For instance, would you carry an iPhone the size of a shoebox if the rest of the space was a battery? Would you even be willing to carry one of the 80s phones that had a satchel?

    • hydrashok@sh.itjust.works
      6·
      2 days ago

      In times of old, giant cell phones and lengthy, expressive saxophone interludes it was all anyone ever needed. It even came with a carrying strap for added convenience. Where’s that attention to detail now?

      • Angryhumanoid@fedinsfw.appEnglish
        4·
        2 days ago

        Was the carrying strap in case you needed to perform a lengthy, expressive saxophone interlude WHILE making a phone call?

    • DonkeyStar@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      2 days ago

      Honestly, I was around for that, so I’m a bit shocked by all the people saying current smartphones are already too big.

  • rain_enjoyer@sopuli.xyz
    5·
    2 days ago

    Adding a single layer of 18680 cells to my phone would increase battery capacity six times at cost of extra 300g in weight and +18mm in thickness, perhaps less if we’re removing regular battery and reorganizing internals. This would allow it to be charged every 10-15 days, perhaps more, and it’s still reasonably sized

    Literal brick sized phone would increase battery capacity 30-50x which would be good for charging once per two to three months, that’s probably more than enough, and taking it abroad plane would be prohibited

    Shoebox sized battery pack (33x21x13 cm) would fit 378 18680 cells, which at 18.9kg and 1200€ would be 1320Ah, which should be good for two years or more on a single charge, and it stores more electrical energy than 4kg of TNT releases when exploded

  • WesternInfidels@feddit.onlineEnglish
    4·
    2 days ago

    would you carry an iPhone the size of a shoebox if the rest of the space was a battery?

    “Yeah so our power is out, I had to plug my fridge into the ol’ iPhone to keep it running. That’s why I can’t leave yet.”

  • Zarobi@aussie.zoneEnglish
    3·
    2 days ago

    Really it’s about constraints yeah?

    • Needs to fit in pocket
    • Needs to be convenient to hold up to your face for phone calls
    • Needs to be small enough to be holdable in one hand (highly individual)
    • Needs to be big enough that you can use the touchscreen effectively (highly individual)

    So really you can just use the size of an average pocket and hand as a guide and go from there. Once it stops fitting in pockets and hands, it has to go in the bag, and typing becomes very difficult as you have to prop up the device, which means people won’t use it as much and get annoyed with it.

    If it’s just battery life, you can get bags and such nowadays with convenient rechargable battery packs in them. You don’t need to change the device at all. If you want more screen size as a bigger person, there’s XL versions of phones. Other than that there’s no reason to get a bigger phone

  • MuttMutt@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    2 days ago

    I’m carrying an S26 Ultra and wouldn’t mind if it was 3 times thicker. I regularly carry a Tab S8+ around when I am going to the store so I can look things up or take down ideas.

    I also had one of the Motorola bag phones in the mid 90’s as my emergency car phone.

    Would I carry around a bag phone today… probably not. I haven’t really spoken on the phone since April and it’s been about 2 years since anyone other than my other half has called me but I was tired of the junk calls so I turned off receiving calls from any number not in my contacts list.

  • Gerudo@lemmy.zip
    5·
    2 days ago

    I already hit my limit. I specifically have to look for non-flagship phones to keep it manageable for me. I’m really liking the one Samsung foldable coming that’s the half size, but I can’t bring myself to pay that much. Also Samsung

  • Melobol@lemmy.ml
    5·
    2 days ago

    I still have a laptop on me most of the time. So… at that point there is no reason for a phone being bigger than may laptop.

      • Melobol@lemmy.ml
        3·
        2 days ago

        Depends, If you think Zoom calls same as phone - so conference and such is perfectly fine. Texting is just a short email/dm that you can take your time answering.
        At that point it is just the matter of urgency.
        A 15sec phone call don’t need a laptop.
        And before 2000s we were perfectly fine without those 15sec calls.

        • DonkeyStar@lemmy.worldOP
          3·
          2 days ago

          Interesting. I was thinking of having iMessage/Messages, but I forgot most of the world uses Whatsapp to text, anyway, so that function does exist.

          As far as calls go, I’m surprised by how unappealing the idea was to me. The amount of spam calls I get would probably kill my relationship with computers, honestly. For normal calls, I’d definitely want a headset of some kind rather than built-in mic and speakers, though I suppose a purpose-built laptop would include better audio equipment.

          • Melobol@lemmy.ml
            2·
            2 days ago

            Just the sake of conversation: Phones and cell phones are really different.
            A computer can be used as work phone - during work hours, and for that is perfectly fine. And it would drastically cut back on spam calls.
            At home we had landlines and that was enough to call friends to make appointments and engagements. But these were more planning and not urgent things.
            If you only look at the phone/digital leash aspect - then those mini phones in the early 2000 would suffice.
            If you want the distraction machine aspect, I like to read on my phone and current sizing is fine for it. And for gaming… I think a handheld is better for that.