Now that the biggest gift giving holiday (Christmas) has just passed, I imagine we all are about 1 degree of separation from a large screen device. Either you, a family member, or a friend of yours has gotten rid of their iPhone 5, and now we are carrying and using the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 plus, or a similarly large sized android device like the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. This leads us to ask: 1. What does this say about us consumers? 2. What does it say for Techies developing websites/apps or apps already built for the commonplace 4″ inch display size of the iPhone 5 and other similar sized devices? 3. And Will the fashion industry be tailoring our pocket size to meet the needs of the larger device(s)? Well perhaps that is a big leap to think the Fashion industry will be recreating the standard pocket size, but I’m sure many men have thought about how they’re going to be carrying the phone before selecting a phone.
FIRST, with the invention of mobile devices came large mobile phones…
THEN, we moved, thankfully, to the idea that slimmer and smaller – is better!
NOW… we must have phones with huge screens yet *still slim, of course!
Quick specs:
- screen size 4″ diagonal, LED backlight retina display (1136 X 640 pixels)
- 8 Megapixel camera
- screen size 4.7″ diagonal, HD retina display (1334 X 750 pixels)
- 8 Megapixel camera
- screen size 5.5″ diagonal, HD retina display (1920 X 1080 pixels)
- 8 Megapixel camera
- screen size 5.7″ diagonal, HD retina display (2560 X 1440 pixels)
- 16 Megapixel camera
For Consumers:
It seems we do really like the huge screen sizes, but we’re not wanting to sacrifice the sleek, slim, and lightweight phones either. Now, we like to surf more than ever on our mobile devices, and maybe we will be used to viewing in landscape more than the currently common portrait view. I don’t think this is a surprise, since the discovery of those who have FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), being glued to your device has now been taken even further with using your device for everything (work emails, personal shopping, and YouTube-ing) and with a larger screen – this seems to mean better *mobile user experiences.
- If you internet surf a lot on your phone or tablet, then you are sure to be happier with larger screens for your mobile device; especially if the websites actually look like themselves (as viewed on a computer screen) a bit more.
- Netflix viewers, or any other video watching platform viewers, will love watching Netflix on a larger sized screen like the iPhone 6+ or Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (however, I do not imagine the iPhone 6 has much of a difference).
- Overall, the picture quality is better on the larger phone because the screen resolution is better. This may not mean that the megapixel or actual quality is better though. However, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 has a better camera at 16 megapixels. Yet, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6+ has the same megapixel (8) but with a larger screen size (with more megapixels) and higher resolution – this may make some pictures look of better quality.
- Some may enjoy reading so much more on the larger iPhone 6+ that they may have no use for the iPad anymore (specifically in regards to the iPhone 6+ or larger screen size device)
- Larger screen size devices may just be the best of both worlds – tablet and phone. SO, if you chose the iPhone 6+ or Note 4 you may never use your tablet because your phone has just replaced it.
- If you or a friend already have a larger screen device… did you notice something different about how you handle the phone? Well, you probably use the larger screen in the landscape view more often then ever (specifically the 6+). SO, how are you liking apps in this view? (We’d really like to know. Please comment below in the comment section).
- Technically speaking – With a larger screen how do you actually reach certain spots on your phone? Well, if you have larger fingers you’re probably happy about the larger keypad. But your reach (in portrait view) may be a bit strained, even still. But if you double tap the home button – all the apps/keyboards come down the screen for easy tech ability.
- Oh, and as we have heard from many fellas… always remember to take it out of the back pocket – or else you will likely be sitting on your beautiful large screen mobile phone, and that is never good. So, unless your GF has it in her purse… you have to get in the habit of reaching in your pocket before sitting down!
For developers:
Developers or website owners still needing to update their website to resolve any screen size issue must check out the YouTube video above! The video is a quick (if you skip to about minute 16) tutorial on how to adapt your currently existing app or responsive website to accommodate the large iPhone 6 and 6+ screen sizes, without loosing integrity of your website/app.
What Developers want to consider, based on consumer/user use of the larger screen size.
1. Adapt your existing app to the higher pixel screens. NOW! (watch he video above – it may be simpler than you think). The video explains for developers to consider using Auto Layout. “It removes all fixed layout handling and instead uses constraints to lay things out. Nothing will be hard-coded, and your life will become a lot simpler.”
This image is of an app viewed on an iPhone 6. Notice the black spaces on the far left and right of the screen, not utilized. Watch video above to resolve this issue.
2. Utilize video. Those purchasing, and frankly everyone, has been more and more accustomed to viewing videos on their mobile devices. So use more video to appeal to the modern internet browser.
3. Think about how your website or app translates into the landscape view. Make it pleasant to view in either. Who knows – in a few years viewing your apps and websites in portrait view may become “so 2014.”
4. Take a look at the heat maps of thumb use for easy navigation for the users. Although there is a quick double tap of the iPhone 6 home button, making things in reach with less steps involved, still constitutes better user experience. (provided by http://scotthurff.com/posts/how-to-design-for-thumbs-in-the-era-of-huge-screens).
5. Install an infinite scroll plugin, (if you have products or a shop of products to display) nothing is more annoying than viewing a website or app and trying to window shop if you can only view 3-4 rows or 2-3 products at a time before moving to the next page or hitting the “load more” button.
6. BE HAPPY – especially if you are utilizing lots of info and pictures that your user may not have to scroll so much anymore to see all you have to say.
Links for reference: https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/MobileHIG/LaunchImages.html http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/04/25/smartphones-have-outgrown-average-pants-pocket/ http://stackoverflow.com/questions/12396545/ios-6-apps-how-to-deal-with-iphone-5-screen-size
HAPPY SHOPPING!
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