ICS And Screen Size

OldDirtyCrackr · Oct 12, 2011

With the speculation about the Prime and on-screen buttons I'm wondering what's going to happen when 4.3 inch models get ics.
Should I go with 4.3 and gingerbread now since part of the the 4.65 will be buttons or do I want 4.65 because 4.3 will end up also losing some space to buttons later? Thanks!

rhippler · Oct 12, 2011

I would hope that any phone with real buttons, that the on screen ones would be disabled. It would be a bit redundant.

A.Nonymous · Oct 12, 2011

If all Android phones from ICS onward must be 4.65" inches or more I might kill myself.

chanchan05 · Oct 13, 2011

A.Nonymous said:
If all Android phones from ICS onward must be 4.65" inches or more I might kill myself.

Why? Remember that if all buttons become virtual, the space used for the present hardware or capacitive buttons will be used for screen estate as well, thus a 4.65in screen could fit into something the size of an sgs1.

A.Nonymous · Oct 13, 2011

chanchan05 said:
Why? Remember that if all buttons become virtual, the space used for the present hardware or capacitive buttons will be used for screen estate as well, thus a 4.65in screen could fit into something the size of an sgs1.

Which is still way too big of a screen. 4"+ is too big. It saddens me that my DInc is apparently the last really good Android phone I'll own and in the future I'll be stuck buying mid-tier phones that are the proper size.

chanchan05 · Oct 13, 2011

A.Nonymous said:
Which is still way too big of a screen. 4"+ is too big. It saddens me that my DInc is apparently the last really good Android phone I'll own and in the future I'll be stuck buying mid-tier phones that are the proper size.

I'd guess a 4.65 would be similar in handling to a 4.3 incher, so you should look for a buttonless 4.3incher then.

Crashdamage · Oct 13, 2011

A.Nonymous said:
Which is still way too big of a screen. 4"+ is too big. It saddens me that my DInc is apparently the last really good Android phone I'll own and in the future I'll be stuck buying mid-tier phones that are the proper size.

The continued success of the iPhone at only 3.5 inches proves there's a large market for smaller high-end phones. 4" is about the max I'd buy.

A.Nonymous · Oct 13, 2011

chanchan05 said:
I'd guess a 4.65 would be similar in handling to a 4.3 incher, so you should look for a buttonless 4.3incher then.

4.3 inches is still way too big for me. I've held them in my hands. I can barely reach my thumb across the screen to reach stuff. They feel way too big in my hand. I really, really, really don't like them. As mentioned, the iPhone proves there is a market for smaller phones. If people want 4-5" phones, that's fine with me. Just give me an option to buy a 3.5" phone as well.

jerofld · Oct 13, 2011

Then Apple will sue people for making 3.5" screens

On a serious note, why not start trying to contact handset manufacturers and ask them to make more high end, small phones?

NaterTots · Oct 13, 2011

Crashdamage said:
The continued success of the iPhone at only 3.5 inches proves there's a large market for smaller high-end phones. 4" is about the max I'd buy.

I wonder how much is just people having a herd mentality? Always going with the flow? Everyone else has one so I need one?

It does have a 3.5" screen but I don't think it uses the space well.
The specs on the iphone 4s (from Sprints site)

4.5" x 2.31" x .37" with a 3.5" screen.

HTC EVO 4G

4.8" x 2.6" x .5" with a 4.3" screen.

For about 3/8ths of an inch in width and height I'd take the larger screen which is easier to read on, surf the web, or watch video.

I know the Motorola Atrix, which is dual core, is a smidge smaller than the Evo 4G and has the same size screen. Of course it's a year newer than the Evo 4G.

Naters

A.Nonymous · Oct 13, 2011

NaterTots said:
I wonder how much is just people having a herd mentality? Always going with the flow? Everyone else has one so I need one?

It does have a 3.5" screen but I don't think it uses the space well.
The specs on the iphone 4s (from Sprints site)

4.5" x 2.31" x .37" with a 3.5" screen.

HTC EVO 4G

4.8" x 2.6" x .5" with a 4.3" screen.

