[bruxis]

I'm not sure why you cite Japan as an outlier regarding size preferences and smaller-than-average hand sizes, which I generally do not believe to be true and could not find any hard data to cite (source: I live there).

Regardless, the iPhone SE did not sell _as_ well in Japan due to a variety of factors, not the least of which being that the iPhone 7 introduced built-in Suica support.

Suica is a mobile cash card technology used at stations for transit, convenience stores and restaurants for purchasing, and vending machines -- among others. Given the lack of support by many credit cards for Apply Pay in Japan (for example, you cannot add a Visa card to your iPhone due to JP-specific Visa restrictions), it's no surprise that this was a major selling point of newer models.

In my opinion, manufacturers have not provided a high-end, small form factor device to sufficiently test the markets. Without doing so, it's too easy for people to make the claim that people have already voted with their wallets for larger phones. I sincerely hope the rumors of a 5.4" iPhone 12 are true (as it should be somewhere between iPhone 5 and 6 form factors, from what I gather).

[rjzzleep]

People have been hoping that Google opts for global NFC capability but Pixel4 disappointed everyone on that regard.

Sony and NTT Docomo have a stranglehold on the Android ecosystem. No JP NFC supporting android phone ever has more than 3 LTE bands. The only unlocked Android phone that isn't crippled is Oppo's Reno A, and that's an expensive middle range Qualcomm SoC, which is slower than Apples 3 year old devices.

Apples iOS presence in Japan is VERY well executed.

For reference:

https://atadistance.net/

https://www.reddit.com/user/FelicaDude/comments/

EDIT: kinda curious why there are so many downvotes. There isn't anything factually wrong about this post.

[fomine3]

There are many unlocked Android phones in Japan that supports more than 3 LTE bands/NFC&Felica. example: AQUOS sense3,

[rjzzleep]

The few Sharp devices that are very expensive for lowrange SoC (QCM630 in late 2019) and one Oppo device isn't exactly the definition of "many".

But you're right I apologize:

The aquos sense3 is device supports 7 Bands. Compare that to most other android devices that have upwards of 20. B1,B2,B4,B8,B5,B9, B28. Personally I don't even understand how as a Japanese you're supposed to travel with these devices. The first device I saw with this kind of connectivity internationally was the Poco F1. Which was a flagship SoC for 300 bucks.

https://www.gsmchoice.com/en/catalogue/sharp/aquossense3plus...

[fomine3]

AQUOS sense3 supports B1/3/5/8/12/17/18/19/39/41.

And You can find more examples via translate: https://kakakumag.com/pc-smartphone/?id=12153

[jaredklewis]

> I'm not sure why you cite Japan as an outlier regarding size preferences and smaller-than-average hand sizes, which I generally do not believe to be true and could not find any hard data to cite (source: I live there).

Human hand size is proportional to height across races, and average height in Japan for male and female is several centimeters shorter than in other markets like the US and Europe. So it would be surprising if the average Japanese hand size was not smaller than the average hand size in US or Europe.

Of course, I have no idea whether that difference would be enough to affect smartphone size preferences.

[psychomugs]

In my time abroad in Japan, I found that bringing a small bag was almost an imperative compared to the US where it still seems taboo. This relaxes the pocketability constraint so bringing a larger phone isn't as big of a deal.

[wyclif]

I get what you're saying because I'm in SE Asia now. Here a lot of men carry small bags. In places like the Philippines men even carry small shoulder bags that are purse size. That's why it's a bit different from the West (especially USA) where most men either carry a bigger bag like a backpack and messenger bag or else no bag at all. The fact that the iPhone SE slips easily into a front jeans pocket is a major convenience in the West.

[mnky9800n]

What? Why is it taboo to have a bag for your stuff?

[SenHeng]

Psycho mugs is probably referring to man-purses when he says bags. Very popular and something many men carry over here.

https://images.app.goo.gl/dWdwN4K1uwNe8DGX6

[L_226]

There is a US version too, you just have to put a pistol in it https://www.511tactical.com/lv6.html /s

[amyjess]

Before I transitioned, I used to carry my stuff around in a camera bag. It was really roomy and didn't carry any of the social stigma messenger bags had at the time.

(and not having to deal with that social stigma anymore was a nice benefit of transitioning...)

[dr_zoidberg]

I wear a jacket with big inside pockets. Works like a charm, frees up pocket space in the pants and I get to carry everything. Been doing that for years now. Way-too-big phones became uncomfortable when sitting in a car or other tight spaces a long time ago.

[brewdad]

What do you do in the summer? I can't do cargo shorts ALL the time.

[vbezhenar]

It's not cool and many people prefer to be like everyone rather than using what's convenient for them.

For example using short dress for men probably is more convenient as it allows better cooling for their genitalia which is important for reproductive function and generally for health. Yet outside of Scotland dresses are not considered an appropriate for men and nobody even dares to use them.

[mkl]

> Yet outside of Scotland dresses are not considered an appropriate for men and nobody even dares to use them.

This may be true of most modern western cultures, but is quite wrong in general: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men's_skirts

[72deluxe]

Nobody in Scotland wears them either TBH! It's cold up there.

[rs23296008n1]

Some would say drafty. Especially without underwear.

[72deluxe]

A good kilt is heavy and warm and if you wear one to a social gathering, it's a hot thing to wear. But wearing it outside is a brave thing to do, particularly in the damp cold air of autumn/winter.

Probably why they have long socks/hose to stop your legs freezing.

[zmix]

Behold! You want us guys to wear man-purses and mini skirts?

[polar]

I don't think many Scots go around wearing kilts all the time. Whereas in walmer climes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mundu and variants exist.

[wyclif]

Never, ever, call a kilt a 'dress' in the presence of a Scotsman.

[Spooky23]

People usually think 80s/90s fanny packs, which look dorky.

Now you have lunatics who feel the need to walk around with loaded pistols, but don't want to have a holster to effectively use it. So you see gun fanny packs in some places.

Looking like a dork or a nut isn't appealing to everyone.

[Holmes]

Sony Xperia compact series are the best versions of this.