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Original poster

To be so frustrated that mobile manufacturers seem to ignore women

119 replies

SavannahHannah · 27/10/2025 17:51

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!

OP posts:
Somersetbaker · 27/10/2025 20:24

If they can make phones small enough to be shoved up the arse to be smuggled into prisons, why can't they make ones usable for most of the population who don't give a shit about you-tube and instagram, but want to make calls and send a few texts? Most of the apps are rubbish, if I need to check my bank balance when I'm out something has gone badly wrong.

SunsetInToulouse · 27/10/2025 20:32

I have the same complaint, drives me mad every time I get a new phone. I had several versions of the Sony Xperia compact before they stopped making them, then moved to the ZenFone 8 which was the smallest I could find at the time. Maybe try looking at the Asus ZenFone 10?

Mirrorxxx · 27/10/2025 20:32

I agree. Last year I got a new phone and it’s huge. It was the smallest I could find but it’s stull much bigger than my old one. I have dropped it multiple times and broken quite a few screen protectors as it just doesn’t fit in my hand

modgepodge · 27/10/2025 20:39

m00rfarm · 27/10/2025 20:02

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.

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Thanks for the tip! When my mini finally gives up I will look at the 16.

DMCWelshcakes · 27/10/2025 20:40

Samsung Galaxy flip phone here with a pop socket attached to it because I have child sized hands and all the other phones are too frigging big.

GagMeWithASpoon · 27/10/2025 20:45

m00rfarm · 27/10/2025 20:02

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.

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Ohh, will keep that in mind when it’s time to change.

burnoutbabe · 27/10/2025 21:30

BerryTwister · 27/10/2025 19:02

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 same issue.
i love my 2020 se (though coming up for 2nd battery change) and i don’t want anything that isn’t an iPhone now but I want it small. It’s annoying!

TheeNotoriousPIG · 27/10/2025 21:35

My phone is a giant. I did not realise this when I ordered it urgently, after my last one had a terrible accident at work. According to my manager, I should have my phone on me at ALL TIMES, just in case he should happen to want me for something. He does not understand the lack of pockets for women, or that if I stuffed it in my bra, I'd probably need to go up several cup sizes on one side...

Due to a lack of available pocket space, I have now upgraded (?) to what the Americans charmingly call a "fanny pack" for work. Astonishingly, I can fit my phone in it comfortably, along with an amazing amount of other useful work things! It just looks deeply unstylish, but it's very practical... and at least it's not as bad as wearing crocs and socks (in my eyes, anyway)!

FrippEnos · 27/10/2025 21:38

modgepodge · 27/10/2025 18:20

The data doesn’t suggest this is the case though. Apple stopped making minis as they didn’t sell well. though, that could because the smaller battery is crap. Mine has to be charged multiple times throughout the day at 3 years old, even when I’m not really using it.

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Just because the data suggests that people want large phones doesn't mean that everybody wants larger phones.
It also doesn't explain why Samsung are making folding phones.
Some people clearly would like smaller phones so that they are easier to use and carry.
Some people want bigger screens to watch movies, tiktok and youtube on.

TheBlueHotel · 27/10/2025 21:41

I use a pop socket superglued to the back of a case and it works perfectly. Never drop my phone, can operate it with one hand if I need to.

ntmdino · 27/10/2025 21:45

FrippEnos · 27/10/2025 21:38

Just because the data suggests that people want large phones doesn't mean that everybody wants larger phones.
It also doesn't explain why Samsung are making folding phones.
Some people clearly would like smaller phones so that they are easier to use and carry.
Some people want bigger screens to watch movies, tiktok and youtube on.

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While this is true...people do generally want a decent number of pixels on the screen, given that most modern content requires it.

The problem there is that to put that many pixels on a smaller screen is very expensive, and a smaller phone that's more expensive than its larger counterpart is a really tough sell, especially when it would also be less powerful due to the size vs heat constraints because...well, physics.

Folding phones are, largely (sorry), a novelty. The central fold is really annoying in use to a lot of people, and there's very little data on the longevity of these things that cost over a grand.

That's not to write off the requirement, but I'm just saying it's not as simple as "make big phone small". It would likely be near-flagship prices for mid-range performance, and almost nobody would buy it on that basis alone.

