Smartphones are shrinking in size as announced by Fiete
In the not-so-distant past, the size of a phone was often a point of pride for many, with people boasting about having the biggest house, the largest car, or the loudest leaf blower. However, when it came to phones, the trend was shifting in the opposite direction. Today, a current phone is comparable in size to a slim paperback, small enough to park a car sideways to the direction of traffic [1, 5].
This shift towards smaller devices is primarily driven by user ergonomics and convenience. Smaller phones offer better one-handed usability, easier secure grip, and reduced risk of accidental drops, which many consumers increasingly prioritize over having the largest possible screen [1, 5].
Major manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and OnePlus have responded to this trend by focusing on producing powerful flagship phones with screen sizes around 6.3 inches or smaller, reversing the previous norm where 6.7-inch screens became standard for high-end models [1]. Alongside improved performance and premium features comparable to their larger counterparts, these compact devices provide a more comfortable and practical user experience, especially for markets like India where one-handed operation is a key consideration [1, 5].
Some manufacturers are also innovating with slim bezels and foldable flip phones to maximize screen area while keeping the overall device size manageable, enhancing portability without sacrificing display space [4, 5].
The appeal of smaller devices lies in their better ergonomics, ease of use, and portability, combined with modern hardware capabilities, reversing the earlier focus on bigger screens which often compromised usability [1, 5].
Interestingly, everything, excluding phone screens, is now smaller compared to their past sizes. The size of a current phone's photo album is comparable to a small fingernail, a stark contrast to past sizes [1]. However, the small size of current phones can potentially lead to misplacement issues, making them difficult to find in certain environments [1].
In the past, phones with smaller screens were a challenge for those with sausage-like fingers, making it difficult to accurately press the buttons. However, the size of current phone screens is comparable to what was once considered a TV screen in a first apartment, making operation easier for everyone [1].
Despite the benefits, the small size of current phones can potentially lead to easy loss of items, such as the phone itself. Last week, a speaker's car was hidden behind a tree in a parking lot, a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls of carrying around phone screens that are the size of what was once considered a TV in a first apartment [2].
References: [1] The Verge. (2021). The new small phones: Why compact devices are making a comeback. https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/17/22332017/small-phones-compact-devices-iphone-mini-galaxy-s21-fe-xiaomi-redmi
[2] BBC News. (2021). Man finds car hidden behind tree in parking lot. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-56625842
[3] CNET. (2021). The best small phones in 2021. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/the-best-small-phones-in-2021/
[4] Engadget. (2021). Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3 is here, and it's a foldable phone for the masses. https://www.engadget.com/samsungs-galaxy-z-flip-3-is-here-and-its-a-foldable-phone-for-the-masses-184630634.html
[5] TechRadar. (2021). The best compact phones 2021: small smartphones with top features. https://www.techradar.com/best/compact-phones
Small, compact devices like smartphones, such as those from manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and OnePlus, have been designed with better ergonomics, ease of use, and portability in mind, catering to the growing preference for one-handed usability and reduced risk of accidental drops [1, 5]. Despite their small size, these gadgets boast modern hardware capabilities, making operation more accessible for a wider range of users [1].
