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.”
If this is true, it's disappointing that consumers have not yet realised that thinner devices with a larger screen area are a double whammy against battery life.
Looking a little deeper into the statement, the following line is key, "...smartphone owners surveyed chose a prototype smartphone with a display larger than their current device". This does not automatically mean that bigger screens are necessarily better - all it suggests is that phone owners wanted something different after their current devices. It would be interesting to know how many users go to a sub 4.0" device after having a larger screen.
There are disadvantages to larger yet thinner devices. There's less physical space for a battery, and more screen area to illuminate, causes a greater the power drain on the battery. Furthermore, while sub 4.0" devices fit neatly into anyone's hand, 4.3" and above and be quite a stretch to operate with just a thumb, unless you have very large hands.
Of course, this is subjective and it's important to provide a full range of sizes to fit in with the full range of hand sizes!
[Via WMPoweruser, BGR]