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I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

smallandroidphone.com

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Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#231

Post by stormbrew »

samatman wrote: post #168
JumpCrisscross wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Missing microSD card support could be the major dealbreaker And for the other guy a 3.5mm jack and for a third a physical off switch and look at that we have too many dealbreaker features for the form factor. Power users tend to have more dealbreakers than the average consumer. Anecdotally, it seems power users prefer smaller phones. This might be what kills the small phone factor.

I believe the bit about power users is the HN effect at work, the main customers for small phones are people with small hands and/or pockets, who are disproportionally women. Women are also overrepresented in the Really Big Phone market, and wield them two-handed. They also trend heavily iPhone in the US market, but that leaves plenty of alpha for the manufacturer who serves the actual market for small-form-factor An…

I agree with this. Power users are a tiny market compared to “people who can’t reasonably fit a modern phone in their pocket.”

But if you have to keep your phone in a purse anyways, why not just get a big one?

So mostly the people in that market who still care are the ones who can’t or don’t want to carry a purse, which is also a smaller market. (I’m in this market though, so i am sad)

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#232

Post by interestica »

nix0n wrote: post #49

Without a 3.5mm headphone jack, I would have to carry wireless earbuds, which would defeat the purpose.

The thing I never understood about the headphone jack and its disappearance: it doesn't need to be a jack. It need only be three contact points. You could have it on the outside rim of a phone and have a magnetic sheath hold the headphone pin to it. But I suppose it's not just about getting rid of the jack itself but also any DAC component? (But, isn't it doing that anyway for the speaker?)

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#233

Post by smallerfish »

hammock wrote: post #32

Shameless plug for the Jelly 2. https://www.unihertz.com/products/jelly-2 It's not a "flagship" but it is fully featured - nothing spared - and half the size of my palm. The screen is just small enough to be too annoying to do anything really distracting on. I have gotten NOTHING but compliments on it since I started using it a month ago (on a reco I picked up here).

I have a unihertz Atom XL.

Pros:

- Battery lasts for 3 days with my usage (browsing when not at my desk, whatsapp, a handful of calls, android auto)

- Rugged / waterproof (IP68)

- Fits nicely in your hand

- 48 MP camera - not as good as Pixels, but good

- Good dual SIM setup

Cons:

- Thick; probably mostly due to the battery. Doesn't bother me, but if you wear skinny jeans and carry your phone in your front pocket it'll be noticeable

- Just got Android 11

- The built in walkie talkie is something of a gimmick since it chews up battery in standby/monitor mode. I thought it would be a useful backup since we live in the sticks w/o reliable phone signal. Get the Atom L instead

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#234

Post by hammock »

amelius wrote: post #228

I won't be using/recommending Android as long as it says: > This app you need wants access to all your files and photos. It's ridiculous that it's all or nothing and you cannot have more control than that.

It depends on the app. Some apps (like Telegram) request it that way. Other apps (like GroupMe) can somehow tap into your photos reel without requesting the full superhuge blanket permission like that. I could be wrong but as I recall that's my experience.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#236

Post by DanHulton »

giords wrote: post #200

My opinion is that the demand for small phones will be satisfied by foldable phones. I see that option more viable and effective.

I actually really want a smaller screen, though. I have smaller hands and I want to be able to reach across it one-handed without having to precariously adjust my grip.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#237

Post by MobiusHorizons »

d3nj4l wrote: post #209
kuschku wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The iPhone 13 mini has a 2400 mAh battery, the 13 has 3200. 33% more battery capacity is a lot, and at 2400mAh I don't think the mini doesn't survive an entire day of relatively heavy use without a charge. So make it 3mm thicker?

Every iPhone person I know has complained about the 13 Pro being significantly thicker and heavier than the previous models. Literally, things like "it feels like a brick in my hand." Making phones thicker/heavier is an HN meme that is completely out of touch with what normies want. Consider that for most people, the phone is their primary device, and one they hold in their hand for ~6h a day.

one of the reasons newer iphones "feel like a brick" is that they transitioned to heavier materials (stainless steel instead of aluminum) and because the corners are now squared. rounding corners often has the effect of making things seem thinner as well as usually making things more pleasant to hold. I agree with you that these users probably don't want a thicker iphone, but I would bet if you focused on perceived bulkiness in the industrial design, you could sneek in a slightly larger battery and still give the impression of a less bulky device.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#238

Post by makeitdouble »

eertami wrote: post #111
erohead wrote: post #2

I’m a long-time small phone Android user. But after the Pixel 5, I have not been able to find a suitable small Android replacement. The Pixel 6 is gigantic, and the Pixel 7 looks like it is also destined to be huge. It’s gotten so bad that I’ve resorted to using an iPhone Mini, biding my time and hoping desperately that some Android OEM would step up. But it’s increasingly clear that a small premium phone is not on t…

Similar user, and I have no idea if there will be anything left to buy after the Pixel 4a. I expect the 4a will be good enough for another 3 years at-least, if there are no accidents. Hopefully by then there is something available which continues the form factor. 4a has been the perfect successor to the Nexus 4, it's a little taller but other than that has practically the same footprint. With the 6a moving in a diffe…

I am also planning to move from a 4a, and at this point it would be either a Sharp R7 (probably not available internationally though) or a Sony Xperia 10 IV.

The Sony seems to be the best alternative though I have no idea of the software quality.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#239

Post by m000 »

For a phone that is not intended for heavy use (cramped screen, average screen-on time), 8GB of RAM seems like a pricey choice.

Also, stock Android can be a mixed blessing. My guess this is mostly used as synonymous to "no bloatware". But stock Android doesn't necessarily translate to a better user experience, or to software updates for a longer time.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#240

Post by gallerdude »

For me, the people who want smaller phones are the textbook example of a vocal minority. I've read so many Hacker News and r/apple threads about how people love and miss phones you can use with one hand. And then every few years a phone manufacturer will try it, and it won't sell at all.

I almost think people with small phones just underestimate how much they'd be able to adjust to a larger phone.

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