I received my Xperia Z2 yesterday and I'd say that's just on limit maybe being slightly too big (coming from an Galaxy S3) - Ask me this question in 6 months and no doubt I'll have gotten used to it, I do have quite large hands which no doubt helps - I imagine it would be a pain otherwise.
I've gone from 3.8 inches to a 4.3 inch S4 mini. It's true that you get used to a bigger size really quick and then going back to a smaller size just feels so wrong.
I don't think I could go much bigger though, maybe 4.8 inches or somewhere around there would be my max. In the end I still want to be able to fit it in my pocket without feeling like I'm trying to smuggle a tablet in my pocket.
6 inches..no thanks, not for me. (that's what she said?) :0)
I went from a galaxy S2 to a galaxy Note 3. I love the bigger screen (and I have big hands so it's fine for me). Proportionally, my Note 3 fits in my hands about the same as my wife's S2 fits in her hands!
Not even thinking about the next phone, I usually get a good few years out of my phones rather than always upgrading!
One that fits comfortably in your pocket.
Currently have a Lumia 520, wouldn't want to go any larger really.
Like my moto g… 4,5inch… Under that, typing sucks, over 5inch, it's getting annoying in the pocket
To me, there is two “perfect size”. One is one that is small enough for me to use it comfortably in one hand. Having small hands mean that it needs to be around 3.25“-3.5”. It may not be good for lots of typing / productive work, but I do think that it's nice to know that I can type without risk of dropping the phone when I do not have both hands free. The second option, is one that is as big as my pockets will fit without being hard to put in/take out of the pocket or feel like it's really squeezing my legs. No idea what is the ideal size for that, but I know that I can go larger than an S3 even with a ZeroLemon battery.
I have a Lumia 920 which is a bit too small, so I think 4.8-5" would be perfect size for me
For me it's not just the size, it's the weight to screen size ratio. The Nexus 5 I have feels perfect for comfortable web browsing on the go, definitely a step up from the Galaxy S2 I had before. For me this is the closest thing to perfection right now. High res larger screen that's readable in direct sunlight, thin bezel meaning the overall dims are kept in check, great specs and a very reasonable 130g. It's got the whole package to make it an awesome phone.
I'll be honest, every time I've gone larger, I've found it harder to go back to smaller.
However, I don't think I could go larger than my current phone, a Lumia 1020.
See a lot of people often comment on how typing is easier on a bigger smart phone, however I'm no where near as good on my Z1 as I was on my S2. I really miss that phone. Honestly, if samsung came out with that phone again, in a 720p screen, 2000 mAh battery, solid 8MP camera, a very power efficient processor, like the A7 on apple's devices, then that'd be the phone I would buy. I'm tired of having poor specs on phones with smaller screen sizes. What puts me off an iPhone is the battery life, and a little too small screen. I'm used to be able to going from 7am to 10pm on a single charge with heavy use (4-5 hours screen on time).
The Z1 fits in my pocket, but it has wrecked a few pairs of jeans where the corners stick out when sat down, and it has worn the fabric, in turn creating a hole in them.
I believe 5“ would be my upper limit. My 4.65” Galaxy Nexus already feels a bit of a pocketful.
To me around the 5inch mark is comfortable i'm sure I could get used to bigger sizes but it fits me fine for now.
So far, I've yet to come across a reason to convince me that the best size (for a smartphone) for me is anything bigger than 0“, though 5”-ish seems to suit most people.
Personally, 10" suits me better …. which is why I went for a tablet. ;) :D
4.5-5.0 inches, provided that the 5.0 has extremely well-managed bezels
Im waiting for the Z1c to drop in price, then its mine!
Any phone around 5 inches is good. Because anything above that would be a hassle.
My Moto G at 4.5 inches (?) seems about right to me. Any larger and it'd struggle to fit in the special phone pocket of my jacket so I'd be knackered then for listening to podcasts when I'm walking the dog! :)
On a related note, I'll definitely be going to a smaller tablet when I upgrade; my Xoom is just too clunky.
I've found the m8 from HTC to be ideal for the size of my hands. I've also sussed out its centre of gravity pretty quick and can spin it using my fingers when watching videos.
