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I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

smallandroidphone.com

931–940 of 1001 posts

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#931

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

List of smaller Android phones with decent specs: Pixel 5 - 144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm Samsung S22 - 146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm Zenfone 8 - 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm (could be higher thanks to narrower body) Xiaomi 12X - 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm Samsung S21 - 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm Sony doesn't produce phones, but remote controls. Their software is nice clean, but their camera is pretty bad, might as well buy Zenfone 8 if you don't mind cam…

Probably not what you would deem decent specs .. but small.

SHIFT5me - 141,5 mm x 71 mm x 9 mm

https://shop.shiftphones.com/shift5me.html

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#932
post #866

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm a fairly large person (185 cm and decent sized hands), but I prefer the mini, and in my Android days used the Xperia mini. I don't particularly want a large phone on a day-to-day basis. Unfortunately it seems that it's a niche that doesn't generate enough revenue to get broader support.

I got the feeling, that niche markets could be lucrative if the middle man (retail) is left out. The internet is a very powerful tool in this regard. It brings together customers from all over the world.

I actually think the loss of retailers is part of the problem: without places to go and touch and play with things, we've become increasingly beholden to reviewers and shrill opinion factories to try and evaluate things. Niches, especially niches that rely on non-spec driven evaluation, wither and die.

5% of people who buy an iPhone think that the mini is a good choice, but literally every review or discussion of it is positively hysterical about battery life. If you haven't picked one up and handled it, you'd think that it offered no merit and was going to shut down 2 hours into the day.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#934
post #210

I maintain this chart of small Android phones: https://www.productchart.com/smartphones/small_android_phone... You can filter by specs to see how close you can get to your dream phone. There are quite a few available on the market that match the 5.5" screen size of the iPhone 13 Mini. Even by the big manufacturers like Samsung and Google. Like the Pixel 3. Which was introduced 4 years ago though. In general, phones h…

Only two countries in the world, apparently

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#935
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…

I have baby hands, I am a dwarf. With each generational increase of display size, The number of times I drop the phone over its lifetime increases proportionally. I've used android phones from 2.8" to 5.7" display as daily drivers over the past decade. I assume, Many with small hands(palms) do face the issue of dropping phones, So I finding it quite surprising that 'Easily Repairable' wasn't included in neither 'Must…

I’m not a dwarf, but I do have smaller than average hands and really struggle to type on a phone one handed. I dropped my phone a lot trying to balance it.

Have you come across pop sockets? Small collapsible self-adhesive handles for the back of your phone. They’ve made an absolutely massive usability difference to my phone usage (although I aim for the smallest handset I can get without compromising too much on quality anyway). Total game changer

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#936
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…

Yes, I'm as frustrated as you are. I want a no-compromise 4" Android phone, comfortably usable with one hand. For me, the phone is a communication device for the outside, that's it. I hardly use it at home except for calls. My primary device is my laptop. I have exactly zero use cases that would benefit from a large screen, yet all of my use cases would benefit from being able to fully use it one-handed. I don't watc…

The USB-C-to-3.5mm dongles are bothersome, but they're not that bad. You buy one for each headphone you use, and expect to replace each of them once or twice a year. It sucks, but it has stopped the headphone jack being a /hard requirement/ and instead a nice-to-have.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#937
post #561

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I went with the mini because the new SE is fraking bigger with less screen. The mini is just about the limit of what i want to put in my pocket. If they get any bigger, im going watch with cell and leaving these phablets at home.

Do y all have really small pockets or something? For women, I get it, your pants don't come with pockets and that sucks. But for guys? I've had a Samsung Note phone in my pocket since the Note 2, they where the model that invented the phablet moniker... Never had an issue. Do I just make better pant choices than most people?

Actually, in certain situations, yes. My running shorts have pockets that barely fit iPhone mini. Yes, I know there are other accessories that I can buy to fit giant phones in but I rather not.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#938

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't recommend them. Almost every single one is using a very old version of android. Which is surprisingly usable, but there are some apps that don't work. I also wouldn't actually log into anything unless you're ok being pwned. No security patches, plus sketchy cheap as dirt chips running it. You can also not type on it. Maybe a sentence, but it'll take you 3x as long if not more trying to correct typos. If yo…

Right, but can they be hacked to run vanilla upgraded software?

Never tried, not knowledgeable enough in the area. But I wouldn't hold my breath on it. And I still wouldn't trust the chips on the board.

There's definitely been cases of spyware locked onto chips in clever ways. Not good for 2FA.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#939
Users don't "want" gigantic bliddy phones. Marketers give extravagant presentations to justify their positions, claiming that users want big phones. Then the engineering team is instructed to design big phones. Then only big phones are available. If it doesn't fit in your pocket, at least make it comfortable to hold in your lap. Now marketing has "data" that appears to indicate that people want even bigger phones. Repeat, until the form factor beggars the moon.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#940
post #867

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, I'm as frustrated as you are. I want a no-compromise 4" Android phone, comfortably usable with one hand. For me, the phone is a communication device for the outside, that's it. I hardly use it at home except for calls. My primary device is my laptop. I have exactly zero use cases that would benefit from a large screen, yet all of my use cases would benefit from being able to fully use it one-handed. I don't watc…

Why is the headphone jack so important? These days there are very good wireless earbuds. Except as FM antenna or to plug into legacy devices...

Bluetooth is shit.
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