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I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

smallandroidphone.com

971–980 of 1001 posts

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#971
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...

Just to get the same audio quality in BT earbuds are going to set you (me) back 10x more compared to wired ones. And then what all the sibling comments said.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#972

The Rakuten Hand 5G ( https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/product/smartphone/raku... ) sounds like it fits the bill at 138 × 63 × 9.5mm vs iPhone 13 mini's 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.65mm, though it's only available in Japan from Rakuten Mobile.

Rakuten also previously released a tiny Rakuten Mini with 3.6 inch screen https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/product/smartphone/raku... Sharp also makes a lot of interesting phones: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/05/japans-sharp-aquos-r... Plus, Xperia Compact series is from Sony. That made me wonder: - Why does it seem like Japanese manufacturers are the only ones making "different" phones? - Many other thre…

More local small models: Balmuda phone, mode1 GRIP.

For Sharp, they are also OLED/Camera CMOS manufacturer so maybe it's easier to make custom one (and it's one of a purpose to have own factory).

Japan mobile careers buy much amount of devices at launch from manufacturer, that helps for constant sales. Even if sales for customers is bad, it's already sold for career.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#973
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…

Thanks for referring to Fairphone. I didn't know they existed and am considering getting one.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#974
post #538

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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've been looking into the Asus Zenfone 8 to replace my 4a eventually. It's expensive but it's compact.

I've been very happy with mine. As another user mentioned, the main issue with it is the battery life isn't as good as some other Android phones, but it's good enough that as long as I charge it daily I rarely have to worry about it. Though I do really wish it had wireless charging.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#976

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

Thanks for referring to Fairphone. I didn't know they existed and am considering getting one.

Welcome, I assumed everyone knows about it here hence I didn't include much details about it[1].

Fairphone, Founded on the principles of ethical consumerism have consistently delivered on their promises which by itself is an extraordinary feat in the world of smartphones (or) consumer electronics in general.

Occasional but common criticisms on their devices from HN include specs not being competitive with flagships and build quality not up to expected levels(But newer devices have got good feedbacks on the build quality).

They are only available in EU + few other countries, If you don't live in their supported countries list then getting their phone might not be advisable as getting the parts easily for repair is their main USP(Besides telecom radio support).

So if you use phone as a utility and not as sustenance then Fairphone is a good choice if you can get it, Besides money goes to a socially-invested business.

[1] https://www.fairphone.com/en/

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#978
post #885

After years of lurking, I wrote a post over on /r/android on this... in 2019. By then the small phone minority had been loud and vocal for some years already. Based on the responses and trends observed since then, I don't think this is ever going to happen. Tech savvy users for tech savvy products are gone. It is now a consumerism and popularity driven market, small phones simply don't have the bling factor to sell.…

> Now that they do not, I own an iPhone 13 mini, and I hope to use it with battery replacements for at least 4 years.

I own an iPhone 12 Mini, and if it ever breaks in the future I plan to buy the iPhone 13 Mini, even though by that time it will be on the brink of being obsolete. And if that also ever breaks I will buy another 13 Mini again if they still sell it. No matter what.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#979

It's not going to happen. The only people who like small form factor phones are tall men. Every other demographic still needs two hands for a 5" phone and thus opts for more screen real-estate almost all of the time.

> Every other demographic still needs two hands for a 5" phone...

Sorry to sound snarky, but make it smaller then. 4" sounds good to me.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#980
post #897
post #867

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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...

Reliability (no dropping 'pairing', no interference) Security (no practical eavesdropping) Simplicity (just plug the damn thing in and get a hard connection; the connected device is much simpler) Options (nothing prevents having both Bluetooth AND headphone port) The only reason it's eliminated is it's convenient for the manufacturers and they try to sell it as if we all want it, clearly a marketing lie.

>Security (no practical eavesdropping)

https://bestsecuritysearch.com/hackers-can-eavesdrop-victims...

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