As mobile technology evolves, cell phone manufacturers are experimenting with new sizes for their smartphones. Bigger isn't always better, but there is something interesting about a device that can work well as a smartphone and a tablet. With the release of the Samsung Galaxy Note, a device that sports a 5.3-inch AMOLED screen, you might be wondering if it's time to upgrade to something bigger.
The Samsung Galaxy Note is a good-looking device, but it is big. When we first saw it, we were somewhat surprised. It can look humongous, especially if you have small hands. Some users that we know complain about the size, but they still use it and manage to do quite a lot with it.
Pros
- Screen Real Estate: Bigger screen means more screen real estate. Just like a bigger computer screen, it makes consuming media easier. From watching videos to editing photos, you can do a lot with something bigger.
- Ebooks: While you can read books on a 3.5-inch screen if you need to, the sweet spots is somewhere between 5 and 7 inches. It makes reading a lot more convenient, especially if you're a voracious reader. A bigger screen is something you'll need if you use your smartphone to read ebooks.
- Power: With bigger size comes more processing power, since manufacturers don't have to cram everything into a small space. You'll end up doing things faster. Non iOS devices tend to have card slots, which allow you to easily upgrade the storage capacity of your device.
- One Device to Rule Them All: Instead of having a smartphone, tablet, and ebook reader, you might be able to do everything with one device, which will save you money and will leave you unencumbered.
Cons
- Size: You might be able to slip your iPhone in your front pocket, but anything over five inches won't fit there, unless you've got voluminous ones. The only place that it will fit is in your back pocket, a bag, or a purse. Bigger jacket pockets will also work.
- Multiple Devices: If you've already got a recent smartphone and a tablet, it's hard to justify the cost of getting a bigger screen on a phone, unless you sell off your other devices.
- Bigger Isn't Always Better: Some users will find it too big to use as a smartphone, while others will find that it's about the right size. It all depends on what you plan on doing with it.
We're intrigued by some of these bigger smartphones, but we're not yet ready to make the jump, since we've got a recent tablet and smartphone already. However, if you haven't and you're considering one device to do many things, then you should check them out.
MORE PHONES ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• When Bigger Isn't Better
• Faking a Phone Call
• Samsung Galaxy Tab
(Images: CNET, PC World, Flickr member VentureBeat licensed for use under Creative Commons and Flickr member RetinaFunk licensed for use under Creative Commons)
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I have small hands and the iphone size is just right. The screen size works for me too.
Con: It would take me all of 5 minutes to lose that stylus.
I loved the old candybar phone that I could just stick into my back pocket comfortably. It's the reason why I haven't upgraded my phone in years. Still waiting for the perfect candybar phone to make it's comeback. :-/
All I have to say is after that super bowl commercial my husband turned to me and told me he wanted to buy it ;)
My boyfriend got the Dell Streak a year ago which might be just as giant as the Galaxy Note and he switched back to his old phone within a month. Its just too much phone. I sure hope they don't continue to make them this big. I have the Samsung Galaxy S and it's the perfect size. Not too big and not too small. Goldilocks would love it.
I can't stand that the current trend in phones is to make them bigger. My options when I bought my last phone were severely limited because I didn't want a huge phone. At the time, the top phone was the Thunderbolt and whatever other 2 were popular at the time. I went with the Sony Xperia Play because it was smaller, albeit thicker. I actually almost picked up the HTC Trophy because it was the perfect size for me, but I just wasn't sure about the OS.
I do think the note is too big for a phone. It is a nice size to carry around for notes and calendar and e-books. I guess it would be a plus to be able to make calls if I had to, but not at the price of a voice plan...
I have a Galaxy Nexus and, having smallish hands, I was a little concerned about the size. I find that it really isn't as bad as I would have thought. I've adjusted in terms of holding and using, and now I find it comfortable. Now that I am used to it, an iPhone (and Android and Windows phones of that size -- don't want anyone to think I am just taking digs at Apple) seems so tiny in comparison.
