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What happened to small android phones? (ani.social)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/android@lemmy.world
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I'm using a Sharp Aquos Wish from 2022, because it's 5.8 inches tall. It just barely fits in my pocket, but honestly is a bit uncomfortable. I wish I had a phone about 5.5 inches tall. Ideally with the latest android OS, a good battery, and wireless charging.

NOTHING like that exists! The closest is maybe the Unihertz Jelly Max, which is Android 14 instead of 15, and doesn't support wireless charging. It's also made in China, and comes preinstalled with spyware.

I could use GrapheneOS if I got a Google Pixel, but Google doesn't have a line of small phones. They even developed foldable phones so they could make a smaller foldable phone if they wanted, but instead they created the abomination that is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which is a gigantic 6 inch phone when folded, and unfolds into a tablet-sized device. For the love of god, WHY!???

The whole point of foldables was to make phones smaller, not make them twice as big! Who was responsible for this?

I don't know what to do. At this point I think I may never upgrade my phone. I'll be using my Sharp Aquos Wish 10 years from now, and then abandon phones entirely when the network stops servicing Android 11.

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[–] 1 point 1 year ago

https://www.gsmarena.com/results.php3?nYearMin=2022&fDisplayInchesMin=5.2&fDisplayInchesMax=5.8

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    [–] [S] 16 points 1 year ago* (10 children)

    I've spent hours using the phone finder at gsmarena and not being happy with the less than 20 results I get.

    Closest is maybe the Samsung S25 but it's still too big. Also I don't want to drop $500 on a phone. Anything over $200 is too much.

    This is just miserable.

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  • [–] 5 points 1 year ago

    Asus zenfone 10 is 2 years old but the last compact phone with premium specs, and really good looking. Then Asus abandoned this product as the zenfone 11 ultra is a massive ugly phone. You may have a look at Sony's lineup too although their long ass ratio is not for everyone

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  • [–] 16 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    Wanting it for under 200 is part of why they don't make them...

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  • [–] 4 points 1 year ago

    Yeah, I wish it wasn't true. I miss my smaller phone. The one I have now is too big to be comfortable. Unless there's significant money in it, manufacturers can't justify the expense of making a smaller phone.

    That said, it's a chicken-and-egg problem. A lot of people want a smaller phone. However, they can't even buy one. And the manufacturers can't tell that people want a smaller one because it's not possible to buy one. It might remain that way until one manufacturer takes a leap, makes a small phone, and it goes well.

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  • [–] 12 points 1 year ago (6 children)

    Yeah... Phone manufacturers have decided that we all want giant phones. How dare you use your free will to desire otherwise?

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  • [–] 9 points 1 year ago (5 children)

    It's what the public wants. If small phones would sell better, they would make them.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (4 children)

    Similar to vehicles, smaller phones probably would sell just fine.

    The issue would be that not many people would buy a phone 2/3 the size unless it was also 2/3 the price. Even if the manufacturing of such a device was 2/3 the cost (it wouldn't be), the bottom line for the manufacturer would be same number of devices sold, but 1/3 less money.

    Companies don't do less money.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    Except, small vehicles are actually on the market, and there is a good selection to choose from.

    Something else is going on with phones. There are many models in the mid and low range, but extremely few small models.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    Small vehicle sales represent less than a fifth of the market. Major manufacturers have ceased production of sedans and hatchbacks in favour of larger platform SUVs and pickup trucks.

    I realise that vehicles aren't really the focus here, but the smartphone market isn't too dissimilar in certain ways. The major manufacturers have discontinued their smaller for factor devices citing 'sales', but those devices cost nearly what a larger one did so it's reasonable that consumers would opt for the bigger screen, especially when it's typically coupled with a larger battery and superior camera.

    Also similar between these two markets, if you look overseas, or at older used models, or make any of a variety of compromises, you can find something if you're determined. Or you don't find something and just deal with the giant phone that sticks half out your pocket and you can't sit down without removing it.

    Personally, I'm enjoying watching the advances in folding phones. They are approaching Westworld standards pretty quick. Trouble of course will be when they get there, it'll cost the same as a car and at that point it better unfold some wheels too.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    I'm not that familiar with the North-American market, but small cars are way more common in Europe and East-Asia.

    the giant phone that sticks half out your pocket

    That's not my experience. But then I prefer somewhat loose fitting slacks.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago

    I've seen some of the photos of people driving American-sized pickup trucks around Europe and I hope they get outlawed. Unfortunately, Europe and Asia do have so many more options - sometimes even by American companies much to my annoyance.

    I occasionally look into getting a Kei car of some sort. Though it's not really practical for me. Maybe one day, by the time a sub five inch flagship phone is developed perhaps.

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    • [–] 15 points 1 year ago

    The truth is people who want small phones also want them for the price of a clamshell feature phone with no 4G support. I've heard these complaints many times from older acquaintances, they want their old Nokia that can also run Viber and do videocalls, and they are not paying iPhone SE price, so there's practically no market for small but high-spec phones, outside of luxury brands where you are buying an ancient chip with a leather back cover.

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    [–] 5 points 1 year ago

    I upvoted this on my Pixel 9 Pro Fold while unfolded.

    Oh shit... I'm part of the problem! I just wanted the new shiny thing!

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    [–] 3 points 1 year ago

    I switched from a Pixel 4a to a Moto Razr when the 4a lost support, because I wasn't going to go any bigger than the 4a. Wish it had a custom ROM like Graphene though.

    I've actually been really happy with the Razr for size and screen protection when folded. Haven't broken it yet and that's a record for me.

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    [–] 3 points 1 year ago

    I agree.

    My current samsung s10e phone (comparatively small by today's standards) is too big. My last phone was actually a decent size, but had some hardware issues which is why I upgraded. It was a sony xperia xz1 compact. Before that I had a moto g, and before that a Motorola razr. All better sizes than my current model.

    My next phone will likely either be a linux phone, or if those are still not ready then I may forgo convention/convenience and go for some kind of downgraded phone or no phone if I could swing it somehow...

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    [–] 1 point 1 year ago* (1 child)

    Plenty of people say they want a smaller phone, but then when it comes to it they also want the bigger battery and performance plus screen a bigger phone can give them. A small phone just isn't gonna give you a great battery life +wireless charging as their really isn't enough space for both unless it is chunky af

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    • [+] 0 points 1 year ago (3 children)
    [deleted]
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    • [–] -2 points 1 year ago

    Porn, porn made phones bigger

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    [+] [S] -18 points 1 year ago* (5 children)

    I swear to god most people are NPC's and they spawn into reality with a phone in their hand. These 6.5" and 7" phones don't fit in pants pockets. Yet I don't see any guys out there wearing fanny packs or carrying purses around with them like women. Where do they stick them? Are they all sticking their phones up their butts?

    No. They have to not be real. I am surrounded by millions of NPC's. There can't be that many people sticking their phones up their butts.

    You can downvote me, NPC's. But I know what you are. You don't exist in reality when I can't see you. Like Agent Smith computer programs, you only exist in cyberspace when I'm not immediately nearby.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (2 children)

    I have a 6.8" Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (overdue for an update), and it comfortably fits in my pants' pockets. I don't know what kind of tight pants or minuscule size you wear, but for most of us it's a non-issue.

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    • [+] [S] -21 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    How did Google make the Pixel 8a larger than the Pixel 8? The whole reason of the "a" series is for it to be smaller! Did Google outsource the design of the 8a to Somalia, or is this just how incompetent their engineering team is?

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