I have been an iPhone user since the beginning, starting with the original iPhone. You know, the device with a 3.5-inch screen was perfect at that time, which makes it very easy to use the phone with one hand? As the years went by, the iPhone — and every other smartphone — got bigger and bigger. We now have phones with screens that are about 7 inches, and honestly, I don’t see how anyone can comfortably use these giant phones – especially if you have smaller hands!
With the iPhone, we went from 3.5 inches to 4 inches, then 4.7 inches to 5.8 inches, and now we’re at 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches from the iPhone 14 / iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Plus / iPhone 14 Pro Max, respectively. I personally use the iPhone 14 Pro as my primary device, and while I’ve gotten used to the 6.1-inch size over the past few years, I still think it’s too big. In fact, the last perfect size iPhone was the iPhone XS with a 5.8-inch screen…and I really wish Apple would bring it back.
5.8 inches was the perfect compromise
In 2017, to celebrate 10 years of iPhone, Apple released iPhone X along with iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. The iPhone 8 will be the last iPhones with Touch ID, and the previous iPhone X decided to go without a Home button — instead using Face ID for biometrics. While the iPhone 8 had a 4.7-inch screen and the Plus version had a 5.5-inch screen, the iPhone X comes with a 5.8-inch screen, and since it no longer has a home button, that means more screen real estate.
I’m one of those people who upgrade their phones every year, but in 2017, I was using the iPhone 8 because I didn’t like big phones, and I didn’t want to not have Touch ID. So it’s surprising that I didn’t get an iPhone X that year, but I did get an iPhone XS the following year — mostly because I couldn’t get an iPhone with Touch ID anymore. But I’ve learned to fall in love with the size of the iPhone XS.
I’ve said it many times already, but I have really small hands. When I compare my hand to someone else’s, it’s always quite shocking when compared to how small my hand is compared to others. This means I can’t use most phones today with one hand. (It’s pretty much impossible for me to reach the top corners of the screen comfortably, and even with phone accessories like the PopSocket, I can hardly do without some amazing finger gymnastics.)
It also doesn’t help that the Apple iPhone 14 Pro is heavy with the material used, which is the stainless steel frame. So even though the Samsung Galaxy S23 also has a 6.1-inch screen, I actually prefer it to the iPhone 14 Pro because of the lightweight aluminum frame, which makes it more comfortable for me to use with one hand.
However, I can’t help but remember the 5.8-inch size of my iPhone XS back in the day. For me, it was the perfect size for a modern phone, providing plenty of screen space while being comfortable to hold and use with one hand. I don’t recall struggling to reach the upper corners of the screen with my iPhone XS, but from the iPhone 11 Pro onwards, using my device with both hands has become easier. Of course, this is not a file huge Problem, but when you’re trying to juggle holding multiple items or a small child in your arms, one-handed use is a missing convenience and, in a way, a luxury.
I really just want a little iPhone Pro, Apple
You might be wondering – why didn’t I get the iPhone minis when they were available. As much as I loved the idea of an iPhone so compact, the problem was the lack of Pro features. I always go for the Pro models because I want the triple-lens camera system, more storage space and — in the case of the iPhone 14 Pro lineup — the faster A16 Bionic chip.
Personally, I wish Apple would make a smaller iPhone. It’s literally my dream phone to have the compact size of a 5.4-inch iPhone but also a powerful triple-lens camera system. I know battery life will be affected, but I’m dreaming of getting the powerful capabilities that the iPhone Pro can do, but in a smaller body.
But Apple stopped producing the iPhone mini, most likely because the market wasn’t high enough (although I don’t think the iPhone 14 Plus does any better). Sure, you get it — most people don’t want a tiny phone these days, right? They seem to be a very vocal minority. This is probably because 5.4 inches was so small. But what about 5.8 inches? On paper, the difference between 5.8 inches and 6.1 inches is minimal, but in actual use, one is more comfortable to use than the other.
Apple actually has multiple size options with four different models at the moment. Just re-width 5.8 inches – it was perfect! Will that actually happen to the iPhone 15? All signs point to no, but that won’t stop me from hoping and dreaming.
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