The pen seems very similar to the stylus that came with the Palm Pilots. Think my wife lost/broke her stylus once in all the years she had it.
I like how with my iphone and smallish hands I can pretty much reach every inch of the screen with just one hand. My thumb can reach to the very edge without dropping the phone. With a bigger screen I'd have to use two hands or switch between both hands to do one thing. Worth it or not?
I want thin and light in a smartphone, not a huge screen so I can have it with me at all times. The iPhone4 is just about perfect for me... maybe keep the same dimensions with a slightly larger screen and thinner/lighter. That Galaxy note is positively huge next to the iPhone!
I used to use a very tiny Windows Mobile candy bar style phone and I keep it around as my backup (and for times when I don't want to loose/damage my iPhone4).
@Our Semi Organic Life: I agree... With an iPhone sized device, you can do most tasks with one hand. With the Galaxy Note you are often forced to use both hands... problematic if you are carrying a bag, riding the subway, holding your girls hand, etc.
BTW the old phone I sometimes use if the BenQ E72. It was super cheap even way back in 2007 or 2008 when I bought it new for about $100 unlocked!
This is the reason I've held onto my palm pixi for so long- sure it's slow, but its smaller and slimmer than the iphone and fits perfectly into my hand, and works fine for email. I'm waiting for a similarly sized phone to hit the market so i can upgrade though :(
@talby - how about the Samsung Galaxy Mini II (http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_mini_2_s6500_lowend_droid_leaks-news-3803.php)..?
If the size is similar to the Mini I, it is about 2.5" wide, and about 4.5" tall...
I hate all these huge phones. Sure, it's great that they're an option for people who want them, but I dislike the trend of bigger and bigger phones. I currently have the HTC Incredible and it's even a little big for me, I don't need a HUGE screen, just big enough to surf the web! I wish there were more small, smartphone options!
Plus my hands are tiny!
My Hubby and I have being eyeing up the Samsung Note since before it came out. Truth be told, we don't use our phones much as phones, but more as portable media, in which case the screen size becomes handy. It all comes down to what is best for you.
Fugly. Which is odd, because Samsung used to be the only budget manufacturer that made fairly good looking kit.
The ergonomics are crap. Too small to function well as a tablet, too big to function well as a phone.
It's comically too big to be a phone. Are we Zack Morris again?
Everyone above who complained about the size of the phone and carry an iPad with them regularly, are hypocrites. It's more or less got to do with the mentality that it isn't worthy because it's not an iPhone and it isn't an Apple product. The Note is bigger, better spec~wise than the iPhone 4S and can still slide into your pocket.
Even if there is something out there that's better than an Apple product, it's not going to change a loyalists mindset because the Apple brand is strong and is a fashion statement.
@PChan - you remind me of the chuckle I get out of seeing people use their iPads as cameras...
@sunspot - good point. whenever I see people carrying around those 5" pads of paper for taking notes, I make sure to mention to them how ergonomically incorrect their notepads are...
The idea of using a giant cellphone as an alternative to a tablet is like saying the kindle fire is an alternative to a netbook.
How is a hipster supposed to fit one of these things into the pocket of their skinny jeans?
whenever I see people carrying around those 5" pads of paper for taking notes, I make sure to mention to them how ergonomically incorrect their notepads are...
This is a phone, not a notepad. The form factor is ludicrous for a phone. As a dedicated digital notepad this thing might actually make sense, although a lot of folks don't have pockets big enough for it to work.
Everyone above who complained about the size of the phone and carry an iPad with them regularly, are hypocrites.
Huh? The iPad is sold as a tablet, not as a phone. It's much bigger than this thing - better for reading books and web pages, watching video, even light content creation. If you do a lot of that, lugging an iPad around might be worthwhile - it certainly beats hauling a laptop around.
This is yet another half-baked iPhone rip-off, one with a nasty glandular condition. I understand they need to do something to differentiate themselves, but this ain't it.