know we're only talking about fractions of inches, but it actually makes a difference when talking about people's hands and fingers. So many people have different attributes. The Infuse (5.2") was just outside my limit for size hand, so I imagine 4.9" will be perfect because that's more on par with the EVO that those at my office have.
 
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If I'm on AT&T, I would be very glad that their SGS2 remained at 4.3" unlike other two. WVGA resolution at 4.5" is really crossing the line in terms of clarity as pixels will be larger. Unless they bump up the resolution to like qHD or HD together, there is really no point of just increasing the physical size of screen. Remember that softwares recognize display resolution as the size of screen, not physical size.
 
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I am sorry guys..I have an inspire and infuse...and have had all three (including the attain) laid out side by side...

the difference in SCREEN size is negligible...

The difference in PHONE size is pretty obvious, but as for me (6'4" 220lbs) The Attain is MUCH easier to hold than the Infuse...but this has NOTHING to do with screen size...

But hey..we all need something to complain about....I choose the lack of LTE :D
 
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I am sorry guys..I have an inspire and infuse...and have had all three (including the attain) laid out side by side...

the difference in SCREEN size is negligible...

The difference in PHONE size is pretty obvious, but as for me (6'4" 220lbs) The Attain is MUCH easier to hold than the Infuse...but this has NOTHING to do with screen size...

But hey..we all need something to complain about....I choose the lack of LTE :D

I too am confused by the lack of LTE and the smaller screen. Looks like I will be waiting for the Holiday. Can someone who knows more than me explain to me why these devices won't have LTE?
 
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The specs say the AT&T version is 4.9x\ inches. The Infuse is 5.2. The HTC Inspire is 4.84 so it will be in between those two, a bit closer to the size of the Inspire.


According to GSM Arena the specs are:

GS2 (I'm assuming this is the European GS2, and since people say the Attain looks exactly like the Euro GS2 I'm using it, GSM arena doesnt have Attain dimensions yet. The attain might even be larger for all we know): 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm

Tmobile GS2 (one of the 4.5") : 131 x 70 x 9 mm

Not a whole lot of difference. But I guess a little if you care. In inches it's 5.15 vs 4.93


Better yet here's pics of them directly next to each other.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/08/gsii-family-2011-08-31-1.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/08/gsii-family-2011-08-31-3.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/08/gsii-family-2011-08-31-5.jpg

Really dont see much external size difference but to each his own I guess.
 
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If I'm on AT&T, I would be very glad that their SGS2 remained at 4.3" unlike other two. WVGA resolution at 4.5" is really crossing the line in terms of clarity as pixels will be larger. Unless they bump up the resolution to like qHD or HD together, there is really no point of just increasing the physical size of screen. Remember that softwares recognize display resolution as the size of screen, not physical size.

Why not say 4.3 crosses the line while 4.0 is OK? You just made up something arbitrary.

For the rest of your post, to a point screen size is more important than resolution. a 1" 1080P display wouldn't do anybody any good, despite having a much higher resolution.
 
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Thanks for posting that. I'm glad I read to the end before replying with those specs.
I know we're only talking about fractions of inches, but it actually makes a difference when talking about people's hands and fingers. So many people have different attributes. The Infuse (5.2") was just outside my limit for size hand, so I imagine 4.9" will be perfect because that's more on par with the EVO that those at my office have.


It's 125.3 mm length Attain (assuming again it's like Euro SGS2) vs 131 mm length 4.5" SGS2 by Tmo. Difference of 4%.
 
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I am sorry guys..I have an inspire and infuse...and have had all three (including the attain) laid out side by side...

the difference in SCREEN size is negligible...

The difference in PHONE size is pretty obvious, but as for me (6'4" 220lbs) The Attain is MUCH easier to hold than the Infuse...but this has NOTHING to do with screen size...

But hey..we all need something to complain about....I choose the lack of LTE :D


The other Mr Ed just said the difference in physical size is minute and the difference in screen size is huge :p Contradict much?
 
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Well, again, for me as well 4.5 is just crossing the line. I mean, if you use the logic that 4.3 is pretty much 4.5....well ok then, but 4.5 is basically 4.6...and well since we're at 4.6 lets just go to 5" and so on and so forth and the madness continues. If you hold up an inspire next to an Infuse...the size difference is obvious.

And of course you can do the same thing in the other direction. If a 4.5 is too big, the 4.3 is pretty much 4.5...well ok then but 4.3 is basically 4.2, well since we're at 4.2 lets just got to 3.8 and so on and so forth :p

I would think if you're wanting a 4.3 phone 4.5 isn't much different. 4.3 is already big, if you're worried about size you should be down at 3.7" or so, or at most maybe an Atrix or SGS1. Although as I noted my 4.0" Captivate isn't really smaller than a 4.3 Evo.

The truth is you have to draw the line somewhere both ways, but again if compact is your desire I dont think 4.3 vs 4.5 is exactly where you should draw it that doesn't seem to make a lot of sense, it should be drawn at maybe 3.7 and below, But it's whatever.
 
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