Katflapkit · 27/10/2025 21:52

MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 27/10/2025 18:08

No, it is a thing, they’re was a book out about it a few years ago. Just about everything is designed for the male frame, including vital safety equipment like seat belts; and yes, phones.

However, phone handsets are not likely to get much bigger, or they will be too large for the average male hand. And we can’t have that, can we?

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The book was Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men. By Caroline Criado-Perez

SummerFeverVenice · 27/10/2025 21:55

modgepodge · 27/10/2025 18:00

I absolutely agree but no one else in real life seems to be bothered. I have an iPhone 13 mini which is on its last legs and no new iPhones are made in that size. I’m resigned to my next phone being far too big.

This mine is an iPhone 12 mini. I wish they’d do another small phone.
They are all too big!
I was hoping the trend of children age 10 and up getting smart phones would mean smaller sized phones but nope, no luck.

:(

FieryA · 27/10/2025 21:57

Samsung Flip 7 is great. A lot of functions can be completed from the small front screen itself. My mom loves hers and she has small, dainty hands.

lamamo · 27/10/2025 21:59

YES YES YES. I have bags in my hands sometime or am holding on to a train pole and need to use my phone but it's too big for me to use it one handed.

MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 27/10/2025 22:05

ThroughTheForestUpTheHill · 27/10/2025 18:14

The book 'Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men' by Caroline Criado-Perez is an eye-opening read. It goes way beyond mobile phones, it looks at our whole social, urban and commercial structures, and how so much is designed by and for men. A fascinating read.

This is the book I was referring to in my post, couldn’t remember the name - so thank you @ThroughTheForestUpTheHill.

MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 27/10/2025 22:05

And thank you @Katflapkit!

TwinklyStork · 27/10/2025 22:05

Popsockets help with the dropping, but don't do anything for being able to operate it with one hand. My thumb isn't long enough to reach the left hand side of the screen, despite having hypermobility and being able to sublux my thumbs at will, but it's a trade off because I prefer the bigger screen.

DeathMetalMum · 27/10/2025 22:07

I have a Google pixel 9a it's just useable with one hand though it is half an inch wider than the length of my thumb. I missed out on the slightly smaller 8a as my contract wasn't quite finished. It was the smallest phone available other than iPhone. Samsung's which I have used previously seem to be huge. A flip phone is out of my budget and also concerned with screen issues.

Agapornis · 27/10/2025 22:34

I also have a Pixel (9), it was the smallest good phone available at the time. I want to be able to use my phone with one hand, and reach the top of the screen without needing a second hand. Unfortunately it hasn't passed that test and it's still too big. I'd like a phone that's 0.5 cm more narrow, and 5 cm shorter. And a bit thinner and lighter too.

I wonder whether there's been any research on phone RSI in men v women?

pinkpony88 · 27/10/2025 22:58

modgepodge · 27/10/2025 18:00

I absolutely agree but no one else in real life seems to be bothered. I have an iPhone 13 mini which is on its last legs and no new iPhones are made in that size. I’m resigned to my next phone being far too big.

Same happened to me. I had the mini which I loved but now have a bigger iPhone I need two hands to use 😣

PrimSec · 27/10/2025 23:22

I’ve been saying this for years. Hung on to my old iPhone as long as I could, but dropped it and had to move on to a mini. Had to buy second hand because the last one (13) is already out of production. Dreading the day that one dies.

I had some issues that caused me to talk to a hand surgeon recently. I made my usual comment about phone size and how I didn’t understand why this wasn’t causing people issues with their hands. He confirmed it’s indeed a problem and keeping him in business…

CuriousKangaroo · 27/10/2025 23:26

modgepodge · 27/10/2025 18:00

I absolutely agree but no one else in real life seems to be bothered. I have an iPhone 13 mini which is on its last legs and no new iPhones are made in that size. I’m resigned to my next phone being far too big.

I’m in the same boat. I don’t need the functions that a larger phone offers/requires. I just want an iPhone that I can hold and use with one hand as it’s safer as well as more comfortable. So I am persevering with this model even though it no longer takes charge through the port and sometimes struggles to connect to wi-fi quickly. It’s so frustrating!

purpleme12 · 27/10/2025 23:49

I have a Moto g55 5g
I can operate it with one hand. And the camera with one hand too (selfie style and normal style). Because you can also set it so you can touch anywhere on screen to take the photo.
I have child size hands too.
And it fits in my pockets.
I always buy Motorola