Scale drawings with the Note 4 superimposed over the 6 Plus. Keep in mind that the Note 4 screen falls a bit lower than the 6 Plus, so the screen size difference at the bottom is actually a bit smaller than it appears.
...which shows a bigger difference than the original side by side you posted. To me the difference is pretty considerable when taking into account the larger screen. When comparing to a device with an identical screen size like the G3 you can see the real difference in overall size. The difference is huge. Apple really should have sacrificed their trademark design to make the device have a more ergonomic and pocket-able form factor. Maybe with the 7 plus they will.
The difference in screen size between the 6 Plus and Note 4 is .2". The difference in height between the 6 Plus and LG G3 is less than .5". Those aren't compelling reasons for Apple to eliminate a popular function like the fingerprint scanner. All three of these phones are very large, and are mainly for people trying to squeeze out some tablet style functionality in their phone. If your main issue is ergonomics or size in pocket, you're not going to buy any of these phones anyway.
I disagree. Surely there is an upper desirable limit to all dimensions for any portable device. The closer you get or the further you surpass that limit the more users you isolate, leaving them to go with a device smaller than they would like. Additionally, the whole point of these devices is larger screen size - so screen to body ratio is very important in getting the largest screen possible to the most users without it being a sacrifice in other areas for them. The problem for me is the trickle down effect these devices seem to be having. Most models of phones have been shifting towards taller being okay since the iPhone 6/6+ launch. Apple having caught up to the size trend are now once again leading the way for form factor, but it is pushing users like myself towards smaller (iphone 6 sized) devices or at least greatly reducing the models we have to select from at the size we prefer for what I see as no good reason.
Nobody has more difficulty holding a phone that's the same width but .46" taller. What's difficult is manipulating things on screen with one hand...and the LG G3 doesn't have a smaller screen, so you can't claim it's easier to operate in that regard. It's the same width. It has the same size screen. There's no advantage ergonomically. Like I said, people who want the easiest ergonomic experience aren't going to buy the Plus, the Note 4, or the G3.
Balancing a taller phone in one hand while still being able to press the bottom buttons is harder. It is the main reason I do not want a taller phone. Bottom buttons lower = your hand has to be lower down. Couple that with a taller top bezel = more weight to tip the phone at the top where you aren't supporting it. Also, the width is not the same - 3mm can make a noticeable difference at this size. That said, yes, these are all two handed phones, but the G3 is small enough for some people to use with one hand where those same people would find the 6 plus harder. Alternatively, other devices like the Note 4 give a larger screen in a similar area which is the whole point of these devices; as big of a screen as possible while still having a useable sized phone. On top of that didn't cmdr say at the start of the thread that he uses his on speaker only because of the size. Maybe a G3 sized device would be just small enough not to tip the scales over the edge for phone use. I doubt it would for me, but maybe to some people it would make the difference.
You're forgetting that the 6 Plus is thinner and lighter than the G3. There's nothing easier about gripping or balancing the G3.
I'll blame that on Google's shoddy search engine. It gives the iPhone 6 weight when you type in iPhone 6 Plus. So, yes, the iPhone 6 Plus is .3 mm wider, .77 oz heavier, and 1.8 mm thinner…which means the most noticeable difference between the two is going to be the thickness of the G3.
I'm just going to chime in and say you'll feel it in the exact order listed... width, weight, height.
Well that obviously depends on the differences. Width is very important and with a difference of 3.2mm (not sure where alterego got .3mm from - dimensions from phonearena are in the original pic I posted) that would definitely be the biggest difference and where any improvement from Apple would be the most welcome. Weight matters quite a bit but it depends on how the person uses the device. What I'm getting at is that extra weight plus height makes a device harder to handle. Couple this with having button/s at the bottom of the device rather than on screen and you are forced to hold the device quite low down when using it for anything other than a phone call. For my use this makes the phone prone to tipping when using one handed. Sure, with two handed use which these phones are designed for this doesn't matter so much, height+weight still hampers useability to some extent though.Also there are many one handed phones guilty of being taller than they need to be because of other phone designs making it seem like height is not something phone designs need to work on reducing. I disagree. Thickness helps make the device seem modern and less bulky. 7.9mm is not really all that thin considering the other dimensions all being so large. It's definitely thin enough until you put a case on it. I know I'm being overly ocd about all this. My use case is definitely not everyones use case. For me, a modern smart phone should: - have as large a screen as possible while still being comfortably useable one handed - feel relatively thin, reasonably light and as grippy as possible without being a pain to pocket Things like on screen buttons facilitate a larger screen by reducing reach and allowing you to hold the phone closer to centre. Slimmer side bezels also help a lot with reach. A shorter, lighter and more grippy device makes it easier to hold the phone where you need to for whatever particular task while still feeling like you have a firm hold on it. Thickness also helps, but it's not just in the numbers. Devices with a curved back can certainly have a nicer hold than a flat uniformly thinner device. I'm so lost as to what my next phone purchase will be. I want the best form factor first and formost. But whenever a particular brand offers a great form factor they either move away from it or just make their new devices larger because phablets. I can't buy the old devices because they are just too old and had other huge drawbacks even for their time (battery, camera, screen, other options etc). PS. Sorry for the thread hijack. I might make my own rant thread about all this when I will be looking for a new phone. I bet everyone can't wait but sorry, you'll just have to.