I cannot stand the huge android phones, whilst my iphone 4 feels a comfortable size. This is a purely subjective comment, but a bigger screen is not something I would chase at all.
How's that worked out? Genuinely interested, I had some vague ideas about trying that last year but decided it seemed like there was always a series of workarounds that it would entail.
I'm extremely happy with it. It's the best internet-connected pocket computer I've owned since my iPhone 3GS.
It fits in my front jeans pocket (much to surprise of many people; just barely, but it does), and I can sit comfortably with it there (for more than a few hours, I do take it out).
It can't be fully used with 1 hand (like when standing in a bus), although it can used partially (scrolling a web page, switching tabs in Chrome, scrolling twitter).
I primarily use iMessages/SMS and email for communication, but I do have a VOIP that I can make and receive calls at. You can use a headset with it, so there's no need to bring it up to your head. FaceTime, Skype, etc. I'm a developer, so I don't talk on my phone 24/7, hence it's enough to get by.
There are a few advantages over an iPhone. Infinite battery life, essentially. Much cheaper monthly plan. I pay $30 for 3 GB of data. No contracts (came in handy when I moved from Canada to US recently). No long distance, roaming... if you travel and get on wi-fi, you have the same (VOIP) number and everything. Huge screen, I use it for browsing all the time instead of a laptop. It's an iPad mini, enough said.
One other limitation is it doesn't have a vibrating motor, unfortunately, so when you put it in silent mode, you'll have no way of knowing about incoming calls or text messages. So I either have sounds on, or leave it on a table so I can see the screen light up (instead of keeping it in pocket).
It's still unusual enough for people to talk to me about it. I don't do this just to be different, I do it for the practical value. I wanted a bigger screen and I don't want 2 iOS devices (it'd be a hassle to keep them in sync). It's been around a year and I'm still extremely happy with it. It may not work for everyone, but it's a lot more viable than most people would expect.
That's interesting, thank you. I don't use my phone much to make calls, but I do send a reasonably large number of iMessages/SMS, and I couldn't quite see a solution to the SMS problem, but I might have another look this year.
Less anecdotally, screen size (along with "perceived value") was the main reason that Samsung phones were given higher user satisfaction ratings than any Apple device in the US earlier this year.
"The modern smartphone market has also evolved. When Apple introduced the original iPhone with its 3.5" display, Steve called it "giant" on stage. Today even HTC's One mini ships with a 4.3" display."
