this post was submitted on 30 Sep 2024
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[–] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 17 points 1 month ago (5 children)

The ones I have seen in stores are still too long to be used with one hand or fit comfortably into a pocket. My Pixel 7a is about the biggest I can use one-handed, and even then there is awkwardness.

[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 14 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Most Androids have a one-handed mode, where it shrinks the display into a corner, so you can reach everything with your thumb.

[–] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 19 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Wouldn't it be better to just, y'know, cut out the free space around it?

[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 23 points 1 month ago (3 children)

you mean having a small phone in the first place?

[–] freeman@feddit.org 19 points 1 month ago

I miss small phones

[–] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 8 points 1 month ago (2 children)
[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 month ago

Unfortunately a lot of hardware doesn't fit into small phones yet. You can still get small Androids, but no NFC, wireless charging, fingerprint sensor, etc..

I'm writing this on a Samsung S10e, which is the smallest waterproof one with all the nice features I could get at the time. I can do most things one-handed, but need the one-handed mode to reach the 30% of the screen in top corner furthest away from my thumb. pic related:

[–] SaltySalamander@fedia.io 2 points 1 month ago

They wouldn't sell enough of them to justify making/promoting them.

[–] yogurtwrong@lemmy.world -2 points 1 month ago

I love big phones though. Smaller ones feel too claustrophobic to me

Also, from a usabity point of view, bigger screens are better for watching videos in landscape, editing text and it's easier to use the gestures and the keyboard (I don't even have fat fingers). I think only downside is ring and pinky fingers hurting after a while because of the weight

[–] nilloc@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 1 month ago

Yeah, iPhones have similar modes, swipe down and the screen scrolls down you can also swipe the keyboard to either side for better access too.

I hardly ever do that though, except by accident.

[–] idunnololz@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I had to go crawling back to Samsung because the pixel 9 is too large (and heavy) for me. I was using a pixel 5 before my screen died earlier this year :(.

Edit: to clarify I'm not using a foldable phone, I just have their S24 which is apparently the smallest phone on the market I could find these days that isn't out dated (Zenphone).

[–] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 3 points 1 month ago

I only bought a Pixel because of GrapheneOS, and the "a" series is at least slightly smaller (plus plastic back instead of glass, that's something I am also happy about).

But yeah, I feel you :( I am not even small, I have average hands!

[–] pycorax@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

I actually find the Z Folds to be far better for one handed usability than regular phones since they're narrower. Honestly wished Samsung didn't make the newer ones wider. I liked the Fold 3's width. It was perfect for me.

[–] kzhe@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 month ago

The implication is that when closed you can use them one handed