How to compare phone sizes before you buy
A spec sheet might say 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm, but that is hard to picture. This guide shows how to turn those numbers into something you can judge before you spend money.
The three numbers that matter
Height decides how deep a phone sits in a pocket and how far your thumb must travel to reach the top. Width has the biggest effect on one-handed comfort and grip. Thickness changes how a phone feels in a slim pocket. Weight is a separate number and is not covered by size.
Screen size is not body size
Screen size is the diagonal of the display in inches. It does not tell you the size of the phone. Two phones with the same screen size can differ by several millimetres in body size because of bezels, corner curves and frame design, so always compare the body measurements in millimetres.
Compare against the phone you already own
The easiest way to judge a new phone is to compare it with your current one. Differences of one or two millimetres are hard to feel. A difference of five millimetres in width is easy to notice. Use the size tool to overlay your phone and the new one on the same grid.
Check cases and accessories
Cases and screen protectors are made for exact models. Even when two phones look the same size, camera cut-outs and button positions can differ. If you plan to reuse a case, compare the exact model numbers, not just the sizes.
See it at true size
Switch the tool to Life size and calibrate it, and the outlines match real-world millimetres. Then you can hold your phone against the screen. Our true size guide explains how.
Quick checklist
- Compare height, width and thickness in millimetres, not screen inches.
- Pay most attention to width if you use your phone one-handed.
- Check that the exact model name matches before buying a case.
- Overlay the new phone on your current one to see the real difference.