For about 3/8ths of an inch in width and height I'd take the larger screen which is easier to read on, surf the web, or watch video.

I know the Motorola Atrix, which is dual core, is a smidge smaller than the Evo 4G and has the same size screen. Of course it's a year newer than the Evo 4G.

Naters

That size makes a big difference though. I've held the 4.3" screens in my hands. I have no been happy with them. The DInc 2 was the one that I was closest to being happy with size wise. My DInc is about the same form factor as the iPhone. I can hold it in my hand and reach any point on the screen with my thumb. I can't do that with a larger phone. I can't dial numbers with phone using just one hand which is a huge negative for me. I have no problems doing whatever I need to do on my 3.5" screen. If you prefer a larger screen, that's fine. I just want the option to buy a decent phone with a smaller screen.

jerofld · Oct 13, 2011

NaterTots said:
I wonder how much is just people having a herd mentality? Always going with the flow? Everyone else has one so I need one?

It does have a 3.5" screen but I don't think it uses the space well.
The specs on the iphone 4s (from Sprints site)

4.5" x 2.31" x .37" with a 3.5" screen.

HTC EVO 4G

4.8" x 2.6" x .5" with a 4.3" screen.

For about 3/8ths of an inch in width and height I'd take the larger screen which is easier to read on, surf the web, or watch video.

I know the Motorola Atrix, which is dual core, is a smidge smaller than the Evo 4G and has the same size screen. Of course it's a year newer than the Evo 4G.

Naters

I have to agree with the herd thing. This is why I bought a Zune instead of an iPod when mobile moving viewing started getting big. The Zune actually had a screen larger than a quarter. Yes, it was bigger, but I didn't have to squint to see the screen.

chanchan05 · Oct 13, 2011

A.Nonymous said:
4.3 inches is still way too big for me. I've held them in my hands. I can barely reach my thumb across the screen to reach stuff. They feel way too big in my hand. I really, really, really don't like them. As mentioned, the iPhone proves there is a market for smaller phones. If people want 4-5" phones, that's fine with me. Just give me an option to buy a 3.5" phone as well.

I think we are misunderstanding a bit. Since a part of the screen will be using the onscreen controls, a 4.3 inch would probably look like a 4inch with a row of capacitive buttons at the bottom that changes depending on what app is open. Therefore:
an ICS 4.6in = current 4.3
ICS 4.3 = current 4.0
ICS 4.0 = current 3.7

At least in terms of handling and actual size of the phone. Then we have to factor manufacturer design in how they would keep the phones "handy".

chanchan05 · Oct 13, 2011

Crashdamage said:
The continued success of the iPhone at only 3.5 inches proves there's a large market for smaller high-end phones. 4" is about the max I'd buy.

I dont think we can base on that. After all, iPhones come only in one size. Its not like they have a choice.

Crashdamage · Oct 13, 2011

chanchan05 said:
I dont think we can base on that. After all, iPhones come only in one size. Its not like they have a choice.

The 3.5" screen is clearly not a deal-breaker for most buyers though. There's no telling how many iPhone buyers would choose a 4.5" iPhone if available over a 3.5" but given otherwise equal specs and features I'd bet the 3.5" version would still sell very, very well even if the prices were close.

I'd be after a new Nexus Prime in a heartbeat but can't deal with a 4.65" slab so I'll keep my 3.7" HTC G2 'til a better option is available. Fits my hand and pockets better.

pool_shark · Oct 13, 2011

The screen size debate is pointless. Some people prefer larger screens, some don't. Trying to convince either side that they are wrong makes no sense because a personal preference can't be wrong.

jerofld · Oct 13, 2011

Crashdamage said:
The 3.5" screen is clearly not a deal-breaker for most buyers though. There's no telling how many iPhone buyers would choose a 4.5" iPhone if available over a 3.5" but given otherwise equal specs and features I'd bet the 3.5" version would still sell very, very well even if the prices were close.

I'd be after a new Nexus Prime in a heartbeat but can't deal with a 4.65" slab so I'll keep my 3.7" HTC G2 'til a better option is available. Fits my hand and pockets better.

