One-hand Mode

Micro-interaction design

A study of how different manufacturers go about the one-handed usability of modern smartphones in their interfaces and a proposed design framework.

TIMELINE

July 2021

TEAM

Nachiket Nanoty

TOOLS

Figma

THE PROBLEM

Why one-handed usability of modern smartphones is a problem?

I conducted an online survey to understand how users use their smartphones.

responses

questions

learnings

~50%

Users use their smartphone primarily with one hand.

> 50%

Users use a smartphone with screen size greater than 6 in.

> 75%

Users use a protective case on their smartphone which increases the overall size of the smartphone.

"The thumb zone"

CURRENT SOLUTIONS

Here, I took a look at all the solutions major smartphone manufacturers are using in their interfaces to improve one-handed usability of their smartphones.

Approach 1 : One-hand mode

Used by : Xiaomi, Vivo, Realme, Oppo, OnePlus, Samsung, Motorola

Positives :
‍
1. Every touch target in the UI are closer to the thumb.

Negatives :

1. Text size gets reduced affecting the readability of content.
2. The size of touch targets in the UI gets smaller than required in Google's material design and Apple's human design guidelines.
3. Use of screen area is very poor as almost half of the screen is blocked.

Approach 2 : Reachability mode

Used by : Apple, Google, Samsung

Positives :
‍
1. Touch targets on the top of the display are now closer to the thumb.
2. Text and touch targets follow Google's material design and Apple's human design guidelines.

Negatives :
‍
1. Usable screen area is reduced by almost half as it is blocked by the 'black area' at the top.
2. Content on the bottom half of the display gets pushed down including bottom navigation bar and floating buttons.

Approach 3 : Samsung's One UI

Used by : Samsung

Positives :
‍
1. Touch targets on the top of the display are now closer to the thumb.
2. No need to manually activate as it is built into the UI.
3. Text and touch targets follow Google's material design and Apple's human design guidelines.
4. No loss in usable screen are as no part of display is blocked.

Negatives :
‍
1. Content at the bottom of the display is pushed down.

SAMSUNG'S ONE UI - A CLOSER LOOK

Comparing implementation of Google messages app in Samsung's One UI with stock Android UI.

Implementation of Google's messages app