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There's a funny thing taking place in the mobile phone market. The first portable handsets were big and bulky, and the race was on to deliver smaller, slimmer phones. Then mobile phones got smart with touchscreens, dual-core processors, full-fled operating systems, and all sorts of advanced features, and now the trend is towards bigger devices, culminating in handsets like Samsung's Galaxy Note and, as teased to the Web, LG's Optimus Vu.
Samsung's Galaxy Note features a ginormous 5.3-inch touchscreen that have some calling it a phablet (phone + tablet = phablet, in case it wasn't obvious). LG's upcoming Optimus Vu is only slightly smaller at 5 inches, but will still rank as one of the larger smartphones out there.
A teaser shot and video of the Optimus Vu was posted to LG's Korean portal with minimal details attached. LG confirmed it will sport a 5-inch screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, and said it will have a stylish design, but provided no other info. Our friends at Engadget came upon a post at Japanese site Datacider that adds an additional photo to the mix along with purported specs, which include a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB ROM, 8MP camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC.
Are you fan of this trend towards larger smartphones in the 5-inch and above category, or do you think handsets like LG's Optimus Vu and Samsung's Galaxy Note are simply too big?
Image Credit: LG
Comments are closed on this article
Cregan89
February 08, 2012 at 8:06pm
I can actually see using one of these extra large screens with a Bluetooth headset. And just throw it in your bag instead of your pocket. I do find it difficult to do intricate work on my phone screen (and I have a Galaxy Nexus) so I could see these extra large screens actually being quite useful. You just use them fundamentally different then you would a normal pocket sized smart phone.
firefox91
February 08, 2012 at 11:48am
I think my Bionic screen is big enough. Any bigger would likely be too big to carry around.
Hey.That_Dude
February 08, 2012 at 11:40am
My question is why do they still make phones (phablets, whatever) with 4:3 resolutions. EMBRACE THE 16:9 STANDARD!
qHD and HD are already resolutions and ppi that can be met in screens that large at minimal cost increase. For most of us, our videos that we stream are 16:9, and most websites are embracing the ratio as well.
I'm so disappointed with the market right now. Why would I want 4 cores if I can't even see them being used on my 800x480 screen?
daardvark
February 08, 2012 at 11:16am
A 5.75x3.3 inch phone like the Note is large compared to small, carry everywhere phones. But I grew up with a common house phone that was almost 12 inches long and wrapped from my ear to my mouth with room to spare. I never felt stupid nor did I even think about it. I want a versatile computer that is also a capable phone. Up to a point, a large screen is an absolute requirement for true browsing comfort. Once you use a 4.3 inch screen, you look at the form factor of the iPhone as pathetic. I plan on having one of these big screen phones but truth be told, I also plan on upgrading my headset too.
bling581
February 08, 2012 at 10:49am
I'm not a fan of large screens. Larger screens means larger phones. It's one reason I went with the iPhone. Despite having a smaller screen it's resolution is better than most Android phones. I'll take quality over larger screen anyday. Bigger isn't always better.
thetechchild
February 08, 2012 at 4:21pm
Than most Android phones? Not currently, certainly? Look at the HTC Rezound, LG Optimus LTE, LG Nitro HD, etc. They have 720p (1280x720) resolution (albeit on larger screens) compared to the iPhone 4S's 960x640.
Larger screens does mean larger phones, but larger screens with proportionally better resolution (i.e. similar ppi) means more screen space.
Victek
February 08, 2012 at 10:00am
My current phone has a four inch screen which is quite good, but when it's time to upgrade I'll consider larger screens if they're easier to read. I'll choose the largest phone I can comfortably handle. The optimal screen size depends on how big your hand is.
AETAaAS
February 08, 2012 at 10:01am
I have a Galaxy Note, a 5.3 incher and when I look back on my Galaxy S (4 inch screen), I think to myself; "how did I get by with something so small?" I find the Note perfectly normal when it comes to talking. If anything, it better fills in the gap between where sound goes in and comes out on your head. :p
The bigger screen also makes web browsing and watching videos better. :D
thetechchild
February 08, 2012 at 4:22pm
What about sticking it in your pocket? Just wondering, considering the massive screen size.
AETAaAS
February 09, 2012 at 12:00pm
I have no problems. Despite its size, it is very thin so it easily slips into your pocket.
Captain_Steve
February 08, 2012 at 8:52am
I have an in-humanly sized head and massive hands. My Motorola X2 lets me feel normal.
