Screen Size Matters

When I first got the Google Nexus One phone the first thing I noticed about it is how much larger the phone and its screen is compared to the T-Mobile myTouch 3G that I was previously using. The myTouch 3G has a 3.2 inch screen and the Nexus One has a 3.7 inch screen, and to me the larger screen makes a big difference for improving web browsing. Apple set the pace with the iPhone's 3.5 inch screen where previous phone had much smaller screens. Today the trend appears to be towards even larger screens, with the HTC Evo, Droid X, and Droid 2 all sporting 4.3 inch screens, which provides a nice size screen for watching video. The larger screens, combined with support for faster wireless data speeds, make the devices better for watching video, and the HTC Evo includes a kickstand so that the phone can be positioned for watching movies. The question is, what size is too large for mobile phones? I have to admit that I like the size of the Nexus One and when I look at and pick up the HTC Evo it feels too large. I am sure that if I owned one of the devices that has a 4.3 inch screen I would get used to it, but I can't imagine carrying a phone that has a 5 inch screen like the Dell Streak. Even Dell seems to think that screen is too large for a phone and calls the Streak a tablet, even though it has a cellular radio. Of course, Apple has a different approach with the iPhone 4 by keeping the screen size at 3.5 inches but increasing the resolution to improve the display quality. I haven't had the benefit of seeing an iPhone 4 and HTC Evo size by side, but I expect that the iPhone 4's display looks better for reading text and overall use, but that the Evo's larger screen is better for watching video. My expectation is that mobile phone screens will stay around the 4 inch mark, with some phones a little larger and others smaller. As is almost always the case when picking a computer, which phone is right for you will depend on what you plan to do with it. If watching video is important to you, then a larger screen will probably be better, but if you want a phone that is more comfortable in your hand then you will want a phone with a smaller screen.

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Screen Size Matters

Frank McPherson

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Frank McPherson