Well, for me perfect size is that it fits comfortably in the pocket. I own a HTC One X it has 4.7“ screen and it's laying good, Im going to uprage to a new One M8 this summer and it should be good despite its 5” screen, will see.
Macadee
One that fits comfortably in your pocket.
Currently have a Lumia 520, wouldn't want to go any larger really.
Amen to that!
Could live a tiny bit biogger than my s3's size, but not much. Just sold my 7 inch tablet as the size is just wrong - glad I didn't go for a Fonepad back when I considered it..
Note 2 5.5“ screen is perfect for me as I can read the news without my glasses and not having to make the text silly large to do so.
I'm considering the 6” Nokia.
The Samsung S3 I have now is a pretty good size. Don't think I would consider a model with a screen larger than 5".
Nexus 5 felt large to start with but now used to it and wouldn't mind a slightly larger screen… Maybe 10% bigger?
Currently got the nexus 4 which at 4.7“ I find a bit too big. Previous phone was 3.7” and I thought after using for a while it was too small. Hoping for next phone to find something around 4.3 or possibly another 4.7 if the bezels can be reduced enough.
I think 5" would be the sweet spot for me.
bigger is better , as long as i can wear it comfy on my belt , or in my pocket.
I'm getting older , so my eyes aren't what they used to be.. can't read small apps
My Lumia 620 has a 3.8 inch screen which does feel small, but it fits well in any pocket. I do watch netflix on it in bed as watching the TV can feel intrusive when you are trying to relax. I think 4.5 inch is the right size in the long run and definitely no larger than a 5 inch screen for a mobile phone for me.
I got a note 3 last year and it feels like the perfect size for my shovel hands. I don't think I will ever use anything smaller again.
I'm tempted to buck the trend, and switch to a smaller, less powerful phone on my upgrade, and use the savings to pick up a tablet as well.
Sure there will be times when I don't have both devices with me, but they'll be few and far between
It's not just screen size, and screen/bezel ratio… it's the ergonomics that make or break it tbh.
I had an iPhone 5 for work, and even though it was quite svelte, the sharp edges made it really uncomfortable to use. To contrast I've read good things about the curved back of the M8 that make it really nice in the hand, even though it's markedly bigger.
IMO small plus curved back & edges are great - I still think my old Nexus S is the most comfortable phone to hold that I've ever had!! :p
Su
Xperia Z Ultra / Galaxy Note 3 size but running full fat Windows 8.1 would be an ideal carry all round device.
My fave phone size would be between 5 inches and 5.5 - some of this is down to the fact that I've a physical disability - small phones are bad! (Like the iPhone)
Wouldn't want to go bigger than about 4“
My Xperia U is 3.5”, fits nicely in my pocket, and works one-handed. Typing in portrait is a little tight so can see the advantage of bigger there - but the pocket size is a trade-off I'm not keen on.
5“ roughly. Loved my old note 1 (5.3”) but it was a little difficult to use one handed at time. My new Nexus 5 however is just right - a good compromise between screen size and pocket usage/handling. Think I could stretch to 5.3 again as bezels reduce however…
i had an S3 and it felt too big i went to an iphone 5. Ive now got a Z1 compact and for me 4.3 is a perfect size feels as good as my S2 in my hand and it has a very solid feel to the phone
I think 5" would be the ideal size, something like the LG G2 is perfect for my pockets
My Nexus 5 is pretty much spot on, so something of identical size. Had a play with a friends One M8 and it was that bit too big. 5 inch seems to be the optimal size IMO. Anything bigger you're going to struggle with pockets. I'd be tempted by the Z1c though
4.7" will be perfect, basically any mobile between 64-68 mm width. iPhone is too narrow, Galaxy S4 is too wide.
Used a Lumia 920 and currently using a 1020. Size wise they seem to be perfect. The upcoming 930 seems a bit bigger though. IPhones seem a bit too small nowadays.
Something between my HTC One and the new Galaxy Note would be perfect for me.
Could we make a front-page poll out of this please? It'd be interesting to see results :)
Su
4,5 - 5 inch that's probably optimal. Not too big and not too small.
Lucky there's a title. Yeah 5 inches or it won't fit in my hand very well :D
Had to be said :P
Have Note 1. Want bigger.