The increasingly complex functions of smartphones necessitate larger screens and bigger batteries, while my reliance on Apple's ecosystem has made me overlook foldable phones from other brands.

When Apple released its new ultra-thin iPhone last month, I was instantly intrigued—only to be quickly disappointed. The new model is indeed thinner, but I don’t want a thinner phone; I want a smaller one. And I suspect I’m not alone.

It’s no secret that flagship smartphones from manufacturers are getting bigger. But the disappearance of compact alternatives is a puzzling trend. A vibrant market economy usually excels at catering to diverse consumer needs, from mainstream to niche. So why can’t capitalism satisfy the demand for smaller phones, even if enthusiasts like me are in the minority?

We once had a powerful ally—Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who mocked the idea of large smartphones in 2010, saying, "You can’t even hold it" and "No one’s going to buy that." In 2012, Apple’s iPhone 5 ad showcased the ease of using a 4-inch screen with just one thumb—calling it a "dazzling display of common sense."

Times have changed. My iPhone 13 mini has a 5.4-inch screen, and its battery life is rapidly declining. But Apple has already discontinued this model, and I haven’t found another phone of similar quality and size. Consumer magazine *Which?* noted that it hasn’t reviewed any phone with a screen smaller than 6.1 inches since 2022. A survey of 1,000 readers revealed that my dissatisfaction, while a minority view, isn’t negligible: 33% complained about the general trend of oversized smartphones, while 19% felt the same about their own devices.

I’ve met many men who dislike large smartphones, but for women, the inconvenience is compounded by tiny pockets. Digital publication *The Pudding* measured pockets from 20 popular U.S. jeans brands and found that women’s pockets are, on average, 48% shorter and 6.5% narrower than men’s. In other words, women today live in a world where phone makers assume our hands are as big as bear paws, while jeans makers think they’re as small as pixie hands.

So why do large screens dominate? Partly because our relationship with smartphones has evolved. Phones now serve as maps, computers, cameras, flashlights, newspapers, gaming consoles, wallets, and TVs—many of which work better on a bigger display. While I prefer using a laptop or TV for some functions, not everyone owns multiple devices—especially in large markets like China and India.

Carolina Milanesi, a tech analyst at Creative Strategies, points to technical constraints: since we now use feature-packed phones constantly, batteries must be larger to last all day. High-quality cameras also require space. Given these trends, analysts say it’s commercially illogical for manufacturers to prioritize smaller alternatives. My iPhone 13 mini, for instance, didn’t sell particularly well compared to Apple’s larger models.

Ben Wood, an analyst at CCS Insight, explains: "Manufacturers acknowledge there’s demand for smaller phones, but the market isn’t big enough to justify the costs."

Still, there’s innovation. Some brands, like Samsung and Motorola, have introduced foldable phones that compact into smaller sizes. But this highlights the final reason capitalism fails me: I’m not behaving like an ideal free-market consumer. Instead of exploring alternatives, I’m entrenched in Apple’s ecosystem, where all devices sync seamlessly, making me reluctant to switch.

According to CCS Insight’s survey of consumers in the UK, Germany, Spain, and the U.S., 58% of smartphone users wouldn’t consider switching brands, and that figure rises to 72% among iPhone users. Wood calls the iPhone the "Hotel California" of smartphones—once you check in, it’s hard to leave.

"Do you have an Apple Watch?" he asked me. "I do," I replied. "Then you’re done. You’ll take that iPhone to your grave."

Perhaps it’s time for a new strategy. If smartphones won’t shrink, maybe we should campaign for bigger pockets for women. Image credit: Getty Images