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I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

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Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#791

Post by osigurdson »

One theory for the iPhone mini's lack of success is people currently equate an expensive phone as a somewhat larger device (but not huge). The iPhone mini looks a bit like an old iPhone 5 from a distance. Paying a premium for something that looks like what everyone already has two or three of in their junk drawer is a tough trade-off for many people. The longer battery life then becomes the rational anchor.

In any case, I certainly hope they make a smaller devices again in 4-6 years.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#792

Post by delta_p_delta_x »

So basically the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact[0], then. Unfortunately this phone is approaching four years out of date. I owned it (still do, technically; I just gave it to a relative) and it was by and large the best smartphone I ever had. Even 4 years after purchase, the battery still lasts for 5+ hours of screen-on-time, the front-firing speakers are extremely powerful, and there are no noticeable slowdowns. It experienced some water damage early on, so the screen likes to randomly spazz out on occasion; there is also no headphone jack (this was when Sony attempted to follow the trend, to tremendous backlash).

Addendum: I daresay many of the demographic here at Hacker News likes phones similar to that of /r/Android: headphone jack, notchless rectangular display, SD card slot, notification LED, not-too-crazy design, and there's literally only one company doing all this: Sony.

[0]: https://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=9082&idPhone2...

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#793

Post by Gigachad »

jl6 wrote: post #658

If this thread proves anything it’s that there is huge demand for customizable phone designs. Currently, there is total reliance on economies of scale to make standardized SKUs affordable. Imagine if you could figure out a way of manufacturing a phone with design on demand… imagine a configurator website where you adjusted sliders and tickboxes. Headphone jack here, screen size slider all the way to the left, battery…

It’s not even close to possible. Phones are likely the most advanced items in human history. So far beyond anything else you’d interact with. It’s only possible through hundreds of thousands of people working on mass production and research.

You could make customisable phones but they wouldn’t be anywhere near as good as mass market phones.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#794

Post by Dylan16807 »

fomine3 wrote: post #761
robocat wrote: post #748

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I suspect there are two constraints working against mini mobiles: 1. The industry push for thin due to the consumer dislike of thick. 2. The invisible consumer expectation that smaller mobiles should be cheaper. A mini screen with a fat body (large battery, good camera) is what many functionally oriented people should want, but cost and form will limit consumer desire and make it an extremely niche product?!? Edit: I…

* Small battery capacity * Lower performance due to small battery and poorer heat dissipation * No physical space to put top-tier camera

The battery doesn't have to be small if you're okay with moderate thickness. And a lot of power goes to the screen so that cancels out. To the extent that this is true, you're just restating "push for thin" and it's not a separate problem.

Lower performance than what? I'm not convinced that's a real issue unless you're trying to make a flagship.

Why couldn't you fit a top-tier camera? That's like a square centimeter.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#795

Post by Gigachad »

rplnt wrote: post #255
moffkalast wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Clearly not enough to warrant a production line, otherwise there would be some offerings for it from some Android maker.

Or is it that marketing has been telling customers that bigger is better for the past decade? I wouldn't give too much credit to an average consumer.

There is no marketing. Bigger is just better. I got the regular sized iPhone and every time I pick up the pro max it feels good. It’s visually more striking, it’s nicer to use. It’s just a little harder to hold but with two hands is still fine.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#796

Post by djtango »

richardfey wrote: post #266
djtango wrote: post #21

I was a Sony Xperia Compact aficionado until the latest gen was impossible to buy due to the chip shortage.

Which model were you trying to buy?

The Sony Xperia 5 iii

It was really expensive and was impossible to get at launch. The optical zoom was a nice touch but I didn't really care for the weird aspect they have.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#797

Post by johnebgd »

oceanplexian wrote: post #357
davee5 wrote: post #270

Hi Eric, I'm a hardware startup guy myself (our paths have crossed) with the distinction that my own "very specific set of skills" has been honed at smartphone megacompanies and smartphone startups. OSOM, Essential, HTC, Samsung, Apple. I've designed and built a lot of phones. I'm building one now. I think this is a noble effort, I personally prefer pocketable phones too, but I think there are nigh-insurmountable hur…

> Big companies are drowning in market data. They know some people really, really want small phones. But it's a long-tail opportunity they're willfully ignoring I would argue that they don’t know what people want at all, since market data just reinforces previously held assumptions. For example if you surveyed people in 2006 what kind of phone they wanted, most consumers would probably ask for a better flip phone. It…

I’ve owned smart phones since the treo.

I’ve owned blackberry phones, windows mobile, even a palm pre.

I’ve had nearly every iPhone since launch.

I’m on an iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Nothing makes me yearn for a smaller screen.

I held an iPhone 3G in my hand last week after finding it in a drawer and was amazed at how it felt too small to be really useful these days.

My gal has a 13 pro max.

My folks have larger phones.

My siblings have larger phones.

My friends, colleagues, business partners, clients, all have larger phones.

The biggest complaint I hear is battery life.

I hope small screen fans find what they want but I do not believe it’s a big market.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#799

Post by radec »

Vladimof wrote: post #783
radec wrote: post #723

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just replaced the battery on my pixel 3. I also replaced the USB C port, because it was cheap and the phone was open. It's pretty simple to do, just tedious. I would recommend buying a replacement back as well so you don't have to worry about keeping the glass intact. I would love a smaller phone then the pixel 3 but I'll stick with this for now, it's my absolute max size.

thanks for the tips, will definitely try to replace the USB port and back when I do the battery. Is your phone still waterproof?

No not waterproof, but I didn't try very hard. I would sort of prefer the phone to be easier to open. I used t-7000 glue which seemed really good, the main spot I feel like is not waterproof is where the finger print reader attaches to the back panel, and the camera lense cover.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#800

Post by jonwest »

jacobrussell wrote: post #779

There is technically a mini-sized Android phone [0]; I've been using it for about 6 months [1]. [0] https://palm.com/pages/product [1] https://jacobhenryrussell.medium.com/six-months-with-a-tiny-...

I have one of these too. I used it for a few months and aside from the battery life, I loved it. I wish the bootloader would’ve been open for custom roms that could’ve taken advantage of it better, but it’s been in a drawer ever since.

I still wish it had a future.

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