Being an iPhone + Watch + AirPods user I can say the exact opposite. The Watch is the perfect iPhone companion but it can’t replace it. Its screen is so small it makes me want to complete interactions as quick as possible. I love leaving the iPhone at home when I go for a walk and still listening music and podcasts, but it’s something that requires minimal interactions. Receiving notifications is great, but replying? terrible.
Imho Apple should be a bit braver when designing the Watch UI. Put an always accessible now playing widget, let apps create more complex widget etc. (but still, I am thinking about glanceable informations or single tap actions).
And I didn’t mention the fact the iPhone has cameras and it’s not physically attached to you.
For people who want to use phone less (no social media etc, like what I'm doing now HNing at breakfast) Watch alone could replace the phone function (can call, take calls, message) and a couple other devices (map, audio player) completely.
This is funny. I am yet to meet a single person with a max-size iPhone, and I met plenty iphone users in the past 4 years. People with little money can't justify the upgrade, people with money don't need to play silly games or watch TV shows on the go when they have iPads, iMacs and comfort of their home/car/private office. So I don't think screen size matters.
But using watch for everything is not about screen size. It's about eliminating circumstances that perpetuate bad habits. Like yoga and meditation and other self-care this is only on an upwards trend, there is a huge unexplored market where people could literally do all things they used to have multiple devices for just with their watch without being tempted to get dopamine rush in toxic social media everywhere they go, and handling the productive stuff on their tablet or laptop. The only reason it's not explored is bc Apple wants to sell more devices with screens.
I am yet to meet a single person with a max-size iPhone
Well, I agree there. It seems like they are mostly owned by people who carry purses because they are too big for pockets. But it is also true that you almost never see people with smaller SE iPhones or mini Android phones.
The overwhelming preference is not "the biggest screen possible" but is clearly "the biggest screen you can reasonably fit into a pants pocket."
Like yoga and meditation and other self-care this is
only on an upwards trend
That's a funny observation. What it really highlights to me is how personal peoples' preferences are here.
To me a smartwatch is way more intrusive than a smartphone. It's something that's always on my wrist, always on my body. Versus a smartphone which I can mute and leave in my pocket where it doesn't really tempt me.
But, I must stress, I realize this is personal and others might find the opposite to be true. Above all else I am glad that folks are considering what's best for their mental health.
Watch can be intrusive, then you silence it. You can't do much with it except all that matters (emergency calls or messages, music, audiobooks, podcasts).
You can mute the phone but you still know you have a (toxic social media) dopamine dose and whole portable office in your pocket. I type this on a phone during breakfast again, if I didn't have a phone I wouldn't be doing it.
Good habits are as much about putting yourself into situations where you are not tempted as they are about willpower
And I didn’t mention the fact the iPhone has cameras and it’s not physically attached to you.