Stuff

The iPhone 7 Plus, left, weighs about 50g more than an iPhone 6.

Up until the last few weeks, all my smartphones have been four-point-something inches, which I thought was perfect. It fit into my pocket easily and I could easily use it with one hand.

But now that I've tried living with a 5.5-inch phone for a while, I'm not sure what is the best phone size.

What I do know is that when you buy a smartphone based on size, you'll need to make a compromise. 

Phablets, devices with a screen measuring between 5 and 7 inches, have grown increasingly popular in recent years. 

Flurry, a mobile analytics company, says 37 per cent of devices activated last year were phablets, up from 27 per cent last year. 

Since everyone else seemed to be getting on the big phone bandwagon, I thought I'd try them too. I'd previously used a 5.5-inch phone briefly but never really committed. This time I'd use a bigger phone (an iPhone 7 Plus) for a few months to see if big is best. 

SIZE AND WEIGHT

Big phones are heavy. If you ever curl up with your phone to read and regularly drop it on your face, then expect a bruised nose at some point.

They have a real heft to them which means you'll never be unsure if you've forgotten it. If your pants are hanging low or your purse feels like a barbell, then you've got your phone.

While there's only about a 50g difference between most company's small and big models, I found it noticeable. One trick is to buy a lightweight case to make it as light as possible.

Phone companies always brag about slimming their phones down. If you use a smaller phone this doesn't matter much but if you are buying a bigger phone it will be a factor in your decision.

With weight comes bulk. Your jean's pocket will bulge and you'll probably need to buy a new phone holder for your car.

However, these size and weight issues are often forgotten when you start using it.

THE SCREEN

Everything you use a phone for is better with a bigger screen, whether it's browsing websites and apps, using the camera or watching videos. 

Using the web on a smaller phone is a mix of skill and luck as you try to navigate around and tap the right link. Having extra screen space does make a difference, especially on older sites that are not optimised for mobile.

While I usually only watch short videos, I'd happily watch a movie on a 5.5-inch phone, something I'd only do on my older phone if I was desperate.

The bigger screen is also great for using a map app to navigate when driving. 

OTHER BENEFITS

A bigger phone also means a bigger battery and even though it's got a larger screen to power, I found I was charging my device a lot less.

Another bonus is that most companies put their best tech in their bigger, more expensive phones. This is especially the case for the camera. For example, the iPhone 7 Plus has two lenses, one of which has twice the focal length of the smaller iPhones.

WHAT TO CHOOSE?

I really noticed a difference when I went back to my 4.7-inch iPhone. It felt tiny, almost like a toy. However, it did feel better when in my pocket, especially when wearing shorts.

And this is what choosing a phone based on size is all about - compromise. 

If you want big-screen benefits when watching shows and gaming, you'll need to heft around a bigger device. A sub-5.5-inch device just won't be big enough for your viewing pleasure.

You'll also need to go bigger if you want the latest tech and longest battery life.

Part of the decision is deciding what a phone means to you. Is it your primary digital device or just a tool you use when you're out and about? If it's the former, go big, if not, go for portability.

For me, I'm staying small though I will miss the longer battery life and the better camera on the bigger iPhone.

 - Stuff