One-handed mode is no longer an essential Android feature

One-handed mode is a common feature on large-screen devices and is set to become a core function in Android 12 as well. It’s important for those with a shorter range, especially since the screens of smartphones have grown to just under seven inches. But how many of our readers bother to use the mode?

We recently asked ourselves this question in a survey. Read on for the results!

Are you using one-handed mode on your phone?

Results

We have received more than 4,000 votes for this poll since it was published on August 31st. Just under 78% of those surveyed do not use the one-handed mode on their phone. However, just over 21% of voters say they use the mode.

The balance sheet is a little more one-sided than we thought, but understandable. Gestures, voice assistants and UI design make it easy to switch between tasks, apps and menus. Switching between one-handed mode and using the entire display is likely to be more of a hassle than either using two hands or using the full screen. Of course, those who use smaller devices do not need one-handed mode.

Not every phone brand has a one-handed mode too. Current Google and OnePlus devices don’t have it, so that’s likely part of the voice too.

However, our readers explain their rationale below.

Your results

• Varusal: Most user interfaces these days have gestures like pulling down the status bar, swiping down, etc. If you need to use one-handed mode, you should probably look for a smaller device.
• Ganindu: I use it when I want to do something with my smartphone while I’m eating and hanging on the train and bus. It’s a cool feature.
• Scott: I never understood the practicality Point the “one-handed mode”. We have a quick switch between apps. Why should I want an app so small that I have a few moments while I type a quick answer?
• Cyco: No. I want the empty space at the top of the apps to go away, nothing more.
• Stephan Richardson: My hands are big enough that I don’t need one-handed mode, so no.
• Konstantin Zolotov: No, it doesn’t really help. These giant smartphones are inconvenient to use, regardless of whether the picture is large or small.
• klok worth: No, because when I use navigation gestures, there is no way to activate them
• Techngro: No, I don’t. And considering that my phone has a 6.7 inch screen, that’s a surprise even to me.
• Brian Fowler: No, to the point where I literally don’t know if it’s an option on my phone (LG V60).

That’s it for this poll. Thank you for your votes and comments. If you have any other thoughts on the one-handed mode or the survey results, please leave a comment below.