Are we Seeing a Plus Size Smartphone Trend – Samsung Galaxy Note 8

A new range of supersized mobile phones from some of the top manufacturers in the business could be heralding a significant shift in the mobile market. Let’s take a look at these upgraded mobile models, and what they might signify about our changing relationship with mobile tech.

Apple and the iPhone Plus Models

Both the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6 come in two model sizes. The standard iPhone market offering and the appropriately named ‘plus’ alternative which comes with all the same fundamental features and specs but simply in a larger size. Whilst the phone and by association, the screen may be larger, that means more bulk too – and greater commensurate expense for those wanting to give either model a try. In addition, they’re quite a bit heavier to boot.

Apple’s iPhones are one of the company’s biggest hits across the board, and the newer models appear to be no exception , with iPhone sales up for 2017. From which the plus size options have played a significant part. Gone are the days of Apple simply looking to make everything smaller and more compact. The brand have recognised that with the progressive use of smartphones for mobile app usage, web browsing and photography, means larger screen sizes hold a significant appeal to the user even despite the device itself being less practical as a pocketed smartphone.

Can Galaxy Note 8 Signify an Impressive Return for Samsung?

The Galaxy Note 8 boasts a much larger screen than its predecessor, the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7. Whilst even this earlier model seemed extremely large during its 2011 debut, the new Galaxy Note 8’s screen is an impressive 6.3 inches, perhaps acknowledging that mobile phones are no longer just phones, but increasingly used for everyday web browsing much like laptops and desktop computers before them. While the large screen could be off-putting for some, it is nonetheless ideally suited to the increasingly mobile web-browsing habits of modern phone users. This larger surface also makes way for an advanced camera with a wide-angle lens at 12 megapixels.

While it’s impossible to yet tell how well these sales will hold up over time, the launch of the Galaxy Note 8 looks to have been a great success, which is great news for manufacturers Samsung, who will doubtlessly have been hoping for a hit following the many problems they encountered with the Galaxy Note 7. Orders for the Note 8 are already at 30% higher than the Note 7, suggesting these larger, newer mobile phones could have true popularity amongst contemporary customers, with the Galaxy Note 8 on track to be the most popular model in the Note series yet.

Summary

While there is no clear trend at the moment and all major players appear to be fronting options for the more typical device sizes as well as the plus size alternatives, it certainly seems that there is a shift toward maximising screen size while remaining a smartphone device and not quite reaching the level where tech would be considered a tablet market addition. For mobile app businesses and developers, a larger average screen size in the future could open up unique design opportunities and the ability to bring more impressive visuals and functionality to their apps. Thought it would of course be advised to always design for the devices that you know your audience currently own when planning.