To be so frustrated that mobile manufacturers seem to ignore women

[SavannahHannah]

I want a phone I can hold and operate in one hand. Finding one these days is just impossible! I'm not in the market for a iPhone, I just want a not-too-fancy android phone. I'm happy to buy second hand if the battery is decent, but it feels like I'm looking for a unicorn!

All the ones I have tried are just too big. Too big to hold, to fit in a pocket, to operate the camera with one hand. It is so frustrating!

I know cameras have got big because video is such an important medium, but how many more women break or drop their phones because they just aren't made to fit their needs?

It seems such an obviously, overlooked area of the market.

If anyone has any non iPhone suggestions, I'd be really grateful!

Pixel 8 is smaller than the Pixel 7. I hoped they might shrink the non pro models slightly smaller but it seems they're getting bigger again. I can just about use mine one handed, and I'd prefer something slightly smaller but this was the least worst option at the time.

Hard agree OP. I too have an iPhone mini and do t want to change to a bigger phone that hurts my hands

Oh I have literally just read a part in a book about this very problem.

The book is called Invisible Women and yes we have been left out.

There are so many aspects to this that I can’t do justice but there’s an assumption from apple that women keep their phones in a handbag so aren’t worried about pockets.

we struggle to take a photo with one hand on an iPhone so in time sensitive situations we’re disadvantaged.

it’s shocking and fascinating at the same time. I’d really recommend the book.

amzn.eu/d/9Aoz8GK

I have a Fair phone, and small hands, and it does the job.

They are also repairable yourself, no conflict minerals or child labour, and very durable.

I've used my pixel 5 (6 inch screen) to the point of failure (battery now overheats) and I'm going to miss it's small size.

That is why I won't retire my iPhone 8 until it dies (which may be soon). I am a short person with small hands etc, these big enormous phones fill me with fear because I'd be dropping them.

I still miss being able to type long essays on the number pad with one thumb, without looking! But cope ok with my Samsung S, I do most things one handed like unlock, pay, take photos etc. You can just double-click the power key to open the camera and then you can use the volume key to take pictures, or even set it to respond to "smile", or "cheese" etc! Which FYI is a godsend when you're on a camel... There's also a swipe-up function which means you can easily pay for stuff one-handed. And I've never ever broken or even noticeably scratched the screen on a Samsung, despite not using a screen protector.

Still have to use two hands to type though, and I'm significantly slower and more error-prone than I ever was with my thumb :(

I need a new phone at some point to replace my iPhone SE and I really don't want to! I don't care about videos and spreadsheets, I do care about putting my phone in my (tiny, womanly) pockets.

Yes! I complaint every time it's time to renew. It's impossible to get a newer phone that is same or smaller them my previous phone. Current phone is a pixel 8a and it was 'only' 6mm longer then my old one but also much heavier. DH doesn't understand it and I'm tired of explaining that 6mm bigger every 2-3 years adds up!!

I'm tall with big hands for a woman but the last two phones I couldnt use with one hand. I remember how valuable it was while my children were babies and I had one arm trapped under a feeding/sleeping baby, to be able to text/game/browse 1 handed.

If nothing else I'm surprised that someone hasn't seen a gap in the market and make a smaller model maybe with fewer features if needed. I wouldn't mind personally and I know there is a market for a simpler model (e.g. for children or my mum) anyway so shocked the big brands haven't seen this.

Female and I’ve just ordered the new 17 pro max. My current phone is also a pro max. I prefer bigger phones.

Yes I have an iPhone mini for this reason. Will be keeping it until it’s no longer viable to run as it fits in one hand nicely and all bags

I love my Google pixel phone, small enough for me to use one handed. Nice to use and has an amazing camera

UX researcher. Everyone wants long battery life, and big batteries are - big. Bane of my life to try to make the things smaller, and then everyone (loads of women included)in research groups says they would never buy them as the battery doesn’t last, the screen is too small and the camera not big enough- and its too expensive.
I would love to create a small phone with a big screen and battery, long battery life, a replaceable battery and a reasonable price, but unfortunately the laws of physics say no…..

I have Samsung galaxy s20. That's fine for me to hold and use in one hand.

It could equally be argued that manufacturers aren't taking men's needs into consideration because of the likelihood that women would use a handbag whilst men shove phones in their pockets at risk of getting scratched or cracked.

People use phones with one hand???
Mindblown!

Admittedly I have small hands. Bloody nuisence for opening jars and lifting weights. I could lift heavier if I could actually get my hands around the bloody handles to grip the things.

Mine is a pro max. I much prefer bigger phones, I spend a lot of time on mine (do
practically everything on it) and a smaller screen just doesn’t work for me. It still fits fine in most of my pockets if need be.

I have man-sized hands yet I have the same struggle.

So either my hands aren't quite so manly as thought, or men have this trouble too.

I’m the same. I keep buying second hand iPhone SEs, but of course the batteries don’t last long, and now I’m finding there are several apps I can’t get on it (Nat west for example). But I want a small phone, as I hold my phone in my hand when I’m running, and my hands are small. I honestly don’t know how young people manage, their phones are often not much smaller than my iPad!

I have a Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s for this exact reason. Really compact compared to other phones. Easy to use and only paid £30.

same! I hate that it is so clearly not designed for my hands. It is infuriating really, watching the same phone in mans hands, the workflow is much smoother. I wish I could vote with my wallet and buy a slimmer version

Thank you for the explanation.

Another recommendation for a Pop Socket. I couldn't be without mine now. I have it stuck to the case not the actual phone and it it's brilliant.

I would like my nokia 3330 really but stupid work want me to check emails and I often get lost so need maps.

Although I sometimes wish I could get lost a bit now and again

I loved my 13 mini and have bought the 16 and it is really not that much bigger when you use it. The camera is way better and generally it is a better phone and much longer battery life. It is a little bit longer, but I got used to it in about 2 days which surprised me. Weight difference was not noticeable.