Could a Smaller Smartphone Help us Unplug?
Tech YouTuber Zack Nelson, known for his popular channel JerryRigEverything, recently shared an fascinating thought: would people spend less time glued to their smartphones if the screens were smaller? In a recent video, he recounted his own attempt to limit smartphone use by switching to Samsung’s Z Flip 5. However, he quickly found that using a smaller screen for work was more of a hassle than he anticipated.
The Concept of the iPhone Ultra Mini
In this latest video, Nelson explores whether there would be demand for a tiny iPhone aimed at those looking to reduce their screen time. He introduces viewers to the “iPhone Ultra Mini,” which is actually just a $59 Android phone designed to resemble Apple’s latest model—only it’s substantially smaller.
“Would you consider buying the iPhone Ultra Mini?” Nelson asks as he prepares to put this tiny device through his well-known durability tests.
Durability Tests: Scratch and Bend
Starting with the scratch test, Nelson points out that at such an affordable price point, one might expect plastic instead of glass. To his surprise, the display holds up well against scratches. “It’s off to a good start with real glass on top,” he remarks.
Though, when he drags his box cutter across other parts of the phone's body, it becomes clear that while the front is glassy and sleek, the sides are made from plastic.
as part of his examination process, nelson opens up the SIM card tray and discovers it can also accommodate an SD memory card. This leads him to comment on modern smartphones: “If this credit card-sized phone can fit both SIM and SD slots inside it without issue, there’s no reason why flagship models shouldn’t include them.” It’s worth noting that Apple has never integrated expandable storage into its iPhones.
Next in line is one of Nelson's signature tests—the flame test—where he applies heat directly onto the TFT LCD screen. A mark appears but vanishes almost instantly once removed from heat exposure.
For another round of testing—the bend test—Nelson applies significant pressure on this small device. Despite some serious force being exerted on it during testing (a fate many phones have not survived), this little gadget remains intact throughout.
At this point in his review process, Nelson highlights that while functional as a basic smartphone with Wi-Fi and 3G capabilities only—it feels more like “a glorified iPod touch.”
A Look Back at apple's Smaller phones
Apple has dabbled in creating compact devices before; notably with its 5.4-inch iPhone mini released back in 2020 as part of its flagship lineup aimed at users who prefer pocket-kind options. Unfortunately for Apple fans hoping for another chance at compactness in their devices due to consistently low sales figures; production ceased in September 2023 without any plans for revival announced thus far.
Nelson's exploration raises questions about our relationship with technology today—is bigger always better? Or could we benefit from downsizing our devices? The idea behind creating something like an “iPhone Ultra Mini” taps into growing concerns over excessive screen time among users everywhere—a topic worth considering as we continue navigating our tech-filled lives daily.
While it's unlikely we'll see such miniature versions hit store shelves anytime soon given market trends favoring larger displays; discussions around usability versus size remain relevant now more than ever!
With all these thoughts swirling around regarding smartphone sizes—and how thay impact our daily habits—it seems there's still much room left open for innovation within mobile technology!
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