Why iPhone-6 Should NOT Have Larger Screens

Smartphone enthusiasts and media are speculating about the size of iPhone 6 that is anticipated to be launched in September 9, 2014.

As content becomes richer with every incremental upgrade in hardware and processing power and with growing internet speeds, the temptation to want larger screens on your smartphones is growing stronger too. The phone sizes so far have remained under control simply due to the awkwardness that accompanies larger sized phones when using the phone for its most basic function - making or receiving calls. Other than that, most users use smartphones to "see" the content. Irrespective of the impracticality of larger screens, the sheer convenience of lower weight and ease of carrying a smartphone makes it the choice for many people to use their smartphones for emails, reading news, chats, video calls etc. But smartphones have been steadily increasing in screen size. See the analysis from androidpolice below:

Today, Smartphones are "Content Filtering Devices".

Despite the trend, the screen sizes remain small enough to be a deterrent in "consumption of information". Smartphones, even today, are a "filtering device" for content identification. On their smartphones, users get "informed" about the content that interests them or content that they have to consume later (e.g. email) whereas the actual consumption of information takes place on larger devices such as tablets and laptops.

How Smartphones CAN Become Content "Consumption" Devices?

With the curved screens invention, path is opened for foldable yet seamless screens. When that happens, the size of the smart phone, when folded, can still be convenient, to carry as well as to make and receive calls. Such phones, when unfolded, can have double the screen size to make them suitable for actual consumption of content.

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But, Why We Should NOT Invent Larger Screen Smartphones?

Quite a Handful, Already:

Human anatomy has its limits on palm sizes. I read somewhere that the average human male hand length is 7.44 inches and the average human female hand length is 6.77 inches. Anything that is more than a handful (literally) is difficult to handle when multitasking. We are all so habituated to do other things when we use our smaller smartphone. If both hands have to be used when dealing with a smartphone, it means we have to give up something else that we can or we want to do at the same time when we are using a phone. It can have lifestyle challenges in our day to day lives. Take this test to know : Does Your Hand Fit Your Phone Screen?

Increasing Disconnect Between People:

Larger screens provide more immersive experience. In other words, the already degrading social and people skills would take further hit as people will get "lost" inside the realms of their larger smartphones. Take a look at your fellow diners when you go for dinner at a restaurant and notice how many children or couples are on their cellphones! NOT many were using their laptops on their dining tables in restaurants! Whatever the reason, the challenge is whether we are more and more trading off our real life connect-ability with real people when we get larger screen smartphones?

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Cost-to-Value Ratio:

Leading smart phone companies are making a lot of profit. And larger smartphones are getting launched at prices similar to earlier smaller versions. Technology progress is cited as reason for this "cost containment". In other words, marketing blitzes are saying consumers are getting better value for their money with larger screens. Does it imply they got lesser value earlier? And what measurable, additional value do we expect from larger smartphones?

Necessity versus Desire:

I travel a lot for business. My cell phone is purely a necessity for me to "be in touch" with not just my work but also my family and friends. I find myself using my smartphone thrice as compared to my tablet device. Earlier versions of smartphones got me into the habit of using them with one hand. Now, if my thumb does not reach the corner of the smartphone, I find it irritating. At the same time, when I see an interesting content piece, the urge to read it then and there makes me feel (desire) I should have a larger screen smartphone to make it easier on the eyes. I guess smartphones, till today, fulfilled a need. Now they want to fulfill "wants". The question is : "will it be through innovative features rather than just through incremental increases in screen sizes?". Will innovation in smartphone operating systems and apps trump the innovation in hardware?

What are your thoughts? Do you NEED a bigger screen smartphone or do you WANT one? If you "need AND want", how big is sufficient? Please share your thoughts.