Misc Why are phones so big now?

[lightwo]

Batteries are big...

Yeah, no idea. There's no good reason why phones need to be so big. Anything a big screen would complement would be better served by a computer or even a tablet.

It really feels like phone markets are fixated on selling smaller phones at a premium, creating a solution for a problem that they themselves caused.

 

[emigre]

I recall Carl Pei (Nothing and Oneplus founder) saying one of the reasons they have large screen phones is because for a notable number of their user base, their phone is the only computer or screen device they have. And I remember during Covid when schools were shut, there was a drive to get laptops to kids because there turns out to be a lot of households which don't have a conventional computer.

 

[urherenow]

Hey bestie, I've known about it for a WHILE! But unfortunately, 1, my phone service in the US doesn't have a plan for it. And 2, it's using older versions of android, which may affect how well some apps work...bc they like to stop support for old android versions randomly.

If anything, phones could still do all that if it's thicker instead of longer!

Your accusational tone sucks btw. so rude.

1) You don't need a specific plan for a specific phone. Most any phone you buy outside of your carrier, isn't locked to any carrier. You can usually just put your current sim card into it. If your carrier locks its SIM cards to an IMEI, then just do the extra step of walking into the store and getting it activated on the new phone.

2) What accusational tone? Stating that you chose not to buy a smaller phone? Sorry, but that's just fact. We wouldn't be having this discussion if it wasn't. There are many phones on the market, of varying sizes. The choices of sizes and capabilities have been plentiful for over a decade now, and are constantly expanding.

S25 is just 2.75 inches wide. Ultra just a little bit wider.
Pixel 9a is 2.89 inches wide. Smaller than S25 ultra.

Both can run the latest Android. Both have builds that operate in most any country.

 

[EmanueleBGN]

I still have my S9 and it is the best size for me because I can use it with one hand: I couldn't do it with a Plus, nor an Ultra nor an A series.
Last year Samsung gave me a ZFlip 6 but it was a little bit larger for me. I'm thinking to buy a ZFold 7 (or maybe an 8 this summer) because it is large as a S25 even if "taller".
I loved the iPhone 5S size and shape but never had.
In the end, I agree with the creator of this topic: I prefer phones that I can use with one hand. But I know there are people who prefer to have bigger screens to read, watch videos, play better without strain their eyes. Also, for the companies: bigger size means more space for components, better heat dissipation, more space for battery...

 

[VinsCool]

But if they are supposed to be pocket computers, why don't they fit into my pockets anymore

You know what? You're right, I haven't thoroughly considered that information in my post.
I guess they could fit in "my" pockets most of the times, but just barely so.

 

[namename11]

Maybe some people need a supercomputer in their pocket with a nuclear fusion reactor to power it, but why can't someone sell basic ass phones that aren't from 2008 with 360p 4" screens, for all 5 of us who don't need that much from a "phone"?

 

[Marc_LFD]

Batteries are big

I remember when we were able to replace them.

Post automatically merged: Jan 31, 2026

S25 is just 2.75 inches wide. Ultra just a little bit wider.
Pixel 9a is 2.89 inches wide. Smaller than S25 ultra.

Both can run the latest Android. Both have builds that operate in most any country.

I have a Pixel 9a and it's a really nice phone, but I'd say it's quite big compared to Pixel 4a (it felt small, compact, and pretty neat).

 

[wamble]

Right is my 2025 motorola stylus, left is my motorola g 2014.

Phones used to be perfectly palm sized, due to needing to be easy to text and call on. now that its slowly morphed into the "all in 1" system, its now big enough to play games and watch things on...unless you got tiny hands! The amount of times I have dropped my phone have risen since about a decade ago, when i got my samsung J7. with my last phone (A52 5G), getting dropped so much i paid $150 USD to put the front screen back together!

every time I complain about this, some dude with big 'ol mittens tell me that they NEED to be so big, and that nothing will change. Which means I still have 3 things about modern phones to complain about (other 2 is lack of headphone jacks & sd card slots).

* dropping phones adds to their profitability (buy new phone or buy new parts)
* no SD card slot adds to their profitability (insane storage prices)
* not including a headphone jack adds to their profitability

You didn't mention this, but non-removable batteries adds to their profitability (and allows for 24/7 surveillance).



Generally-speaking, I still think that most of the market favours bigger screens, but there is a segment that has had enough of them, hence modern 'flip' phones.