The evolution of mobile phones or why size matters

[Brunolem]

From large to small to large...but why?

[AlQaholic]

Simple. A matter of choice between what you want or are offered, compared to what size you feel comfortable with as a tradeoff for what capabilities you get. if the phone was almost invisible (like a button or something) and could still perform the things people find valuable, everyone would choose the button. 

[elgenon]

Because folks who used the little phones are not seeing as well as they used to?

 

One reason at least.

[VocalNeal]

5 minutes ago, elgenon said:

Because folks who used the little phones are not seeing as well as they used to?

 

One reason at least.

Amen to that 

[TKDfella]

1 hour ago, AlQaholic said:

Simple. A matter of choice between what you want or are offered, compared to what size you feel comfortable with as a tradeoff for what capabilities you get. if the phone was almost invisible (like a button or something) and could still perform the things people find valuable, everyone would choose the button. 

Indeed, if all one wants is a basic phone-no camera, no internet-they are on the market and small too. Until recently, I had both a large hand set and a small pocket mobile both different numbers If I went out out just to buy a few things at the store I'd set up call forwarding from the large to the small. It meant that I was 'still in when I was out' so to speak, but without carrying the more bulky heavyweight in my pocket.

[KhunBENQ]

I remember the times when every gram of less weight was fought for.

Nowadays 0.5 mm less thickness is the "latest in technology"

And who cares about weight?

 

 

[Brunolem]

Real progress will be achieved when the screen will be replaced by some sort of holographic projection (as in the original Star Wars) with the possibility to adjust the size of the projection according to specific requirements.

 

Meanwhile, we are offered more or less the same, and it has been so for decades with little changes here and there (heavy curved screen, light flat screen, light reversed curved screen, more memory, more speed...) these are all cosmetic changes designed to encourage the masses to change their devices at least every year.

 

But this not meaningful change...and progress...

 

To compare with a car: a new car has ABS, airbags, 12 cupholders, adjustables seats in 36 positions...and yet it is still not that different from another one made 30 years ago....it is not a flying car, because that would be real progress!

Edited March 18, 2018 by Brunolem

[robblok]

The most obvious answer is of-course that the phones their usage changed, from only making calls and some SMS capability to a mini computer with internet connection. Once you change what a phone can be used for the size is important as not everyone likes to access the internet on a small phone. I like the bigger phones as it makes reading of information on the internet or usage of apps easier. 

 

Others choose smaller phones as they have different preferences. The large variation seen in phones shows total freedom.

[ChidlomDweller]

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

I remember the times when every gram of less weight was fought for.

Nowadays 0.5 mm less thickness is the "latest in technology"

And who cares about weight?

 

 

Yes, it's a interesting phenomenon how some tech categories get in a stupid spec arms race for bragging rights, with the specific spec not even being that important.  It's just marketing idiocy.  And meanwhile, other attributes get worse.  Like in the case of phones, button size (when they still existed), screen size, battery size, repairability, robustness, heat dissipation...

 

Personally, what I like is a small phone for phone calls, short messages and wifi hotspot, and an iPad for prolonged use on the go.  Nothing beats a proper computer with keyboard and big screen at home.

Edited March 18, 2018 by ChidlomDweller

[Sapporillo]

3 hours ago, AlQaholic said:

Simple. A matter of choice between what you want or are offered, compared to what size you feel comfortable with as a tradeoff for what capabilities you get. if the phone was almost invisible (like a button or something) and could still perform the things people find valuable, everyone would choose the button. 

As a matter of fact, the button sized phones do exist, we just call them smartwatches because they're worn on a wristband. And these smart watches can do much more than a mobile phone from 15 years ago: They have more computing power and better software, but who would want to write a a text message on a tiny 1-inch screen, let alone surf the internet? That's why, as long as there's no real innovation in input/output technology (as in post #7), the current size is kind of ideal. 

[KhunBENQ]

Just now, ChidlomDweller said:

 It's just marketing idiocy.

