New Delhi, April 22
More than eight in 10 (88 per cent) consumers in India are likely to purchase a compact smartphone if it delivers flagship-level performance, with more than half of the respondents not willing to compromise on processor performance and battery life when purchasing a compact smartphone, a report showed on Tuesday.
Counterpoint Research’s latest report in India highlights a strong preference for compact smartphones (74 per cent), yet 68 per cent of the respondents believe the market currently offers limited choices in this form factor.
Consumers expect feature parity in compact devices. The primary challenges users encounter with large-screen smartphones include difficulty in operating the device with one hand and maintaining a secure grip, and an increased risk of accidental drops, according to the report.
As a result, one-handed usability is considered a very important factor by respondents, with ease of holding and one-handed use (55 per cent) being the main reasons for their preference for compact smartphones over larger ones.
This is followed by greater comfort during extended use (49 per cent). A whopping 71 per cent of the respondents also want a good in-hand feel, while 69 per cent pay attention to the look and feel of the smartphone when making the purchase decision.
“Consumers want compact devices without compromising on core features like processor performance and battery life. Many of the consumers who are approaching their upgrade cycles are now leaning towards compact smartphones. This shift is driven by the desire for more comfortable, long-term use,†said Counterpoint Research Director, Tarun Pathak.
However, the availability of compact yet powerful options in the market still remains limited, he added.
Consumers prefer Apple, Samsung and OnePlus for their next compact smartphone purchase, without compromising on features.
Given that 73 per cent of the respondents emphasise the importance of comfortable one-handed use, a 6-to-6.5-inch display is seen as the ideal size for a compact smartphone by 60 per cent of them, said the Counterpoint report in collaboration by OnePlus.
With the rise of casual mobile gaming, 86 per cent of the respondents show a preference for compact smartphones to enhance their gaming experience.
“Consumers are increasingly seeking compact smartphones that provide a seamless and comfortable one-handed experience for use cases like taking selfies, typing messages and gaming,†said senior research analyst Arushi Chawla.
—IANS
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally someone said it! I'm so tired of these giant phones that barely fit in my pocket. Been using an iPhone mini for 2 years and it's perfect 👌 Hope more brands follow Apple's lead.
Interesting report but I think 6-6.5 inches is still too big to be called "compact". My ideal would be under 5.8 inches. The market really needs more options in that size range.
As someone with small hands, this resonates so much! I've dropped my current phone at least 5 times because it's too big to grip properly. Manufacturers please take note ðŸ™
I disagree slightly - while compact phones are great, battery life always suffers. My friend has a small flagship and is constantly charging it. I'll stick with my 6.7" phone that lasts all day!
The gaming stat surprised me! I thought bigger screens were better for gaming. But I guess comfort matters more for casual gamers like me who play during commute. Makes sense!
Yes! Compact phones FTW! My current phone is so big I can't even use it while holding my baby. Ready to upgrade as soon as a good compact Android option launches 🤞
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