4 inches to 4.5 inches is the sweet spot for smartphone screen size, says survey

The search for the perfect screen size for a smartphone is never over and the latest survey from Strategy Analytics illustrates that perfectly. Over 90% of the participants chose smartphones with screens ranging from 4 inches to 4.5 inches on the diagonal. The survey was carried out in the US and the UK, but we have no information about the number of people it covered.
Not everyone chooses the exact same size - women tend to go for slightly smaller devices, and Android users of all genders prefer larger displays, so it seems that picking the right screen size is also a matter of getting used to it. In 2007 when the OG iPhone was launched, its 3.5-inch display looked huge and now we have a quiet consensus of 4.3-inch to 4.7-inch devices representing the Android and Windows Phone high end.
What’s your ideal for a smartphone screen and does thin matter that much? Sound off in the comments below.
source: Strategy Analytics
Strategy Analytics: Smartphone Owners Demand Larger Displays
4.0-inch to 4.5-inch Displays Hit the Sweet Spot
BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Existing smartphone owners in the US and UK seek larger mobile phone displays, compared to displays on their current phone. The Strategy Analytics Wireless Device Lab report, “Smartphone Owners Want Thin Devices with Larger Displays,” found that surveyed smartphone respondents prefer device screens in the 4.0-inch to 4.5-inch range, as long as the device is also thin.
Some differences in size preference exist dependent on the segment. Females are more likely to consider slightly smaller devices than males. Existing Android owners are more likely to seek larger devices than existing Apple iPhone owners.
“Almost 90 percent of existing smartphone owners surveyed chose a prototype smartphone with a display larger than their current device,” commented Paul Brown, a Director in the Strategy Analytics User Experience Practice. “This trend is driven by increased mobile web browsing capability, as well as engaging video and gaming experiences.”
Kevin Nolan, Vice-President for the User Experience Practice at Strategy Analytics, added, “In order for smartphone owners to adopt larger devices, it is important for handset manufacturers to ensure that mobile devices are not too heavy and that the devices remain thin enough for purses and pockets.”

The evolution of screen sizes from the iPhone to the 5.3-inch Galaxy Note.
48 Comments
1. josephnero
Posts: 787; Member since: Nov 16, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:11 AM 9
7. ledbetterp3
Posts: 467; Member since: Aug 31, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:32 AM 7
9. XiphiasGladius
Posts: 813; Member since: Aug 21, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:02 AM 1
49. bayusuputra
Posts: 963; Member since: Feb 12, 2012
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 4:44 PM 0
10. PeteD10
Posts: 2; Member since: Mar 15, 2012
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:09 AM 6
42. PhoneLuver
Posts: 481; Member since: Jul 05, 2010
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 9:56 AM 3
2. Guest_star
Posts: 231; Member since: Dec 30, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:21 AM 1
19. ayephoner
Posts: 858; Member since: Jun 09, 2009
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 7:07 AM 0
47. Guest_star
Posts: 231; Member since: Dec 30, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 2:15 PM 0
3. rycx365
Posts: 37; Member since: Mar 18, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:22 AM 3
15. Cwebb
Posts: 501; Member since: Oct 05, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:52 AM 6
43. c.hack
Posts: 614; Member since: Dec 09, 2009
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 10:47 AM 3
4. SSyar
Posts: 14; Member since: Jan 03, 2012
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:23 AM 1
5. mercorp
Posts: 1045; Member since: Jan 28, 2012
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:25 AM 3
6. Croxy
Posts: 55; Member since: Dec 06, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:30 AM 4
8. thelegend6657 unregistered
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:41 AM 2
11. bbblader
Posts: 590; Member since: Oct 24, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:23 AM 2
34. GuiltyBystander
Posts: 199; Member since: Mar 05, 2012
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 8:33 AM 0
45. ZayZay
Posts: 571; Member since: Feb 26, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 1:44 PM 4
48. bbblader
Posts: 590; Member since: Oct 24, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 3:40 PM 0
52. Mario1017
Posts: 336; Member since: Sep 04, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 9:36 PM 0
53. ZayZay
Posts: 571; Member since: Feb 26, 2011
posted on Mar 16, 2012, 8:04 PM 0
50. bayusuputra
Posts: 963; Member since: Feb 12, 2012
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 4:46 PM 0
12. LodeStar
Posts: 28; Member since: Feb 26, 2012
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:41 AM 0
13. zuckerboy
Posts: 898; Member since: Dec 22, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:42 AM 0
14. remixfa
Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:52 AM 0
16. remixfa
Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:52 AM 4
31. andro.
Posts: 1999; Member since: Sep 16, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 8:21 AM 1
17. Glim12808
Posts: 394; Member since: Oct 26, 2011
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:53 AM 0
18. Philipb
Posts: 7; Member since: Mar 01, 2012
posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:56 AM 0
PhoneArena Comments Rules
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please, contact us.
Comments Options
Report Post
Send a warning to post author
Send a warning to Selected user. The user has 0 warnings currently.
Ban user and delete all posts
Message to PhoneArena moderator (optional):