Phones - best for maps and photos?

Kanga

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Time of past OR future Camino

Francés x 5, Le Puy x 2, Arles, Tours, Norte, Madrid, Via de la Plata, Portuguese, Primitivo

• Today at 2:34 AM

• #1

I'm looking at a new phone and trying to decide between getting the maximum size or a smaller one - any thoughts? I find it increasingly difficult to see a small screen. I do want to use the phone for gps tracks and maps but I don't like the weight of the larger phones.

 

Dani7

Stop wishing, start doing.

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

CF 2023 from Bayonne.
2026…a long walk

• Today at 3:01 AM

• #2

In 2023 I upgraded my iPhone 12 for a 14 Pro Max. Used for my camino and photos, kindle Brierly guide, google maps etc worked like a charm. The change from. 6.1 in screen to 6.7 in was worth the size change. A few pics taken on that adventure.

 

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Kanga

Veteran Member

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Time of past OR future Camino

Francés x 5, Le Puy x 2, Arles, Tours, Norte, Madrid, Via de la Plata, Portuguese, Primitivo

• Today at 3:03 AM

• #3

Thank you @Dani7 that's helpful

 

trecile

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Various routes 2016 - 2024

• Today at 3:20 AM

• #4

When I switched to a larger phone it took me about one day to get used to the size and weight, and I absolutely love having a larger screen for reading, maps, photos, etc.

 

Mycenius

New Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés 2026

• Today at 3:24 AM

• #5

Just need to keep in consideration the weight (especially if you may be holding it in your hand a lot)

Using @Dani7's post as the start for example:

MODEL	SCREEN​	WEIGHT​	GRAMS PER INCH
iPhone 12 (base model)	6.1″​	164 grams​	26.89
iPhone 14 Pro Max	6.7″​	240 grams​	35.82
iPhone 16 (base model)	6.1″​	170 grams​	27.87
iPhone 16 Pro Max (latest model)	6.9″​	227 grams​	32.90
	​	​

 

C clearly

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Staff member

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Time of past OR future Camino

Most years since 2012

• Today at 3:38 AM

• #6

I definitely wouldn't trade in my large phone for a smaller one, to save 100 g!

 

Mycenius

New Member

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Time of past OR future Camino

Francés 2026

• Today at 3:40 AM

• #7

C clearly said:

I definitely wouldn't trade in my large phone for a smaller one, to save 100 g!

Click to expand...

Me neither but if someone is older and/or has smaller or frail hands it might be a consideration...?

 

Dani7

Stop wishing, start doing.

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

CF 2023 from Bayonne.
2026…a long walk

• Today at 3:52 AM

• #8

Mycenius said:

Me neither but if someone is older and/or has smaller or frail hands it might be a consideration...?

Click to expand...

I have arthritis in both hands and I am older but loved the bigger phone. Clearly a personal choice. The added weight was not an issue…and looks like my next camino will be with a 6.9 inch phone.

 

Sirage

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Le Puy to Santiago 2005 and a few more since

• Today at 4:41 AM

• #9

Mycenius said:

but if someone is older

Click to expand...

I am and I suspect most wanting to walk a Camino are not frail. As my body is capable of walking 4 or 7 hours / day, and my hands and arms can do all the usual things as well as lift my backpack, the extra 100 gms of my iPhone 12 Pro Max is negligible and easily offset by its productivity benefit.

 

Robo

Always planning the next one....

Donating Member

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Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23

• Today at 4:51 AM

• #10

I prefer larger phones.
I'm used to using a PC at home and small phone screens are hard for me. Not great eyesight!
If I'm going to read a guidebook on a phone, or use booking apps, or mapping apps, a larger screen I find makes life easier.

I use a Samsung 22 Ultra. Just slips into my pocket. 6.8" screen.

[td width="110px"]Dimensions[/td] [td]163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)[/td] [td width="110px"]Weight[/td] [td]228 g / 229 g (mmWave) (8.04 oz)[/td]

 

J Willhaus

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2016, 2022, 2023, 2024, planned 2025

• Today at 5:24 AM

• #11

I have a newer Samsung Android and really like the quality of photos

 

Robo

Always planning the next one....

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23

• Today at 7:23 AM

• #12

J Willhaus said:

I have a newer Samsung Android and really like the quality of photos

Click to expand...

The Samsung phone cameras are outstanding! I shoot 4k video on mine.

Every time in the last 10-12 years it comes time to upgrade my phone, which was only about 3 times.......I go through an evaluation process. And come back to Samsung every time. My Camino phones have been the Note 3, Galaxy S8, and now the Galaxy S22 Ultra. But others love iPhones too of course.

 

Robo

Always planning the next one....

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23

• Today at 7:58 AM

• #13

C clearly said:

I definitely wouldn't trade in my large phone for a smaller one, to save 100 g!

Click to expand...

With the bigger screens, they are almost as good as a small tablet.
Using the Kindle app I can certainly read books on mine.