Tech fans got an eyeful of some monstrous mobiles at Mobile World Congress this year as Samsung, LG, HTC and Panasonic whipped their huge handhelds out in a big blower phone-off. I got my hands on the lot of them to see how they measure up and perform in this video.
Giant phones aren't for everyone -- they won't slip easily into a pocket and are eye-wateringly expensive. But if you've got flapping great meat-plates for hands, a commute long enough to watch an entire box-set and a hankering to show off your pocket-bulge, then you'll be interested in the behemoth rivals that mobile makers unboxed at MWC.
The benchmark is the Samsung Galaxy Note, which started the trend for phones to go large when it launched last year. The phone-cum-mini-tablet has a massive 5.3-inch screen, boasting a resolution of 1,280x800 pixels at 285 pixels per inch (ppi). It also has a powerful dual-core 1.4GHz chip and an 8-megapixel camera, with onboard storage of 16GB, and microSD card expansion of up to 32GB.
While the Note is the incumbent king of king-size, make sure you get a load of the emerging competition in this video before splashing your cash, as I get hands-on with three enormo-phone alternatives.
First up is the ludicrously wide LG Optimus Vu. It has a 5-inch screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio so it looks more like a miniature ebook reader than a phone. Resolution is 1024x768 pixels, giving it a ppi count of 256. Inside is a 1.5GHz dual-core chip and on the back is an 8-megapixel camera. There's a whopping 32GB of onboard storage. What's more, the Vu runs the latest version of Google's Android operating system, Ice Cream Sandwich.
Panasonic may not be the biggest name in phones but it unveiled a corking porker in Barcelona -- the Panasonic Eluga Power, a 5-inch giant that packs in an HD screen with 294ppi. That makes it even crisper than the Galaxy Note. Under the hood is a 1.5GHz dual-core chip and around the back is an 8-megapixel camera.
There's a mere 8GB of internal storage but you can expand it up to 32GB via the microSD card slot. It's also enabled with contactless near field communication (NFC), which means it's ready for making swipe payments in shops when this tech becomes more widespread. The Eluga Power is waterproof and dustproof too.
Lastly, I eyed up the humungous HTC One X. While it's the biggest phone in HTC's new One Series, it's nonetheless the smallest of the four enormo-phones with only a 4.7-inch screen.
The One X has a quad-core-plus-one chip inside, making it a true beast of a handset. It also has the same HD screen resolution as the Eluga Power so it's gloriously crisp and bright. And you get 32GB of onboard space -- plus 25GB of free cloud storage from Dropbox -- although there's no microSD slot for further expansion. The One X runs Ice Cream Sandwich, and is skinned with the latest version of HTC's Sense software.
So which comes first in the big phone-off? HTC's One X may have the smallest screen but it packs the biggest engine -- and a lot more besides. In any case, it gets my vote as I can just about clutch it without getting wrist-ache. Bravo HTC.
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Comments 8
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anonymous 6 March, 2012 16:52
mobiles are meant for their portability but samsung lead a wrong way to manufacturers.
htc is doing well in this aspect.
samsung dont ruin your tab market
anonymous 6 March, 2012 21:16
I don't see why people think the Samsung Galaxy Note is too big. I've had one since launch and, although I am tall (I'm not big though, just over 6' with average sized hands), I think it's a perfect size for a phone which wants to be used as a multimedia device.
Since using it, I find other phones are just too uncomfortable and slippery for my hands (I had HTC Desire Z, slide out keyboard kept it a comfortable size) and watching videos on other phones is just terrible in comparison. I'll be sticking to big phones from now on. Well done to Samsung, I say, for establishing a market which should be recognised. :)
anonymous 7 March, 2012 01:58
HTC One X will be the reference from now on. Phone of 2012. it is very intelligent from HTC, it seems they have the right kind of advice from the market. It is fast, full of specs, good camera, good interface, good battery, good quality finishing, and most important, it has a correct screen size. No one can complain, it is neither too big, nor small. When you hold it in one hand, it doesnt seem odd. Bravo HTC. Now also bring the prices a bit down so people can really benefit from this beautiful device.
anonymous 7 March, 2012 02:04
I really don't understand why your going on about the size of the phone, their foot print is only marginally larger than the sg2 or some 4inch screened phones. you making it sound like a bad thing, I gotta say its much better than having what seems now a pathetically small 3.5 inch screen on say... hmmm... any iphone.
anonymous 7 March, 2012 09:55
I purchased a Galaxy Note and returned it within a few days. Not comfortable to hold or use, the stylus is pointless, Samsungs UI spoils Android and as a whole package it's just not 'right'. Was mighty relieved to secure a full refund on it thanks to purchasing online.
Naryan 7 March, 2012 10:18
I really, really don't like the way these different companies feel the need to ruin Android with their own little skins and designs and icons. It destroys the feel of the operating system and makes updating the software take months.
As for the phones themselves being too big, I think people are just looking for something to complain about. The sizes of the phones are fine provided they can fit in your pocket and you can hold them in one hand... which you can.
Ryan Simmons 13 March, 2012 00:54
"...thanks to it's 4.3 inch screen aspect ratio..."
Wat :V
anonymous 20 March, 2012 12:31
HTC- the manufacturer of made bulky phones once but, still they were ergonomic. now, their trademark ergonomics + slim design,