• Question: Do you know why smartphones have become bigger?

    Asked by Sweeney:):) to Ashley, Catherine, John G, Laura, Ray on 17 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Laura Tobin

      Laura Tobin answered on 17 Nov 2014:

      That’s a great question Sweeney 🙂 Initially phones were just for allowing us to call each other and that was it. The came along smart phones and we could play videos/music, read on them, shop, play games etc… This meant that for easy and comfort, we needed a big screen to see all the items and so we could use touch screen technology. However, it’s gotten a little crazy of late and the phone manufacturers are increasing the sizes with each new release.

      One reason is that’s it all down to marketing “Oh our new phone is even bigger than our competitors”. We also didn’t have the technology to have big screens – the manufacturers always promote their screen resolutions. There are lots of reasons like this.

      Overall, the main reason is that our mobiles are almost like mini computers. We do so much with them. We need bigger screens to make it easier to use and for eye comfort. I can book flights on my Delta app, check how far/fast I’ve ran with RunKeeper, check the news, take photos, watch a video, read a book and I can put it all in my pocket. Oh and I can also make calls too!

    • Photo: Catherine Conaghan

      Catherine Conaghan answered on 17 Nov 2014:

      Laura has summed it up. I have friends who don’t even own laptops because they do everything through their phones! Although, I’m not a fan of them becoming too big myself – I still think you should be able to use a phone with one hand. Personally I think the new iPhone and the Galaxy phones are just a bit too big!

    • Photo: John Ging

      John Ging answered on 18 Nov 2014:

      Another factor in the larger form is down to battery. In the late 90’s to mid 00’s it was all about having the smallest phone possible. This brought battery challenges but the power drawn was quite low so they could last a week. The new phones have larger screens but are super slim (as wide bulky phones would be impossible to hold) but require a lot of power to light up the screen. Therefore, the battery has had to grow. Ultimately the screen size is limited by the battery and vice versa.

    • Photo: Ray Alcorn

      Ray Alcorn answered on 18 Nov 2014:

      Some smartphones have gottten bigger and others have stayed the same size and improved through battery life etc. Its all about what you use it for I suppose. Its the migration towards a single multifunction and the compromises that must be made in order to achieve that. Also.. lets not forget cost. Apple have to sell and support one iphone to make the same margin as nokia did for 20 phones. By the way.. for just pure calls and text I miss my old nokia.. simple to use, battery lasted a week and was replacable. Now when I go for business i spend my time trying to find sockets everywhere I go as the iphone when used fully lasts less than a day.

    • Photo: Ashley Culbert

      Ashley Culbert answered on 18 Nov 2014:

      Smart phones have gotten bigger as they are used for displaying high quality pictures and videos. It would be impossible to watch a you tube video on a tiny screen.

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