So if Apple rolled out an iPhone with a 4.5" screen, are you saying that the masses wouldn't eat it up? This variant of the iPhone sold over 1 million units already and it was a "disappointment".

I bet they could sell a 5" display iPhone with a physical home button and still turn a bigger profit than all of the Android handset makers. Drawing comparisons to how iPhones sell based on hardware seems like a fallacy to me. The only thing that I really saw that was different between the iPhone 4 and 4S was that they put the iPad2 chip into it. And they still sold over 1 million units. No other device, be mobile phone or anything else for that matter, has ever had such a success from such a change that I can think of.

A.Nonymous · Oct 13, 2011

pool_shark said:
The screen size debate is pointless. Some people prefer larger screens, some don't. Trying to convince either side that they are wrong makes no sense because a personal preference can't be wrong.

You're right, but you're wrong. You are right that it does come down to personal preference. You're wrong in that it's not pointless. OEMs are not giving anyone much choice. They are pushing the > 4" screens on all of the high end phones. There is not a single high end phone I can think of right now that has a screen smaller than 4". I would like the ability to buy a decent Android handset that has a screen smaller than 4". Currently I can't. That's where the problem is.

Kairosgrammy · Oct 13, 2011

Okay, I'm admitting to total ignorance. What is ICS?

OldDirtyCrackr said:
With the speculation about the Prime and on-screen buttons I'm wondering what's going to happen when 4.3 inch models get ics.
Should I go with 4.3 and gingerbread now since part of the the 4.65 will be buttons or do I want 4.65 because 4.3 will end up also losing some space to buttons later? Thanks!

Crashdamage · Oct 13, 2011

Kairosgrammy said:
Okay, I'm admitting to total ignorance. What is ICS?

Ice Cream Sandwich, the next version of Android.

Crashdamage · Oct 13, 2011

jerofld said:
So if Apple rolled out an iPhone with a 4.5" screen, are you saying that the masses wouldn't eat it up?

Apple could sell rotary phones and the iSheep would eat 'em up. My point was simply that if given a choice I bet a lotta iPhone buyers would still opt for a small version. And that Android should be available on high-end units 4" an less for a significant number of buyers like me who don't want a mini-tablet, just a real good phone.

pool_shark · Oct 13, 2011

A.Nonymous said:
You're right, but you're wrong. You are right that it does come down to personal preference. You're wrong in that it's not pointless. OEMs are not giving anyone much choice. They are pushing the > 4" screens on all of the high end phones. There is not a single high end phone I can think of right now that has a screen smaller than 4". I would like the ability to buy a decent Android handset that has a screen smaller than 4". Currently I can't. That's where the problem is.

How is debating that here between users helping with that?
That is what's pointless, not the idea.

pool_shark · Oct 13, 2011

Crashdamage said:
Apple could sell rotary phones and the iSheep would eat 'em up. My point was simply that if given a choice I bet a lotta iPhone buyers would still opt for a small version. And that Android should be available on high-end units 4" an less for a significant number of buyers like me who don't want a mini-tablet, just a real good phone.

I think you are correct. A buddy of mine thought it was really funny that so many users were upset that the new iPhone isn't larger. He thinks the current size plus the OS updates makes the phone perfect for him.

A.Nonymous · Oct 14, 2011

I think Apple not selling bigger phones drives people to the iPad more. If Apple sold 4-5" phones there are people who might pass on the iPad figuring their phone was big enough for the most part. The fact remains that there is not a single high end phone on the market right now that has a form factor similar to the iPhone. Not one. Unless someone wants to correct me, they're all 4" or bigger.

jerofld · Oct 14, 2011

A.Nonymous said:
I think Apple not selling bigger phones drives people to the iPad more. If Apple sold 4-5" phones there are people who might pass on the iPad figuring their phone was big enough for the most part. The fact remains that there is not a single high end phone on the market right now that has a form factor similar to the iPhone. Not one. Unless someone wants to correct me, they're all 4" or bigger.

I was always under the belief that a smaller screen would be more power efficient. Or it was a choice, a smaller screen with higher resolution/detail or a bigger screen with less resolution and they opted for more detail. Or maybe a mix of the two.

ICS And Screen Size

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