• Unsaved5831@lemm.ee
    ·
    edit-2
    5 months ago

    I despise the fact that most Android phones start with a 6-inch screen. I was resolute to switch to an iPhone mini next time when I'll change phones but then they also killed that product line. 🫠

    I really miss the time I can do everything with one hand using only one thumb.

  • SaintWacko@midwest.social
    ·
    5 months ago

    I'm thinking about getting a base S24 as my next phone, since it's the only "small" phone that has a zoom lens and good cameras. I've been using Pixels since the original, though, so I'm a little worried about switching

    • henfredemars@infosec.pub
      ·
      edit-2
      5 months ago

      I've gone between the two brands. Samsung strikes me as a little visually complicated whereas Pixel is cleaner and the point with its design choices. Connect ADB and you can disable all of the apps that come with the Samsung if you wish. Don't really prefer OneUI, though it felt snappier with the Snapdragon.

      With that said, I enjoyed my Samsung overall, and I'm enjoying my Pixel. I don't think you'll be disappointed, but if I were you, I would reflect on how I feel about a little bit more clutter. It's in the details, like having two account sign in areas for both your Samsung and your Google accounts. Two app stores. The price and stress of more choices.

      If you intend to own the device for a long time, consider that you have much better aftermarket solutions on Pixel because Google releases more, higher quality code and drivers makes your ROM devs life much easier. Fewer bugs for you in the aftermarket. You can only run GrapheneOS on a Pixel.

      • SaintWacko@midwest.social
        ·
        5 months ago

        What I think just made the decision for me is that Samsung's new AI tools can only be used through the Samsung Gallery app, and I use Google Photos. Guess I'll be sticking with Pixels

  • Irv@midwest.social
    ·
    5 months ago

    Not just a small phone, but an ergonomically shaped phone is missing from the market. It would be great to have devices again that you can cradle in your hand and slip into a small pocket. Thin slabs are nice on a display shelf, but they aren't human-centered. Give me a phone with a curved and grippy back and a 5.x inch display.

  • helenslunch@feddit.nl
    ·
    5 months ago

    But only 5% of all iPhones sold are Minis (roughly 10m phones per year). This means that Apple may decide to kill the Mini. For Apple, 10m phones is peanuts. But for an independent company 10m units per year would be spectacular. If Apple kills the Mini, those people will need a new home.

    This site obviously hasn't been updated in years. Migi probably has his hands full picking up the pieces of what's left of Beeper.

  • Tankiedesantski [he/him]
    ·
    5 months ago

    The problem with "niche" phones like small phones, phones with headphone jacks, phones with keyboards, etc is that most of the people who claim they want one end up not buying one because of such and such feature being missing or so and so phone being better.

    Asus and Sony have been making smaller phones for years but they've never achieved any sort of success. Iirc Sony makes a small phone with a headphone jack, which should be flying off shelves if these types of threads are to be believed.

    The excuse is always "well Asus and Sony" have relatively little retail presence. Sure, that'd true, but any startup niche phone seller would be doing very well to have an Asus or Sony level distribution and retail network in the first couple of generations. And that's setting aside Apple being omnipresent in retail and yet still failing to sell enough small phones.

    • Blaze@discuss.online
      ·
      5 months ago

      Sony prices are very high for what they sell.

      Asus had the issues of short software support and locked bootloader.

      I see where you come from, but those issues were there

      • Tankiedesantski [he/him]
        ·
        5 months ago

        Asus had the issues of short software support and locked bootloader.

        This is exactly what I mean. Locked boot loader is an issue for like 0.01% of the phone buying public and yet people who want niche phones will refuse to buy a phone over it.

        There's no economic case for catering to the niche phone market because most people in it are just far too picky.