And even more crazy about the display resolutions (ppi).

At least for viewing directly on a 5" display anything more then full HD is hardly distinguishable for the human eye.

Would make sense only with VR or on external huge display.

[robblok]

48 minutes ago, ChidlomDweller said:

Yes, it's a interesting phenomenon how some tech categories get in a stupid spec arms race for bragging rights, with the specific spec not even being that important.  It's just marketing idiocy.  And meanwhile, other attributes get worse.  Like in the case of phones, button size (when they still existed), screen size, battery size, repairability, robustness, heat dissipation...

 

Personally, what I like is a small phone for phone calls, short messages and wifi hotspot, and an iPad for prolonged use on the go.  Nothing beats a proper computer with keyboard and big screen at home.

I prefer the big computer with big screen at home, now that my phone is of a certain size i no longer need a bulky ipad. I don't like to carry something like that with me. The phone S8+ (quite big) is big enough for comfortable reading when I am waiting for stuff and am outside. (i would not take an IPAD with me on trips like that)

[BuaBS]

I thought we weren't allowed to post something from ZH :

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-03-16/evolution-mobile-phone-explained

The burning platform has only the second pic :

https://www.theburningplatform.com/2018/03/16/evolution-of-the-mobile-phone/

[ChidlomDweller]

1 hour ago, robblok said:

I prefer the big computer with big screen at home, now that my phone is of a certain size i no longer need a bulky ipad. I don't like to carry something like that with me. The phone S8+ (quite big) is big enough for comfortable reading when I am waiting for stuff and am outside. (i would not take an IPAD with me on trips like that)

Depends I guess if you have a "manbag" or not. :)  I never leave the house without one.  My iPad weighs 460 grams and I can hold it in one hand, so for reading and basic browsing it's the best compromise for me.  

 

Sometimes I'm tempted to get a large iPad Pro, especially for reading international magazines and looking at photos, but if I can only one iPad, the regular size is about right.

[Jdiddy]

Sony Z Ultra is the biggest ive had, had to offload it to an ex TGF when it wouldnt fit into my jean pocket when riding motorbikes

 

Still miss it, internet browsing and porn king. I was the only person i ever saw that had one

Edited March 18, 2018 by Jdiddy

[Brunolem]

4 hours ago, BuaBS said:

I thought we weren't allowed to post something from ZH :

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-03-16/evolution-mobile-phone-explained

The burning platform has only the second pic :

https://www.theburningplatform.com/2018/03/16/evolution-of-the-mobile-phone/

What's the issue with ZH?

[robblok]

16 hours ago, ChidlomDweller said:

Depends I guess if you have a "manbag" or not. :)  I never leave the house without one.  My iPad weighs 460 grams and I can hold it in one hand, so for reading and basic browsing it's the best compromise for me.  

 

Sometimes I'm tempted to get a large iPad Pro, especially for reading international magazines and looking at photos, but if I can only one iPad, the regular size is about right.

I sometimes pack a small backpack. Its not the weight of the IPAD but its size. Anyway we all have our  preferences and its foolish to argue about what is right.. for different people different things are right.

[BuaBS]

13 hours ago, Brunolem said:

What's the issue with ZH?

Don't ask me , ask them .

 

[nisakiman]

For me, the main criterion is whether or not it will fit in my pocket, and the majority of smartphones won't. The last one I bought a couple of years ago (which is my current phone) was a Samsung S5 mini dual SIM. It's big enough for most stuff, and it fits in my pocket. I can't see the point of having a 'mobile' phone that you have to carry because you can't fit it about your person. For me, the essence of mobility is something you can drop in your pocket and forget about unless you need to use it.

[AlQaholic]

I predict the phones will get smaller again, and more powerful. And you would have docking stations everywhere with a large screen and full-size keyboard, and possibly other extensions.

The only thing today I cannot do on my phone that I need to do on my laptop or desktop is CAD applications, 3D design, like more advanced stuff.