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

posted by Victor H. / Mar 15, 2012, 5:06 AM

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.

“Almost 90 percent of existing smartphone owners surveyed chose a prototype smartphone with a display larger than their current device. This trend is driven by increased mobile web browsing capability, as well as engaging video and gaming experiences,” Paul Brown, a Director in the Strategy Analytics User Experience Practice, said.

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.

At the same time, though, users going for bigger sized screens would like to see lighter devices. So if a smartphone has a large display but is still big and bulky, for many users that would be too much of a compromise to make.

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.

Options

49 Comments

1. josephnero

Posts: 778; Member since: Nov 16, 2011

4.3 is the best for me

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:11 AM 9

7. ledbetterp3

Posts: 467; Member since: Aug 31, 2011

I think your average sized phone for holding a 4.3 inch screen is perfect. But if you can make the screen bigger without increasing thephone's size, that would be great.

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:32 AM 7

9. XiphiasGladius

Posts: 813; Member since: Aug 21, 2011

Yeah, they can do that easily if they make the mobile screens a more rectangular type. . .

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:02 AM 1

49. bayusuputra

Posts: 963; Member since: Feb 12, 2012

so it becomes wider? not really..

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 4:44 PM 0

10. PeteD10

Posts: 2; Member since: Mar 15, 2012

Absolutely! More screen, less bezel please.

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:09 AM 6

42. PhoneLuver

Posts: 481; Member since: Jul 05, 2010

If the Bezel is thin enough you can go up to 4.6" no problem!

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 9:56 AM 3

2. Guest_star

Posts: 231; Member since: Dec 30, 2011

4,3 is the best, 4,5 is as big as i would go...bigger than that is just not comfortable

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:21 AM 1

19. ayephoner

Posts: 858; Member since: Jun 09, 2009

the overall footprint and volume is what really matters. screen size does not absolutely dictate device size. the galaxy nexus has a 4.65" screen, but due to lack of physical buttons, a thin bezel and a very thin device, it works very well. if the technology continues toward smaller bezels and thinner phones, i could see a 5" screen being perfectly comfortable.

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 7:07 AM 0

47. Guest_star

it is just not comfortable in landskape mode to type messages, mb i have small hands idk but 4,3 hite the sweet spot for me, 4,3 with resolution as high as possible :D

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 2:15 PM 0

3. rycx365

Posts: 37; Member since: Mar 18, 2011

Read this article apple!!!

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:22 AM 3

15. Cwebb

Posts: 501; Member since: Oct 05, 2011

No! They're like the weird kid in class who doesn't get the joke and everyone else is laughing at them

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:52 AM 6

43. c.hack

Posts: 614; Member since: Dec 09, 2009

all the way to the bank. lol

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 10:47 AM 3

4. SSyar

Posts: 14; Member since: Jan 03, 2012

well ... i switched to neo coz it was annoying to use 4inch X10 screen...!

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:23 AM 1

5. mercorp

Posts: 1045; Member since: Jan 28, 2012

how about a 100 inch galaxy note?

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:25 AM 3

6. Croxy

Posts: 55; Member since: Dec 06, 2011

Even 5.3 inch isn't too much if you use Flygriphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47ht6jloqkI

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:30 AM 4

8. thelegend6657 unregistered

To me it's 3.7 to 4.5 . However I felt that my mom's galaxy note is too big for a phone too small for a tablet . BTW 3.5 inch wasn't that bad like some Fandroids claim , I used a 3.5 inch screen on my iPod and n97 . Try the Xperia x8's 3inch screen , typing on it makes you go nuts

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 5:41 AM 2

11. bbblader

Posts: 590; Member since: Oct 24, 2011

for me only 4'' is the sweet spot more is just too much

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:23 AM 2

34. GuiltyBystander

Posts: 199; Member since: Mar 05, 2012

Same here.

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 8:33 AM 0

45. ZayZay

Posts: 571; Member since: Feb 26, 2011

That's what she said...

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 1:44 PM 4

48. bbblader

with this comment you clearly show yourself as a person with IQ less than 30 so please zip your mouth because you clearly dont have a brain

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 3:40 PM 0

52. Mario1017

Posts: 336; Member since: Sep 04, 2011

It's called a joke, learn to have a f**king sense of humor you brick.

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 9:36 PM 0

53. ZayZay

So sorry. Next time I will ask to speak.

posted on Mar 16, 2012, 8:04 PM 0

50. bayusuputra

and she said yours was like what, 2"?

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 4:46 PM 0

12. LodeStar

Posts: 28; Member since: Feb 26, 2012

well i just hope my fingers are getting longer too

posted on Mar 15, 2012, 6:41 AM 0

13. zuckerboy

Posts: 898; Member since: Dec 22, 2011

it is completely depends on your needs . 4,3 inch is good for me (because i have big hands :D) also 4,5 quite comfortable but above that would be not good.