14 DAY TRIAL // The mobile industry is moving towards larger screens in smartphones, something that users are very fond of, it seems.
A recent survey conducted by Strategy Analytics Wireless Device Lab shows that smartphone users want even bigger screens on their devices.
According to the said report, called “Smartphone Owners Want Thin Devices with Larger Displays,” people are into devices packing screens ranging from 4.0-inch to 4.5-inch.
However, the same study shows that users are also fond of thin devices, and that they agree with the large screens on new smartphones as long as the handset’s thickness is not affected.
“Almost 90 percent of existing smartphone owners surveyed chose a prototype smartphone with a display larger than their current device,” commented Paul Brown, a director in the Strategy Analytics user experience practice.
“This trend is driven by increased mobile web browsing capability, as well as engaging video and gaming experiences.”
Depending on the population segment, there are some differences in the size of the phone’s screen, the report shows.
While women would rather have devices with a bit smaller screens, men want larger displays, to be able to view more content on them.
Additionally, the research shows that Android owners are highly interested in getting devices with larger screens than existing iPhone owners would be.
Kevin Nolan, vice-president for the user experience practice at Strategy Analytics, added, “In order for smartphone owners to adopt larger devices, it is important for handset manufacturers to ensure that mobile devices are not too heavy and that the devices remain thin enough for purses and pockets.”
Most of the smartphones launched since the beginning of this year pack large touchscreens, and also include more powerful application processors (the first quad-core devices went official at MWC this year).
Currently, Samsung has the largest device on the market, the Galaxy Note, with LG following closely behind. LG's Optimus Vu smartphone packs a 5-inch screen.